Name: Strange Pictures
Rating: 4.008196721311475 (61 reviews)
ISBN: 9781805335399

Uketsu

A Japanese mystery bestseller, revolving around a series of creepy drawings, in which the reader is the detective – from the Youtube sensation Uketsu.

A series of drawings made by a young woman before her death.

A child’s disturbing picture of his home.

A desperate sketch made by a murder victim in his final moments.

Each contains a chilling warning.

Each reveals a terrible secret, hidden in plain sight.

Uketsu’s eerie mysteries have captivated millions of readers. Can you find the clues in these strange pictures and uncover the sinister truth that connects them all?

Strange Pictures

変な絵

Ashley Pennington

When I read a mystery I do not try and piece together the information to try and solve the mystery. I read the story and see what happens, so my review could be based on how I read this genre in particular. 

Strange Pictures is broken up into four different stories and each story contains one central character. I think the clues leading up to solving what the pictures tell readers felt far fetched at time., especially with the first story. As each story progresses readers begin to see how they tie in together. The last story brings it all together. 

Strange Pictures isn't a book I would gravitate toward, but overall I did enjoy it. It got better as each story progressed and for the most part it tied up nicely.

THE TIMES BESTSELLER 'So captivating I read it in a day. So disturbing I thought about it all night' - Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal 'The twists of a Golden Age whodunit, mixed with a wonderfully innovative use of illustrations. Delightfully macabre and fiendishly clever' - G.T. Karber, author of Murdle A Japanese mystery bestseller, revolving around a series of creepy drawings, in which the reader is the detective - from the YouTube sensation Uketsu A series of drawings made by a young woman before her death. A child's disturbing picture of his home. A desperate sketch made by a murder victim in his final moments. Each contains a chilling warning. Each reveals a terrible secret, hidden in plain sight. Uketsu's eerie mysteries have captivated millions of readers. Can you find the clues in these strange pictures and uncover the sinister truth that connects them all? Readers love Strange Pictures: 'Unlike anything I've read before... Insanely clever and imaginative' 'This unputdownable read delivers a perfectly constructed puzzle that comes together with a fantastic precision... The strange pictures are truly mesmerizing!' 'This was eerie and so, so clever! I was hooked'

The Chilling Japanese Mystery Sensation

this book started out so strong. while some parts felt a bit over-explained, i really enjoyed being swept along for the ride. the first two stories genuinely got me hooked me immediately. but the second half went a bit downhill, and i was pretty underwhelmed with how everything tied together in the end. despite that, it definitely held my interest and it was a quick, easy, very light mystery/horror read.

I finished this book in one sitting because it was that engaging. Even when I had a feeling about where the story was heading, it still managed to surprise me with the way everything was revealed. The plot was clever, layered, and constantly gave me reasons to keep reading. Every chapter felt like another piece of the puzzle falling into place, which made it hard to stop.

What I really enjoyed most was how the pictures were not just there for decoration but were deeply connected to the mystery itself. It was so satisfying to realize that details hidden in plain sight actually mattered later on. Even when I thought I had figured something out, the story would twist it in a way that still made me pause. That balance between predictability and shock made the reading experience even better for me.

The pacing was also one of the book’s strongest points. It never dragged, but it also never rushed important moments. It gave enough space for tension to build before dropping another reveal. Because of that, I was fully invested from beginning to end.

Spoiler-wise, I loved how all the separate stories and strange drawings eventually connected into one larger truth. Seeing how the clues were planted from the start made the ending feel rewarding instead of random. It was the kind of twist that makes you want to go back and look at everything again with fresh eyes. Though, one thing I felt was lacking was how some deleted blogs were mentioned but never fully shown. I was curious to know what was written in them, since seeing their contents could have added even more depth and tension to the mystery.

As someone who loves mystery books, I know I’m a little biased, but this was such a fun and memorable read for me. It was smart, eerie, and creative in a way that stood out from other mysteries I’ve read. 

I finished this book in one sitting because it was that engaging. Even when I had a feeling about where the story was heading, it still managed to surprise me with the way everything was revealed. The plot was clever, layered, and constantly gave me reasons to keep reading. Every chapter felt like another piece of the puzzle falling into place, which made it hard to stop.

What I really enjoyed most was how the pictures were not just there for decoration but were deeply connected to the mystery itself. It was so satisfying to realize that details hidden in plain sight actually mattered later on. Even when I thought I had figured something out, the story would twist it in a way that still made me pause. That balance between predictability and shock made the reading experience even better for me.

The pacing was also one of the book’s strongest points. It never dragged, but it also never rushed important moments. It gave enough space for tension to build before dropping another reveal. Because of that, I was fully invested from beginning to end.

Spoiler-wise, I loved how all the separate stories and strange drawings eventually connected into one larger truth. Seeing how the clues were planted from the start made the ending feel rewarding instead of random. It was the kind of twist that makes you want to go back and look at everything again with fresh eyes. Though, one thing I felt was lacking was how some deleted blogs were mentioned but never fully shown. I was curious to know what was written in them, since seeing their contents could have added even more depth and tension to the mystery.

As someone who loves mystery books, I know I’m a little biased, but this was such a fun and memorable read for me. It was smart, eerie, and creative in a way that stood out from other mysteries I’ve read. 

This is one of the books I dived into head first. It's quite popular nowadays and the title was captivating enough to pick the book up. I had no expectations since I didn't read anything about it except the fact that it's a mystery book.

The title was catchy enough but what really got me was the introduction—it immediately piqued my interest. A drawing of a little girl who committed homicide against her mother. A house-tree-person assessment commonly used to determine any underlying conditions the little girl might have.

The novel revolved around pictures. Particularly, drawings that had hidden meanings behind them. Sketches that seemed strange, but you wouldn't realize the skeletons it hid until you fully understood the story behind it. The book constantly made me think, gasp, and reflect. The clues wracked my brain for answers, or at least to keep up with the presented information. The backstories held me back from closing the book, wanting to flip the pages and finish each chapter without a break. The revelations made my lips part, reminding myself to breathe in as the sentences either confirm or disprove my theories.

I'd say it was easy to digest yet the mystery kept my chair racking, and it made me flip through the pages in search for answers—as if I was the one solving the cases.

In a psychological sense—and thought this might be a bit of spoiler—it all really comes down to the point that a child's behavior is a result of an adult's actions. Children mimic adults in their own understanding, keeping what they have learned from watching adults close to their heart, not realizing how long it could linger in their minds. The book tells us how the failure to nurture a child's emotional development can affect their psychological perspective as adults. In the end, we are still a product of our environment and how it shaped us from our childhood experiences until our ventures as adults.

As for my favorite line in the book, I have quoted it at the beginning of this narrative. "We all got skeletons in our closets." — disturbing how this was written in a child's perspective, but then, kids may know more than we thought. And in a way, that line may be true—that everyone has their own secrets, no matter how light or dark it is, and that might be the one of the things we can never remove from a person.

"We all got a skeleton in our closets."

This is one of the books I dived into head first. It's quite popular nowadays and the title was captivating enough to pick the book up. I had no expectations since I didn't read anything about it except the fact that it's a mystery book.

The title was catchy enough but what really got me was the introduction—it immediately piqued my interest. A drawing of a little girl who committed homicide against her mother. A house-tree-person assessment commonly used to determine any underlying conditions the little girl might have.

The novel revolved around pictures. Particularly, drawings that had hidden meanings behind them. Sketches that seemed strange, but you wouldn't realize the skeletons it hid until you fully understood the story behind it. The book constantly made me think, gasp, and reflect. The clues wracked my brain for answers, or at least to keep up with the presented information. The backstories held me back from closing the book, wanting to flip the pages and finish each chapter without a break. The revelations made my lips part, reminding myself to breathe in as the sentences either confirm or disprove my theories.

I'd say it was easy to digest yet the mystery kept my chair racking, and it made me flip through the pages in search for answers—as if I was the one solving the cases.

In a psychological sense—and thought this might be a bit of spoiler—it all really comes down to the point that a child's behavior is a result of an adult's actions. Children mimic adults in their own understanding, keeping what they have learned from watching adults close to their heart, not realizing how long it could linger in their minds. The book tells us how the failure to nurture a child's emotional development can affect their psychological perspective as adults. In the end, we are still a product of our environment and how it shaped us from our childhood experiences until our ventures as adults.

As for my favorite line in the book, I have quoted it at the beginning of this narrative. "We all got skeletons in our closets." — disturbing how this was written in a child's perspective, but then, kids may know more than we thought. And in a way, that line may be true—that everyone has their own secrets, no matter how light or dark it is, and that might be the one of the things we can never remove from a person.

"Wonderfully innovative. . . . Delightfully macabre and fiendishly clever. Seemingly unconnected stories tie themselves into a complicated knot, which Uketsu masterfully unravels."--G. T. Karber, author of the national bestseller Murdle "Uketsu is a disrupter, the master of quiet horror."--Janice Hallett, internationally bestselling author of The Appeal The spine-tingling mystery horror bestseller that has taken Japan by storm--an eerie fresh take on horror for fans of Hidden Pictures and Junji Ito, in which a series of seemingly innocent pictures draws you into a disturbing web of unsolved mysteries and shattered psyches. An exploration of the macabre, where the seemingly mundane takes on a terrifying significance. . . . A pregnant woman's sketches on a seemingly innocuous blog conceal a chilling warning. A child's picture of his home contains a dark secret message. A sketch made by a murder victim in his final moments leads an amateur sleuth down a rabbithole that will reveal a horrifying reality. Structured around these nine childlike drawings, each holding a disturbing clue, Uketsu invites readers to piece together the mystery behind each and the over-arching backstory that connects them all. Strange Pictures is the internationally bestselling debut from mystery horror YouTube sensation Uketsu--an enigmatic masked figure who has become one of Japan's most talked about contemporary authors. Translated from the Japanese by Jim Rion

Strange Pictures by Uketsu is a mind-boggling mystery built around eerie, unsettling drawings. And I haven’t read a book of 200+ pages that fast recently. In four days. If not for adulting errands, I could’ve finished it in one sitting. This book really was that gripping.

The novel is a compilation of four dark stories, with interconnected characters...

Each of these stories has a sketch, acting as a clue to the mystery in that story. They’re separate cases on their own, but story after story... everything starts connecting.

The writing itself is plain and simple. Makes the stories easy to follow and keeps the focus where it belongs... on the pictures (and notes).

Reading Strange Pictures was quite an interactive experience, I must say, pulling you in to play detective. What was even more fulfilling for me was that by the time the lead character solves the puzzles within stories, I could solve them, too.

And I chuckled at the end, amazed at how beautifully the author closed the loop that started in the first story. Had to stop reading for a while just to savour the closure. It was completely engrossing.

If you love mystery and detective fiction, Strange Pictures is highly recommended. Also, even though it doesn’t particularly feel like a thriller, it gives you thrills as you connect the dots.

It’s absolutely worth picking up. My first 5-star read of 2026.

Abhijeet Kumar

Strange Pictures by Uketsu is a mind-boggling mystery built around eerie, unsettling drawings. And I haven’t read a book of 200+ pages that fast recently. In four days. If not for adulting errands, I could’ve finished it in one sitting. This book really was that gripping.

The novel is a compilation of four dark stories, with interconnected characters...

- a blogger posting life updates

- a child living with his mama

- murder of an art teacher

- a girl with her bird


Each of these stories has a sketch, acting as a clue to the mystery in that story. They’re separate cases on their own, but story after story... everything starts connecting.


The writing itself is plain and simple. Makes the stories easy to follow and keeps the focus where it belongs... on the pictures (and notes).


Reading Strange Pictures was quite an interactive experience, I must say, pulling you in to play detective. What was even more fulfilling for me was that by the time the lead character solves the puzzles within stories, I could solve them, too.


And I chuckled at the end, amazed at how beautifully the author closed the loop that started in the first story. Had to stop reading for a while just to savour the closure. It was completely engrossing.


If you love mystery and detective fiction, Strange Pictures is highly recommended. Also, even though it doesn’t particularly feel like a thriller, it gives you thrills as you connect the dots.

It’s absolutely worth picking up. My first 5-star read of 2026.

Livraço da porra. Ele engana, pois originalmente pensei ser de terror, porém em nada afeta a experiência. Foi uma leitura intrigante do início ao fim, com ótimas conexões e com um gostinho de Sherlock Holmes no fundo. Gostei muito!

Se eu fosse criticar algo, diria que ele se estende um pouco mais do que deveria, mas, particularmente, estava gostando tanto que não me incomodou. O mistério é bom, os desenhos são simples porém esmiuçados de um jeito engenhoso.

Pretendo ler mais livros do autor e espero que tenham o mesmo nível de qualidade que esta maravilha.

Noro

Livraço da porra. Ele engana, pois originalmente pensei ser de terror, porém em nada afeta a experiência. Foi uma leitura intrigante do início ao fim, com ótimas conexões e com um gostinho de Sherlock Holmes no fundo. Gostei muito!

Se eu fosse criticar algo, diria que ele se estende um pouco mais do que deveria, mas, particularmente, estava gostando tanto que não me incomodou. O mistério é bom, os desenhos são simples porém esmiuçados de um jeito engenhoso.

Pretendo ler mais livros do autor e espero que tenham o mesmo nível de qualidade que esta maravilha.

i thought this book was really fun and interesting, but was also disappointed in the mystery like other reviewers. i do love when everything just connects and it does in a fun way here! definitely an enjoyable cozy afternoon read

Clara Gauthier

That's the dumbest shit I've ever read. This story has so many holes it's actually impressive.

Ailen 

complexly intertwined !! a fun read that had me gasping at some really clever plot tie ins,, very well thought through & really easy to read

love a lil mystery with jumps in plot that all tie toGether

Nat Wong

complexly intertwined !! a fun read that had me gasping at some really clever plot tie ins,, very well thought through & really easy to read

love a lil mystery with jumps in plot that all tie toGether

So interesting! Really thrilling especially in the middle, I really enjoyed this, read it all in one sitting 

Hannah Bateman

I finished this book in one sitting, which I haven’t done since I was a kid. I was almost a little let down initially thinking that they were all short stories with a spooky open ending, and BOY was I wrong. The story starts weaving together before you realize, and once you notice it’s impossible to put down. 

james cao

Going in blind recommended.

I finished this book in one sitting, which I haven’t done since I was a kid. I was almost a little let down initially thinking that they were all short stories with a spooky open ending, and BOY was I wrong. The story starts weaving together before you realize, and once you notice it’s impossible to put down. 

ayoni

Took me a while to see where this book was going but god damn they weren’t wrong about this being a good book!!!

ophelia ross 

A painfully average book. Easy to read, premise was interesting enough, but I think the plot lacked substance.. everything felt kind of rushed at the end? Also am concluding that I really don’t like reading lit translated from another language, the style of writing is always so weirdly flat.

Nicole

I could not put this book down! It’s beautifully written. If you like books that reveal interconnecting storylines then this one is for you

Rebecca Joy Tan

Clever, inventive, a chilling page-turner!

c0up

So good and such a captivating and interesting story! Not my usual go to genre but was recommended this book and it did not disappoint. The story was so well thought out I had to keep reading it. Excited for the 2nd book!

Natasha Mok

I read Strange Pictures for a book club without expecting to enjoy it. The plot unfurled satisfyingly, with readable, easy prose, and I finished it in one sitting. I have chosen not to star rate it, as I am not familiar with anything else in the genre, and am still unsure whether it made me feel anything other than a little horror. But, for fans of this genre, I think it would be an enjoyable read. 

daphne

japanese authors are really good at writing murder mysteries, at least in my own opinion. this book i happened to gaze upon at a waterstones and was intrigued by the pictures and sketches in the book. this book made me finish it in 2 hours, and it’s been awhile since i’ve sat down and just devoured through a book like that. it’s quite a simple line that holds thru the entire story doe, by the 2nd chapter i already knew what was being implied but the way the translator translated it still made it interesting to read. this really pushes my goal to learn japanese, just so i can read in the original language. 

Kira L

Strange Pictures is a horror mystery novel centred around a collection of unsettling drawings. The story opens with a professor with experience as a practicing psychologist presenting a picture created by a young girl who was a victim of her mother's domestic abuse. The subsequent tales in the novel delve into the hidden truths surrounding hand-drawn images. The first stroy tells of five sketches made by a woman shortly before her death during childbirth. The second story centres around a boy and an unusual kindergarten picture he draws as a Mother's Day present. The third recounts the final artwork produced by a high school art teacher prior to his murder. The last story uncovers the reality behind the picture presented by the professor at the start of the novel and offers a new look into the drawing with chilling conclusions. All of these stories are intertwined, in the end leading to one singular character.

While you can say some circumstances are a bit far-fetched, I still enjoyed this novel; it was really fun to read, to play detective, and to have my jaw drop every once in a while.

talk about things coming full circle 

Strange Pictures is a horror mystery novel centred around a collection of unsettling drawings. The story opens with a professor with experience as a practicing psychologist presenting a picture created by a young girl who was a victim of her mother's domestic abuse. The subsequent tales in the novel delve into the hidden truths surrounding hand-drawn images. The first stroy tells of five sketches made by a woman shortly before her death during childbirth. The second story centres around a boy and an unusual kindergarten picture he draws as a Mother's Day present. The third recounts the final artwork produced by a high school art teacher prior to his murder. The last story uncovers the reality behind the picture presented by the professor at the start of the novel and offers a new look into the drawing with chilling conclusions. All of these stories are intertwined, in the end leading to one singular character.

While you can say some circumstances are a bit far-fetched, I still enjoyed this novel; it was really fun to read, to play detective, and to have my jaw drop every once in a while.

How strange you want a picture to be? Yes.

You really can read this book in one sitting, it's that good! The pacing, the storyline, the characters, everything works!

I think this should be on everyone's reading list for 2025!

Seher Mohsin

You really can read this book in one sitting, it's that good! The pacing, the storyline, the characters, everything works!

I think this should be on everyone's reading list for 2025!

Strange Pictures

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