Don't Call it Mystery (Omnibus) Vol. 9-10

Don't Call it Mystery Omnibus #5

by Yumi Tamura

DOUBLE TROUBLE!The Hatomura twins are constantly switching places, and Totonou has been tasked with finding a way to tell them apart once and for all. But everything changes when he stumbles upon the family's dark and dangerous secret. Totonou soon figures out how to tell the sisters apart, but by revealing it is he putting the girls in danger? Then, when Detective Aoto's daughter is kidnapped, he finds himself teaming up with Totonou to get her back. Things get complicated when the kidnapping's connections to a cold case from eight years ago come to light...the very same case that earned Detective Aoto infamy for accusing an innocent man of murder! Can Totonou help him find the right culprit this time around?

Genres: Manga, Mystery, Josei, Graphic Novels, Contemporary

388 pages, Paperback

Published August 20, 2024

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

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a particularly good volume, not just because things feel like they're beginning to come together, but because Tamura really ups her game in the Totonou department. The second case in the book, which takes up most of it, contains references to The Moon Over the Mountain: Maiden's Bookshelf and No Longer Human, and they're both so subtly woven into the plot that it's only upon reflection that you can truly see it. Maybe along with not calling it mystery we shouldn't call it literature, either.

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing from the previous Volume.
Totonou's task of distinguishing between twins becomes something more serious.
An elaborate kidnapping scheme is linked to an infamous cold Case.

Totonou's mind wanders from why he sometimes shampoos his hair twice to how Japanese people are addressed.

[Snail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really dark series of stories. Difficult subjects to read.

Editing review up to 4 stars, because I do always admire Tamara’s writing and the way she crafts characters. I still think she’s stronger with longer, connected series like Basara and 7 Seeds. Mystery here feels more like her short stories (see Wangan Jungle, etc) which can be fun and certainly entertaining or impactful, but they feel more shallow in terms of building up character development and the reader’s attachment to characters.

But she’s clearly enjoying writing this series, and it seems to be very popular, at least in Japan. I wonder how it’s being received in the states. Be nice if it led to a 7 Seeds official release!

[Cee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is just so so good. The artwork isn't the greatest, but the little mysteries that all connect and then the ending always making you wonder how Totonou fits into things make it so big. Little mysteries fitting into the Zodiac mystery (the overarching plot yeah?) and what the heck Totonou's past is and why he keeps getting roped into these things.

Honestly, amazing.

[The Leppy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this book just hit all my usual hard pass things so here are the trigger warnings for this volume: child kidnapping, child murder, and a pedo.
So how did I manage to read this and give it 5 stars!? well it's complicated and I don't want to spoil the conclusion but having characters constantly call out the pedo as wrong and a character put themselves further in harms way to protect a victim of said pedo helped immensely. Mutual reader-character rage!! The particular stories in this volume were difficult but handled well enough. That and I love Totono so much I need to see him through. Poor kid needs a real relaxing vacation after this though... I'm so glad he has Leica to decompress with!

[Carlette Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this series!
Volumes 9 and 10 felt like the heaviest set of stories from the bunch. Not to spoil anything but the back to back plot twists during the kidnapping case not only sent chills down my spine but made me nauseous to even think about. I tend to dive face first into series I am obsessed with and once I got to the last few chapters in Volume 10 I had emotional whiplash. I am so ready for the next omnibus release. It can't come sooner!

[Daryllee · Rating 5 out of 5]

In love with this series. The mysteries, the cast, the MC’s wholesome effect on everyone around him. Can’t wait to read more!

[Jo' · Rating 5 out of 5]

C'était encore une fois incroyable.

[reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

the story with the twins chilled me but the kidnapping plot?????

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really enjoying the series, even though I’m still not convinced the situations are logical. I mean…for example, with the triplets. Why would the uncle not be MORE concerned that whichever niece he chose to keep alive is old enough to tell that he sent her sisters and caretakers away? There are supposed to be twins, how is he going to explain away the fact that one vanished? And the old couple? Kinda crazy that their mom covered for him at all - family or not, he buried a man in her backyard. And this guy was randomly screwing with the plane? Knowing what he’s like, why was he allowed anywhere near the family? I would also mention that it makes no sense that the guy he killed was said to have embezzled money and run away. He’d have to have set up everything so it looked like the guy fled, and there’d have to be a money trail. No one is just going to believe he vanished, he’s got family and friends that will want to know what happened. It’s not like this happened decades ago when it was easier to disappear, the twins were 4, so it was only a few years prior.

The kidnapping case was very suspenseful and interesting, but it took a weird turn when the killer revealed his motives and crimes. What a stupid thing, to kill boys because they’re overlooked, and think it’s a favor to them. Then to kill the girls that were unnoticed by the weirdo taking photos? Who, if I understood correctly, has been molesting his daughter?? It wasn’t mentioned, but they better investigate him too now that the kidnappings over. I wasn’t quite satisfied with the conclusion here. Again, not a realistic scenario, because coordinating a kidnapping circle like that would be impossible with this timing. You have to make sure your victim is accessible, not just send random people to go kidnap a kid they don’t know. So many things can go wrong. One thing that I did like is that it showed how desperation can cause ordinary good people to do terrible things. Even Aoto, a very strict policeman, was contemplating kidnapping for the sake of his own daughter.

I’m sure the overarching plot is that therapist, who appears to like screwing with people. It is clear he influenced everything and everyone so far has been his patient. He’s clearly brainwashing them into believing certain things and taking certain actions. It also appears that he is aware of Garo spying on him (diapers, Garo?!)…his arc seems like it will be particularly creepy.

[scarlettraces · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have grown to seriously love this series, even tho I generally don't go for "mystery of the week" stories. (There's something more going on here though, and Tamura-sensei never forgets a thread - the series has a great memory.)

I have always loved Tamura-sensei's art so that helps. 7 Seeds! When are we going to get 7 Seeds in English?!