{"id":4463,"date":"2025-10-12T12:36:49","date_gmt":"2025-10-12T12:36:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/?p=4463"},"modified":"2025-10-12T12:37:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-12T12:37:21","slug":"strange-houses-does-it-live-up-as-a-sequel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/?p=4463","title":{"rendered":"Strange Houses: Does it Live Up as a Sequel?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Hi Readers! September was almost a dry spell reading-wise, but I have long ago stopped caring about the numbers. I am just glad I got to read one book, which I was waiting to read for quite a while! I had read Strange Pictures by Uketsu earlier in the year. And ever since I knew another book is getting published this year, it was a constant and random source of happiness. The reason I loved Strange Pictures<\/a> so much was because of how unique it was. Whether it was the pictures or the unpredictable plot, or the psychiatry angle. It was all glorious which made it an instant five-star read. So now with that context, let me share about the second book; Strange Houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~~GOODREADS DESCRIPTION~~<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A spiritual companion to Strange Pictures<\/em> and a bestselling horror phenomenon in Japan \u2014mysterious spaces, trap doors, windowless children’s rooms . . . something is wrong with this house. Can you solve the “mystery” of its floor plan?<\/strong>

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\u2019s floor plan reveals a mysterious “dead space\u201d hidden between the walls. Seeking a second opinion, the writer shares the floor plan with an architect friend only to discover more \u201cstrange spaces\u201d dotted across the house.

What are these mysterious \u201cstrange spaces\u201d and why do they exist\u2014are they really there, or is there something off with the floor plan? Who is the home\u2019s former resident who suddenly disappeared?

The freelance writer and his architect friend can\u2019t resist the challenge of solving the riddle of these puzzling floor plans . . . and the terrifying plot behind it all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~~THOUGHTS~~<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A house built for the sole purpose of murder. Dead spaces in the walls. Too many windows throughout the house but a windowless bedroom for the child. Secret tiny passageways. Strange Houses is the story of a secret and a curse that went back decades and claimed too many lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had a feeling that Strange Houses would be even better than Strange Pictures. Thought it would have floor plans and complicated mysteries surrounding multiple houses. Thought it would be just as unpredictable and interesting, if not more. Well, I was not entirely right, but also not entirely wrong. We follow about 3 houses in this book, all of which have similar things in common. Initially, it was fun to find out the clues and read about the wild assumptions made by Kurihara, our architect detective. Because that\u2019s how the reader is reeled in with just the initial 15 pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, as the story progresses, the intensity fades and that new shine to the whole concept is reduced. Yes, the houses are different from each other, but when we understand how the murderers are using the houses, it becomes easier to guess. Aside from this, the entire concept of the Katabuchi family and its branch family felt overdone. Sure, makes for a wild read, but it wasn\u2019t as enjoyable. If this was just one nuclear family or a couple committing serial killings over a period of time, each time with a newness to the houses, I would have enjoyed it more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I did read the book in one sitting. I will read the next one titled Strange Buildings. But, I think it will be tough to top the brilliance of Strange Pictures. I have rated Strange Houses by Uketsu, translated by Jim Rion at 4\/5 stars!<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Until next time,<\/p>\n\n\n

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Hi Readers! September was almost a dry spell reading-wise, but I have long ago stopped caring about the numbers. I am just glad I got to read one book, which I was waiting to read for quite a while! I had read Strange Pictures by Uketsu earlier in the year. And ever since I knew […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4465,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,4,23,3],"tags":[29],"class_list":["post-4463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-book-review","category-books","category-book-reviews","category-mindscape-reviews","tag-japanese-books"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/PSX_20251012_171318-1-1.jpg?fit=2498%2C2500&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4126,"url":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/?p=4126","url_meta":{"origin":4463,"position":0},"title":"Strange Pictures by Uketsu: Read Now!","author":"Aishwarya Shenolikar","date":"April 6, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Hi Readers! I am back with a book recommendation. Drop everything and read this book now! ~~GOODREADS DESCRIPTION~~ The spine-tingling bestseller that has taken Japan by storm\u2014an eerie fresh take on horror for fans of\u00a0Hidden Pictures\u00a0and Junji Ito, in which a series of seemingly innocent pictures draws you into a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Book review"","block_context":{"text":"Book review","link":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/PXL_20250330_065355414-1-2-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/PXL_20250330_065355414-1-2-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/PXL_20250330_065355414-1-2-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/PXL_20250330_065355414-1-2-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/PXL_20250330_065355414-1-2-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4856,"url":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/?p=4856","url_meta":{"origin":4463,"position":1},"title":"Strange Buildings by Uketsu: To Read or Not to Read?","author":"Aishwarya Shenolikar","date":"March 9, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Hi Readers! I had pre-ordered Uketsu\u2019s latest book Strange Buildings. But, I am not sure what\u2019s wrong with Amazon that it never prioritises the pre-orders. Everyone who ordered it normally post release already had gotten it, read it and even reviewed it but my book wasn\u2019t even shipped! So, you\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Book review"","block_context":{"text":"Book review","link":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/PXL_20260309_143524966-2-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/PXL_20260309_143524966-2-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/PXL_20260309_143524966-2-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/PXL_20260309_143524966-2-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/PXL_20260309_143524966-2-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4414,"url":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/?p=4414","url_meta":{"origin":4463,"position":2},"title":"September 2025 Recap!","author":"Aishwarya Shenolikar","date":"September 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Hi Readers!Have to wake up as September ends. But, if this month was any indication of a dream, I\u2019d rather keep sleeping for five more minutes!! What an amazing month this was, sans the first 10 days which were insane. But also, maybe because I spent those first 10 days\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Book review"","block_context":{"text":"Book review","link":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cover-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cover-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cover-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cover-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cover-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":638,"url":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/?p=638","url_meta":{"origin":4463,"position":3},"title":"Books Read in April 2021!","author":"Aishwarya Shenolikar","date":"May 1, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Hi\u00a0Readers! How was your April? I remember writing the last post where I was boasting about how I read 7 books in half a month. Turns out I finished only one other book after that. So, here we are!\u00a08 BOOKS in APRIL!\u00a0And this time, I read all these on\u00a0e-book!\u00a0Check them\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "books"","block_context":{"text":"books","link":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/AprilReads21.jpeg?fit=865%2C1154&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/AprilReads21.jpeg?fit=865%2C1154&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/AprilReads21.jpeg?fit=865%2C1154&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/AprilReads21.jpeg?fit=865%2C1154&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4885,"url":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/?p=4885","url_meta":{"origin":4463,"position":4},"title":"March 2026 Recap!","author":"Aishwarya Shenolikar","date":"March 30, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Hi Readers! March, though it was my birthday month, has now finally ended! It seemed like it lasted for a long time, and I\u2019m not complaining, because that was a long time to feel special! It was insanely hot, things at work were unbelievably complicated, didn\u2019t get to meet my\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Book review"","block_context":{"text":"Book review","link":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Mar-26-Recap.png?fit=960%2C960&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Mar-26-Recap.png?fit=960%2C960&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Mar-26-Recap.png?fit=960%2C960&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Mar-26-Recap.png?fit=960%2C960&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4620,"url":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/?p=4620","url_meta":{"origin":4463,"position":5},"title":"Top 8 Books of 2025 – Year in Review (Part 1)","author":"Aishwarya Shenolikar","date":"December 24, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Welcome to the 2025 Year in Review series!!! The most joyful time of the year indeed! Last year when I was set to go on a three-week vacation, my boss told me, \u201cEnjoy as much as you can. Travel and read as much as you can! Because, when you are\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Book review"","block_context":{"text":"Book review","link":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/PXL_20251221_104841078-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/PXL_20251221_104841078-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/PXL_20251221_104841078-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/PXL_20251221_104841078-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindscapeinwords.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/PXL_20251221_104841078-2.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4463","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4463"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4463\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4466,"href":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4463\/revisions\/4466"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4465"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4463"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4463"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mindscapeinwords.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}