Keigo Higashino is one of my favourite mystery novel authors. All mystery novels one way or another have similar structure – You have an inciting incident (be it murder, robbery or blackmailing). From then on, the lead character and you as reader come privy to some information which lead to a satisfying resolution.
While Higashino has such books, he also makes something more out of the genre. He experiments with it and pushes boundaries of the genre. What if you know who the killer is, but don't know why he has done it. As you get to know the complex relationship the 2 main characters have, the motives kind of unspool.As we read each "confession", the story twists into unexpected threads. First we have this spur of the moment crime. Then it leads to the illicit relationship the teacher and author's wife have. Then we move to the bullying case from their childhood.It's meticulously done.
Also for recommendations – You have Anthony Berkeley Cox who does similar experiments within mystery genre mainly
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The Poisoned Chocolates Case – A group of armchair detectives try to solve a murder and each of them have their own solution to the case
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Jumping Jenny (Roger Sheringham Cases, #9) – Go in blind for this novel, it has usual structure – a murder and few suspects, but the solution is quite unexpected and experimental in a sense.
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Trial and Error (Ambrose Chitterwick #2) – What if the killer himself wants to get caught but cannot build a case against himself??
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The Eighth Detective – It's by Alex Pavesi and recent novel too. This book deconstructs the entire mystery genre. If you want to read any murder mystery novels in future do not read this. This book kills any new surprise any author can spring up on reader. I would say, if and when you get bored of mystery genre as a whole, read this book.
by paperscrawls