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Strange Houses #1
Strange Houses
A spiritual companion to Strange Pictures and a bestselling horror phenomenon in Japan —mysterious spaces, trap doors, windowless children's rooms . . . something is wrong with this house. Can you solve the "mystery" of its floor plan?
A writer fascinated by the macabre is approached by an acquaintance who is considering purchasing a second-hand house in Tokyo. With its bright and spacious interior, the home seems perfect. But looking closer, the building’s floor plan reveals a mysterious "dead space” hidden between the walls. Seeking a second opinion, the writer shares the floor plan with an architect friend only to discover more “strange spaces” dotted across the house.
What are these mysterious “strange spaces” and why do they exist—are they really there, or is there something off with the floor plan? Who is the home’s former resident who suddenly disappeared?
The freelance writer and his architect friend can’t resist the challenge of solving the riddle of these puzzling floor plans . . . and the terrifying plot behind it all.
A writer fascinated by the macabre is approached by an acquaintance who is considering purchasing a second-hand house in Tokyo. With its bright and spacious interior, the home seems perfect. But looking closer, the building’s floor plan reveals a mysterious "dead space” hidden between the walls. Seeking a second opinion, the writer shares the floor plan with an architect friend only to discover more “strange spaces” dotted across the house.
What are these mysterious “strange spaces” and why do they exist—are they really there, or is there something off with the floor plan? Who is the home’s former resident who suddenly disappeared?
The freelance writer and his architect friend can’t resist the challenge of solving the riddle of these puzzling floor plans . . . and the terrifying plot behind it all.
208 pages, Paperback
First published July 22, 2021
1834 people are currently reading
48179 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,904 reviews
June 7, 2025
I enjoy reading books that make me wish the pages would never end, and this was definitely one of them. 😍
I picked up this book because I loved the author's previous work, "Strange Pictures".
This time, the author employs architecture and floor plans to craft the plot, adding a unique and intriguing twist to the mystery.
I especially enjoyed how Uketsu presents graphics alongside questions and answers from the protagonists. It adds a fun and interactive layer to the reading experience.
The author possesses a remarkable talent for explaining complex events in a clear and step-by-step manner, making the entire mystery easy to follow and understand.
The discussions and reasoning between the characters really make you think about possible outcomes and solutions.
If you enjoy light yet cleverly constructed crime stories, I highly recommend checking out his books.
I am also looking forward to his upcoming release, "Strange Buildings"! I guess so? 🤷♂️
I picked up this book because I loved the author's previous work, "Strange Pictures".
This time, the author employs architecture and floor plans to craft the plot, adding a unique and intriguing twist to the mystery.
I especially enjoyed how Uketsu presents graphics alongside questions and answers from the protagonists. It adds a fun and interactive layer to the reading experience.
The author possesses a remarkable talent for explaining complex events in a clear and step-by-step manner, making the entire mystery easy to follow and understand.
The discussions and reasoning between the characters really make you think about possible outcomes and solutions.
If you enjoy light yet cleverly constructed crime stories, I highly recommend checking out his books.
I am also looking forward to his upcoming release, "Strange Buildings"! I guess so? 🤷♂️
August 1, 2025
After reading Strange Pictures by this same author, I know I could not miss reading his next work. Strange Houses is a horror mystery comprised of four parts about strange architecture homes with bizarre floor plans, hidden rooms, and disconcerting voids. The chapters proceed as conversations amongst the narrator, an architect friend, and various others connected to each of these odd structures.
The first three parts involve different houses; each house is more unsettling than the prior and ends with the revelation of a wealthy family's hidden dark secret. What Strange Houses was exceptional at doing is maintaining a consistent sense of slow dread. I dwelled on the thought, its descriptions of unnatural spaces so vivid I was peeking at my own walls and my sister can testify the way I have been muttering curses as I read, specifically during the last pages of the act because I was thoroughly gobsmacked by the possible conclusions. Truth was revealed but the mystery of the actual culprit remains...
Although the premise is certainly thrilling in showing how Uketsu has masterfully written this genre by bridging horror with architectural narrative intrigue—the execution often strains plausibility as certain twists feel more overreached and shift in logic along the way. The story progressed in an overly convenient way, and I was disappointed when it turned into an occult-themed tale halfway through.
Early on, the characters jump to huge conclusions about the houses' secrets based on almost nothing, and somehow, their wild guesses turn out to be right every time. There are a million possibilities, but one glance at a floor plan got them immediately thought "yup, it's a murder house." It makes the whole mystery feel pointless because instead of figuring things out with them, I am just watching a script play out exactly as intended. Also, I think it is too far-fetched to speculate that a child would suddenly commit murder like it was a normal idea to come up with.
Comparatively, Uketsu’s earlier work, Strange Pictures wove its horrors through more nuanced character dynamics. Here, the focus on architecture comes at the expense of depth, reducing the cast to vehicles for exposition. With a more evocative style, the unsettling premise could have lingered in the mind like a true nightmare, rather than fading so quickly since this book decided to proceed with the conversational style.
Perhaps it is the expectation of his previous work but regardless, this book remains a boldly inventive read. The "sketch mystery" format feels fresh and immersive, and if you love speculative horror or unconventional narratives, it is still worth diving into (just don’t expect airtight logic). That said, even my frustrations would not stop me from continuing the hinted sequel. There is something undeniably compelling about Uketsu’s eerie storytelling that keeps me curious for more.
The first three parts involve different houses; each house is more unsettling than the prior and ends with the revelation of a wealthy family's hidden dark secret. What Strange Houses was exceptional at doing is maintaining a consistent sense of slow dread. I dwelled on the thought, its descriptions of unnatural spaces so vivid I was peeking at my own walls and my sister can testify the way I have been muttering curses as I read, specifically during the last pages of the act because I was thoroughly gobsmacked by the possible conclusions. Truth was revealed but the mystery of the actual culprit remains...
Although the premise is certainly thrilling in showing how Uketsu has masterfully written this genre by bridging horror with architectural narrative intrigue—the execution often strains plausibility as certain twists feel more overreached and shift in logic along the way. The story progressed in an overly convenient way, and I was disappointed when it turned into an occult-themed tale halfway through.
Early on, the characters jump to huge conclusions about the houses' secrets based on almost nothing, and somehow, their wild guesses turn out to be right every time. There are a million possibilities, but one glance at a floor plan got them immediately thought "yup, it's a murder house." It makes the whole mystery feel pointless because instead of figuring things out with them, I am just watching a script play out exactly as intended. Also, I think it is too far-fetched to speculate that a child would suddenly commit murder like it was a normal idea to come up with.
Comparatively, Uketsu’s earlier work, Strange Pictures wove its horrors through more nuanced character dynamics. Here, the focus on architecture comes at the expense of depth, reducing the cast to vehicles for exposition. With a more evocative style, the unsettling premise could have lingered in the mind like a true nightmare, rather than fading so quickly since this book decided to proceed with the conversational style.
Perhaps it is the expectation of his previous work but regardless, this book remains a boldly inventive read. The "sketch mystery" format feels fresh and immersive, and if you love speculative horror or unconventional narratives, it is still worth diving into (just don’t expect airtight logic). That said, even my frustrations would not stop me from continuing the hinted sequel. There is something undeniably compelling about Uketsu’s eerie storytelling that keeps me curious for more.
April 23, 2025
2.5 stars. I really enjoyed the first Uketsu book translated earlier this year, Strange Pictures. Strange Houses starts out feeling quite similar, it's funny how ominous Uketsu can make everyday things feel. But while this started out creepy, it very quickly became silly. Within just a few pages, two characters considering a floor plan come up with an extremely ridiculous theory, one that I looked at thinking "What the hell???" but then the book decides to run with this theory and play it all the way out. Ah well.
The plot, when it's all revealed, is extremely silly. But the book treats it with the utmost seriousness.
But the thing is, I still have enough fun with Uketsu's style that I happily breezed through the whole thing, even if I was shaking my head.
The plot, when it's all revealed, is extremely silly. But the book treats it with the utmost seriousness.
But the thing is, I still have enough fun with Uketsu's style that I happily breezed through the whole thing, even if I was shaking my head.
July 16, 2025
Had the BEST time buddy reading this with my friend, Amy. Then we pushed it on so many other friends, who had an equally wild ride with it.
We're all buddy reading the author's other book, Strange Pictures, on Patreon July 23rd. So we can all see if we can figure out the mystery before it's revealed.
We're all buddy reading the author's other book, Strange Pictures, on Patreon July 23rd. So we can all see if we can figure out the mystery before it's revealed.
January 19, 2022
Well my friends, that was a wild, crazy ride. Unfortunately, there were absolutely no ghosties in this book. No strange figures or occurrences, except what comes with, er, paranoia and gullibility. A fairy tale for our age.
The “author” is set on a hunt by his friend “Yanagioka” who casually mentions wanting to buy a house and oh-so-casually asks if our author, “an expert in the occult”, could look at the floorplan of the house he’s planning to buy and give him feedback.
Honestly, Yanagioka could’ve asked me and I could’ve come up with the same answer without taking even a day: don’t buy this house. It’s a shitty house. Never, ever take a house where you have to go through someone else’s bedroom to get to your bedroom.
Instead author brings the matter to his architect friend Kurihara, who for some reason jumps into a wild theory about a killer child who is forced to murther. Certainly there’s no proof of this, but Kurihara brings up enough points that author once more gets in touch with his friend Yanagioka to advise him to skip this one.
Yanagioka’s way ahead of him, though – when he calls, Yanagioka is all like, “Oh, no, I’m not going to buy it,” and when author asks why, Yanagioka is all “WELL THEY FOUND A DEAD BODY NEAR THERE!” Honestly, Yanagioka, there are dead bodies everywhere. Get a grip, girlfriend.
Our author, thinking that this is the end of it, writes up a quick article about the strange house to make a quick buck. Then after the article is published, he receives an email from a woman calling herself MIYAE Yuzuki, claiming to have more information about the strange house in Tokyo.
I’m just deeply disappointed that there were no ghosts. Also, hilarious that there was so much discussion of the floor plans of doom.
The “author” is set on a hunt by his friend “Yanagioka” who casually mentions wanting to buy a house and oh-so-casually asks if our author, “an expert in the occult”, could look at the floorplan of the house he’s planning to buy and give him feedback.
Honestly, Yanagioka could’ve asked me and I could’ve come up with the same answer without taking even a day: don’t buy this house. It’s a shitty house. Never, ever take a house where you have to go through someone else’s bedroom to get to your bedroom.
Instead author brings the matter to his architect friend Kurihara, who for some reason jumps into a wild theory about a killer child who is forced to murther. Certainly there’s no proof of this, but Kurihara brings up enough points that author once more gets in touch with his friend Yanagioka to advise him to skip this one.
Yanagioka’s way ahead of him, though – when he calls, Yanagioka is all like, “Oh, no, I’m not going to buy it,” and when author asks why, Yanagioka is all “WELL THEY FOUND A DEAD BODY NEAR THERE!” Honestly, Yanagioka, there are dead bodies everywhere. Get a grip, girlfriend.
Our author, thinking that this is the end of it, writes up a quick article about the strange house to make a quick buck. Then after the article is published, he receives an email from a woman calling herself MIYAE Yuzuki, claiming to have more information about the strange house in Tokyo.
I’m just deeply disappointed that there were no ghosts. Also, hilarious that there was so much discussion of the floor plans of doom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2025
Another bestselling novel from deliberately-enigmatic Japanese author and YouTube celebrity known only as Uketsu. Uketsu’s novel plays with genre conventions blending elements of popular Japanese locked-room mysteries with tropes associated with haunted house narratives. The style’s direct, matter-of-fact even, but the plot itself is quite convoluted demanding the reader’s full attention. The story’s based on a script for a short video* streamed on Uketsu’s online channel in which he appeared in his trademark all-encompassing black outfit and white mask. The video is presented as a live action background check on a bizarre house a friend’s interested in purchasing. The novel builds on this scenario but expands its scope.
A freelance writer who makes his living chronicling instances of the macabre conducts a similar investigation. His friend Yanoaka is having second thoughts about buying a particular house. At first it seemed the ideal family home but he’s baffled by its odd layout. He’s particularly unsettled by a seemingly inaccessible void shown in the house’s floorplan. The freelancer approaches architect Kurihara who has an outlandish theory about the rationale for the house’s design. When a body is found nearby, Kurihara’s theory starts to sound disturbingly plausible. Then another house, with similar features, comes to the freelancer’s attention.
Uketsu’s narrative delves into family secrets, folklore and ritualistic killings that wouldn't be out of place in a Poe story and, like many of Poe’s pieces, the denouement is equally preposterous. Far less sophisticated than Strange Pictures - there’s little to no character development - but still surprisingly gripping and fairly entertaining. Translated by Jim Rion.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Pushkin Vertigo for an ARC
*A STRANGE HOUSE～Mysterious Story of Real Estate - Uketsu YouTube channel, Japanese with Eng Sub
A freelance writer who makes his living chronicling instances of the macabre conducts a similar investigation. His friend Yanoaka is having second thoughts about buying a particular house. At first it seemed the ideal family home but he’s baffled by its odd layout. He’s particularly unsettled by a seemingly inaccessible void shown in the house’s floorplan. The freelancer approaches architect Kurihara who has an outlandish theory about the rationale for the house’s design. When a body is found nearby, Kurihara’s theory starts to sound disturbingly plausible. Then another house, with similar features, comes to the freelancer’s attention.
Uketsu’s narrative delves into family secrets, folklore and ritualistic killings that wouldn't be out of place in a Poe story and, like many of Poe’s pieces, the denouement is equally preposterous. Far less sophisticated than Strange Pictures - there’s little to no character development - but still surprisingly gripping and fairly entertaining. Translated by Jim Rion.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Pushkin Vertigo for an ARC
*A STRANGE HOUSE～Mysterious Story of Real Estate - Uketsu YouTube channel, Japanese with Eng Sub
July 9, 2025
This had so many fascinatingly creepy parts, and I was locked in until the last chapter, which is where things kinda fizzled out for me, but I enjoyed it and I prefer this one to Strange Pictures. Regardless, uketsu is such a talented and creative author.
July 25, 2025
I can see how it all fits together, but...isn't it all a little far-fetched? It's so convoluted.
You took the words right out of my mouth.
If you are going to read only one Uketsu book, I urge you to read Strange Pictures.
This is one of the most proposterous plot lines ever to be created. This is not a "chilling mystery" (as proclaimed on the cover) so much as a macabre, completely unbelievable dark fairy tale. The gimmick of adding blueprints and hand-drawn sketches does not work here like it did in the author's first book. By my count, these images take up 62 of 189 pages in the book - many taking the majority or entirety of the page. Most of these are the exact same sketch but with a line added here or a circle there. Nothing about the pictures were actual clues but just visual depctions of the inline text. With nearly half of the book filled with visual aids, this essentially leaves the reader with an unpleasant short story that isn't a mystery at all and certainly not one that can be solved because logic does not exist within its pages.
**The following are NOT spoilers***
Imagine calling your friend, who is a master gardener, to ask his advice about a bizarre patch of land on your property where nothing will grow. Your friend considers your plight and suggests that he knows PRECISELY why nothing will grow in this one patch - it is because that is where the previous landowners brought the captured unicorns and did blood sacrifices to appease their ancestors and grant them favor in the afterlife. Then imagine that, instead of telling your friend to stop eating weird mushrooms and seek psychiatric help, you say to him, "Oh my goodness? Really? Well unicorn sacrifices make total sense to me!" Then everyone draws a bunch of pictures of the garden and by the end, unicorn sacrifices are one of the most plausible parts of the story.
If that sounds like a fun time then this is your book!
After enjoying Strange Pictures, this book felt like I was being punked.
It is a very fast read and it's definitely weird. That's about all I can say in its favor.
I won't get fooled again. 1 star.
You took the words right out of my mouth.
If you are going to read only one Uketsu book, I urge you to read Strange Pictures.
This is one of the most proposterous plot lines ever to be created. This is not a "chilling mystery" (as proclaimed on the cover) so much as a macabre, completely unbelievable dark fairy tale. The gimmick of adding blueprints and hand-drawn sketches does not work here like it did in the author's first book. By my count, these images take up 62 of 189 pages in the book - many taking the majority or entirety of the page. Most of these are the exact same sketch but with a line added here or a circle there. Nothing about the pictures were actual clues but just visual depctions of the inline text. With nearly half of the book filled with visual aids, this essentially leaves the reader with an unpleasant short story that isn't a mystery at all and certainly not one that can be solved because logic does not exist within its pages.
**The following are NOT spoilers***
Imagine calling your friend, who is a master gardener, to ask his advice about a bizarre patch of land on your property where nothing will grow. Your friend considers your plight and suggests that he knows PRECISELY why nothing will grow in this one patch - it is because that is where the previous landowners brought the captured unicorns and did blood sacrifices to appease their ancestors and grant them favor in the afterlife. Then imagine that, instead of telling your friend to stop eating weird mushrooms and seek psychiatric help, you say to him, "Oh my goodness? Really? Well unicorn sacrifices make total sense to me!" Then everyone draws a bunch of pictures of the garden and by the end, unicorn sacrifices are one of the most plausible parts of the story.
If that sounds like a fun time then this is your book!
After enjoying Strange Pictures, this book felt like I was being punked.
It is a very fast read and it's definitely weird. That's about all I can say in its favor.
I won't get fooled again. 1 star.
July 25, 2023
2.5
Ngôi Nhà Kỳ Quái mở đầu với nhân vật "tôi" được người quen nhờ vả xem qua bản thiết kế ngôi nhà mà người quen đó đang dự định mua. Thông qua bản thiết kế, sơ đồ kiến trúc của ngôi nhà đã chỉ ra nhiều điểm bất thường, cũng chính những điểm bất thường của "ngôi nhà kỳ quái" kia dần đưa nhân vật chính đến với những sự thật sâu xa hơn những gì anh ta đã nghĩ.
Sơ đồ ngôi nhà
Ngay từ những phần đầu Ngôi Nhà Kỳ Quái đã cuốn hút mình, thông qua các màn đối thoại của "tôi" cùng với sự trợ giúp của một người bạn khác am hiểu về kiến trúc và thích sách Trinh thám, mở ra những chi tiết bất hợp lý của ngôi nhà, cùng với những suy đoán về động cơ của các thiết kế đó. Sau đó nhân vật chính lại kết nối một sự kiện của một ngôi nhà khác cũng kỳ lạ như ngôi nhà hiện tại.
Cuốn sách có lối viết không dài dòng và có thể hoàn thành trong thời gian ngắn, nhưng quả thực Ngôi Nhà Kỳ Quái lại ngắn nên không đủ chiều sâu để khai thác thêm nhiều yếu tố khác. Tác giả Uketsu vốn chuyên viêt và đăng tải tác phẩm lên internet, lúc đọc Ngôi Nhà Kỳ Quái mình nhận rõ cách viết rất "mạng" đọc đôi lúc thây gượng.
Phần đầu đã khiến mình hi vọng Ngôi Nhà Kỳ Quái sẽ là tác phẩm Trinh thám đáng mong đợi, nhưng chủ yếu là mystery, các phần suy luận chỉ là đối thoại, cái cách vụ việc được sáng tỏ gây thất vọng cho mình. Dù mình thực sự thích cách tác giả khai thác bi kịch, sự cuồng tín của một gia tộc sau đó.
October 27, 2022
ไม่ว่าคุณจะเป็นนักสืบชื่อดังสำนักไหน เป็นตำรวจฝีมือดีหรืออดีตเอฟบีไอ ก็บอกเลยว่าคุณสู้อิตาคุณพี่สถาปนิกในเรื่องนี้ไม่ได้หรอกค่ะ เชอร์ล็อกก็ทำไม่ได้ โคนันเหรออย่าหวัง เพราะฮีเดาเก่งมากกกกกกกกแบบบียอนด์ แบบเว่อ เหลือจะเชื่อ เล่าเป็นช่องเป็นฉากเหมือนเป็นคนสร้างเรื่องทั้งหมดขึ้นมาเอง (นี่ถึงขั้นระแวงว่าพี่คนนี้เค้ามีเงื่อนงำไรปะวะ) เซอร์เรียลจัดๆ แต่ชอบมากนะ รู้สึกว่ามันลงตัวกับเรื่องพอดี ถ้าสืบแบบค่อยๆ ไขปริศนา ผิดไปแล้ว 5 ถูกแค่ 1 งี้ เล่มคงหนาและใช้เวลานานมากในการเล่าแต่ละดีเทล แปลนบ้าน 3 หลัง ปมในอดีต ครอบครัวในปัจจุบัน (ซึ่งอ่านไปอาจจะเบื่อ) เราเลยชอบความเฉลยเร็ว เดินเรื่องเร็ว ไปต่อเร็วแบบนี้แหละ เหมาะกับวิธีการเขียนแบบเน้นบทสนทนาในเล่มด้วย
เรื่องมันไม่มีผีปีศาจอะไรเลย แต่นี่เป็นเล่มที่เราอ่านตอนกลางคืนแล้วเสียวสันหลังแว้บๆ แบบเออ วางดีกว่า ขอเปลี่ยนเล่มก่อนนะ 5555 ซึ่งดีมาก บรรยากาศมันชวนขนลุกดี เพราะสำหรับเรา คนน่ากลัวกว่าผีล้านเท่า และเรื่องนี้คนแม่งจิตมากกกก แบบคุรพี่ไม่มีวิจารณญาณใดๆ กันเลยหร้ออออ ทำทำมาย ทำเพื่อครายยยยยยย เข้าใจแต่ก็ไม่เข้าใจ แต่ก็ยอมรับได้นะ จิตใจมนุษย์ยากแท้หยั่งถึงอยู่แล้ว แก้ปัญหาเรื่องเล็กๆ ด้วยการทำสิ่งที่ยิ่งใหญ่ไปเรยสิคะ (และคนเชื่อคนทำตามแม่งก็บ้า)
ส่วนตัวว่าตอนจบพีคจัดๆ plot twist ได้สมฐานิยายสืบสวนนะ อ่านถึงหน้าสุดท้ายแล้วหงายหลังตึงงงง แบบเคร นี่คือปลายเปิดแบบไม่เปิด เพราะคำพูดคุณพี่สถาปนิกเชื่อถือได้เสมอ ฮีเดาถูกทุกอย่างอยู่แล้วนี่ อันนี้ก็คง… 🥲
เรื่องมันไม่มีผีปีศาจอะไรเลย แต่นี่เป็นเล่มที่เราอ่านตอนกลางคืนแล้วเสียวสันหลังแว้บๆ แบบเออ วางดีกว่า ขอเปลี่ยนเล่มก่อนนะ 5555 ซึ่งดีมาก บรรยากาศมันชวนขนลุกดี เพราะสำหรับเรา คนน่ากลัวกว่าผีล้านเท่า และเรื่องนี้คนแม่งจิตมากกกก แบบคุรพี่ไม่มีวิจารณญาณใดๆ กันเลยหร้ออออ ทำทำมาย ทำเพื่อครายยยยยยย เข้าใจแต่ก็ไม่เข้าใจ แต่ก็ยอมรับได้นะ จิตใจมนุษย์ยากแท้หยั่งถึงอยู่แล้ว แก้ปัญหาเรื่องเล็กๆ ด้วยการทำสิ่งที่ยิ่งใหญ่ไปเรยสิคะ (และคนเชื่อคนทำตามแม่งก็บ้า)
ส่วนตัวว่าตอนจบพีคจัดๆ plot twist ได้สมฐานิยายสืบสวนนะ อ่านถึงหน้าสุดท้ายแล้วหงายหลังตึงงงง แบบเคร นี่คือปลายเปิดแบบไม่เปิด เพราะคำพูดคุณพี่สถาปนิกเชื่อถือได้เสมอ ฮีเดาถูกทุกอย่างอยู่แล้วนี่ อันนี้ก็คง… 🥲
May 25, 2023
Pernah nggak teracuni diskusi buku dan racunnya ternyata cocok?
Waktu @bukugpu @fiksigpu buka pre-order Teka-Teki Rumah Aneh, aku nggak begitu penasaran. Nama penulisnya juga asing buatku. Pokoknya, cuma jadi informasi selintas lalu.
Hingga akhirnya aku iseng ikutan ZOOM promosi Teka-Teki Rumah Aneh ini. Selama kurang lebih satu jam, ketiga narasumber (salah satunya adalah Ci Hetih), sukses bikin aku segera melakukan pembelian begitu acara selesai.
Teka-Teki Rumah Aneh sukses bikin aku menunda waktu tidur. Bukan karena bukunya yang tipis. It is 220 pages long. Tapi karena cerita di dalamnya yang bikin aku ngerasa, "Nanggung amat!"
Mengutip katanya Ci Hetih, buku ini menceritakan obrolan dua bapak-bapak yang mencoba mengases sebuah rumah yang dijual. Obrolan ala kadarnya ini berubah menjadi sesuatu yang seru setelah para tokoh mengamati denah bangunan secara lebih saksama.
Benar-benar sebuah rumah yang aneh.
Spekulasi dan asumsi pun bermunculan. Mendorong tokoh utama menggali lebih dalam. "Yang benar saja? Masa ada asumsi demikian sih?"
Siapa sangka, penemuannya dengan orang-orang terkait rumah tersebut membuat aku cukup tercengang 😱
Benar kata kak Faira dalam ZOOM promosi itu, mereka yang doyan cerita ala Kindaichi akan cocok dengan buku ini.
Teka-Teki Rumah Aneh dibawakan dengan cara yang unik. Plotnya juga bergerak dengan pas--tidak terlalu cepat & tidak terlalu lambat. Membuatku nyaman untuk membabatnya hingga tengah malam.
Untuk kamu yang mencari bacaan dengan aura horor, mistis, ngeri, mungkin bisa mencoba baca Teka-Teki Rumah Aneh.
Aku sih tidak menyesal sama sekali memotong jam tidurku menjadi kurang dari 6 jam 🤣
Waktu @bukugpu @fiksigpu buka pre-order Teka-Teki Rumah Aneh, aku nggak begitu penasaran. Nama penulisnya juga asing buatku. Pokoknya, cuma jadi informasi selintas lalu.
Hingga akhirnya aku iseng ikutan ZOOM promosi Teka-Teki Rumah Aneh ini. Selama kurang lebih satu jam, ketiga narasumber (salah satunya adalah Ci Hetih), sukses bikin aku segera melakukan pembelian begitu acara selesai.
Teka-Teki Rumah Aneh sukses bikin aku menunda waktu tidur. Bukan karena bukunya yang tipis. It is 220 pages long. Tapi karena cerita di dalamnya yang bikin aku ngerasa, "Nanggung amat!"
Mengutip katanya Ci Hetih, buku ini menceritakan obrolan dua bapak-bapak yang mencoba mengases sebuah rumah yang dijual. Obrolan ala kadarnya ini berubah menjadi sesuatu yang seru setelah para tokoh mengamati denah bangunan secara lebih saksama.
Benar-benar sebuah rumah yang aneh.
Spekulasi dan asumsi pun bermunculan. Mendorong tokoh utama menggali lebih dalam. "Yang benar saja? Masa ada asumsi demikian sih?"
Siapa sangka, penemuannya dengan orang-orang terkait rumah tersebut membuat aku cukup tercengang 😱
Benar kata kak Faira dalam ZOOM promosi itu, mereka yang doyan cerita ala Kindaichi akan cocok dengan buku ini.
Teka-Teki Rumah Aneh dibawakan dengan cara yang unik. Plotnya juga bergerak dengan pas--tidak terlalu cepat & tidak terlalu lambat. Membuatku nyaman untuk membabatnya hingga tengah malam.
Untuk kamu yang mencari bacaan dengan aura horor, mistis, ngeri, mungkin bisa mencoba baca Teka-Teki Rumah Aneh.
Aku sih tidak menyesal sama sekali memotong jam tidurku menjadi kurang dari 6 jam 🤣
June 3, 2025
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
Strange Houses is the second book translated into English by a Japanese author who goes by the name Uketsu. I really enjoyed Strange Pictures, so I was eager to figure out the mystery of Strange Houses.
The book follows a similar format with a type of questioning and answering by the characters in order to puzzle together a series of murders through odd blueprints. Unfortunately, the translation does come off a bit stilted in this one. While much shorter than Strange Pictures, I didn’t find the mystery as compelling as the first. I also had trouble distinguishing the characters from each other in the final reveal, as there are so many of them with similar names!
While Strange Houses is an intriguing short mystery, it just didn’t engage me as much as the first book.
3.25/5 stars rounded down
Note: “Uketsu’s real name and identity are unknown. He only ever appears online, wearing a mask and speaking through a voice changer. His innovative mysteries challenge readers to discover the hidden clues in a series of sinister drawings.”
Expected publication date: 6/3/25
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperVia for the ARC of Strange Houses in exchange for an honest review.
Strange Houses is the second book translated into English by a Japanese author who goes by the name Uketsu. I really enjoyed Strange Pictures, so I was eager to figure out the mystery of Strange Houses.
The book follows a similar format with a type of questioning and answering by the characters in order to puzzle together a series of murders through odd blueprints. Unfortunately, the translation does come off a bit stilted in this one. While much shorter than Strange Pictures, I didn’t find the mystery as compelling as the first. I also had trouble distinguishing the characters from each other in the final reveal, as there are so many of them with similar names!
While Strange Houses is an intriguing short mystery, it just didn’t engage me as much as the first book.
3.25/5 stars rounded down
Note: “Uketsu’s real name and identity are unknown. He only ever appears online, wearing a mask and speaking through a voice changer. His innovative mysteries challenge readers to discover the hidden clues in a series of sinister drawings.”
Expected publication date: 6/3/25
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperVia for the ARC of Strange Houses in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2025
I'm officially addicted to Uketsu books. As with Strange Pictures, I read this in one day – they're such fun, twisted mysteries.
Please somebody give me Strange Buildings . . .
Please somebody give me Strange Buildings . . .
August 5, 2025
Dark family secrets are the theme to this ominous ‘whodunnit’ in which you, the reader are a participant.
Strange Houses by Uketsu, is written in the same vain as Strange Pictures, a face paced interactive Japanese mystery novel that I couldn’t put down.
A unique and innovative perspective places the reader and author side by side dissecting subtle clues found in sets of blueprints. Reality unfolds like origami, leading to unimaginable discoveries.
It is peculiar and at times cringeworthy …
I LOVED IT!!
Strange Houses by Uketsu, is written in the same vain as Strange Pictures, a face paced interactive Japanese mystery novel that I couldn’t put down.
A unique and innovative perspective places the reader and author side by side dissecting subtle clues found in sets of blueprints. Reality unfolds like origami, leading to unimaginable discoveries.
It is peculiar and at times cringeworthy …
I LOVED IT!!
August 19, 2025
Esta es una reseña del tipo “ya me lo leo yo para que no te lo tengas que leer tú”. Que horror de libro. Mira que ya iba preparada porque ya había leído el primer libro del autor (al que califiqué generosamente con 3⭐️ pese a que en realidad no merecía mucho aplauso). Aún así decidí arriesgar con el segundo, porque todo el mundo decía que vaya maravilla y JesusporDios, donde está la maravilla esa, oiga. Toda la historia se sustenta sobre unas suposiciones de un arquitecto que hace sorprendentes deducciones simplemente con ver los extraños planos de una casa (luego de varias). No quiero contar mas por no hacer spoiler (aunque quizá os haría un favor), pero en definitiva, podéis pasar de largo perfectamente de este libro. Historia inverosímil y sin pies ni cabeza, narración inexistente basada en absurdos diálogos… Lo único bueno es que es muy corta y en poco tiempo puedes terminarla y ver que el final no ha merecido en absoluto la pena el esfuerzo. Por supuesto, no puedo recomendar para nada este truñperdón libro.
June 19, 2025
read that book in less than 2 hours and got the exactly feeling they described about a chill of something in my house. damn.
April 23, 2025
"At first glance, it probably looks totally normal, like a house anyone might live in. But if you look very closely, you might notice things here and there that seem somehow...off."
If there's one thing I took from this book, it's that homes house families and families house secrets. You never really know what’s going on from the outside.
An unnamed narrator who dabbles in macabre interests is asked by a friend to take a look at floorplans for a house he’s hoping to buy second-hand. Though the house is seemingly perfect, our narrator does in fact notice that there’s something off about the way it was built. Together with an architect, Unnamed Narrator discovers that this house has strange hollow “dead spaces” between rooms. What were these spaces for? Why were they built? Why is such a beautiful house up for sale in the first place? And why did the family who lived in the house before leave so suddenly?
Considered a “sketch-mystery”, this novella is an interactive reading experience with illustrations to help the reader follow along with the characters in solving a puzzle. What makes the book more fun is that the author, who goes by Uketsu, is unknown and apparently wears a mask!
This was so fun and creatively structured! I'm definitely going to read more from Uketsu! I freaking loved this book and you will too when it comes out this summer in June!
If there's one thing I took from this book, it's that homes house families and families house secrets. You never really know what’s going on from the outside.
An unnamed narrator who dabbles in macabre interests is asked by a friend to take a look at floorplans for a house he’s hoping to buy second-hand. Though the house is seemingly perfect, our narrator does in fact notice that there’s something off about the way it was built. Together with an architect, Unnamed Narrator discovers that this house has strange hollow “dead spaces” between rooms. What were these spaces for? Why were they built? Why is such a beautiful house up for sale in the first place? And why did the family who lived in the house before leave so suddenly?
Considered a “sketch-mystery”, this novella is an interactive reading experience with illustrations to help the reader follow along with the characters in solving a puzzle. What makes the book more fun is that the author, who goes by Uketsu, is unknown and apparently wears a mask!
This was so fun and creatively structured! I'm definitely going to read more from Uketsu! I freaking loved this book and you will too when it comes out this summer in June!
June 13, 2025
This was deliciously creepy, over the top plot with unlikely creepy new details all the time with tons of floor plans. I love a good retro mystery with floor plans, and I was hooked by this volume when I saw it.
Modern day Japan, a story told in that japanese way of a collection of independent shorter fiction (maybe it was published in magazines before hand?), very epistolary almost, a Holmes like writer character narrates the theories of his smarter friend, all the while with some interaction with readers providing more data. And it gets creepier and creepier, but also seemingly more realistic (the child's age for example, suspected in the first section, come on).
I am not much of a horror reader, and I would consider myself immune to a lot of it (I just get impatient), but this somehow worked for me, and it was fun to see whatever complex creepy theory would come next. And its ending is fantastic. I am now going to look for Strange Pictures.
A warning: it is is short, and it is not exactly deep psychologically. But I thought it was a lot of fun with lots of house plans and theories!
Modern day Japan, a story told in that japanese way of a collection of independent shorter fiction (maybe it was published in magazines before hand?), very epistolary almost, a Holmes like writer character narrates the theories of his smarter friend, all the while with some interaction with readers providing more data. And it gets creepier and creepier, but also seemingly more realistic (the child's age for example, suspected in the first section, come on).
I am not much of a horror reader, and I would consider myself immune to a lot of it (I just get impatient), but this somehow worked for me, and it was fun to see whatever complex creepy theory would come next. And its ending is fantastic. I am now going to look for Strange Pictures.
A warning: it is is short, and it is not exactly deep psychologically. But I thought it was a lot of fun with lots of house plans and theories!
August 4, 2025
4.25 stars
An insidious familial mystery, I had a lot of fun with Uketsu’s previous work Strange Pictures—particularly the way illustrations and diagrams were an integral part of the storytelling, rather than being relegated to superfluous, mood-building art. So I was eagerly awaiting the Western translation of his follow-up, Strange Houses, and I have to say—this one is even more up my alley!
My affinity for Strange Houses is perhaps partially personal. As someone who studied architecture, I’ve always found floor plans fascinating—constructed in objective lines and symbols, stripped of personality, and viewed from a godlike, all-seeing perspective far removed from actual human experience. There’s something inherently ominous and eerily utilitarian about them. Strange Pictures leans into that feeling—by simply adding or removing lines from a drawing, the space transforms, revealing hidden rooms and pathways for the perpetrator to commit their crimes.
Narratively, Strange Houses is much more streamlined, presented as a singular storyline rather than the fractured-yet-interconnected anthology format of Strange Pictures (which I found unnecessarily convoluted). If I were to nitpick, while the reveal in Strange Houses lands thematically, it’s so deeply rooted in generational family ties that the sheer effort of tracking how everyone is related—especially with all the Japanese names—slightly dulls the impact of the climax. It’s ironically the one case where a family tree diagram would’ve been useful (laugh)! Lastly, the resolution remains fairly open-ended (even the novel itself points out that some questions are still unanswered). While I personally enjoy this kind of ambiguous closure, I know it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Overall, Strange Houses is another strong entry in Uketsu’s unique mixed-media mystery catalog. I believe there’s already a sequel out in Japanese—here’s hoping the publisher brings it to translation soon!
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
An insidious familial mystery, I had a lot of fun with Uketsu’s previous work Strange Pictures—particularly the way illustrations and diagrams were an integral part of the storytelling, rather than being relegated to superfluous, mood-building art. So I was eagerly awaiting the Western translation of his follow-up, Strange Houses, and I have to say—this one is even more up my alley!
My affinity for Strange Houses is perhaps partially personal. As someone who studied architecture, I’ve always found floor plans fascinating—constructed in objective lines and symbols, stripped of personality, and viewed from a godlike, all-seeing perspective far removed from actual human experience. There’s something inherently ominous and eerily utilitarian about them. Strange Pictures leans into that feeling—by simply adding or removing lines from a drawing, the space transforms, revealing hidden rooms and pathways for the perpetrator to commit their crimes.
Narratively, Strange Houses is much more streamlined, presented as a singular storyline rather than the fractured-yet-interconnected anthology format of Strange Pictures (which I found unnecessarily convoluted). If I were to nitpick, while the reveal in Strange Houses lands thematically, it’s so deeply rooted in generational family ties that the sheer effort of tracking how everyone is related—especially with all the Japanese names—slightly dulls the impact of the climax. It’s ironically the one case where a family tree diagram would’ve been useful (laugh)! Lastly, the resolution remains fairly open-ended (even the novel itself points out that some questions are still unanswered). While I personally enjoy this kind of ambiguous closure, I know it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Overall, Strange Houses is another strong entry in Uketsu’s unique mixed-media mystery catalog. I believe there’s already a sequel out in Japanese—here’s hoping the publisher brings it to translation soon!
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
July 13, 2025
Picked Strange Houses up in a bookstore and finished it four hours later. This is an absolutely fantastic mystery. The floor plans give you a fantastic template from which you can figure out plenty of the mystery. But you won’t! Just truly epic.
While it’s not a particularly character driven mystery, the twists and turns are excellent, and I was very glad to have read it.
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While it’s not a particularly character driven mystery, the twists and turns are excellent, and I was very glad to have read it.
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April 21, 2025
this was literally one of the worst things i've ever read
August 24, 2025
2.5 I was quickly bored with the back and forth discussions on what the possible mystery was. There was a long waiting list at my library for this book, so when I finally had a chance to read it I expected much more. Yawn.
August 14, 2025
Insanely far-fetched, gimmicky, and convoluted. I’ll prob read the other one too though lol.
August 18, 2025
Addictive, I absolutely inhaled this in one reading sitting. Through dark twists and turns and interesting floorplans we discover a dark secret
It was such a perfect coincidence, as if the Devil had set it up for me.
Very propulsive, if maybe a bit more clinical than Strange Pictures. I really enjoyed the way the mystery is unveiled and I think the link with the ancient and creepy tradition of Mabiki, where kids are terminated to keep the family line clear or reduce the mouths to be fed, quite chilling.
Off course I also agree with this statement by the narrators(I can see how it all fits together, but… isn’t it all a little far-fetched? It’s so convoluted) yet I was fully invested and loved the twist at the end.
It was such a perfect coincidence, as if the Devil had set it up for me.
Very propulsive, if maybe a bit more clinical than Strange Pictures. I really enjoyed the way the mystery is unveiled and I think the link with the ancient and creepy tradition of Mabiki, where kids are terminated to keep the family line clear or reduce the mouths to be fed, quite chilling.
Off course I also agree with this statement by the narrators(I can see how it all fits together, but… isn’t it all a little far-fetched? It’s so convoluted) yet I was fully invested and loved the twist at the end.
April 24, 2023
Suka banget sama format penulisannya, yang juga dilengkapi denah tata ruang rumah (so I can picture the details in my head easily). Suka banget sama semua teori dan asumsi yang belum tentu terbukti. Yang orang - orang bilang twist, bisa iya bisa tidak, tergantung bagaimana pembaca menilainya. Suka banget karena buku ini agak gory tapi tidak berlebihan, semuanya proporsional.
Suka vibesnya, suka karakternya, suka banget pembelokan plotnya. Love love this book. 5⭐
Suka vibesnya, suka karakternya, suka banget pembelokan plotnya. Love love this book. 5⭐
September 4, 2025
rtc
pre-read
ok so. this is a lot of firsts.
— first time reading japanese literature
— first time willingly choosing something in the horror zone
unclear whether this is a me expanding my horizons or a bad idea.
wish me luck
pre-read
ok so. this is a lot of firsts.
— first time reading japanese literature
— first time willingly choosing something in the horror zone
unclear whether this is a me expanding my horizons or a bad idea.
August 12, 2025
3.5/5 ⭐️ This wasn’t as captivating as Strange Pictures but it was still pretty enjoyable. The mystery surrounding the strange houses was really interesting. The breakdown of it all was very similar to Strange Pictures which is probably why I enjoyed it
June 4, 2025
2.5. Look, this is the perfect kind of book to break you out of a reading slump or to devour on summer afternoon, but a well-constructed story it is not. I felt similarly when reading Strange Pictures, though the way the pictures are used in that book and the way the different strands of the mystery weave together made the author’s hand-holding and the characters’ far-fetched conclusions easier to bear. Here, however, the pictures, though still a fun and a unique way to tell a story, don’t play as large of a part, especially towards the second half and the way the characters go about solving the mystery strains credulity even more than in Strange Pictures.
Let’s just say Occam and his razor are no friend of Uketsu. Uketsu and his characters operate more under the assumption that the more complicated and unlikely an explanation or theory is, the more they should pursue that theory until the very end. And that’s how this story begins: two characters come up with the most unbelievable reasoning to explain the layouts of the titular strange houses and rather than one of them being like “yeah right, that’s crazy!” they’re more like “sounds good to me, I can’t see anything wrong about that line of thinking!” Despite the implausibility, it’s still a rather propulsive read in the first half, but as the second half becomes even more nonsensical, I started to tire of it.
The simplicity of it all is explained in a thoughtful translator’s note at the end when Rion explains that the inclusion of pictures, the basic and unembellished language and sentences are intentional and meant to “lower the barrier to entry”, making the text accessible to readers of all ages. I suppose I can’t fault the author for that but I do believe there is a way to create a slightly more plausible story while still keeping the language accessible.
I say all of that, but you bet I’ll be reading Uketsu’s next book!
Let’s just say Occam and his razor are no friend of Uketsu. Uketsu and his characters operate more under the assumption that the more complicated and unlikely an explanation or theory is, the more they should pursue that theory until the very end. And that’s how this story begins: two characters come up with the most unbelievable reasoning to explain the layouts of the titular strange houses and rather than one of them being like “yeah right, that’s crazy!” they’re more like “sounds good to me, I can’t see anything wrong about that line of thinking!” Despite the implausibility, it’s still a rather propulsive read in the first half, but as the second half becomes even more nonsensical, I started to tire of it.
The simplicity of it all is explained in a thoughtful translator’s note at the end when Rion explains that the inclusion of pictures, the basic and unembellished language and sentences are intentional and meant to “lower the barrier to entry”, making the text accessible to readers of all ages. I suppose I can’t fault the author for that but I do believe there is a way to create a slightly more plausible story while still keeping the language accessible.
I say all of that, but you bet I’ll be reading Uketsu’s next book!
June 8, 2025
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Pushkin Press for allowing me to read this masterpiece written by Uketsu early in exchange for an honest review.
I've read this in one sitting because there was absolutely no way I could put it down.
Strange Houses is another brilliantly unsettling mystery from Uketsu, and I think it’s official: they’re now officially an auto-buy author for me. Like Strange Pictures, it starts with something seemingly ordinary (in this case a floor plan that just feels a little off) and slowly reveals more and more disturbing details the more you look into it.
That’s something I LOVE about both of Uketsu’s books: they’re all about the act of seeing. You notice something strange, and as you start analysing it, the real horror quietly unfolds. It’s such a unique kind of storytelling!
Told in a semi-documentary, interview-style format with floor plans and other evidence woven into the narrative, the story feels interactive just as much as Strange Pictures did. It's like you're helping the characters puzzle it out in real time. The tension builds quietly but relentlessly. It’s eerie rather than outright scary, but it lingers. (I would call it quiet unsettling horror!)
The central mystery is more linear than in Strange Pictures, but nonetheless gripping.
It’s clever, disturbing, and SO readable. The ambiguity at the end left me with questions (the good kind), and now I’m counting down the days until we get more from Uketsy.
If you like minimalist horror, architectural mysteries, or stories that mess with your head in the best way, then I urge you to read this!
I've read this in one sitting because there was absolutely no way I could put it down.
Strange Houses is another brilliantly unsettling mystery from Uketsu, and I think it’s official: they’re now officially an auto-buy author for me. Like Strange Pictures, it starts with something seemingly ordinary (in this case a floor plan that just feels a little off) and slowly reveals more and more disturbing details the more you look into it.
That’s something I LOVE about both of Uketsu’s books: they’re all about the act of seeing. You notice something strange, and as you start analysing it, the real horror quietly unfolds. It’s such a unique kind of storytelling!
Told in a semi-documentary, interview-style format with floor plans and other evidence woven into the narrative, the story feels interactive just as much as Strange Pictures did. It's like you're helping the characters puzzle it out in real time. The tension builds quietly but relentlessly. It’s eerie rather than outright scary, but it lingers. (I would call it quiet unsettling horror!)
The central mystery is more linear than in Strange Pictures, but nonetheless gripping.
It’s clever, disturbing, and SO readable. The ambiguity at the end left me with questions (the good kind), and now I’m counting down the days until we get more from Uketsy.
If you like minimalist horror, architectural mysteries, or stories that mess with your head in the best way, then I urge you to read this!
May 20, 2025
Very disappointing, for me at least
I can't claim to have been wowed by the first Uketsu novel either, but I was able to read it and was, in certain parts at least, absorbed in the book. Strange Houses, though, was another matter. The book is disjointed, badly so. And written like a series of dialogues, making it read more like a play or a graphic novel (into which format it has already been adapted). A good central mystery would have helped gloss over some of these stylistic choices, but the book grows more and more tiresome and repetitive as it progresses. The blueprints of the strange Houses no longer hold any allure after the first one, and the final revelation, when it comes, feels both preposterous and underwhelming, reached upon less by investigation than deductions out of thin air.
I can't claim to have been wowed by the first Uketsu novel either, but I was able to read it and was, in certain parts at least, absorbed in the book. Strange Houses, though, was another matter. The book is disjointed, badly so. And written like a series of dialogues, making it read more like a play or a graphic novel (into which format it has already been adapted). A good central mystery would have helped gloss over some of these stylistic choices, but the book grows more and more tiresome and repetitive as it progresses. The blueprints of the strange Houses no longer hold any allure after the first one, and the final revelation, when it comes, feels both preposterous and underwhelming, reached upon less by investigation than deductions out of thin air.
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