This is the first Kosuke Kindaichi novel in the series and I finally got to learn how he became a detective and a little of his backstory. I honestly didn't remember that he stammered or had a drug addiction, though. Because of his remarkable powers of insight and observation, Kindaichi was invited by Ginzo Kubo his benefactor to investigate the murder of Ginzo's niece, Katsuko Kubo.
Katsuko Kubo was about to marry a respectable man, Kenzo Ichiyanagi, a renowned scholar and the current master of the Ichiyanagi household. Back in the Edo period, the Ichiyanagi residence had served as a honjin, an inn reserved for nobility and other distinguished guests. Katsuko was far from being the family's favourite bride-to-be, yet the marriage went ahead as planned.
The wedding took place on 25 November 1937. On that very night, a horrifying crime was committed. Kenzo and his newlywed wife, Katsuko, were found dead inside a locked room. The murder weapon was a katana belonging to the Ichiyanagi family. Rumours quickly spread that the tragedy was connected to a curse from the past.
There were countless theories, speculations and unanswered questions surrounding the case before Kosuke Kindaichi came into the picture. The mystery is packed with suspense and red herrings. I spent the entire novel trying to figure out the identity of the murderer. Just when I thought I had it all worked out, Kindaichi seemed determined to stay one step ahead. 😅
This classic whodunnit is filled with complex characters, unexpected twists and enough secrets to make everyone in the house seem suspicious. When money, inheritance and family reputation are involved, it feels like every single person is hiding something. First published in 1946, The Honjin Murders remains an engaging and clever locked-room mystery.