Case Closed, Vol. 34: The Unusual Suspects

名探偵コナン [Meitantei Conan] #34

by Gosho Aoyama

The death of a private detective puts Conan back on the trail of the mysterious Syndicate. Now he believes he's identified one of the Men in Black--or, rather, a Woman in Black--as American actress Chris Vineyard. But could the elusive mistress of disguise be closer than Conan realizes? When Conan and Harley Hartwell investigate a suicide in the apartment building of daffy English teacher Jodie Santemillion, they discover more than just foul play. Who is Miss Jodie?

Genres: Manga, Mystery, Comics, Komik, Fiction, Detective, Shonen

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 18, 2001

About the author

Gosho Aoyama (青山剛昌) is a Japanese manga artist. He is best known as the creator of the manga series Detective Conan (known in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom as Case Closed).

Aoyama made his debut as a manga artist with the work Chotto Matte which was published in the weekly magazine Shōnen Sunday on winter of 1987. Shortly after that, another work by Aoyama, Magic Kaito, was published on the same magazine.

Reviews

[Molly™☺ · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's some good stuff to chew on here. Heiji, Conan and Jodie make an interesting trio, and the case they solve together is my favourite one that's featured in this volume. It's one of those which is rather simple but remains clever and somewhat plausible unlike cases which have people pulling off unbelievable disguises and other shenanigans. The Ai and Higo parallel is nice and has a nice heart-warming payoff. Solid as usual, but none of these are topping my list of favourite cases.

[Soobie is expired · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ecco, se proprio devo dire, i capitoli flashback sono quelli che mi piacciono di meno. Non in quanto a trama, perché solitamente son ben curati. E che mi sembrano sempre attaccati lì con lo scotch. Come in questo volume, dove l'autore prende spunto dalla febbre di Ran.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This volume was ok.

[Mahra · Rating 5 out of 5]

*NEW YORK DAYS ARC?*

1. i love how miss judie does nothing but correct people’s english.
2. Heiji knows that Ms Judie is not only a high school teacher, finally someone suspects her!
3. OKAY the last case is the continuous flashback of THAT CASE IN THE AIRPLANE WITH SHINCHI!
4. so I’m really excited, this upcoming chapter about New York Days will reveal SO MANY THINGS about the black org. i hope we see more of SHINCHI, KAITO KID! my expectation ehm.

another fun read, i really recommend reading the manga rather than watching the anime. (more or so because the anime is packed with fillers here and there)

[Aitor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caso "¿Es la X una Porno?": no lo es. De hecho, lo de la X resulta ser bastante una chorrada, pero bueno. El caso está bien pensado y todo tiene sentido, si bien me pilla un poco lejos a nivel lingüístico. De todos modos, es una de las pocas veces en que el plan del asesino no tiene demasiada elaboración y resulta positivo para la trama, ya que así el problema no es lo enrevesado del caso, sino esas conexiones mentales de pistas que permiten rehacer un elemento tan simple como termina siendo la solución. Bastante entretenido y con ese aumento del misterio Jodie/Vermouth.

Caso Por Qué No Hay Que Hacer Balconing Estando Pedo: muy interesante el enfrentamiento sutil entre Heiji y Jodie. Me hace cierta gracia que, a estas alturas del manga, queda bastante claro a qué organización pertenece la profesora, pero el misterio no deja de estar ahí. ¿Será Sharon con la APTX o una máscara? Hasta las gafas de Sharon son las mismas que las de Jodie. Más allá de este misterio, el caso en sí es más interesante de lo que esperaba gracias al juego espacial y el red herring de "recuerda a aquellos que tienes debajo". Ahora bien, no sé hasta qué punto era necesario el teatrillo con Jodie, y más sabiendo que ella conocía más bien poco la habitación como para actuar de forma instintiva. Ah, importante: Conan y Heiji dicen que Jodie y Vermouth no se parecen en nada. CHICOS, QUE SON PUTO IGUALES. Hasta la portada del primer capítulo del caso lo confirma, por dios.

Caso "Te Mato Porque Me Sale del Higo": bastante interesante. Empiezan a sentarse las bases del conflicto con Vermouth, Jodie, la Organización y el FBI al tiempo que plantean un paralelismo con Haibara y un jugador de fútbol maltratado. Como caso, es más bien normalito (con las mismas virtudes y defectos que siempre), pero argumentalmente funciona de lujo. Me gusta que Aoyama sea consciente del valor de sus personajes por encima de los casos, si bien en ocasiones los fuerce a resolver algunos durante capítulos relevantes para la trama.

Caso La Mesa Giratoria Fantasma: una vez más, el caso en sí está bien pensado y toda la pesca, pero lo que realmente vende la historia es esa Ran amnésica. A ver, con un mínimo de escrutinio, el caso se cae entero: Conan con la pajarita delante de todos, un caso que Ran ha olvidado por ninguna razón en especial, la hiperbólica intensita... Pero vaya, esta serie es de las que requiere suspender la incredulidad con algunas chorradas que, para ser sinceros, no distraen demasiado de la experiencia porque son muy secundarias. En mi caso, conecto con los personajes y la continuidad entre casos, así que este tomo y caso funcionan bien para introducir la historia de Nueva York.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The covers of each volume of Case Closed highlight a murder or case...and they aren't always the main story that takes place within a volume, but I felt that this one was right on target with the cover. But I am getting ahead of myself on this review. The first case is a continuation from the previous volume. What this first story told me, is there will be a new recurring character every so often. It was a fun story of cat and mouse and case solving. I think it would rank on my top 10 stories I have read of the series thus far for its complexity and fun. The second case deals with a murder on a crowded train! I thought this story was even better than the first and the reason for the cover art I brought up at the beginning of this review. The story is one that I think could make an excellent movie in and of itself. The next case had to deal with a The Moore family and Detective Conan headed to dinner at a restaurant and they just happen to speak with some film producers who offer to let them eat with them. During the meal a murder occurs! Of course Conan is on the case to discover the mystery behind the sudden death. The final story of this volume connects with the ending of the previous one...and then Rachel has a flashback moment which consumes most of this part of the story. Looks like we are ending with another cliff-hanger.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

1st case: Heiji and Conan try to figure out who Jodie actually is. Though someone os suddenly killed nearby.
2nd case: Someone is killed in the Metro. Though noone knows who the murderer is. Though soccer knowledge might solve the case.
3rd case: Kogoro, Ran adn Conan go to a restaurant where someone is killed while having dinner with them at the table. Who did it and why is the soy sauce so imporant?

[Chocotube · Rating 4 out of 5]

- la suite et fin de l'affaire du message posthume "X"
- l'affaire du voisin volant
- l'affaire des supporters de foot
- l'affaire du meurtre au quartier chinois
- le début de l'affaire "Golden Apple"

Un bon tome avec des histoires assez étonnantes et originales à chaque fois, on plonge un peu plus dans l'arc Vermouth avec plus de suspicions et de mystère qui entourent Jodie et Akai.

[Cecillie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed this volume well enough, it was overall a fine read and I enjoyed myself. That said, it is so forgetable. I read this over two evenings, and I honestly can't for the life of me remember the first half of the volume... that I read yesterday, right around 24 hours ago. That's not the hallmark of an impressive book.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

More chapters are devoted to the horizontal plot of Men in Black. Jodie, Vermouth/Chris/Sharon. The stories are always fascinating and entertaining in a way that makes you want to read more. I always love the art.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting closer to finding out just who Jodie is. And the end starts what looks to be a very interesting case from the past in NYC.

[Stephanie Hiddleston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heiji taucht immer öfter auf. Finde ich gut.

[Gabriele Crescenzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bel volume, con una delle camere chiuse più belle della serie.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empiezan las pistas.

[Nina (Nesta's Version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always happy to see my girl, Vermouth

[Jeffrey Greek · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT'S THIS?! Could it be?! Are we actually getting ready to advance the main plot?! Hell yeah.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proper review to follow

One Word Rec.: READ

Rating: 5 🔍🔍🔍🔍🔍

Aoyama Gosho; DETECTIVE CONAN [Meitantei Conan #34]

e/read online; genre: { manga, mystery, shounen }; shelves: |comics, GN, manga, manhua, manhwa|

General Synopsis:
As mentioned above, I am going to write a proper review for this soon, but I have a few books ahead of this one in the queue, so I cannot stop reading DC NOW! That's sacrilege. I have decided to read all the chapters available up to now (we are almost to 1000!) As you can see, I am totally fangirling over here and I don't care, because this is one of my favorite manga series, ever! But all of this aside, there are a few things I wanted to list so I don't need to go back and look everything up when I do finally sit down and write my fangirl review. ✌🏻

V.34, includes Files 340 - 350

DO NOT click on the spoiler link if you don't want to read all the cases in this volume, because it will ruin it for you. On the other hand, if you're a fan like me or are looking for a certain case (and please note, these are how I have set the cases), etc. click away, that's why it's there.


Case 100 - Meaning of X Murder Case (solved), File - 340
Case 101 - Falling Neighbor Murder Case (solved), File 341 - 343
Case 102 - Soccer Supporter Murder Case (solved), File 344 - 346 (DB)
Case 103 - Chinese Restaurant Murder Case Case (solved), File 347 - 349
Case 104 - Golden Apple Murder Case (unsolved), File 350 -

Another spoiler link, so don't click if you don't want to ruin this manga. I am going to include the characters introduced or as the series continues are in this volume. Personally, I think us DC fans love certain characters more than other (yes, Heiji, I mean you!), so sometimes when we are re-reading this series (like all the time!) you might wish to start at a specific case or start when a certain character is involved.

Characters in this volume:
Kudo Shinichi, high school detective
Edogawa Conan, main protagonist (and the shrunk form of Shinichi)
Mouri Ran, main protagonist & love interest of Shinichi
Mouri Kogoro, detective & Ran's father
Professor Agasa Hiroshi, inventor & long time friend to the Kudo family
"Criminal" silhouette
Suzuki Sonoko, Ran's best friend & fellow classmate of Shinichi's
Hattori Heiji , high school detective - self proclaimed "Detective of the West"
Haibara Ai, shrunk form of Miyano Shiho, former member of the Black Organization
Toyama Kazuha, childhood friend of Heiji & romance interest
Jodie Starling, new English teacher & undercover FBI agent
Akai Shuichi, undercover FBI agent
Sharon Vineyard, aka Chris Vineyard, aka Vermouth

Law Enforcement changed from Police due to progression of series, fans know what I mean!
Inspector Megure Juzo, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
Detective Takagi Wataru, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
Detective Chiba Kazunobu, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
Inspector Yokomizo Jugo, Kanagawa Prefecture Police, also Inspector Yokomizo Sango's brother

Detective Boys
Yoshida Ayumi, a student in Conan's class
Kojima Genta, a student in Conan's class
Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko, a student in Conan's class

rare appearance
Kudo Yukiko, Shinichi's mother
Kisaki Eri, Ran's mother
Akagi Hideo, football (aka soccer) player for Tokyo Spirits
Uemura Naoki , football (aka soccer) player for Tokyo Spirits


Personal Opinion:
#1, I never call this CASE CLOSED. If you do, you're not a true fan of this series, so don't even bother reading my review or my personal opinions. I'm sorry if I offend you, but you offended me first by telling me you want to read CASE CLOSED or you just love Jimmy.

#2, as you can tell by #1, I read this online. I would never waste my money buying a manga series in english that cannot get the name correct and mess up the main characters to make it appear more "ENGLISH." I am so happy I don't run a blog and this isn't a review on Sailor Moon, #1, because I have a huge soap box tirade against DiC. I also don't think there is anything against reading something online. Comics, which is what manga are, are meant to be read and shared and sometimes paying over $10 is too much in my opinion. Plus, I read the newest chapters as soon as they are released from Japan, because I would never miss a release of DC. So this is my personal shout out to you translators from me, Thank You!

[Firefox · Rating 5 out of 5]

The case of falling from high building is astonishing and unexpected, compare to other intrigue and complex ways to perform the act of killing, this one is down to earth, and almost feel like it is based on some real case.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heiji stops by, a Detective Boys case, a new character introduction, and the volume ends with the beginning of a flashback storyline before Kudo’s transformation.

Stories that focus on Jodie, Anita, and Ran, but no developments on the black organization.

[Veronica Ika · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE CRYPTIC MESSAGE
While at a department store café with Jodie, Conan, Ran, and Sonoko witness a businessman making a suspicious phone call. Moments later, he is murdered during a sudden blackout, his body discovered at the top of an escalator with a cryptic symbol-laden envelope. As Conan pieces together the meaning behind the symbols, he realizes Jodie has been quietly observing his every move—hinting at a deeper mystery surrounding her true intentions.

A MYSTERIOUS DEATH
Conan and Heiji investigate a past Black Organization encounter, leading Conan to suspect actress Chris Vineyard. Heiji, however, is more concerned about Jodie’s potential involvement with the Organization. Their visit to her apartment takes a shocking turn when a man, turns out to be Jodie’s neighbor, plummets from over 30 stories to his death just as they step outside. While police deem it a suicide, Conan and Heiji suspect something far more sinister at play.

MURDER ON THE TRAIN
After watching a high-stakes soccer match, Conan, Haibara, and the Detective Boys board a packed train filled with rowdy fans. Tensions rise when a notorious hooligan, infamous for inciting riots, is suddenly stabbed mid-ride. As Conan narrows the suspects down to three, Haibara becomes increasingly withdrawn—until she disappears entirely. What is haunting her, and could it be connected to the case?

DEADLY DINNER
A visit to Chinatown for dinner takes a deadly turn when a fellow diner collapses, poisoned at the shared table. As Inspector Jugo Yokomizo arrives, he mistakenly believes Ran—who sat near the victim—is a prime suspect. Already exhausted from studying and haunted by memories of Shinichi and the enigmatic Shuichi Akai, Ran’s worsening health alarms Conan. As he races to uncover the real culprit, he fears that something far more dangerous may be looming over her.

[Bill Fish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conclusion of the mall murder / mystery symbols case. Next, Hattori and Conan investigate Ran's teacher Jodie regarding the Organization, and between the 3 of them they investigate a murder in her apartment building. Next, a blogger is murdered after a soccer game in a crowded bus and Conan must figure out which suspect is lying about watching the game; meanwhile, Haibara has a crisis of faith. Next, at a Chinese restaurant, Ran is invited to be an actress at the director's table, only to have the director murdered right at dinner, and Mouri is the prime suspect! After the investigation, Ran faints with a high fever, and re-lives a case with Shinichi featuring actors in Bew York City where the male lead is murdered right on stage! (Cliffhanger)

[Lissibith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, Miss Jodie. Nothing in this book is a particular favorite of mine, but I find Miss Jodie to be an interesting character. She sometimes seems to be just like Conan - acting childishly and silly, but occasionally letting slip a clever, intense and calculating side. Who she is and what she wants are interesting to me even when the story itself isn't totally fascinating.

Her story is the best of this volume to me, partly because it also featured Heiji. :) The mystery isn't that good, but man, the experience of watching the characters all play off one another.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Program BUBU

Pertama dibeli dan dibaca pada tanggal 23 April 2003.

[Timothy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's genericness is starting to feel tedious, as if a comedian who doesn't realize his jokes are no longer funny.

[Erica Nabena · Rating 3 out of 5]

bhfgh

[Akire12 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conan is awesome!!!=D

[Pato Myers]

A quick and enjoyable read.