Students from a university mystery club decide to visit an island which was the site of a grisly multiple murder the year before. Staying at a mysterious decagon house built by the late suspected murderer, they do not know what awaits them there. When the first club member turns up dead, and another are picked off one by one, the survivors grow desperate and paranoid. All they need are their murder-mystery expertise to get off the island alive.

"He had been suffering for months, and now his mind was focusing on one single, clearly defined goal. Everything had been planned. All he need to do now was to wait for them to walk into the trap. Death, it was the obvious punishment for all of them."

Started with the murderer's monologue to two separate narratives with two settings-- one on the island and another on the mainland, The Decagon House Murders is a psychological thriller of revenge, an excellent whodunnit with atmospheric nuances and ingenious plotting.

The characters are my favourite regardless how hysteric and annoying some are, I like that the author make it easy to remember by using their nicknames which based on famous mystery writers-- Carr, Van, Ellery, Agatha, Leroux etc (was actually really into Conan and Poe!). Love every inch of the murderer's plan-- still clueless even until the last chapter, and the twist really makes me go baffled. A thrilling plot development and character's dynamic, that 'revenge in the name of judgement'-- crafty and wicked with brilliant narrative exposition.

The motive might be a bit dramatic but I tried to put myself into the murderer's shoes and somehow I think the epilogue did wrapped up his (I'm giving out a hint by using 'his' here) feeling and thoughts quite well.

Thinking of getting more Japanese honkaku mystery novels next time, and if you love locked-room mystery fiction, do go and pick this one up. Totally a page-turner for me and I think it'll be one of my all-time faves too!

Thanks Pansing Distribution for gifting me a review copy of this book in return of an honest review!