Don't Call it Mystery (Omnibus) Vol. 3-4

Don't Call it Mystery Omnibus #2

by Yumi Tamura

A CURSED INHERITANCE

When Totonou goes to Hiroshima, his only goal is to finally see an art exhibit (and maybe run into his fugitive best friend). But instead, Totonou gets dragged into a battle of wits. Kariatsumari Shioji is a teenage girl who needs his help. Shioji and her cousins have been named as beneficiaries in their grandfather’s will, but they’ll only receive their share if they can solve a cryptic puzzle. If that wasn’t enough, Shioji suspects that her cousins are willing to kill in order to win. After all, last time there was an inheritance battle in the family, a whole generation ended up getting wiped out. Can Totonou unravel the mystery before there’s another bloodbath?

Genres: Manga, Mystery, Josei, Comics, Crime, Graphic Novels, Comics Manga

384 pages, Paperback

Published August 29, 2023

About the author

Name (in native language): 田村由美
Birth Date: September 5
Zodiac: Virgo

Tamura is an avid RPG videogamer - Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, etc. She also loves to read mystery books, and going on the computer to chat with her fans.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish everyone would accept that human fragility is a natural part of life.

Considering the title of this manga, it's kind of funny that the second shelf tag I see for this series, after "manga," is "mystery." The situations Kunou ends up falling into definitely have a mystery-like flavor to them, but for me the mystery plot isn't the point. The human relationships that led to the crime are more of a factor, and what each of these individual short stories is driving towards. I'm not much of a mystery person, so that works out just fine for me.

For lack of a better way to put it at the moment I'm typing this out, I like the cadence of Don't Call It Mystery. It isn't action-packed, overtly emotional, trashy, or particularly cozy, so it's rather unique among the titles I'm reading right now. Kunou does things his own way, and while he comes across as reticent or shy much of the time, he also seems to be a good listener who can draw secrets out of people and help them know themselves better, without self-involvement or egotism interfering with the process. He's maybe too prone to lecturing people and insisting he isn't doing so, but those little sidetracks into philosophy or sexual politics or poetry or whatnot are interesting in their own right, and stick around just long enough not to be burdensome.

Recommended for manga readers who are in for something a little different with a reflective vibe. It'll be interesting to see which characters from previous stories we'll be meeting again.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

As implausible that it is for our lead to continue stumbling into mysteries that only he can solve, it is nevertheless compelling. Totonou isn't seeking out mysteries, but his insight, curiosity, and even a little awkwardness keeps giving him opportunities to shine. I truly hope we get more of his backstory in future volumes, as I can't help but wonder what environment has led to his strengths.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up for the ghost chapter and the absolutely fascinating two pages where Totonou compares American and Japanese attitudes towards mental health. He's definitely too kind to the Americans (I wish we were universally that good), but there's a good series seed in those pages.

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really weird but compelling series with a main character juggling so many quirks..it's hard to know where to begin..

[Nathaniel R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for the Sherlock Holmes type and this is a fun and interesting twist, although there are a couple of mysteries here that are lost in translation, I still enjoy the developing story.

Can't wait to get a hold of the next one.

[Ope · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

The story of the demons was a stellar five star read for me. Not just the mystery, Totonou’s social commentary throughout the series, little hints into his relationship with his family and the immersion of Japanese history into the story made for a captivating read. The latter part of the omnibus didn’t hold my interest quite as much, probably because it was introducing the next mystery but all the same, this was fantastic.

I was shocked at how much of the first omnibus I could remember when I picked up this second one seeing as three months had passed since I read the first one. I have pretty decent memory but I also read a lot and mostly tend to retain information I think is important or things that are interesting to me naturally. Don’t call it mystery was the latter for me, it’s an episodic series so you don’t necessarily have to remember each case which helps but a lot of it has also been memorable. I can definitely see this being one of my top Josei reads of the year, onto the next one.

[The Leppy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story of the family rejecting fighting over an inheritance and instead working together to solve an ancient murder case. The play was awesome! The foreshadowing! After spending more than one volume on this story I thought the next one might not be so intense but boy was I wrong! Totono is on his way to have a meal when he finds a man just standing out in the rain with amnesia. Totono decides to talk to him to maybe help him remember by asking him both personal and non personal questions which in of themselves are interesting. Then OMG this GUY set a bomb somewhere and he doesn't know why or where!?!? Cheese and crackers it was intense! I loved this book so much and that tease of the next story has me hooked! Aaaargh I need more asap!!!

[Estibaliz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, but I decided to round it down because I actually enjoyed this one a little bit less than the first omnibus volume. Maybe a matter of repetition, but I felt like the cases here weren't as engaging, and the first one with the family competition, that we started in the previous issue, dragged a bit too much.

Totonou is still a good character, really endearing in his quirkiness, and so seems to be the author, just dropping side comments and fun facts all the time.

So this is maybe not super engaging at the moment, even with the typical cliffhanger (or sort of) ending, but still a nice read.

[Jennifer]

Although every arc defies logic, Totonou has a fascinating way of getting to the heart of an issue. His reflections may come at awkward and seemingly in opportune moments, but they are thought provoking and fit the occasion sharply. He clearly spends a lot of time “always wondering” about a wide range of topics. Although I might not always agree, I find his thought process an insightful and interesting perspective.

That first family was definitely cray-cray for 150 years…what a disturbing secret tying them together, with a bunch of stupid and unnecessary traditions/rules.

[Aster · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You can't let yourself be fooled by platitudes about what's ‘supposed’ to make women happy, because the only people who say stuff like that are old men who don't know what they're talking about. [...] It's like they conjured it as a curse to keep women down.”

I don't completely agree with him on everything (including the quote above), but I'd love to have a walk with Totonou talking about everything, because he always has something unique and interesting to say, rather than parroting others’ opinions. What a breath of fresh air.

[Micah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as intriguing as the volumes 1 & 2 omnibus! I especially enjoyed the arc Introduced towards the end: a mysterious woman from the hospital greenhouse who speaks solely in code. Like, C’MON. Onto the next omnibus!

[scarlettraces · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Cee · Rating 5 out of 5]

These mysteries are so interesting!!

[Cherie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Sora Solace · Rating 4 out of 5]

As intriguing as the first omnibus

[ketall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is getting better and better. Very interesting plot and the twists and turns are satisfying and keep me on edge. Also, I adore the main character.

[Sakura_Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even more mysteries! Really good read and man Totonou is just out here stumbling on mystery after mystery. It’s like they’re attracted to him lol! Lowkey addicted to reading these tho 😂.

[yamzreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

OBSESSESD!!!! EVERYONE PLEASE GO READ THIS SERIES!!!!

[Mori]

better than the last volume!!

[mako · Rating 3 out of 5]

You kind of get hooked on these things and you can't stop. :)

[Isel · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5✨
I don't really like it but it can be interesting. A little.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

thought this volume was less strong than the first omnibus and also starts going in a slightly "woo woo" direction (ghosts ?) but the Situations do continue

bye

[reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

inheritance battle! inheritance battle! i've become so attached to totonou, what a fantastic protagonist