What do you think?
Rate this book
文豪ストレイドッグス [Bungō Stray Dogs] (Novel)
文豪ストレイドッグス外伝 綾辻行人VS.京極夏彦
殺人探偵の異名をとる綾辻行人は、その危険な異能のために異能特務課の新人エージェント・辻村深月の監視を受けていた。綾辻はある殺人事件の解決を依頼されるが、その裏では宿敵・京極夏彦が糸を引いていて……!?
328 pages, Paperback
First published January 30, 2016
26 people are currently reading
408 people want to read
About the author
Kafka Asagiri
177 books1,319 followersSee 朝霧カフカ (Asagiri Kafka).
Japanese scenario writer and novelist.
Japanese scenario writer and novelist.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 1, 2025
It is a hard book to rate, in the end I give it 3.5 stars instead of 4.
The story and its setting is delightful enough: actually existing Japanese mystery novelists star in this novel as detectives and villains with supernatural power: a detective who has the ability to let murderers drop dead (I mean, literally drop dead) after their crime is exposed, a female special agent who was sent to spy on the detective (whose power is considered to be dangerous by the government); last but not least, a villainous trickster who is an evil-mastermind using his power to manipulate other people to do the crime for him, so his hands would always remain clean.
The story is easy to follow but at the same time there are some tricky traps and plot twists awaiting us. I like the character setting very much and the mysteries are well explained; but the ending isn't quite strong, that's it.
PS: do check out the crime & mystery novels by Yukito Ayatsuji and Natsuhiko Kyogoku, they have some pretty terrific, mind-fucking stories to tell~~
PSS: And don't you ever get me started with all the giggling I have done for all these Bungō Stray Dogs fanfics (Edagawa Rampo/Edgar Allan Poe is a thing, mind you. 🤣)
Review for Bungo Stray Dogs vol. 1, written after I finished reading the Chinese translation: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for vol. 7: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for vol. 13: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for spinoff series Bungo Stray Dogs: BEAST, in which the MCs' roles are reversed, vol. 1: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review Bungo Stray Dogs: BEAST vol. 3 for https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for spinoff series Bungo Stray Dogs: BEAST vol. 4: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for Bungo Stray Dogs WAN! vol. 6 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review for Bungo Stray Dogs Wan vol. 11: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...#
The story and its setting is delightful enough: actually existing Japanese mystery novelists star in this novel as detectives and villains with supernatural power: a detective who has the ability to let murderers drop dead (I mean, literally drop dead) after their crime is exposed, a female special agent who was sent to spy on the detective (whose power is considered to be dangerous by the government); last but not least, a villainous trickster who is an evil-mastermind using his power to manipulate other people to do the crime for him, so his hands would always remain clean.
The story is easy to follow but at the same time there are some tricky traps and plot twists awaiting us. I like the character setting very much and the mysteries are well explained; but the ending isn't quite strong, that's it.
PS: do check out the crime & mystery novels by Yukito Ayatsuji and Natsuhiko Kyogoku, they have some pretty terrific, mind-fucking stories to tell~~
PSS: And don't you ever get me started with all the giggling I have done for all these Bungō Stray Dogs fanfics (Edagawa Rampo/Edgar Allan Poe is a thing, mind you. 🤣)
Review for Bungo Stray Dogs vol. 1, written after I finished reading the Chinese translation: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for vol. 7: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for vol. 13: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for spinoff series Bungo Stray Dogs: BEAST, in which the MCs' roles are reversed, vol. 1: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review Bungo Stray Dogs: BEAST vol. 3 for https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for spinoff series Bungo Stray Dogs: BEAST vol. 4: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for Bungo Stray Dogs WAN! vol. 6 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review for Bungo Stray Dogs Wan vol. 11: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...#
October 3, 2025
I'm a casual enjoyer of Bungo Stray Dogs, I appreciate the setting and style and the occasional flirtations it has with mystery fiction, so when I saw that there was a BSD story featuring 3 authors I like as bishi'fied anime boys/girls with superpowers, I was pretty excited for it. And it didn't disappoint, I'd say it's even quite a bit better than most of the arcs in the main series. All three central characters were pretty well realized and enjoyable (I particularly liked Kyougoku), and the ways in which the abilities were used were pretty damn satisfying. I wouldn't say the mysteries that are present are on par with "real" mystery fiction (nor are any BSD mysteries) but they still feature enough interesting elements that I'm glad they were included. Tsujimura's design is also very pretty. Hope this gets animated someday, and I hope Kyougoku gets a voice cameo or something if they do.
December 31, 2024
the concept of evil is a meme or what have you
January 7, 2025
tbh? meh
December 26, 2022
When I first picked gaiden up; by reading the premise alone, I know I would like it. It's a mystery genre, It have two of my favourite authors as the main protagonists (and could be three, because Kyougoku's novels do sounds interesting), and it was literally written by Asagiri and is a part of BSD universe—also Ango, because, you know— and I had pretty much held my expectation high without mercy.
I read the manga first before I read the novel; and I swear, the manga is amazing. It has a very beautiful artwork, and the story? *chef's kiss*
But the real masterpiece was laying in here; inside the best art that's this book.
This book, is, with no exaggeration, a masterpiece of an art. The pacing is just right; at times you would find it a little slow indeed, but most of the times you're flowing with the plot just as correctly. The concept? Oh you sillies. THE CONCEPT IS AMAZING. Kyougoku being a saint-obsessed who wants to save people by making them evil? Exactly. Ayatsuji and Tsujimura being people who had to be involved in this entire charade? Exactly. Them working together as a very suitable partner? Exactly. In the name of God; there is no, NO, no weakness in this book (aside from some plot holes in regards to the main plot, that is. Which could happen, any time)
But what's especially amazing is the plot and the characters. Now hear me out: as a mystery genre, the twists and turns if this book is unexpectedly unpredictable. I know Asagiri was known to throw out some random surprises elements in every corners; but to go around in Gaiden's flow is literally another kind of twisted. There are many unpredictable things that occured, there are many surprises that I couldn't have guessed just by reading in between pages, there are many many many things that were insanely popped out. But what makes those things even better was the fact that none of these twists and turns felt forced nor out-of-place; because to me, these twists are just right, are just correct, are very true. Every single one of it. Again, I love the concepts, I love the philosophical messages, I love the moral values, and, of course; I love all of their thought processes while they're decoding cases (again, because OBVIOUSLY i'm a sucker for mystery genre; if y'all didn't happen to catch it on the first paragraph, at least). So yeah, the plot is absolutely a 5/5. It's amazing in its own way—and just pretty much hooking me in.
But what's even even even even better is THE CHARACTERS. I don't know about you guys, but either Tsujimura, Ayatsuji, or Kyougoku are very complex for me. But even with their complexity, I could still feel them pretty much alive and felt like they're a real living characters. They all have each characteristics that live up to them. They also have different motivations they want to pursue, each have their own thought process while decoding some cases, and especially they each have their own personality that distinct them from each other (which, you know, pretty much expected from someone like Kafka Asagiri; or, someone who could create an abundant amount characters without accidentally making them plain in any way, not even the smallest character). Besides their "character", I also very very in love with their abilities. Even though this kinda created plot hole, Ayatsuji's ability is literally insane. If Asagiri wanted to include this man to the main plot, he could probably defeat Fyodor in a blink of an eye (unless his ability make a singularity with the book, because, you know, Fyodor is a crazy man apparently). But for real, Ayatsuji's ability is very amazing, and I like it very much, it's literally lovely, and I want him to stay alive forever. Kyougoku's too, that although a little too common, but accompanied with his insane thought process, his ability is pretty much undefeated. Also Tsujimura's; in this case, Tsujimura's ability was also accompanied by sentimentality and melancholy from her mother; because this ability pretty much could make Tsujimura stood on her feet in confident because she finally knows that her mother loves her after all. Anyway, this ability also very complementary with Ayatsuji's; which means, Tsujimura is going to be very okay after she married Ayatsuji (HAHAHA)
Only, the fact that Kyougoku pick Ayatsuji and Tsujimura because of the Tsuji is kinda goofy to me lmao but anyway.
In conclusion, this book is the most amazing book I've ever read. Between other BSD's other light novels? Of course this one would be in the top tier. This book is undefeated, and the entire execution of the plot is literally very smart. I swear there will be no mystery genre that will ever reach Gaiden's tier.
Because it's that amazing.
In conclusion (again) PLEASE READ BUNGO STRAY DOGS GAIDEN BY KAFKA ASAGIRI. Goodbye!
1873727372737/10 🤩
I read the manga first before I read the novel; and I swear, the manga is amazing. It has a very beautiful artwork, and the story? *chef's kiss*
But the real masterpiece was laying in here; inside the best art that's this book.
This book, is, with no exaggeration, a masterpiece of an art. The pacing is just right; at times you would find it a little slow indeed, but most of the times you're flowing with the plot just as correctly. The concept? Oh you sillies. THE CONCEPT IS AMAZING. Kyougoku being a saint-obsessed who wants to save people by making them evil? Exactly. Ayatsuji and Tsujimura being people who had to be involved in this entire charade? Exactly. Them working together as a very suitable partner? Exactly. In the name of God; there is no, NO, no weakness in this book (aside from some plot holes in regards to the main plot, that is. Which could happen, any time)
But what's especially amazing is the plot and the characters. Now hear me out: as a mystery genre, the twists and turns if this book is unexpectedly unpredictable. I know Asagiri was known to throw out some random surprises elements in every corners; but to go around in Gaiden's flow is literally another kind of twisted. There are many unpredictable things that occured, there are many surprises that I couldn't have guessed just by reading in between pages, there are many many many things that were insanely popped out. But what makes those things even better was the fact that none of these twists and turns felt forced nor out-of-place; because to me, these twists are just right, are just correct, are very true. Every single one of it. Again, I love the concepts, I love the philosophical messages, I love the moral values, and, of course; I love all of their thought processes while they're decoding cases (again, because OBVIOUSLY i'm a sucker for mystery genre; if y'all didn't happen to catch it on the first paragraph, at least). So yeah, the plot is absolutely a 5/5. It's amazing in its own way—and just pretty much hooking me in.
But what's even even even even better is THE CHARACTERS. I don't know about you guys, but either Tsujimura, Ayatsuji, or Kyougoku are very complex for me. But even with their complexity, I could still feel them pretty much alive and felt like they're a real living characters. They all have each characteristics that live up to them. They also have different motivations they want to pursue, each have their own thought process while decoding some cases, and especially they each have their own personality that distinct them from each other (which, you know, pretty much expected from someone like Kafka Asagiri; or, someone who could create an abundant amount characters without accidentally making them plain in any way, not even the smallest character). Besides their "character", I also very very in love with their abilities. Even though this kinda created plot hole, Ayatsuji's ability is literally insane. If Asagiri wanted to include this man to the main plot, he could probably defeat Fyodor in a blink of an eye (unless his ability make a singularity with the book, because, you know, Fyodor is a crazy man apparently). But for real, Ayatsuji's ability is very amazing, and I like it very much, it's literally lovely, and I want him to stay alive forever. Kyougoku's too, that although a little too common, but accompanied with his insane thought process, his ability is pretty much undefeated. Also Tsujimura's; in this case, Tsujimura's ability was also accompanied by sentimentality and melancholy from her mother; because this ability pretty much could make Tsujimura stood on her feet in confident because she finally knows that her mother loves her after all. Anyway, this ability also very complementary with Ayatsuji's; which means, Tsujimura is going to be very okay after she married Ayatsuji (HAHAHA)
Only, the fact that Kyougoku pick Ayatsuji and Tsujimura because of the Tsuji is kinda goofy to me lmao but anyway.
In conclusion, this book is the most amazing book I've ever read. Between other BSD's other light novels? Of course this one would be in the top tier. This book is undefeated, and the entire execution of the plot is literally very smart. I swear there will be no mystery genre that will ever reach Gaiden's tier.
Because it's that amazing.
In conclusion (again) PLEASE READ BUNGO STRAY DOGS GAIDEN BY KAFKA ASAGIRI. Goodbye!
1873727372737/10 🤩
January 28, 2024
Iba con altas expectativas, y aún así las superó todas.
La historia es una joya, tiene un ritmo increíble que no hace que se sienta pesado nunca, pero las cosas tampoco van demasiado rápido. Los misterios son buenos, me gusta la resolución de ellos, aunque tengan un poco de las conveniencias argumentales típicas de BSD (sobretodo al final), pero las puedo perdonar.
Pero los personajes se llevan la corona. Son carismáticos, interesantes, con buena dinámica entre ellos y de verdad te sumerges en sus relaciones. Ni hablar de los guiños a otros personajes de la historia general, que son un buen fanservice.
Creo que es mi novela favorita de BSD, al nivel de Stormbringer. Las cinco estrellas se le quedan cortas.
La historia es una joya, tiene un ritmo increíble que no hace que se sienta pesado nunca, pero las cosas tampoco van demasiado rápido. Los misterios son buenos, me gusta la resolución de ellos, aunque tengan un poco de las conveniencias argumentales típicas de BSD (sobretodo al final), pero las puedo perdonar.
Pero los personajes se llevan la corona. Son carismáticos, interesantes, con buena dinámica entre ellos y de verdad te sumerges en sus relaciones. Ni hablar de los guiños a otros personajes de la historia general, que son un buen fanservice.
Creo que es mi novela favorita de BSD, al nivel de Stormbringer. Las cinco estrellas se le quedan cortas.
May 18, 2025
I loved this so much, I love tsujimuras point of view it was such a delicious perspective and I love her dynamic with her mum and ayatsuji im so glad the authors reached out and that asagiri decided to write this 😭😭😭
July 16, 2025
This book was great, it had the most actual detective work in it and the characters were really interesting. I hope they appear in the main anime/manga series.
Also I absolutely loved Chuuya 's random appearance in this book.
Also I absolutely loved Chuuya 's random appearance in this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2025
The first LN I finished fully. I loved this novel so much it was the first of many that got me into reading generally. The twist with Ayatsuji being the only one that could see Kyogoku was honestly true peak it shocked me a lot, I LOVED ITTT!! If I could read it over and over again I would
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2022
おもしろかった！綾辻行人作品読んだことないんだけど、読んでたらもっと楽しめたのかな。
個人的に井戸の暗号見た瞬間にわかってちょっと嬉しかった。
個人的に井戸の暗号見た瞬間にわかってちょっと嬉しかった。
May 8, 2025
es como un capitulo de bbc sherlock pero leido GRACIAS POR ESTA COMIDA
June 13, 2025
Need another Ayatsuji book NOW
July 28, 2025
4.5 stars
August 25, 2025
ayatsuji wants tsujimura ngl Hype Moments and Aura
September 22, 2025
AYAMURA….. Ayatsuji loves her so bad I swear to god
November 16, 2025
I liked the twists
June 25, 2025
2.5⭐
Une lecture qui m’a laissée neutre, je n’ai pas vraiment réussi à m’attacher/accrocher aux personnages ni à l’intrigue et, en plus, je ne suis pas vraiment fan du changement P3/P1 selon les chapitres.
Néanmoins, j’ai apprécié certains moments (notamment la fin) et certains caméos (coucou Chuuya), et j’apprécie avoir de nouvelles informations sur l’univers de BSD, ça change de ne pas se coltiner encore les mêmes personnages et de suivre quelqu’un qui n’est ni de l’Agence et ni de la Mafia.
Bref, je lirais certainement l’adaptation en manga quand j’aurais la motivation.
Une lecture qui m’a laissée neutre, je n’ai pas vraiment réussi à m’attacher/accrocher aux personnages ni à l’intrigue et, en plus, je ne suis pas vraiment fan du changement P3/P1 selon les chapitres.
Néanmoins, j’ai apprécié certains moments (notamment la fin) et certains caméos (coucou Chuuya), et j’apprécie avoir de nouvelles informations sur l’univers de BSD, ça change de ne pas se coltiner encore les mêmes personnages et de suivre quelqu’un qui n’est ni de l’Agence et ni de la Mafia.
Bref, je lirais certainement l’adaptation en manga quand j’aurais la motivation.
March 23, 2025
it was so good but maybe i’m just so bsd obsessed any content is amazing to me but asagiri creates the most insane mysteries i swear 😭🙏 i need these characters in the main plot right now
November 15, 2024
asagiri is so big brain how does even write these stories?? i do admit that he is too big brain it caused my puny brain to short circuit at times.
but i genuinely really love his stories! and this story especially was something i waited for YEARS for it to be translated!
i cant believe its finally here and its as good as i wanted it to be <33
i lowkey hope we get to see more of them in the main bsd plot. thatll be so cool!
but i genuinely really love his stories! and this story especially was something i waited for YEARS for it to be translated!
i cant believe its finally here and its as good as i wanted it to be <33
i lowkey hope we get to see more of them in the main bsd plot. thatll be so cool!
July 16, 2024
4.5* stars
September 1, 2024
idk how this spin off series will come in contact with bsd but it’d be so cool if they do tho!!
October 10, 2024
read it for bonus info about ango and all i got is that he’s a terrible person <3 that’s my babygirl!!!
October 30, 2024
"How lucky I am as a detective."
Upon saying so, Ayatsuji gently smiled.
Ending the story with him smiling is EVERYTHING
Upon saying so, Ayatsuji gently smiled.
Ending the story with him smiling is EVERYTHING
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2024
It was awesome! I found myself trying to solve the mysteries with Ayatsuji and I really hope they make this novel into a movie or several episode series in the anime series.
February 9, 2025
te amo Ayatsuji
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews