What if a floor plan could reveal the truth behind a murder? Uketsu’s Strange Houses, the million-copy Japanese bestseller, pulls readers into a world of sinister architecture, hidden rooms, and puzzles that you, the reader, must solve. Creepy, unsettling, and refreshingly unique, this short novel is more than just a story; it is an experience where horror and detective work converge.
“Every house hides secrets. Some are far darker than others.”
About the Book Strange Houses
Published by Pushkin Vertigo on 3 July 2025, Strange Houses is a hauntingly original Japanese mystery novel by Uketsu, translated into English by Jim Rion. At just 208 pages, it’s a short but deeply unsettling read that blends horror, crime, and puzzle-solving in ways few books dare to attempt.
The story unfolds through a series of creepy floor plans and architectural sketches. As the reader, you step into the role of detective, decoding unsettling details like a sealed cellar, hidden rooms, dead spaces between walls, and faces at windows.
This is not just a book you read. It is a book you investigate.
And every page pulls you deeper into a labyrinth of secrets that will leave you questioning what truly lies behind closed doors.
What Makes Strange Houses Unique?
Unlike conventional mysteries, Uketsu turns the act of reading into an investigation. The book is structured around architectural floor plans and fragmented narratives that invite the reader to piece together the truth.
What sets it apart:
- Puzzle + Fiction Hybrid – The novel reads like a detective game, where each diagram and sketch holds hidden meaning.
- The Reader as Detective – Instead of passively following a story, you actively solve it.
- Architecture as Horror – Safe domestic spaces like houses transform into sites of dread, sealed basements, empty corridors, and walls that conceal secrets.
- Short, Intense Format – At just over 200 pages, it is designed for a one-sitting binge, heightening the tension.
Much like Uketsu’s earlier bestseller Strange Pictures, this novel defies genre labels. It’s at once a crime thriller, horror tale, and an intricate puzzle, making it a fresh entry in Japanese mystery fiction.
Themes and Atmosphere
At its core, Strange Houses explores the unsettling truth that even familiar places can conceal unimaginable secrets. Uketsu transforms ordinary homes into haunted puzzles, reminding us that safety is never absolute when walls can whisper and shadows can hide.
Key Themes
- The Secrets of Domestic Spaces – What lies beyond closed doors, beneath staircases, or inside walls?
- Fear of the Ordinary – Everyday architecture becomes a source of dread, blurring comfort and terror.
- Family and Legacy – Many houses carry histories of inheritance, loyalty, and sacrifice, suggesting that secrets are often passed down generations.
- Truth as a Puzzle – Like a labyrinth, each fragment of the story challenges readers to uncover a hidden, bigger picture.
Atmosphere
Uketsu’s writing thrives on slow-burning dread. The creeping unease builds through chilling details:
- A child’s face glimpsed at a window
- A sealed cellar no one dares to enter
- A dead space between walls that should not exist
Every revelation deepens the claustrophobic tension, leaving the reader both enthralled and unsettled.
Praise and Reception
Since its release, Strange Houses has captured both critics and readers with its fresh blend of puzzle, horror, and crime fiction. It has already sold over a million copies in Japan and is now gaining global attention through its English translation.
What Authors Are Saying
- “Uketsu’s strange riddles are chilling and addictive. I could not put it down.” Rebecca F. Kuang, author of Yellowface
- “I am hooked on these chilling and twisted mysteries… I will read everything Uketsu writes.” Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree
- “Absolutely loved this clever little banger… exceptional!” Alice Slater, author of Death of a Bookseller
- “Part Rubik’s Cube, part Russian doll, part kaleidoscope and altogether irresistible.” A.J. Finn, author of The Woman in the Window
Media Acclaim
- “Original and compelling, the book carves out a space between horror, crime, and fantasy.” Daily Mail
- “A short horror novel that unspools like a haunted architectural puzzle… deeply unsettling.” Voice Magazine
- “Another masterclass in the macabre… a creepy and complex puzzle mystery.” Crime Fiction Lover
- “With creeping tension and unnerving originality, this cements Uketsu as a fresh new voice in Japanese horror.” The Arts Shelf
The consensus is clear: Uketsu has redefined how mystery and horror can be experienced, making Strange Houses not just a novel but a chilling, interactive puzzle.
About the Author: Uketsu
Uketsu is one of Japan’s most enigmatic storytellers, blurring the lines between literature, performance, and mystery. Best known as a masked YouTuber, Uketsu appears only in a white mask and black bodysuit, with a digitally distorted voice. His identity remains a secret, yet his influence in the world of horror and mystery is undeniable.
With millions of copies sold and translations in more than 30 countries, Uketsu has emerged as Japan’s bestselling author of puzzle-based horror. His works are known for their inventive use of illustrations, floor plans, and eerie imagery, which transform the act of reading into an immersive detective experience.
Notable Works
- Strange Pictures – A genre-bending bestseller that first brought Uketsu international acclaim.
- Strange Houses – The chilling architectural puzzle mystery taking the world by storm.
- Strange Buildings – An upcoming title that promises to expand Uketsu’s universe of macabre riddles.
Uketsu has been praised not only as a storyteller but also as a trickster, a writer who hides truths in plain sight and challenges readers to play detective with him.
Who Should Read Strange Houses?
If you are a fan of gripping crime novels, Strange Houses offers a fresh twist on the genre. Unlike traditional thrillers, this book combines horror, mystery, and interactive puzzle-solving, making it perfect for readers who enjoy being challenged as much as entertained.
Ideal Readers
- Fans of Puzzle Mysteries – Those who love piecing together clues and uncovering hidden truths.
- Horror Enthusiasts – Readers who enjoy a slow-burning, eerie atmosphere without relying on gore.
- Crime Fiction Lovers – Anyone looking for a gripping crime novel with inventive storytelling techniques.
- Short-Form Novel Readers – Perfect for a weekend binge, as the book is concise yet intense.
With its blend of suspense, architectural intrigue, and chilling revelations, Strange Houses appeals to anyone seeking a unique, immersive experience in modern Japanese mystery fiction.
Why You Should Pick Up Strange Houses
For anyone curating a list of the best mystery and thriller books, Strange Houses is a must-read. Uketsu has crafted a story that is short but intensely gripping, blending elements of horror, crime, and puzzle-solving into a single, immersive experience.
What Makes It Stand Out
- Interactive Mystery – Readers don’t just follow the story—they solve it through floorplans, sketches, and hidden clues.
- Chilling Atmosphere – Ordinary houses become sites of dread, with sealed cellars, hidden rooms, and glimpses of sinister figures.
- Fast-Paced yet Thoughtful – At just over 200 pages, it’s perfect for readers who want a quick but deeply engaging thriller.
- Innovative Storytelling – Uketsu combines visual elements with text, creating a reading experience unlike any conventional thriller.
Whether you are a longtime fan of Japanese horror or simply searching for something fresh among the best mystery and thriller books, Strange Houses delivers an unforgettable, spine-tingling journey.
Final Thoughts
Strange Houses by Uketsu is a masterclass in suspense and puzzle-driven storytelling, earning its place among the top crime thriller books of the year. With its intricate floor plans, hidden secrets, and eerie atmosphere, the novel transforms ordinary houses into sites of dread and discovery, keeping readers on edge until the very last page.
For fans of suspenseful mystery books, this novel offers a unique twist: you are not just reading, you are actively uncovering the truth, piecing together clues like a detective in a labyrinth of secrets. Uketsu’s innovative approach makes every page feel interactive, engaging, and hauntingly memorable.
If you are looking to explore a mystery that blends horror, crime, and puzzle-solving in a compact, thrilling format, Strange Houses is a must-read. Add it to your collection of top crime thriller books and prepare for an experience that is as chilling as it is clever.
Grab your copy of Strange Houses today and step into a world where every house hides a secret—and every secret is darker than you imagine.
