Strange Buildings by Uketsu review

About The Book

Book: Strange Buildings
Author: Uketsu
Standalone or Series: Book 3 of the Strange series
Publisher: Pushkin
Publication Date (UK): 26th February 2026

My Review

“I’d sent him a copy of Strange Houses on its publication. He had called me a year after that with an odd story. ‘I read your book. I know, I know, you sent it ages ago,’ he’d said“

Uketsu is back. Inserting himself as a character again and apparently calling me out on my own TBR situation. I bought Strange Buildings from my fave local indie bookshop Criminally Good Books on publication and have just finished reading whilst away.

One thing I noticed when buying the physical copy is that this book is chunkier than it’s predecessors. However I still sped through this. I think it took me around an hour and a half longer to read compared to Strange Houses if my Kobo stats are correct. I adore the writing style, floorplans and connecting mysteries. I must say however that the reveal behind this is possibly one of his darkest yet. It’s also potentially the most ambitious with 11 connecting stories. Seeing the secrets hidden within the floor plans revealed is always fascinating, I think this must appeal to a lot of people my age who were also raised on Scooby Doo and the Secret Seven etc. which were filled with hidden passageways and rooms.

One thing I enjoy about translated fiction is learning new things and cultures. The average lifespan of a Japanese house being just 30 years was a completely new concept to me!Nice to see a teaser for STRANGE MAPS at the end too. Overall I really enjoyed this but STRANGE PICTURES is still my fave.

Nice to see a teaser for Strange Maps at the end too. Overall I really enjoyed this but Strange Pictures is still my fave.

Read my other Uketsu reviews here: Strange Pictures and Strange Houses.