Shelf To Table
Food Spotlight: Matcha Latte
The perfect food pairing for this novel is a matcha latte. This earthy, comforting drink mirrors the moments when the characters gather at cafés to exchange ideas and unravel the mystery. In a story built on interviews, conversations, and the slow piecing together of architectural puzzles, the café becomes a natural meeting point—a neutral, almost ordinary space where unsettling details begin to surface. Drinking a matcha latte while reading draws you into both the comfort of the café setting and the underlying unease of the story, making it a fitting companion to Uketsu’s haunting narrative.
Strange Houses by Uketsu
Strange Houses by Uketsu is a Japanese horror novel that blends mystery and architecture. When a Tokyo writer obsessed with eerie floor plans discovers hidden “dead spaces” within homes, he teams up with an architect and a local woman to uncover the dark secrets behind these so-called “murder houses.” Told through chilling floor plans, the story invites readers to uncover the terrifying truth lurking within the walls.
Page To Plate
Food Featured In The Book
Iced coffee is mentioned in the novel during a scene where the characters discuss the strange houses at a local café. The casual setting contrasts with the eerie subject matter, making the drink a fitting symbol of calm amid the growing tension—and a perfect beverage to enjoy while diving into the novel’s chilling mystery.
Setting Inspired Dish
Sushi is the perfect food for a Tokyo-based writer attempting to solve a mystery. As one of Japan’s most iconic dishes, it offers endless variety—from classic nigiri and sashimi to creative rolls filled with fresh fish, vegetables, and rice—making it both satisfying and efficient. It’s a quick, no-fuss meal he can grab between notes, observations, and late-night breakthroughs, fueling his mind without slowing him down.
Book Club Bite
Mini sandwiches, cheese and crackers, and pastries make the perfect snacks for a book club discussion of this novel. Since the story centers around houses, these bite-sized, housewarming-style treats create the ideal atmosphere—welcoming, cozy, and just a touch elegant—for diving into the book’s mysterious and unsettling themes.
“This is the floor plan of a certain house. Do you see anything strange about it?” – Uketsu