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The Case Files of Jeweler Richard #8
The Case Files of Jeweler Richard (Light Novel) Vol. 8
THE SUMMER GARDEN
At the request of Richard’s mother, Catherine, Seigi travels with Richard to her vacation home in Provence in the south of France to meet her. On arriving, however, they find a mystery awaiting them in the form of a strange girl named Octavia, and an even stranger treasure hunt Catherine has set up for them. Can they find the thirty gemstones hidden across the estate? And if so, what else might they unearth?
At the request of Richard’s mother, Catherine, Seigi travels with Richard to her vacation home in Provence in the south of France to meet her. On arriving, however, they find a mystery awaiting them in the form of a strange girl named Octavia, and an even stranger treasure hunt Catherine has set up for them. Can they find the thirty gemstones hidden across the estate? And if so, what else might they unearth?
280 pages, Paperback
First published December 18, 2018
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62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 24, 2024
Not Vince going, "God, your brain is just 80% Richard," and Seigi going: "Excuse me, it's at least 97% Richard, get your facts straight." THIS BOY, I S2G
September 27, 2020
I ended up in love with Catherine, she's a very happy person and Richard and Seigi's relationship is very beautiful, I hope that relationship is confirmed in the next book
November 12, 2024
Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like there’s little point to this one, except maybe to show how complicated Richard’s family is.
There are a lot of hints, as always, about hidden, unrealized feeling, and if I hadn’t known something will happen in the next book, I would’ve started to feel tired of it.
There are a lot of hints, as always, about hidden, unrealized feeling, and if I hadn’t known something will happen in the next book, I would’ve started to feel tired of it.
June 23, 2024
Always a 5 star read
July 23, 2024
"...I don't want to lose you."
Another installment for one of my favorite light novel series, and this volume, of course, delivered.
The overarching plot for the second arc of this series (which I believe is from volumes seven to twelve) is two-fold. First is Seigi finding his place in the world and discovering what he truly wants to do with his life; second is the unravelling of Richard's past relationship with Deborah, which we only got hints of when the series tackled the inheritance issue in the first arc (which spanned volumes one to six). We still don't get to meet the "villain" of this arc, even though we know their identity, but at least we get to finally meet Catherine and see a different side of Richard once more.
This volume also, just like the previous volume, tackled some heavy themes with a lighter hand. (Spoilers incoming.) Seigi experiences multiple bouts of casual racism from unnamed characters, and the hardships that women - especially single mothers - have had to face throughout the times was also brought up. This series never makes it overly dramatic, but it's still enough to make you uncomfortable, which I think is a good thing.
Now, Catherine wasn't the best mother to Richard during his childhood, but you can see how much she still cares for her son, especially in the way she interacts with Seigi. It's in the way that she, throughout most of the volume, "tests" Seigi's devotion to Richard. It's evident in the final serious conversation they have towards the end of the volume. I appreciate that Catherine was given the opportunity and space to present herself as a character with depth and love in her heart, after all the initial impressions from the previous volumes.
Richard and Seigi, of course, continue to be Richard and Seigi. There will be times that you will probably have the desire to knock their heads together and tell them to get a grip, but the slow burn between them is what makes this series, after all. (If you're already tired of them dancing around each other for eight volumes now, then why are you still here?) But I suspect things will get even more serious in the next volume, especially with Octavia and Vince ramping up their schemes.
P.S. Jeffrey is still my favorite side character! I loved his extended scene in the beginning of the volume, and it's so good to see how his and Seigi's relationship with each other has slowly gotten better over the years.
Another installment for one of my favorite light novel series, and this volume, of course, delivered.
The overarching plot for the second arc of this series (which I believe is from volumes seven to twelve) is two-fold. First is Seigi finding his place in the world and discovering what he truly wants to do with his life; second is the unravelling of Richard's past relationship with Deborah, which we only got hints of when the series tackled the inheritance issue in the first arc (which spanned volumes one to six). We still don't get to meet the "villain" of this arc, even though we know their identity, but at least we get to finally meet Catherine and see a different side of Richard once more.
This volume also, just like the previous volume, tackled some heavy themes with a lighter hand. (Spoilers incoming.) Seigi experiences multiple bouts of casual racism from unnamed characters, and the hardships that women - especially single mothers - have had to face throughout the times was also brought up. This series never makes it overly dramatic, but it's still enough to make you uncomfortable, which I think is a good thing.
Now, Catherine wasn't the best mother to Richard during his childhood, but you can see how much she still cares for her son, especially in the way she interacts with Seigi. It's in the way that she, throughout most of the volume, "tests" Seigi's devotion to Richard. It's evident in the final serious conversation they have towards the end of the volume. I appreciate that Catherine was given the opportunity and space to present herself as a character with depth and love in her heart, after all the initial impressions from the previous volumes.
Richard and Seigi, of course, continue to be Richard and Seigi. There will be times that you will probably have the desire to knock their heads together and tell them to get a grip, but the slow burn between them is what makes this series, after all. (If you're already tired of them dancing around each other for eight volumes now, then why are you still here?) But I suspect things will get even more serious in the next volume, especially with Octavia and Vince ramping up their schemes.
P.S. Jeffrey is still my favorite side character! I loved his extended scene in the beginning of the volume, and it's so good to see how his and Seigi's relationship with each other has slowly gotten better over the years.
June 15, 2024
this series grows more special to me every volume...
cant wait for the next one! this one made me feel so warm and happy and also much to think about going forward... richard and seigi my beloveds
cant wait for the next one! this one made me feel so warm and happy and also much to think about going forward... richard and seigi my beloveds
September 22, 2024
How do I recover from this? 😭😭😭
August 2, 2024
So many great Seigi-Richard moments in this one (Blanket-monster Richard)! I love how vulnerable Richard is allowing himself to be in front of Seigi, even if the process is quite slow. The dynamics explored in this one between mother and son were also interesting, and we got to learn more about the rather complicated mess that is Richard’s extended family. Also, what an explosive cliff hanger! I think this might be the first time this series has done something like that, so I’m curious to see how things will play out in the next one.
September 23, 2024
“Tell my boy he’s beautiful forever. Even when he’s angry or crying,
even when he shows you a side of him you’ll never see again, even if he
pledges his eternal love to someone who isn’t you. Promise me that. And
never break that promise.”
It's time for me to praise Jeweler Richard again, because volume 8 is an emotional rollercoaster. It speaks mainly of familial bond, especially of how nuanced, complex and complicated motherhood can be.
Richard and Seigi are invited to spend a few days on Catherine's villa (Richard's mom). They arrive and quickly understand that Catherine is in contact with Octavia, was pretty much bribed by her to invite them and she explains that she has a scavenger hunt for them to complete around the estate.
Richard's rocky relationship with his mom is the focus of the book. She's a complex character, carefree and volatile, but she's a good person and she loves her son. They don't have the best relationship, since she only spent summers with him, but her life was a bit tragic at times. She married very young, was in love with Richard's father and had a baby. However, soon Richard's father grew bored and only cared about his career and divorced her, leaving her and her son alone. She was an actress, but didn't make enough to give her son the aristocratic life she thought he deserved and since there were already family fights about how to raise him (his uncle wanted him to be raised like a noble), she sent him to live with his uncle, since he could give him a much better life. I understand her side, but she did mess up. Richard wanted his mother, not to the money. She also ends up monopolizing the attention of people around her, even if not on purpose, so Richard feels like if he introduces people to his mom, they'll stop being his friends, but hers. However, we see she does want to be better. She and Richard are so alike...their mannerisms, their looks, the way they talk. She speaks fondly of the summers she spent with her brother, she rolled Seigi's pants up, the same way she did with Richard when he was a little boy...
She has a lot of love for her son. The argument they had heartbreaking. Deep down, she wanted to make sure Seigi was fine, that Richard wasn't treating him the same way the Claremont family had treated her.
But she also wanted to make sure Seigi was good for her son. She knows Richard is attached to him, that he loves Seigi and she doesn't want him to be left behind like she was. I loved to see them reconcile at the end, with Richard calling her Maman again.
Seigi's relationship with his mom also mirrors Richard's. Seigi's mom was always busy with work, so they never got close. And while he wants to bridge that gap, they're not there yet.
When the old couple sort of forcibly hired Seigi to pain their house, I already knew where it was going...they thought he was Catherine's servant and hired him without safety to save money. They thought he was a servant, just because he was a man of color. They wouldn't even take the food from his hands. It's ridiculous how many ignorant and racist people exist in the world. It's 2024. Racism and prejudice should have no place in our world.
Octavia is such a strange antagonist... why is this little girl causing trouble because of a relationship that ended 7 years ago???? And why does Vince follow her? And he compares himself to Vincent Van Gogh, who injured his ear for love. I know he once needed money to help his wife. Could she be ill again?
Shimomura showed up! It's been a while since we've heard of him. I love how he and Henry Claremont became good friends through Seigi, despite having very different background
The ending was such a cliffhanger! There's a riot and atatcks happening in Seigi's city and Vince suddenly decides to contact him....
even when he shows you a side of him you’ll never see again, even if he
pledges his eternal love to someone who isn’t you. Promise me that. And
never break that promise.”
It's time for me to praise Jeweler Richard again, because volume 8 is an emotional rollercoaster. It speaks mainly of familial bond, especially of how nuanced, complex and complicated motherhood can be.
Richard and Seigi are invited to spend a few days on Catherine's villa (Richard's mom). They arrive and quickly understand that Catherine is in contact with Octavia, was pretty much bribed by her to invite them and she explains that she has a scavenger hunt for them to complete around the estate.
Richard's rocky relationship with his mom is the focus of the book. She's a complex character, carefree and volatile, but she's a good person and she loves her son. They don't have the best relationship, since she only spent summers with him, but her life was a bit tragic at times. She married very young, was in love with Richard's father and had a baby. However, soon Richard's father grew bored and only cared about his career and divorced her, leaving her and her son alone. She was an actress, but didn't make enough to give her son the aristocratic life she thought he deserved and since there were already family fights about how to raise him (his uncle wanted him to be raised like a noble), she sent him to live with his uncle, since he could give him a much better life. I understand her side, but she did mess up. Richard wanted his mother, not to the money. She also ends up monopolizing the attention of people around her, even if not on purpose, so Richard feels like if he introduces people to his mom, they'll stop being his friends, but hers. However, we see she does want to be better. She and Richard are so alike...their mannerisms, their looks, the way they talk. She speaks fondly of the summers she spent with her brother, she rolled Seigi's pants up, the same way she did with Richard when he was a little boy...
She has a lot of love for her son. The argument they had heartbreaking. Deep down, she wanted to make sure Seigi was fine, that Richard wasn't treating him the same way the Claremont family had treated her.
But she also wanted to make sure Seigi was good for her son. She knows Richard is attached to him, that he loves Seigi and she doesn't want him to be left behind like she was. I loved to see them reconcile at the end, with Richard calling her Maman again.
Seigi's relationship with his mom also mirrors Richard's. Seigi's mom was always busy with work, so they never got close. And while he wants to bridge that gap, they're not there yet.
When the old couple sort of forcibly hired Seigi to pain their house, I already knew where it was going...they thought he was Catherine's servant and hired him without safety to save money. They thought he was a servant, just because he was a man of color. They wouldn't even take the food from his hands. It's ridiculous how many ignorant and racist people exist in the world. It's 2024. Racism and prejudice should have no place in our world.
Octavia is such a strange antagonist... why is this little girl causing trouble because of a relationship that ended 7 years ago???? And why does Vince follow her? And he compares himself to Vincent Van Gogh, who injured his ear for love. I know he once needed money to help his wife. Could she be ill again?
Shimomura showed up! It's been a while since we've heard of him. I love how he and Henry Claremont became good friends through Seigi, despite having very different background
The ending was such a cliffhanger! There's a riot and atatcks happening in Seigi's city and Vince suddenly decides to contact him....
August 21, 2024
In volume 8 of The Case Files of Jeweler Richard, we continue the more mature story set up in volume 7. This time we’re focusing more on Richard’s past—specifically his complicated relationship with his mother, Catherine.
This volume also continues the antagonist!Octavia arc set up in the previous book. Catherine has invited Seigi and Richard to spend a few days at her old summer villa in Provence, France. But little do they know, she’s worked with Octavia to set up a puzzle throughout the house, and they can’t leave until they’ve solved it.
Although the puzzle was the point of their visit, solving it takes a back seat to the exploration of parent-child relationships. Tsujimura did a fantastic job depicting realistic tension between a frivolous and self-centered mother and a son who has suffered because of it. They’re so alike, but Richard’s bitterness at his treatment as a child overshadows his ability to see Catherine’s side of things. Not to mention how Richard reverts back to a petulant child when he’s around her. It was crazy fun to see Richard so out of his element. Their dynamic is really relatable to anyone who’s struggled with their parents.
While Richard and Catherine struggle to connect, we see just how strong Richard and Seigi’s relationship has become. Seigi still refuses to examine his feelings for Richard, but their trust in each other is clear. They come to each other’s defense, and are vulnerable around each other in ways they’re not around anyone else. It was especially touching to see Seigi interact with Catherine and learn more about how Richard’s childhood shaped who he is today. I really like Catherine and I hope to see more of her, especially now that she and Richard’s relationship is in the mend.
And speaking of relationships, I have so many questions about Richard’s past ones! I need to know more about his ex-fiancé Deborah, and both of their relationships with Octavia. I feel like it was a kind of found family situation, and Octavia felt extremely betrayed when Richard and Deborah broke up. Her Joker origin story, if you will. And I think we’re about to learn a lot more about Vince. Fingered crossed that all is revealed in volume 9!
This volume also continues the antagonist!Octavia arc set up in the previous book. Catherine has invited Seigi and Richard to spend a few days at her old summer villa in Provence, France. But little do they know, she’s worked with Octavia to set up a puzzle throughout the house, and they can’t leave until they’ve solved it.
Although the puzzle was the point of their visit, solving it takes a back seat to the exploration of parent-child relationships. Tsujimura did a fantastic job depicting realistic tension between a frivolous and self-centered mother and a son who has suffered because of it. They’re so alike, but Richard’s bitterness at his treatment as a child overshadows his ability to see Catherine’s side of things. Not to mention how Richard reverts back to a petulant child when he’s around her. It was crazy fun to see Richard so out of his element. Their dynamic is really relatable to anyone who’s struggled with their parents.
While Richard and Catherine struggle to connect, we see just how strong Richard and Seigi’s relationship has become. Seigi still refuses to examine his feelings for Richard, but their trust in each other is clear. They come to each other’s defense, and are vulnerable around each other in ways they’re not around anyone else. It was especially touching to see Seigi interact with Catherine and learn more about how Richard’s childhood shaped who he is today. I really like Catherine and I hope to see more of her, especially now that she and Richard’s relationship is in the mend.
And speaking of relationships, I have so many questions about Richard’s past ones! I need to know more about his ex-fiancé Deborah, and both of their relationships with Octavia. I feel like it was a kind of found family situation, and Octavia felt extremely betrayed when Richard and Deborah broke up. Her Joker origin story, if you will. And I think we’re about to learn a lot more about Vince. Fingered crossed that all is revealed in volume 9!
August 31, 2024
Wonderfully written
July 24, 2024
This might be the best book of the series. This series has come a long way: from stranges with independent stories in every chapter to an actual overarching plot across books! Lots of reading to get there but I love this new direction!
This book. It thought it was a little fun, a little mystery, a little game BUT it's actually a full on mystery from a messy family.
Liked that it it bordered on commentary of biases. It added depth which I was not expecting from a light novel.
Then the little adventure - I thought that was the highly of the story BUT there is more!
The messy family, wow. That was plot #2. It was not a subplot. It could have stood on its own.
I thought it was gone giving BUT there was more!
The conversation in the garden was so beautiful! These typically ends on a cozy note BUT there was more!
That cliffhanger!
This book. It thought it was a little fun, a little mystery, a little game BUT it's actually a full on mystery from a messy family.
Liked that it it bordered on commentary of biases. It added depth which I was not expecting from a light novel.
Then the little adventure - I thought that was the highly of the story BUT there is more!
The messy family, wow. That was plot #2. It was not a subplot. It could have stood on its own.
I thought it was gone giving BUT there was more!
The conversation in the garden was so beautiful! These typically ends on a cozy note BUT there was more!
That cliffhanger!
July 24, 2024
richard and seigi are driving me INSANE but in the nest possible way. love the very domestic aspect of this novel
August 6, 2024
I continue to love this series with all my heart. This is maybe 4,5 stars because there are books in the series that I like more but I feel generous because I love it overall so much.
July 3, 2025
Volume 8 was a truly great read, though volume 7 remains my personal favourite. I loved how this book balanced heartfelt drama with life lessons, especially through Catherine’s story and her relationship with Richard. I was honestly surprised—I'd always imagined Catherine as stern and bossy, but she turned out to be warm, fun, and sharp, especially when she gave Seigi that “if you're not serious, leave now” talk. It felt like something a real, caring mum would say. We also got to see a more emotional Richard: sulky, frustrated, even feverish and rambling nonsense—he was almost like a different person! It was a rare and fascinating shift from his usual calm self.
The mystery around Octavia’s motives still feels unclear to me—if all this drama was just to push Richard and Deborah together, it seems a bit excessive and childish, doesn’t it? But putting that aside, the ending was beautiful: a party in France, Catherine dancing, Richard playing the violin, and that touching moment when he hugs his mum and calls her Maman nearly brought me to tears. I really wish the anime hadn’t stopped at volume 6, because scenes like these deserve to be animated. I can’t wait for volume 9—surely we’ll finally understand what Vince was so worried about when he told Seigi to stay away from Richard!
The mystery around Octavia’s motives still feels unclear to me—if all this drama was just to push Richard and Deborah together, it seems a bit excessive and childish, doesn’t it? But putting that aside, the ending was beautiful: a party in France, Catherine dancing, Richard playing the violin, and that touching moment when he hugs his mum and calls her Maman nearly brought me to tears. I really wish the anime hadn’t stopped at volume 6, because scenes like these deserve to be animated. I can’t wait for volume 9—surely we’ll finally understand what Vince was so worried about when he told Seigi to stay away from Richard!
April 24, 2025
When I read the blurb to this volume, I thought the story would focus on mystery solving. However, it turned out not so: the mystery game used to lure Richard and Seigi to de Vulpians's former summer home in Provence does not take the main spotlight. This volume is more a character study of Catherine (Richard's mother) and a deep dive into the relationship between Catherine and Richard. And I LOVE it.
Tsujimura Nanako's writing keeps getting better, stemming from her ability, I think, to consider many points of view and to understand differences between cultures—something that Seigi, as the narrator, often ponders about. I think I have said this before, but I also really like how we can feel that Seigi has developed as a person, as an adult, through his narration. He's no longer the still rather boyish college student he was in books 1 to 6.
Something that strikes me as odd is just that it's been my assumption that Seigi learns British English from Richard, so reading his supposedly blog posts in which he uses "gotten" instead of "got" kind of gives me a funny feeling despite knowing that this book is an American edition, lol.
Tsujimura Nanako's writing keeps getting better, stemming from her ability, I think, to consider many points of view and to understand differences between cultures—something that Seigi, as the narrator, often ponders about. I think I have said this before, but I also really like how we can feel that Seigi has developed as a person, as an adult, through his narration. He's no longer the still rather boyish college student he was in books 1 to 6.
Something that strikes me as odd is just that it's been my assumption that Seigi learns British English from Richard, so reading his supposedly blog posts in which he uses "gotten" instead of "got" kind of gives me a funny feeling despite knowing that this book is an American edition, lol.
October 19, 2025
This is the second time this series has started with Richards memories and it kills me every single time.
All, still dislike Vincent and Octavia, but I am curious about their roles in this story. As for Miss Catherine … she is a very complicated but interesting character. She is loud and vivacious and the center of attention, but she seems to be kind and to truly love her son - even if the way she shows it doesn’t always come through in the best way. She literally agreed to Octavia’s plan because she wanted to see Richard and see his relationship with Seigi; to test and make sure it wasn’t some fleeting whim. I actually really liked Seigis interactions with Catherine - while he was kind, his main concern was always Richard. But I also appreciate that she pointed out how damaging Seigi can be.
Also, seeing Richard get pissed off on Seigis behalf? Priceless. Seeing Richard get upset because he feared his mother taking Seigis focus? His attention? Loved it.
I’m sorry but these two (or maybe just Seigi???) are so oblivious. Seigi thinks Richard hurts over his lost love and maybe he does but i don’t she’s at the center of his heart anymore.
All, still dislike Vincent and Octavia, but I am curious about their roles in this story. As for Miss Catherine … she is a very complicated but interesting character. She is loud and vivacious and the center of attention, but she seems to be kind and to truly love her son - even if the way she shows it doesn’t always come through in the best way. She literally agreed to Octavia’s plan because she wanted to see Richard and see his relationship with Seigi; to test and make sure it wasn’t some fleeting whim. I actually really liked Seigis interactions with Catherine - while he was kind, his main concern was always Richard. But I also appreciate that she pointed out how damaging Seigi can be.
Also, seeing Richard get pissed off on Seigis behalf? Priceless. Seeing Richard get upset because he feared his mother taking Seigis focus? His attention? Loved it.
I’m sorry but these two (or maybe just Seigi???) are so oblivious. Seigi thinks Richard hurts over his lost love and maybe he does but i don’t she’s at the center of his heart anymore.
September 18, 2024
dude
ok first of all the gratuitous use of french in this book actually made me want to die
the rest of it also made me want to die but in a good way aauughhhh the depiction of familial trauma is so real bro... im so glad that richa and seigi are able to connect about it now and that theyre being more open about whats hurting them. i feel so crazy about richards ex fiancee tho like i know seigi thinks richard is still in love with her but all the signs point to richard healing and being in love w seigi within the next novel or two. im so excited for vol 9 to get translated LOL
ALSO WTF THE CLIFFHANGER
ok first of all the gratuitous use of french in this book actually made me want to die
the rest of it also made me want to die but in a good way aauughhhh the depiction of familial trauma is so real bro... im so glad that richa and seigi are able to connect about it now and that theyre being more open about whats hurting them. i feel so crazy about richards ex fiancee tho like i know seigi thinks richard is still in love with her but all the signs point to richard healing and being in love w seigi within the next novel or two. im so excited for vol 9 to get translated LOL
ALSO WTF THE CLIFFHANGER
July 12, 2025
Oh Seigi, just how down bad can you be when even Richard's MOTHER begs you to just go for it and never leave Richard.
A fun volume that brought light to more of Richard's family background, a fun appearance of Vince again, and.... Unfortunately, Catherine.
It's not her fault but she reminds me too much of my own mother in some ways and it made me really uncomfortable. Sorry, Catherine
A fun volume that brought light to more of Richard's family background, a fun appearance of Vince again, and.... Unfortunately, Catherine.
It's not her fault but she reminds me too much of my own mother in some ways and it made me really uncomfortable. Sorry, Catherine
November 4, 2025
Seigi gets to know even more about Richard and we also got one Richard's POV.
June 19, 2024
I'm reading so much double meaning in this novel that if I've just been baited all along, I'll riot. is basically telling Seigi that if he likes it he should put a ring on it and I have to believe there's a heterosexual explanation for that? Hell no
...
...
July 23, 2024
I don't know how I feel about this 😭 richard and seigi have no chill anymore. I need to sit on this for a while to gather my thoughts ✨️✨️
September 25, 2024
3.5 ⭐, rounded up thanks to the last 50 pages or so.
RTC
RTC
October 16, 2024
Actual Rating: 3.75
April 7, 2025
MENOS MAL que dejé que este libro y el próximo se acumularan, porque si hubiera tenido que esperar meses para saber qué pasa después de ese epílogo me hubiese matado en la puerta de seven seas
July 10, 2025
*4.5 // catherine giving seigi the shovel talk heh heh. it's so amusing to see how similar mother & son are.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews