I went into this book expecting full on horror but it was much more than that. It was a slow burn literary mystery with some sci-fi elements. The author did a wonderful job blending present time with post feudal Japan, as well as incorporating interesting lore. It gave some insight into how Lee and Sen were able to connect through this house. The paranormal aspect intrigued me at first, but the history and characters really solidified the story. I have found that I’m wholly fascinated with this time period, especially the perseverance of the people and cataloging of historical evidence.

The atmosphere was eerie, there are definitely darker themes at play. The ending picks up pace on the oddness and violence. Both of the main characters were morally gray, but for some reason I was always rooting for them. Both Sen and Lee found something in each other despite the centuries that separated them. It was almost like a love story, or at least a deep personal connection, rooted in their strange circumstances.

Natalie Naudus really brought this book to life. From the emotional delivery to the tension and suspense, it completely kept my attention and I highly recommend it!

Thanks to HTP Hive and Harlequin Audio for the advance review copies.

Title: Japanese Gothic
Author: Kylie Lee Baker
Genre: Mystery Thriller, Horror, Historical
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️