Strange Pictures – Uketsu

Published By: Pushkin Vertigo
Pages: 240
Released On: 16/01/2025
Translated By: Jim Rion

A series of drawings by a pregnant woman conceal a chilling warning.

A child’s picture of his home contains within it a dark secret message.

A sketch made by a murder victim in his final moments leads an amateur sleuth into a terrifying investigation.

Can you find the hidden clues in these strange pictures and discover what connects them all? Once you do, you will never forget the sinister truth that is revealed.

*****

Thanks to Pushkin Vertigo for the gifted proof of this title in return for an honest review.

Okay I’m going to say straight away that I hate horror – books, films, TV shows, you name it, they’re not for me. But I was assured when I was sent this that it was more of a creepy mystery than a proper horror book. So I was willing to give it a chance. If only because I a) love books written by Japanese authors, and b) I was curious about this way of writing with the drawings and whatnot.

I would never ever have picked this book for myself (see above). It’s not my genre and wouldn’t have interested me. So thank the Lord for book marketers and publicists. I was very lucky to receive an early proof of this, and if I hadn’t, I would have missed out big time as it’s a phenomenally creative book. Proves there is joy to come from reading out of your comfort zone.

It is such a hard book to review. So much of it comes from the reading of it. I can’t really explain what it is, let alone what I thought of it. Everyone will get something different from it and that’s what I think will make it a popular book for book clubs.

I didn’t really understand what the book would be at first, but within the first two pages it is soooooooo clever; things I didn’t expect and could never work out.

I am a huge fan of pictures in adult books and this is probably half images, well, drawings really, and so that brings a completely different way of reading the story.

You have to work hard with this book. It’s not a sit down and lose yourself in a casual story. This book needs focus and attention and you have to work to understand what’s going on. You’re the investigator, the detective of this story.

It’s weird and unique and disturbing. I have said this about previous books, but believe me when I say this is unlike anything I have ever read and will likely read again. I was worried it would be too scary for me, and yes whilst it does have its creepy, frightening moments, it is definitely more of a psychological freaky mystery thriller rather than an out-and-out horror, which I appreciated, as it meant I could recognise the fearful side whilst still enjoying it.

It’s a mix of horror, crime, mystery, thriller, psychological thriller, detective, murder mystery. It’s got a bit of everything mixed in.

I usually read my books in silence, I’m not someone who often laughs out loud or sobs or anything. But I did audibly gasp at this book. Particularly at the end of story two, which hopefully you’ll understand when you read it.

Whilst it does eventually explain what connects the pictures and the stories, it’s not obvious at first, and it’s up to you to work it out.

I can’t say what I really want to say because of spoilers, and this is a book you need to go in blind. But if you do read it, please let me know your thoughts.

I knew nothing of Uketsu beforehand and so had no information about him and his way of working going into it. I wonder if I’d have read this differently if I had.

I dabble in writing, here and there. I’ve started God knows how many novels and whatnot over the years, and so I do understand how one comes up with an idea. But to actually create it and execute it to such fine detail is unbelievable.

Overall I thought it was amazing. I wouldn’t call it a horror book. Definitely a psychological thriller. But it’s so clever, so layered, with twists and turns and surprises. I tried to stay one step ahead of Uketsu but he’s already three ahead of me. It’s just exquisite.