Vance Miguel Johnson’s Reviews > The Noh Mask Murder > Status Update
Vance Miguel Johnson
is on page 30 of 224
This book grabbed me by the prologue. I mean honestly, it’s been a long time since the opening of a book hooked me so hard. Reaching the end of chapter 1 however, while im loving the Noir vibe, the “insane” woman trope is a bit worrying for the rest of the plot. Let’s see if it’s handled with nuance!
— Aug 25, 2026 07:42AM
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Vance Miguel’s Previous Updates
Vance Miguel Johnson
is on page 170 of 224
Akimitsu and Koichi have both not been entirely convincing. Koichi’s denouement is pretty good so far, but the misogyny in the 1951 story, and dehumanizing depiction of mental illness have made me mistrusting of not only the narrator but also the writer. We’ll see what the proof at the end is!
— 36 minutes ago
Vance Miguel Johnson
is on page 102 of 224
The events with Koichi, Akimitsu, Yojiro and Sawako leading up to chapter 6 have been SO gripping
— Oct 02, 2026 10:45AM
Vance Miguel Johnson
is on page 87 of 224
At this point, I’m certain that treats his mentally or physically ill characters as being inherently scary—specifically with the women Sonoe, and Hisako. I don’t like that. However, I did like the Akimitsu’s interrogations of Yojiro and Sawako. Also I’m suspicious that Rintaro was in the room right above where Tajiro was found.
— Sep 16, 2026 02:31PM
Vance Miguel Johnson
is on page 49 of 224
There is some difficulty I’m experiencing in keeping track of who each family member is, aside from that I’m really enjoying the mystery. Even with some of the deaths being revealed at the beginning of chapters, the suspense isn’t dispersed.
— Sep 03, 2026 03:05PM