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Murder at Mt. Fuji
A tangled web of deception that traps even the innocent...
Although Jane Prescott is only Chiyo Wada's English tutor, she cannot help befriending the delicate, aristocratic Japanese girl. When Chiyo presses Jane to join the Wada family at their plush villa for a New Year's celebration, Jane is curious enough to attend.
But soon after her arrival, a most unlikely event occurs: Soft spoken Chiyo is forced to protect herself by committing murder! The powerful Wada family quickly decides they most close ranks to protect Chiyo from the police and that Jane must become a conspirator in the plot.
As the drama of the police investigation slowly unfolds, Jane begins realize that all is not what it seems - and that her years of study in Japanese culture could never have prepared her for the dilemma that now confronts her...
Although Jane Prescott is only Chiyo Wada's English tutor, she cannot help befriending the delicate, aristocratic Japanese girl. When Chiyo presses Jane to join the Wada family at their plush villa for a New Year's celebration, Jane is curious enough to attend.
But soon after her arrival, a most unlikely event occurs: Soft spoken Chiyo is forced to protect herself by committing murder! The powerful Wada family quickly decides they most close ranks to protect Chiyo from the police and that Jane must become a conspirator in the plot.
As the drama of the police investigation slowly unfolds, Jane begins realize that all is not what it seems - and that her years of study in Japanese culture could never have prepared her for the dilemma that now confronts her...
199 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1984
164 people are currently reading
2728 people want to read
About the author
Shizuko Natsuki
72 books24 followersShizuko Natsuki (夏樹 静子) was born in Tokyo in 1938. She graduated from Keio University with a degree in English literature. She married in 1963 and moved to Fukuoka, where she has lived since that time with the exception of nine years spent in Nagoya. Natsuki is not only one of Japan’s best-selling mystery writers but also one of the most prolific. She has written more than eighty novels and short-story collections, and more than forty of her novels and stories have been made into films.
Natsuki published her first mystery novel, Tenshi ga kiete iku (the angel has gone), in 1970. The first of her novels to be translated into English was W no higeki (1982; Murder at Mount Fuji, 1984). Several of her short stories have been published in translation in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Natsuki’s writing, like that of many other Japanese mystery writers of her generation, often shows the strong influence of well-known mystery writer Seich Matsumoto.
Natsuki published her first mystery novel, Tenshi ga kiete iku (the angel has gone), in 1970. The first of her novels to be translated into English was W no higeki (1982; Murder at Mount Fuji, 1984). Several of her short stories have been published in translation in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Natsuki’s writing, like that of many other Japanese mystery writers of her generation, often shows the strong influence of well-known mystery writer Seich Matsumoto.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 259 reviews
January 11, 2025
An uneven but atmospheric crime story from Shizuko Natsuki dubbed “Japan’s Agatha Christie” – a title she hates. Graduate student Jane Prescott travels from her base in Tokyo to a secluded villa near Mount Fuji to help her friend Chiyo Wada who’s struggling to meet an academic deadline. The stunningly luxurious house belongs to Chiyo’s great-uncle Yahei Wada head of a giant pharmaceutical company. Several close members of his family have gathered there for a New Year holiday. The wintry setting and slow-falling snowfall promise a peaceful retreat. But not long after Jane’s arrival Yahei Wada is brutally killed and Jane finds herself embroiled in an attempt to conceal his murder.
Natsuki’s novel was published in the early 1980s and depicts a Japan in which patriarchy runs rampant, the Wada women are viewed as minor characters and with a disturbing lack of irony and/or shame the Wada family men rush to introduce themselves to Jane as ‘womanisers’ and ‘lechers.’ As far as they’re concerned their wealth and prestigious family means they can more or less do what they want, just so long as their secrets are safe from the outside world. They’re less bothered by Yahei’s death, or his killer’s identity, than they are about how events might tarnish the family name. Natsuki’s narrative starts off with Yahei’s murder and the elaborate cover up. It then morphs into more traditional detective fiction territory with the introduction of world-weary but dogged, local detective Ukyo Nakazato who soon suspects Chiyo’s family of lying. But then a series of complicated twists and turns takes the story in yet another direction.
It's an awkward piece, quite repetitive at times. There are numerous striking passages but I sometimes found the mass of details a bit overwhelming plus, with the exception of Nakazato, I thought the characters were slightly underwritten. In addition, the “birth secret” and the romantic subplot felt tacked on and stock – surprisingly close to pulp. Jane Prescott feels particularly out of place, her precarious status as an American in Japan made it hard to fathom her decision to risk prosecution for people she barely knew. Although, to be fair, Prescott didn’t appear in the original novel, she was created for the translated version as a point of identification for English-language readers – an intriguing indication of the status of translated fiction in the 1980s. Natsuki’s work’s been compared to Seichō Matsumoto’s but, despite some inventive plotting, this lacks his subtlety and sophistication. Translated by Robert R. Rohmer.
Rating: 2.5
Natsuki’s novel was published in the early 1980s and depicts a Japan in which patriarchy runs rampant, the Wada women are viewed as minor characters and with a disturbing lack of irony and/or shame the Wada family men rush to introduce themselves to Jane as ‘womanisers’ and ‘lechers.’ As far as they’re concerned their wealth and prestigious family means they can more or less do what they want, just so long as their secrets are safe from the outside world. They’re less bothered by Yahei’s death, or his killer’s identity, than they are about how events might tarnish the family name. Natsuki’s narrative starts off with Yahei’s murder and the elaborate cover up. It then morphs into more traditional detective fiction territory with the introduction of world-weary but dogged, local detective Ukyo Nakazato who soon suspects Chiyo’s family of lying. But then a series of complicated twists and turns takes the story in yet another direction.
It's an awkward piece, quite repetitive at times. There are numerous striking passages but I sometimes found the mass of details a bit overwhelming plus, with the exception of Nakazato, I thought the characters were slightly underwritten. In addition, the “birth secret” and the romantic subplot felt tacked on and stock – surprisingly close to pulp. Jane Prescott feels particularly out of place, her precarious status as an American in Japan made it hard to fathom her decision to risk prosecution for people she barely knew. Although, to be fair, Prescott didn’t appear in the original novel, she was created for the translated version as a point of identification for English-language readers – an intriguing indication of the status of translated fiction in the 1980s. Natsuki’s work’s been compared to Seichō Matsumoto’s but, despite some inventive plotting, this lacks his subtlety and sophistication. Translated by Robert R. Rohmer.
Rating: 2.5
May 5, 2025
Murder at Mt. Fuji by Shizuko Natsuki
Here’s another Japanese mystery that blends whodunits and howdunits with a twist—Murder at Mt. Fuji, set against the stunning backdrop of Japan’s iconic mountain. The story kicks off with a shocking confession: Chiyo Wada admits to stabbing her grandfather during a New Year family gathering. But is the truth really that simple? At first, I thought—seriously? The novel presents the details of the murder in vivid detail, making it seem straightforward. But then I remembered—this is a Japanese classic, rich with family drama at its core. There has to be more to it by the end.
Not to forget, there were also a guest, an outsider, Jane Prescott, an American student, Chiyo’s friend and English tutor. Invited to the Wada family’s luxurious villa for the New Year celebrations, Jane quickly finds herself entangled in a web of deception. As the family scrambles to cover up the crime, Jane is forced into a moral dilemma—should she trust her instincts or follow the family’s plan?
As the Wada family scrambles to cover up the crime, layers of deception unfold, making you question every character’s motives. The story masterfully blends suspense, family drama, and psychological tension, keeping me hooked till the very end. The detective, Nakazato, brings a sharp yet unconventional approach to solving the case, adding an extra layer of intrigue. Also, Jane’s outsider perspective adds an intriguing dynamic, making her a compelling lens through which the mystery unravels.
As the investigation unfolds, layers of family loyalty, societal expectations, the weight of secrets and hidden motives come to light. The pacing is steady, the atmosphere is chilling, and the twists, everything falls into the place and make it worth it to read towards the end.
If you enjoy mysteries with complex characters, psychological tension and moral dilemmas, this one’s a must-read!
Overall, 4-star reading for me.
p/s: I was made to understand that Jane Prescott character only appears in the English translation. The original character of Chiyo’s friend was Japanese.
Here’s another Japanese mystery that blends whodunits and howdunits with a twist—Murder at Mt. Fuji, set against the stunning backdrop of Japan’s iconic mountain. The story kicks off with a shocking confession: Chiyo Wada admits to stabbing her grandfather during a New Year family gathering. But is the truth really that simple? At first, I thought—seriously? The novel presents the details of the murder in vivid detail, making it seem straightforward. But then I remembered—this is a Japanese classic, rich with family drama at its core. There has to be more to it by the end.
Not to forget, there were also a guest, an outsider, Jane Prescott, an American student, Chiyo’s friend and English tutor. Invited to the Wada family’s luxurious villa for the New Year celebrations, Jane quickly finds herself entangled in a web of deception. As the family scrambles to cover up the crime, Jane is forced into a moral dilemma—should she trust her instincts or follow the family’s plan?
As the Wada family scrambles to cover up the crime, layers of deception unfold, making you question every character’s motives. The story masterfully blends suspense, family drama, and psychological tension, keeping me hooked till the very end. The detective, Nakazato, brings a sharp yet unconventional approach to solving the case, adding an extra layer of intrigue. Also, Jane’s outsider perspective adds an intriguing dynamic, making her a compelling lens through which the mystery unravels.
As the investigation unfolds, layers of family loyalty, societal expectations, the weight of secrets and hidden motives come to light. The pacing is steady, the atmosphere is chilling, and the twists, everything falls into the place and make it worth it to read towards the end.
If you enjoy mysteries with complex characters, psychological tension and moral dilemmas, this one’s a must-read!
Overall, 4-star reading for me.
p/s: I was made to understand that Jane Prescott character only appears in the English translation. The original character of Chiyo’s friend was Japanese.
March 14, 2025
***update lần đọc thứ 2 (tháng 3/2025): review vẫn y hệt như lần đầu mình đọc. Mình vẫn không thể chấp nhận nổi mấy bà nhân vật nữ trong truyện này. Toàn người tự chà đạp bản thân và hi sinh bản thân vì những thứ không xứng đáng.
***review cũ
Nghệ thuật ẩn giấu tình tiết của tác giả thực sự rất tài tình khi có thể xây dựng được một vụ án mạng vô cùng phức tạp đa lớp. Nếu chỉ nói được rằng cuốn sách này là về một vụ án mạng xảy ra và cảnh sát điều tra sự thật thì là nói giảm nói tránh thôi. Nhưng nếu để kể hơn thế thì những chi tiết ẩn giấu sẽ bị lộ và làm mất đi sự thú vị của tác phẩm. Bởi vì… vụ án mạng đó không chỉ là một vụ án mạng.
Bối cảnh biệt lập và không khí trên núi tuyết lạnh lẽo, một gia tộc giàu có và cái chết của người chủ gia tộc là những yếu tố dường như rất quen thuộc với một cuốn trinh thám cổ điển. Cuốn sách cũng cho ta luôn thủ phạm là ai và lý do và cả cách thức. Tại sao khi biết hết yếu tố whodunit, howdunit và whydunit rồi mà ta còn muốn đọc làm gì? Vì độc giả đã bị lừa dối, cũng như chính các nhân vật trong truyện bị lừa dối vậy.
Mình chỉ không thấy thuyết phục nhất là ở phần động cơ của một nhân vật trong truyện. Theo mình là do quan điểm của mình đi ngược lại với yếu tố phẩm chất của người phụ nữ nên có thể là mình không đồng cảm được với nhân vật.
***review cũ
Nghệ thuật ẩn giấu tình tiết của tác giả thực sự rất tài tình khi có thể xây dựng được một vụ án mạng vô cùng phức tạp đa lớp. Nếu chỉ nói được rằng cuốn sách này là về một vụ án mạng xảy ra và cảnh sát điều tra sự thật thì là nói giảm nói tránh thôi. Nhưng nếu để kể hơn thế thì những chi tiết ẩn giấu sẽ bị lộ và làm mất đi sự thú vị của tác phẩm. Bởi vì… vụ án mạng đó không chỉ là một vụ án mạng.
Bối cảnh biệt lập và không khí trên núi tuyết lạnh lẽo, một gia tộc giàu có và cái chết của người chủ gia tộc là những yếu tố dường như rất quen thuộc với một cuốn trinh thám cổ điển. Cuốn sách cũng cho ta luôn thủ phạm là ai và lý do và cả cách thức. Tại sao khi biết hết yếu tố whodunit, howdunit và whydunit rồi mà ta còn muốn đọc làm gì? Vì độc giả đã bị lừa dối, cũng như chính các nhân vật trong truyện bị lừa dối vậy.
Mình chỉ không thấy thuyết phục nhất là ở phần động cơ của một nhân vật trong truyện. Theo mình là do quan điểm của mình đi ngược lại với yếu tố phẩm chất của người phụ nữ nên có thể là mình không đồng cảm được với nhân vật.
February 29, 2024
Câu chuyện kể về cô giáo tiếng Anh Haruo được em học sinh Mako mời về biệt trang của mình ở một vùng hẻo lánh vào đầu nắm để sửa bài luận cho em ấy. Tại nới này còn có sự hiện diện của những người thuộc dòng họ Watsuji và một bác sĩ gia đình Kanehira để chăm sóc sức khỏe cho chủ tịch Yohei là ông trẻ của Mako. Bi kịch bắt đầu khi mọi người đang tụ họp uống trà sau buổi ăn tối thì Mako bước xuống cầu thang người đầy máu nói với mọi người mình đã giết chết ông Yohei. Đọc sơ qua những dòng giới thiệu, mình thấy có sự quen thuộc của những vụ án mình đọc trong các truyện tranh trinh thám như Conan hay Kindaichi - án mạng ở những nơi biệt lập.
Không phải là spoil đâu nhưng mình nghĩ ai đọc trinh thám nhiều chắc cũng biết rõ tác giả cho biết hung thủ ngay từ đầu phải có một dụng ý gì đó phải không? Cho nên đừng vội thất vọng mà bỏ qua những điều bất ngờ thú vị phía sau. Quả thật mỗi lần mình hoài nghi không biết tác giả có đánh lừa mình không là tác giả lại bồi thêm những tình tiết mới khiến mình phải tin đó là sự thật hoặc tung hỏa mù, đánh lạc hướng người đọc. Sau đó là các pha lật kèo liên tục, không chỉ có mình hoang mang đâu mà chính các nhân vật trong đó cũng ngơ ngác không kém.
Ấn tượng mà quyển sách để lại cho mình là sự xảo trá của hung thủ, kẻ đã lợi dụng tình cảm gia đình để thao túng đối phương, để che đậy tội ác và tạo ra các lớp phòng vệ cho mình. Động cơ gây án cũng không mới lạ, nhưng đơn giản mình không ngờ tới.
Truyện thiên về trinh thám, phá án đan xen với sự đấu trí căng thẳng giữa bên cảnh sát và bên phạm luật. Có thể nhịp truyện chậm rãi ở vài chương đầu nhưng sau đó các tình tiết được đẩy lên nhanh, dồn dập, tạo cảm giác hồi hộp cho người đọc cho đến cuối truyện.
Thật khó để nói nhiều điều về quyển này vì có thể sẽ spoil đi những nội dung thú vị bên trong. Thôi thì mọi người cứ tìm đọc để có sự trải nghiệm tốt nhất nhé!
Không phải là spoil đâu nhưng mình nghĩ ai đọc trinh thám nhiều chắc cũng biết rõ tác giả cho biết hung thủ ngay từ đầu phải có một dụng ý gì đó phải không? Cho nên đừng vội thất vọng mà bỏ qua những điều bất ngờ thú vị phía sau. Quả thật mỗi lần mình hoài nghi không biết tác giả có đánh lừa mình không là tác giả lại bồi thêm những tình tiết mới khiến mình phải tin đó là sự thật hoặc tung hỏa mù, đánh lạc hướng người đọc. Sau đó là các pha lật kèo liên tục, không chỉ có mình hoang mang đâu mà chính các nhân vật trong đó cũng ngơ ngác không kém.
Ấn tượng mà quyển sách để lại cho mình là sự xảo trá của hung thủ, kẻ đã lợi dụng tình cảm gia đình để thao túng đối phương, để che đậy tội ác và tạo ra các lớp phòng vệ cho mình. Động cơ gây án cũng không mới lạ, nhưng đơn giản mình không ngờ tới.
Truyện thiên về trinh thám, phá án đan xen với sự đấu trí căng thẳng giữa bên cảnh sát và bên phạm luật. Có thể nhịp truyện chậm rãi ở vài chương đầu nhưng sau đó các tình tiết được đẩy lên nhanh, dồn dập, tạo cảm giác hồi hộp cho người đọc cho đến cuối truyện.
Thật khó để nói nhiều điều về quyển này vì có thể sẽ spoil đi những nội dung thú vị bên trong. Thôi thì mọi người cứ tìm đọc để có sự trải nghiệm tốt nhất nhé!
November 16, 2025
I didn’t hate this book, but it was a bit slow and anticlimactic
January 24, 2025
It's great that publishers look to the past to bring to our attention novels that have been 'rediscovered'. Shizuko Natsuki's Murder at Mount Fuji is one such novel, published in the 1980's this murder mystery is a a great read for those who enjoy their crime with lots of twists as the family pull together to hide the perpetrator of the murder in their midst.
April 24, 2025
I was intrigued by the cover of this book but was a lil bit disappointed with the content. I did enjoy and it was a fun, easy read but it wasn’t a page-turner of a murder mystery. It was quite slow at points, some of the plots felt short-horned in and the characters were slightly underdeveloped.
April 12, 2025
Classic murder mystery is my go to genre whenever I'm in the mood for something that would get me out of a reading slump and surprisingly, this book got me engaged throughout the story. Its the classic trope of murder mystery that we are used to, large cast of characters in a rich family, stuck in a snowy isolated mansion, a murder in the midst of the chaos and with detectives solving the case. But what made this book so much enjoyable to me is the plentiful twists it offered to the reader from the beginning. Murder at Mt Fuji by Shizuko Natsuki was dubbed as the perfectly classic murder mystery ala Agatha Christie but was more inspired by Ellery Queen in its ingenious twists & tricks
Jane Prescott, an American graduate of Japanese Literature was invited to spend New Year holiday in her friend, Chiyo Wada's family mansion at the foot of Mount Fuji. Amidst the family celebration, there are 9 people in the mansion consisted of the family members and their head of household, Yohei Wada of the famed Wada Pharmaceuticals. But when an unexpected murder happened to Yohei Wada & Chiyo confessed to killing her grandfather, all of the family members decided to protect the weak hearted, frail Chiyo including Jane. Soon, investigation took place with cover ups meticulously planned but it seems there are things that doesnt add up & Jane start to doubt the entire case
From the beginning, what sets this book apart for me is how we are jumped straight into the murder in the first part, of how the murder toom place and to what extent the members in the mansion tried to conceal the fact of Chiyo as a murderer. Its fascinating to see their thoughts & ideas of the whole situation as they tried to trick the police. We are introduced to the characters early on as usual for the set up which if there is characters guide in the beginning, it would be more helpful since I get confused on some of the character's name & they do feel a bit underdeveloped. By second part, this is where the investigation takes part by the police with Ukyo Nakazato as the big brain and I found him interesting because he is clever & know instinctively with detective sense. The 2nd part does feel repetitive at some point as I found the first part more interesting. But I like how it stick to the core of investigation, witness statements, interrogations, background checks so more clues & puzzle pieces can be combined to make up a whole story.
By the 3rd act, this is where things took a turn in which so many twists are being thrown one by one. There are loose ties & inconsistencies in the plot twists with secret affairs & familu secrets being unburied but the final reveal as usual not as grand as expected, kinda crazy too, a little bit underwhelming yet I found them fun by the end. I like how we are also being deceived from the beginning which made the revelation kinda satisfying. Overall, a pretty standard mystery but one that I actually enjoyed more than expected because it ticked a lot of what I like in classic murder mystery
To also note that Jane Prescott, was actually a character that is invented for the English translation replacing a Japanese character named Harumi Ichijo. There are also some name changes for some of the characters in this story which to me, might take out some of the original context of the story and such a shame that I may not be able to read the original novel as it is as there are minor changes in this translation.
Thank you to Definitely Books for the review copy
Jane Prescott, an American graduate of Japanese Literature was invited to spend New Year holiday in her friend, Chiyo Wada's family mansion at the foot of Mount Fuji. Amidst the family celebration, there are 9 people in the mansion consisted of the family members and their head of household, Yohei Wada of the famed Wada Pharmaceuticals. But when an unexpected murder happened to Yohei Wada & Chiyo confessed to killing her grandfather, all of the family members decided to protect the weak hearted, frail Chiyo including Jane. Soon, investigation took place with cover ups meticulously planned but it seems there are things that doesnt add up & Jane start to doubt the entire case
From the beginning, what sets this book apart for me is how we are jumped straight into the murder in the first part, of how the murder toom place and to what extent the members in the mansion tried to conceal the fact of Chiyo as a murderer. Its fascinating to see their thoughts & ideas of the whole situation as they tried to trick the police. We are introduced to the characters early on as usual for the set up which if there is characters guide in the beginning, it would be more helpful since I get confused on some of the character's name & they do feel a bit underdeveloped. By second part, this is where the investigation takes part by the police with Ukyo Nakazato as the big brain and I found him interesting because he is clever & know instinctively with detective sense. The 2nd part does feel repetitive at some point as I found the first part more interesting. But I like how it stick to the core of investigation, witness statements, interrogations, background checks so more clues & puzzle pieces can be combined to make up a whole story.
By the 3rd act, this is where things took a turn in which so many twists are being thrown one by one. There are loose ties & inconsistencies in the plot twists with secret affairs & familu secrets being unburied but the final reveal as usual not as grand as expected, kinda crazy too, a little bit underwhelming yet I found them fun by the end. I like how we are also being deceived from the beginning which made the revelation kinda satisfying. Overall, a pretty standard mystery but one that I actually enjoyed more than expected because it ticked a lot of what I like in classic murder mystery
To also note that Jane Prescott, was actually a character that is invented for the English translation replacing a Japanese character named Harumi Ichijo. There are also some name changes for some of the characters in this story which to me, might take out some of the original context of the story and such a shame that I may not be able to read the original novel as it is as there are minor changes in this translation.
Thank you to Definitely Books for the review copy
December 8, 2025
American student in Japan Jane Prescott accompanies her friend (and student: Jane tutors her in English) Chiyo to Chiyo’s family villa near Mt Fuji. The Wadas, headed by Chiyo’s wealthy great-uncle Yohei, have gathered at the villa for some New Year’s partying, and Jane will be helping Chiyo do some last-minute work.
And then Chiyo murders Yohei, stabbing the old man dead after he tries to rape her. To protect Chiyo (and to safeguard Yohei’s reputation, as well as that of the entire clan), the family rallies around and decides to concoct a story: that the culprit was an intruder who entered the villa to steal. Over the next several hours, they carefully set up ‘clues’ to deflect the attention of the police away from Chiyo, away from the family.
I found Murder at Mt. Fuji a gripping, very interesting novel. The way the Wada family sets out to protect Chiyo, the careful arrangements made to divert attention: it was innovative, technically sound. Then, when the police come in and start investigating, the story acquired something of the feel of a cat-and-mouse game, the cops on one side, the Wadas on the other. At this point, it seemed to me that the story would basically revolve around whether or not the Wadas are able to pull it off… and then there came a sudden and totally unexpected twist.
As in the case of most of Japan’s classic crime writers, the focus is the crime. Not much time and energy is spent on describing the setting, or exploring characters, etc. I’m usually okay with this, and even here, it wasn’t so much of a problem except for a certain romantic angle: one man who seems to be the love interest for someone in the house and ends up (quite out of the blue) with someone else—and even that goes nowhere. I could see no reason why Natsuki introduced this fleeting and inconsequential romance angle, but I wish she hadn’t: if you have to include a romance, do it the way Georgette Heyer or Ellis Peters do, otherwise don’t. This story, at least, would have been complete and very satisfying without the romance(s).
And then Chiyo murders Yohei, stabbing the old man dead after he tries to rape her. To protect Chiyo (and to safeguard Yohei’s reputation, as well as that of the entire clan), the family rallies around and decides to concoct a story: that the culprit was an intruder who entered the villa to steal. Over the next several hours, they carefully set up ‘clues’ to deflect the attention of the police away from Chiyo, away from the family.
I found Murder at Mt. Fuji a gripping, very interesting novel. The way the Wada family sets out to protect Chiyo, the careful arrangements made to divert attention: it was innovative, technically sound. Then, when the police come in and start investigating, the story acquired something of the feel of a cat-and-mouse game, the cops on one side, the Wadas on the other. At this point, it seemed to me that the story would basically revolve around whether or not the Wadas are able to pull it off… and then there came a sudden and totally unexpected twist.
As in the case of most of Japan’s classic crime writers, the focus is the crime. Not much time and energy is spent on describing the setting, or exploring characters, etc. I’m usually okay with this, and even here, it wasn’t so much of a problem except for a certain romantic angle: one man who seems to be the love interest for someone in the house and ends up (quite out of the blue) with someone else—and even that goes nowhere. I could see no reason why Natsuki introduced this fleeting and inconsequential romance angle, but I wish she hadn’t: if you have to include a romance, do it the way Georgette Heyer or Ellis Peters do, otherwise don’t. This story, at least, would have been complete and very satisfying without the romance(s).
February 14, 2025
A slice of classic crime, originally published in Japan in 1982, with this 1984 English translation now reissued in a nicely designed edition. There's everything you'd expect - a wealthy family gathering, during which family patriarch ('Grandpa' Wada) is stabbed to death. But the murderer is revealed from the beginning to be Wada's favourite, young and much-loved Chiyo. The family come together to construct an elaborate deception to protect her.
Although the family cover-up seems to lay everything out near the start, I found this an oddly compelling read. It gives the 'locked room' scenario a refreshing angle. Like any family get-together, there's plenty of household bickering and an almost slapstick feel as they try to set everything up. Armchair sleuths will be trying to spot holes in their strategy and then follow the police as they interrogate what the reader already seems to know. Plus, there are some likeable characters on the police side, providing lighter moments. Of course, as the investigation deepens, family secrets start to spill, and the tension in the family steadily builds towards a good number of twists and turns. Enjoyable, cosy crime all set against the lovely backdrop of Mount Fuji.
Although the family cover-up seems to lay everything out near the start, I found this an oddly compelling read. It gives the 'locked room' scenario a refreshing angle. Like any family get-together, there's plenty of household bickering and an almost slapstick feel as they try to set everything up. Armchair sleuths will be trying to spot holes in their strategy and then follow the police as they interrogate what the reader already seems to know. Plus, there are some likeable characters on the police side, providing lighter moments. Of course, as the investigation deepens, family secrets start to spill, and the tension in the family steadily builds towards a good number of twists and turns. Enjoyable, cosy crime all set against the lovely backdrop of Mount Fuji.
October 31, 2023
Nửa đầu cuốn sách lằng nhằng lê thê khiến mình đã nghĩ nó là một câu chuyện dở tệ. Mà diễn biến sau đó lại khá hay nha 😁
Vụ án không chỉ đơn thuần là một vụ giết người do tự vệ như lúc đầu tác giả bày ra cho chúng ta thấy, mà cài cắm trong đó còn là rất nhiều âm mưu lắt léo và mục đích xấu xa. Đoạn cuối thì có hơi sến tí tẹo với hình ảnh "anh hùng cứu mĩ nhân" 😆
Nhìn chung thì tuy bìa sách không đẹp lắm, nhưng nội dung bên trong thì khá ổn ạ 😁
-----
Btw, bạn nào muốn mua sách đẹp với giá hợp lý thì ghé page mình xem nha :")
facebook.com/hieusachcuaGaby ❤
Vụ án không chỉ đơn thuần là một vụ giết người do tự vệ như lúc đầu tác giả bày ra cho chúng ta thấy, mà cài cắm trong đó còn là rất nhiều âm mưu lắt léo và mục đích xấu xa. Đoạn cuối thì có hơi sến tí tẹo với hình ảnh "anh hùng cứu mĩ nhân" 😆
Nhìn chung thì tuy bìa sách không đẹp lắm, nhưng nội dung bên trong thì khá ổn ạ 😁
-----
Btw, bạn nào muốn mua sách đẹp với giá hợp lý thì ghé page mình xem nha :")
facebook.com/hieusachcuaGaby ❤
Read
February 21, 2025DNF. Clunky plot and not very likeable characters. Translation not as smooth as other Japanese books I have been reading recently. I also wasn’t keen that there was an American character - prefer it to be culturally all Japanese so I get an insight into a culture different from my usual. Shame.
March 5, 2025
a lil bit dissapointing given the waterstones hype but a good last 20 pages !
March 28, 2025
This would be a really fun Knives Out type film
Unfortunately, the book kept reminding me of all the clues/hints every two paragraphs, just in case I'd forgotten a key detail
Unfortunately, the book kept reminding me of all the clues/hints every two paragraphs, just in case I'd forgotten a key detail
April 13, 2025
Murder at Mt. Fuji was a surprisingly pleasant and engaging classic mystery set in a snowy isolated mansion. The story begins with Jane Prescott who is an American student in Japan invited to spend the New Year holiday with her friend Chiyo while helping her with her graduation thesis. While it is uncomfortable for Jane to spend the holiday with Chiyo's family, she finds herself immediately enjoying the mansion's view that is soaked with the snow and Mount Fuji, which feels almost within reach from the mansion.
The story introduces a large cast of characters, which is the nine members of the Wada family. The Wada family are famous figures in the pharmaceutical industry and one of the wealthiest families in Japan. What was supposed to be a fun holiday ended with terror when Yohei Wada was murdered and Chiyo confessed to killing her grandfather. All of the family members decided to protect Chiyo including Jane who can't believe that she could do it, and they end up coming up with a meticulous cover-up that confuses the police procedural investigation.
The story is engaging from the start until the end. The fast-paced introduction to the murder scene and the cover-up plan was cleverly set up without being too ambitious. It is fascinating to see the different thought processes for each of the family members as they perceive the situation in their own way and conceal the evidence that could have been used to point to the murderer. I also love that the story then shifted to Ukyo Nakazato, the detective's perspective for the murder scenes.
While it is obvious that we have known about the murderer and the crime scenes, it is interesting to see how the police take on the case and I was really looking forward to how they unveil the sinister plan that was inhibited by the family member. The investigation was detailed, but I love how it didn't have any dull moments at all but instead the build-up toward the revelation was as exciting as I expected it to be. Ukyo is definitely a very sharp and observant detective, as he picks up on a lot of subtle details. Although I do wish we’d gotten a deeper look into his thought process, since I think it could have added more fascinating layers to the story.
Another unexpected thing from the story is that it has plenty of delicious twists. I get into the book without any expectation and thinking that it's just a fun ride type of mystery. But oh, it is a wild one. The story took a huge turn as there are a lot of vile secrets and affairs within the family. It's crazy, and honestly, it felt like being hit with twist after twist. But due to how this was just revealed in the final part, it makes it underwhelming and inconsistent. I felt like toward the end, it tried hard to make the plot twist a grand and jaw-dropping moment. Sadly, I don't feel that way at all. Overall, a fun and enjoyable classic mystery. If you like whodunits with dysfunctional families, lots of secrets and a classic detective vibe, this one’s worth picking up.
The story introduces a large cast of characters, which is the nine members of the Wada family. The Wada family are famous figures in the pharmaceutical industry and one of the wealthiest families in Japan. What was supposed to be a fun holiday ended with terror when Yohei Wada was murdered and Chiyo confessed to killing her grandfather. All of the family members decided to protect Chiyo including Jane who can't believe that she could do it, and they end up coming up with a meticulous cover-up that confuses the police procedural investigation.
The story is engaging from the start until the end. The fast-paced introduction to the murder scene and the cover-up plan was cleverly set up without being too ambitious. It is fascinating to see the different thought processes for each of the family members as they perceive the situation in their own way and conceal the evidence that could have been used to point to the murderer. I also love that the story then shifted to Ukyo Nakazato, the detective's perspective for the murder scenes.
While it is obvious that we have known about the murderer and the crime scenes, it is interesting to see how the police take on the case and I was really looking forward to how they unveil the sinister plan that was inhibited by the family member. The investigation was detailed, but I love how it didn't have any dull moments at all but instead the build-up toward the revelation was as exciting as I expected it to be. Ukyo is definitely a very sharp and observant detective, as he picks up on a lot of subtle details. Although I do wish we’d gotten a deeper look into his thought process, since I think it could have added more fascinating layers to the story.
Another unexpected thing from the story is that it has plenty of delicious twists. I get into the book without any expectation and thinking that it's just a fun ride type of mystery. But oh, it is a wild one. The story took a huge turn as there are a lot of vile secrets and affairs within the family. It's crazy, and honestly, it felt like being hit with twist after twist. But due to how this was just revealed in the final part, it makes it underwhelming and inconsistent. I felt like toward the end, it tried hard to make the plot twist a grand and jaw-dropping moment. Sadly, I don't feel that way at all. Overall, a fun and enjoyable classic mystery. If you like whodunits with dysfunctional families, lots of secrets and a classic detective vibe, this one’s worth picking up.
April 4, 2025
Murder at Mt. Fuji by Shizuko Natsuki is an intriguing whodunit that offers a mix of suspense, family drama, and psychological tension. The novel’s premise is gripping—what happens when a wealthy family chooses to cover up a murder rather than face the truth? The setting, a luxurious villa near Mt. Fuji blanketed in snow, adds an eerie and atmospheric touch, enhancing the story’s claustrophobic tension.
The book’s strength lies in its slow-burning suspense and the moral dilemmas faced by the Wada family. The decision to stage the murder as an accident creates a web of deception that keeps the reader engaged. The police investigation is methodical, and the way the detective unravels the inconsistencies is well-executed.
However, the novel has some drawbacks. The pacing can be slow at times, particularly in the middle, where much of the tension relies on internal conflicts rather than action. Some characters feel underdeveloped, making it difficult to fully connect with their motivations. Additionally, while the final revelation is satisfying, it doesn’t deliver the kind of shocking twist that mystery fans might expect.
Overall, Murder at Mt. Fuji is a decent mystery, but it lacks the intensity and depth to make it a standout classic. It’s worth a read for fans of traditional Japanese crime fiction, but those looking for a fast-paced thriller may find it a bit underwhelming.
Thank you Pansing for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.
The book’s strength lies in its slow-burning suspense and the moral dilemmas faced by the Wada family. The decision to stage the murder as an accident creates a web of deception that keeps the reader engaged. The police investigation is methodical, and the way the detective unravels the inconsistencies is well-executed.
However, the novel has some drawbacks. The pacing can be slow at times, particularly in the middle, where much of the tension relies on internal conflicts rather than action. Some characters feel underdeveloped, making it difficult to fully connect with their motivations. Additionally, while the final revelation is satisfying, it doesn’t deliver the kind of shocking twist that mystery fans might expect.
Overall, Murder at Mt. Fuji is a decent mystery, but it lacks the intensity and depth to make it a standout classic. It’s worth a read for fans of traditional Japanese crime fiction, but those looking for a fast-paced thriller may find it a bit underwhelming.
Thank you Pansing for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.
June 25, 2025
'Cosy crime' Japanese books are a different genre. I just finished Murder at Mt Fuji by Shizuko Natsuki and it's nothing like any other British easy to read, nostalgic crime books I've read. It's dense and somber, a psychological thriller tempered by a Japanese formality and slightly absurd plot. I could have given it 3 stars...or 5 stars, but I'm still puzzled by it. Make up your own mind.
October 10, 2025
Leest een beetje als een opsomming van gebeurtenissen en vaak ook random beslissingen of gedachtegangen van personages
August 31, 2025
This book is reminisent of an Agatha Christie murder mystery set in Japan. This is my first introduction to Shizuko Natsuki and I can't wait to delve into the rest of her work. I love that we're now getting more Japanese literature being published in the UK, so I can now experience all these fantastic books.
March 5, 2025
เนื้อเรื่องแปลกใหม่ (เหมือนจะ)เฉลยฆาตกรตั้งแต่แรก ถึงก���รดำเนินเรื่องอาจจะไม่หวือหวา ออกแนวเนิบๆ ตามสไตล์สืบสวนญี่ปุ่น แต่ชอบบทสรุป เฉลยและเหตุผล โอเคมากๆเลย
August 5, 2022
Gran bel libro questo.
Un giallo con tutti i crismi del thriller.
Ambientato di fronte al maestoso monte Fuji, in un'atmosfera innevata e invernale, che letto in piena estate a quasi 40 gradi porta un minimo di parvenza di fresco a chi legge.
Frizzante come l'aria che c' è attorno,
indagini serrate che coinvolgono dalla prima all'ultima pagina.
Sebbene scritto parecchio tempo fa e quindi la moderna tecnologia non esisteva, non se ne rimpiange minimamente l'assenza.
Personaggi pochi ma ben delineati, trama molto fitta, indagini portate a termine in tempi anche abbastanza brevi, e un accenno a scoperte biologiche e scientifiche che alla fine oggi sono realtà.
Bello e consigliato.
Un giallo con tutti i crismi del thriller.
Ambientato di fronte al maestoso monte Fuji, in un'atmosfera innevata e invernale, che letto in piena estate a quasi 40 gradi porta un minimo di parvenza di fresco a chi legge.
Frizzante come l'aria che c' è attorno,
indagini serrate che coinvolgono dalla prima all'ultima pagina.
Sebbene scritto parecchio tempo fa e quindi la moderna tecnologia non esisteva, non se ne rimpiange minimamente l'assenza.
Personaggi pochi ma ben delineati, trama molto fitta, indagini portate a termine in tempi anche abbastanza brevi, e un accenno a scoperte biologiche e scientifiche che alla fine oggi sono realtà.
Bello e consigliato.
August 14, 2025
First published in Japan in 1982, this cosy crime novel gets a fresh reissue with a sharp new design. The setup is familiar, a wealthy family gathering ends in murder, with Grandpa Wada stabbed to death. But I already guessed the twist and I know who did it.
Instead of a typical whodunnit, the tension comes from the family's clumsy, sometimes funny attempt to cover up the crime. The police investigation unfolds alongside, with likeable detectives slowly pulling at threads. What starts simple grows more tangled as secrets surface and loyalties shift.
Set against the quiet beauty of Mount Fuji, it’s an engaging read that plays with the classic mystery formula in a fun, refreshing way.
Instead of a typical whodunnit, the tension comes from the family's clumsy, sometimes funny attempt to cover up the crime. The police investigation unfolds alongside, with likeable detectives slowly pulling at threads. What starts simple grows more tangled as secrets surface and loyalties shift.
Set against the quiet beauty of Mount Fuji, it’s an engaging read that plays with the classic mystery formula in a fun, refreshing way.
February 28, 2025
I fell for the packaging and blurb declaring it a ‘rediscovered classic’ - it’s a very average whodunnit with poor characterisation and little suspense. There are so many better Japanese thrillers out there
April 15, 2025
Once again I really thought the title was going to accurately indicate the location but Fuji-san ended up being far away in the background. Nothing happens on the mountain, or even near the mountain. I’m not sure the murder can even be said to have happened AT Fuji-san.
The protagonist is an angmoh woman currently living in Japan and she has the most angmoh woman name in the world—Jane—and it is mentioned repeatedly that she is fluent in Japanese and even did her masters in modern Japanese literature with a focus on the typical authors (Mishima and Kawabata). Jane is invited to her friend Chiyo’s house to help improve Chiyo’s masters thesis because Chiyo is not as effectively bilingual as she should be for someone getting a masters in English Literature with a focus on Woolf. I had hopes that all these literary references were going to be relevant to the murder but they ended up being mere decoration. Jane then ends up being an accessory to a crime: Chiyo accidentally stabs her lecherous granduncle, who dies, and the entire family conspires to pin the blame on a non-existent burglar.
The story for the most part is about how the family haphazardly covers up the crime, but they did such a bad job that the local police manage to figure out that it was an inside job and they start hunting down the real murderer instead. What I liked was how the truth was not as it initially seemed, and though the backstory was predictable, it was not too easy to derive at. What I did not like was the random romantic scene at the end because if there was any sexual tension throughout then I must have missed it completely. Came out of nowhere for real. And of course it is the foreign woman who has a one-night stand with a guy she literally just met, right?
The protagonist is an angmoh woman currently living in Japan and she has the most angmoh woman name in the world—Jane—and it is mentioned repeatedly that she is fluent in Japanese and even did her masters in modern Japanese literature with a focus on the typical authors (Mishima and Kawabata). Jane is invited to her friend Chiyo’s house to help improve Chiyo’s masters thesis because Chiyo is not as effectively bilingual as she should be for someone getting a masters in English Literature with a focus on Woolf. I had hopes that all these literary references were going to be relevant to the murder but they ended up being mere decoration. Jane then ends up being an accessory to a crime: Chiyo accidentally stabs her lecherous granduncle, who dies, and the entire family conspires to pin the blame on a non-existent burglar.
The story for the most part is about how the family haphazardly covers up the crime, but they did such a bad job that the local police manage to figure out that it was an inside job and they start hunting down the real murderer instead. What I liked was how the truth was not as it initially seemed, and though the backstory was predictable, it was not too easy to derive at. What I did not like was the random romantic scene at the end because if there was any sexual tension throughout then I must have missed it completely. Came out of nowhere for real. And of course it is the foreign woman who has a one-night stand with a guy she literally just met, right?
May 6, 2025
Really engaging mystery murder book! I love the direction the author took for this. Very different from other murder mysteries I’ve read (which to be fair is quite limited)… instead of following around a single detective, Natsuki looked through several POVs which made it more suspenseful as you read on because you were privy to both sides of the story that neither had knowledge about. I also appreciate that there was no dilly dallying to get the story rolling. She got straight to the point without all the flowery language. But since the book was translated from Japanese I think some of the writing just didn’t translate nicely into English so not holding that against the author. But truly gripping story. Kept me intrigued, but also allowed me to make my own conclusions too. And thankfully this author didn’t come up with some ‘trick question’ solution for the murder where you end up getting an ending that you didn’t even realise was an option in the first place. Highly recommend and makes me want to read her other books!
May 28, 2025
This book was a great read! I really enjoyed how it kept me guessing from start to finish. Just when you think you know who the killer is, the story twists and reminds you that things aren’t always what they seem. That unpredictability is something I truly appreciated.
It’s a fairly short book—under 300 pages—but it manages to build a solid mystery without feeling rushed. The pacing kept me engaged, and I liked following the characters as they dealt with the aftermath of the murder.
The reason I didn’t give it a full five stars is that I found myself wanting just a bit more description in certain scenes. I think a little more depth would’ve made the story even more immersive. Still, I definitely recommend this one, especially if you enjoy classic murder mysteries with a touch of psychological intrigue.
It’s a fairly short book—under 300 pages—but it manages to build a solid mystery without feeling rushed. The pacing kept me engaged, and I liked following the characters as they dealt with the aftermath of the murder.
The reason I didn’t give it a full five stars is that I found myself wanting just a bit more description in certain scenes. I think a little more depth would’ve made the story even more immersive. Still, I definitely recommend this one, especially if you enjoy classic murder mysteries with a touch of psychological intrigue.
July 4, 2025
3.25⭐️
empieza bien, pero como a la mitad, comenzó a decaer mi interés. se volvió un poco tedioso y repetitivo, pero igual mantuvo el interés porque quería terminarlo y saber cómo acabaría.
podría haber tenido unas paginitas menos... no me molesta que un libro no vaya "rápido" y me parece que, generalmente, los libros japoneses y, quizás, asiáticos, en general, tienen un pace más calmado, pero este, en particular, al final se extendió de más.
igual, bien, entretenido.
p.d. un poco de salvadora blanca la historia... podría no existir el personaje estadounidense y la trama no cambiaba. no entendí su función...
empieza bien, pero como a la mitad, comenzó a decaer mi interés. se volvió un poco tedioso y repetitivo, pero igual mantuvo el interés porque quería terminarlo y saber cómo acabaría.
podría haber tenido unas paginitas menos... no me molesta que un libro no vaya "rápido" y me parece que, generalmente, los libros japoneses y, quizás, asiáticos, en general, tienen un pace más calmado, pero este, en particular, al final se extendió de más.
igual, bien, entretenido.
p.d. un poco de salvadora blanca la historia... podría no existir el personaje estadounidense y la trama no cambiaba. no entendí su función...
February 17, 2025
An easier and shorter book which was definitely needed after finishing The Goldfinch. Natsuki weaves a really great mystery story that left me guessing until the end. It reminded me a little of Agatha Christie’s stories that lead all in directions until the final puzzle piece clicks and everything falls into place. I thought the characters were great, and it also felt like a play with these nine characters in one villa before a murder takes place. I thought I knew where it was going from around 100 pages in but it has more layers and offers a few twists which is why I enjoyed it so much.
August 6, 2022
Romanzo giallo anni '80 che presenta una struttura "inversa": fin da subito noi conosciamo (o almeno, riteniamo di conoscere...) tutti i dettagli dell'omicidio, e la trama si svolge con la polizia che cerca di capire cosa sia successo. Sono felice che la "Agatha Christie" giapponese sia finalmente stata tradotta in Italia: Omicidio al Monte Fuji è un libro solido, scritto bene, con una storia interessante. Certo, alcuni dettagli sono ripetuti all'infinito e alcune parti sono totalmente inutili, ma tutto sommato non mi è dispiaciuto leggerlo.
February 22, 2025
The Guardian has to be thanked for bringing this 1980s classic Japanese detective story to my notice. Although the writer hated the comment: it is very Agatha Christie at her best but with distinct cultural twists.
The patriarch of the Wada family, with its tangled network of individuals with hidden lovers and secret children, who is also the head of a major pharmaceutical company is dramatically found dead in an isolated country home near Mount Fuji when on holiday with 7 other family members and an American friend. His great niece claims she did it but in an attempt to thwart the police a web of intrigue is uncovered. The descriptions of snow covered countryside are magical but the misogynistic nature of late 20th century Japan is laid bare.
Overall an enjoyable period piece and a clever crime novel.
The patriarch of the Wada family, with its tangled network of individuals with hidden lovers and secret children, who is also the head of a major pharmaceutical company is dramatically found dead in an isolated country home near Mount Fuji when on holiday with 7 other family members and an American friend. His great niece claims she did it but in an attempt to thwart the police a web of intrigue is uncovered. The descriptions of snow covered countryside are magical but the misogynistic nature of late 20th century Japan is laid bare.
Overall an enjoyable period piece and a clever crime novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 259 reviews