Death TVby Barb Lien-CooperReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 7 This volume of The Kindaichi Files is a tad gimmicky for my tastes. Oh, the mystery itself is excellent. I just thought that the set up concerning a show ala Blair Witch meets Fear Factor was a bit much. However, having said that, the actual first murder, which took place on camera, was quite affecting. Seeing a murder happen on camera and knowing that none of the characters could do anything about it is a spooky idea.I didn't like that our detective friend, Kindaichi, was deprived of his partner, the resourceful and courageous friend-girl Miyuki this time out, but she wouldn't have fit into the plot (plus, she was there on the phone, doing research). I did like the solution, which was as fiendishly clever as it was slightly implausible. I do like the locked room aspects of the series, as well as the whole aspect of every character having a supposedly unshakeable alibi. If I had gifted older kids or young teenagers in my life, I'd buy them copies of The Kindaichi Files. The stories are incredibly clever brain-teasers, with plenty of twists and turns in them, as well as likeable main characters. Heck, the series even appeals to the gifted inner-kid inside of me. So, I suspect that grown ups who read mysteries as children will go nuts for this series, too. I know I did. Written: January 16, 2004
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