Feels like the pacing screeched to a halt after the first two chapters, which feels kind of intentional from the chapter names. Kind of funny how this “slow” section involves solving the two locked rooms.
Anyway, the book continues to be a bit odd. We jumped right into the murders but then solved the locked rooms (although they’re just simple mechanical tricks), rather than a well-developed location with a core group of connected characters we’re just kinda floating along out in the open.
Initially I thought it was odd how many murders Saikawa and Moe coincidentally run into, now I think it’s odd how many cement researchers Saikawa and Moe coincidentally run into
I don’t think that part’s completely random, but I see what you mean. For the murders, at least she does finally admit that it’s 偶然 (and what are the odds seriously).
Thank you! I’m only halfway through this week’s reading by now, appreciate the support!
Ooooh, old acquaintance! I already wondered whether we’d ever meet him again.
If everything goes according to plan, I’ll read the second half tomorrow. Then I can encounter him directly
I rather think we’re up to another murder pretty soon - feels like there are some signs on the horizon already (the singer not coming back onto the stage for the final applause, various events being recounted with mentions of the precise time, like the cheers and the firestorm). Curious to see how this will continue!
Very unusual pacing indeed! Everything points to 稔 (or someone close to him) being the killer and the mysteries are solved, but there was very little murder story progress in these two chapters… apart from the odd lyrics of his song! “Something something in a locked room with me”? Which makes me think that maybe his victims wanted to be shown a locked room? Like, “Show me how to create a locked room mystery, Minoru!”, and then he kills them because he can? And because it’s simply an 遊び for him? Hmm.
I can’t say I have too much hopes for the depth of the motive; it feels like 森先生 is more about complicated setups and pulling them off correctly than about deeply psychological relatable murder motives. But that’s okay
I also enjoy Moe being less pushy toward Saikawa… her behaviour made the previous volume hard to read sometimes. Some 幻滅 will do her good. I’m sure Saikawa will appreciate it as well.