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Masquerade and the Nameless Women
Since the death of her sister, police force newbie Yuri Uguisu has been chasing the notoriously untraceable serial killer Masquerade. When a new corpse turns up in Odaiba, Yuri immediately goes on alert—only to recognize the victim as an old classmate, the alluring and mysterious Reina Myoko. When the police force calls in long-time consultant psychologist Seiren Higano for assistance in untangling the testimonies of Reina’s father, fiancé, and lover, Yuri meets the riveting, charismatic psychologist for the first time. Little does she know that Higano is none other than Masquerade himself. Faced with Reina’s case, Higano promises to get the answers, but no one is prepared for the conclusion reached in the interrogation room…
In this cat-and-mouse tale of hunter and hunted, Eiji Mikage has woven a subtle and twisting tale of clashing motives and murky identities, where nothing anyone says can be taken at face value.
In this cat-and-mouse tale of hunter and hunted, Eiji Mikage has woven a subtle and twisting tale of clashing motives and murky identities, where nothing anyone says can be taken at face value.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2017
16 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Eiji Mikage
13 books140 followersDropped out of college to become a writer; he still works a part time job to make ends meet.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 17, 2021
The publisher's description mentions a detail that, for the bulk of the book, I considered a spoiler. Someone who pays a little closer attention to names than I do may feel differently, but I've avoided giving that information in my review because I feel like it could affect a person's reading experience.
Masquerade is a serial killer who targets beautiful women. Before killing them, he cuts off one body part, whatever their most beautiful feature happens to be, and then he cuts off their face.
This latest killing is a puzzle, however. It deviates from Masquerade's signature in several ways, and the victim, Reina Myoko, is a mystery all on her own. There are no pictures of her - not even her father has any. She lived in a run-down place and didn't have a driver's license, and yet she owned an expensive car. She had a fiance as well as a lover. Her father and fiance were unaware of the lover, who insists that she truly loved him and had planned to call things off with her fiance. And Reina seemed to have behaved differently with all three men.
Who was Reina Myoko, and what really happened to her? That's what Yuri Uguisu, one of the cops assigned to this case, is determined to find out.
I had high hopes for this. Theoretically, light novel one-shots don't have the luxury of wallowing in bloat and weird pacing problems. Plus, I like twisty mysteries.
Unfortunately, this turned out to be awful. It was almost entirely composed of theorizing about the murder. This theorizing wasn't necessarily connected to actual evidence - sometimes Seiren Higano, the supposed genius psychologist who occasionally consulted for the police, just threw stuff out there to see how the characters would react. Fortunately for him, the police were dumb enough to go along with it and applaud him like he'd done something amazing. Even the suspects were willing to play along, muddying the water by adding more details and twists.
There was no firm ground to stand on because, by the time Higano was done talking, black became white and up became down. Was the victim really Reina? Had a murder actually occurred? Sure, there was a horrifically mutilated body that dental records confirmed was Reina, but Higano could talk anything into being inconclusive. As he was fond of saying, the truth had no value. I suspect Mikage meant this to be thrilling, but instead I found it annoying.
Yuri was an absolutely worthless cop. I get it, she was supposed to be an inexperienced rookie, but there were things she allowed herself to be convinced of, even just temporarily, that were ridiculous and physically impossible.
The author had no clue how to write a convincing woman - Mikage wrote Yuri as someone who was so insecure about her looks that she squirmed over interacting with a "perfect ten" of a woman just pages after worrying that no one would ever take her seriously as a cop. She also got annoyed because her older male partner found that "perfect ten" woman attractive but had never noticed her the same way. It made no sense. Generally, women who want to be taken seriously as professionals would prefer that their male colleagues not leer at them or flirt with them. Plus, the whole "perfect ten" thing was more of a gross guy phrasing than something I could believe one woman thinking about another. Women get jealous of other women, yes, but I've never heard women rate other women's looks that way.
This was clearly aiming to be deliciously twisty, and instead it fell flat. Almost none of the twists and revelations were believable, and one of the most obvious revelations was written like it was a cleverly disguised detail. The book ended at a terrible spot, as well, with the confrontation I'd expected left to some unwritten future.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
Masquerade is a serial killer who targets beautiful women. Before killing them, he cuts off one body part, whatever their most beautiful feature happens to be, and then he cuts off their face.
This latest killing is a puzzle, however. It deviates from Masquerade's signature in several ways, and the victim, Reina Myoko, is a mystery all on her own. There are no pictures of her - not even her father has any. She lived in a run-down place and didn't have a driver's license, and yet she owned an expensive car. She had a fiance as well as a lover. Her father and fiance were unaware of the lover, who insists that she truly loved him and had planned to call things off with her fiance. And Reina seemed to have behaved differently with all three men.
Who was Reina Myoko, and what really happened to her? That's what Yuri Uguisu, one of the cops assigned to this case, is determined to find out.
I had high hopes for this. Theoretically, light novel one-shots don't have the luxury of wallowing in bloat and weird pacing problems. Plus, I like twisty mysteries.
Unfortunately, this turned out to be awful. It was almost entirely composed of theorizing about the murder. This theorizing wasn't necessarily connected to actual evidence - sometimes Seiren Higano, the supposed genius psychologist who occasionally consulted for the police, just threw stuff out there to see how the characters would react. Fortunately for him, the police were dumb enough to go along with it and applaud him like he'd done something amazing. Even the suspects were willing to play along, muddying the water by adding more details and twists.
There was no firm ground to stand on because, by the time Higano was done talking, black became white and up became down. Was the victim really Reina? Had a murder actually occurred? Sure, there was a horrifically mutilated body that dental records confirmed was Reina, but Higano could talk anything into being inconclusive. As he was fond of saying, the truth had no value. I suspect Mikage meant this to be thrilling, but instead I found it annoying.
Yuri was an absolutely worthless cop. I get it, she was supposed to be an inexperienced rookie, but there were things she allowed herself to be convinced of, even just temporarily, that were ridiculous and physically impossible.
The author had no clue how to write a convincing woman - Mikage wrote Yuri as someone who was so insecure about her looks that she squirmed over interacting with a "perfect ten" of a woman just pages after worrying that no one would ever take her seriously as a cop. She also got annoyed because her older male partner found that "perfect ten" woman attractive but had never noticed her the same way. It made no sense. Generally, women who want to be taken seriously as professionals would prefer that their male colleagues not leer at them or flirt with them. Plus, the whole "perfect ten" thing was more of a gross guy phrasing than something I could believe one woman thinking about another. Women get jealous of other women, yes, but I've never heard women rate other women's looks that way.
This was clearly aiming to be deliciously twisty, and instead it fell flat. Almost none of the twists and revelations were believable, and one of the most obvious revelations was written like it was a cleverly disguised detail. The book ended at a terrible spot, as well, with the confrontation I'd expected left to some unwritten future.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
April 4, 2019
Though it got a little convoluted for me at the end, it made me want to go back and reread it as well as hope for a sequel, so that's enough for me to give it 4 stars and a recommendation to read it. I've also been enjoying this author's only other work to make it to English, The Empty Box and Zeroth Maria, so I hope we'll get more Eiji Mikage books over here in the future.
December 24, 2023
I don’t know if it’s the translation, bad dialogue, or something else. I was struggling to finish this book, just to see if the ending made it better. It didn’t do much.
But it’s a nice cover. And it’s contents bizarre.
But it’s a nice cover. And it’s contents bizarre.
October 10, 2021
I enjoyed it immensely. I liked that the serial killer was not the focus of the book and the mystery was complicated and twisted.
I’m not sure why I picked it up (especially since in not usually a fan of mysteries). It sort of called to me. I think it was the cover and then the synopsis.
I’m glad I did.
I need to check to see if there are more.
My review from Rightstufanime.com:
I loved the book. I liked knowing about the serial killer and how he reacts with the cops. It reminded me a bit of Dexter.
The mystery was of the unidentifiable victim found. A young cop works with an amateur detective/psychiatrist to figure out her identity.
It was a great read and it took me only hours to read because I was sucked into the story immediately.
I need another book with these characters.
I’m not sure why I picked it up (especially since in not usually a fan of mysteries). It sort of called to me. I think it was the cover and then the synopsis.
I’m glad I did.
I need to check to see if there are more.
My review from Rightstufanime.com:
I loved the book. I liked knowing about the serial killer and how he reacts with the cops. It reminded me a bit of Dexter.
The mystery was of the unidentifiable victim found. A young cop works with an amateur detective/psychiatrist to figure out her identity.
It was a great read and it took me only hours to read because I was sucked into the story immediately.
I need another book with these characters.
February 22, 2019
This book was frustrating. It was pages and pages of speculation. Most of it nonsense and/or baseless. When everything was revealed it felt like I wasn’t time I wouldn’t get back. But I did finish this book in 2 days which is unusual for me these days. And I did like how the hints were sprinkled in.
May 7, 2023
I didn't quite resonate with this one as much as I have with some of Eiji Mikage's other work, being a somewhat kinda sorta conventional murder mystery. And I kinda felt the entire mystery felt a bit too convoluted for its own good.
Oh, but it did have me guessing literally right up to the last page, and man that second half is *wild.*
Oh, but it did have me guessing literally right up to the last page, and man that second half is *wild.*
February 16, 2019
This was twisty but not quite deliciously twisty, if that makes sense - some of the twists felt expected in ways that dulled them. Still, I'd be interested to read a sequel if one were to be written, and someone over at Vertical has great taste in mystery novels.
September 9, 2020
I find it rather entertaining how I can spend 98% of this book thinking "I'm sorry, I have no clue what is going on" and then in the last few pages, the last 2% go "Oh my god i understand everything perfectly now". that's clever writing!
April 30, 2024
I was really not expecting the twist in this story. Definitely interesting, but some of it a little too creepy for me!
May 25, 2019
Ok, so I gotta ask what is with this author's obsession with the name Reina? (Look up his other works) More importantly, this story was very convoluted, which doesn't make it a bad thing. However, if you are one of those readers that read mystery books to try and solve it before the book ends. Well, that's gonna be very difficult with this one. The problem is a bit of the books consistency throughout the books. You never get all the facts in the case. Granted that is part of this story's charm that I liked. But I also found it slightly annoying as I tried to solve it new details and data kept getting added onto the mix. No to mention that many of the characters individual theories on what happened can leave you at a lost. This was a good page Turner. However, I recommend for those that like to solve mysteries, just enjoy the ride with this book. But if you choose to try and solve it, you'll probably have fun with that. I will say the summary of the book kind off makes the final parts of the book seem unsurprising but NOT bland. The twist of the book(because obviously there is one) was very interesting and the concept hasn't been done in a while. Save for a certain Batman Movie,(I'll leave you to figure that out).
December 18, 2021
Well, that was a roller coaster ride. And somehow, I managed to guess the killer before any clues popped up...? And at least part of the mystery surrounding the titular "Nameless Women."
I don't think I solved it based on any evidence. (not really a spoiler, but tagging my "methodology" anyway just in case) just so happened to pan out this time.
It was a good read. I liked the characters for the most part and the banter between them. There were a few parts that rubbed me the wrong way, but it didn't impact my interest in the mystery itself too much.
Overall, it's an interesting read with a "twist" that I'm not sure counts since I guessed it from the get-go, but again, it might have just been sheer dumb luck and my lazy methodology coming together.
I don't think I solved it based on any evidence. (not really a spoiler, but tagging my "methodology" anyway just in case) just so happened to pan out this time.
It was a good read. I liked the characters for the most part and the banter between them. There were a few parts that rubbed me the wrong way, but it didn't impact my interest in the mystery itself too much.
Overall, it's an interesting read with a "twist" that I'm not sure counts since I guessed it from the get-go, but again, it might have just been sheer dumb luck and my lazy methodology coming together.
February 21, 2020
This is not a Whodunit but Whydunit or Howdunit. Interesting and very very noir.
Too bad the translation is not that good. "She embodies maternity"? Wth does it mean? She has big belly? She behaves like a pregnant woman? She makes guys feel like having 10 kids? All alternative s are not very appealing.
Too bad the translation is not that good. "She embodies maternity"? Wth does it mean? She has big belly? She behaves like a pregnant woman? She makes guys feel like having 10 kids? All alternative s are not very appealing.
February 11, 2024
Brother, no one understands this book like I do. I really hope that the author will release a sequel to this, but it seems unlikely considering this was released 7 years ago. The puzzle kept me on edge, and I genuinely have not felt like this for a while. My phone is 7% and I am typing this at 2AM to inform everyone about how elated I am after finishing the book. Please, cook up a sequel...
April 2, 2025
DNF ~25%
From the author of Maria's Box series, this is a muder mystery.
The main pain point was that the author is really really bad at writing women. Being a novel, the heroine's voice/thoughts is constantly presented to the reader. If it was more of a humorous story, I'd be more forgiving, but it's not, and the cute(?) affected voice was pretty cringe.
From the author of Maria's Box series, this is a muder mystery.
The main pain point was that the author is really really bad at writing women. Being a novel, the heroine's voice/thoughts is constantly presented to the reader. If it was more of a humorous story, I'd be more forgiving, but it's not, and the cute(?) affected voice was pretty cringe.
June 29, 2022
it was a very good murder case book.a little confusing at first but very twisted.I loved that at the end they added another person's perspective too finish the book and tell us all the holes and mysteries that We're left behind and how the story really ends<3
December 17, 2023
The whole book is just some guy guessing what may have happened and the police blindly following him. The main character's whole identity is that she's self-conscious and a rookie.
The idea of the book is great and some parts really shined but it wasn't anything I'd necessarily recommend.
The idea of the book is great and some parts really shined but it wasn't anything I'd necessarily recommend.
May 4, 2019
This book is bullshit, news at 11.
He also wrote Zeroth Maria which stars a girl that can't kill.
He also wrote Zeroth Maria which stars a girl that can't kill.
Read
August 18, 2019I love Eiji Mikage, but this was a step down from Kamisu Reina and Hakomari.
July 11, 2020
*2.8 stars rounded up
December 11, 2021
Twisty all the way to the end, or should I say the beginning. Strange read where nothing is really what it seems to be.
May 27, 2024
To be honest it is a little slow to start off. But towards the end there are a few major twists and turns.
February 24, 2019
3.8 stars.
I enjoyed it. It was a bit too convoluted for my taste but overall I thought it was a good mystery and it did keep me guessing. I would've liked more shifting between the main character and Masquerade's POVs somehow. Especially after everything was said and done at the end. Speaking of the ending, it made me think the is part of a series but what i can find so far makes it seem like thats not so? Overall it was an interesting mystery if a little too windy for my taste.
I enjoyed it. It was a bit too convoluted for my taste but overall I thought it was a good mystery and it did keep me guessing. I would've liked more shifting between the main character and Masquerade's POVs somehow. Especially after everything was said and done at the end. Speaking of the ending, it made me think the is part of a series but what i can find so far makes it seem like thats not so? Overall it was an interesting mystery if a little too windy for my taste.
September 23, 2019
That was great i hope there will be second part
April 22, 2019
It is a great book. I believe there should be a second book. I believe it had many twist and turns but that's what made it appealing. I don't think I would have read it all if it wasn't as confusing as it was. I don't enjoy crime novels especially if there is no romance, but I could care less. This book convinced me that I had to see the female protagonist defeat her archnemiss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews