“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?”

Hello and welcome to damppebbles. Today I am delighted to share my review of Strange Pictures by Uketsu (translated by Jim Rion). Strange Pictures was published by Pushkin Vertigo on 16th January 2025 and is available in paperback, audio and digital formats.

But first, may I take this opportunity to wish YOU, my followers, visitors and subscribers a very happy, relaxing Holiday season, full to the brim of the best books and everything in life you love. Thank you so much for your support this year. It means the world and more to me. Thank you, and here’s to 2026

I am a self-confessed fan of translated crime fiction. I particularly love Japanese mysteries, so when this book landed on my radar, I had to have it! Look at that FABULOUS cover. Strange Pictures is a brilliant, clever, ingenious book. There is so much I could say about it, but I fear that in doing so, I would inadvertently give something away that I shouldn’t. Meaning this is going to be the shortest review of the year on damppebbles. You have been warned.

Where to start with Strange Pictures? It really is something else altogether. A collection of short stories told by an author who will chill you to the bone. It’s eerie, unnerving and unforgettable. Each story stands tall on its own, but as a collection….WOW! I’ve never read anything like this before, and it comes as no surprise that it has had such an enthusiastic reception. 

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. Strange Pictures is a captivating, highly readable and nerve-racking novel. Ridiculously clever, I inhaled this book from start to finish. Yes, I spent too much time trying to work out the riddle, and yes, I failed miserably. But that’s not the point. I was swept away by this book. Transported to the creepy world of the author and his intricate plotting. I also want to mention the translator at this point, who has done an exceptional job of translating this book into English. Superb. If you’re looking for something really quite different, then THIS IS IT. Recommended. 

Strange Pictures by Uketsu (translated by Jim Rion) was published in the UK by Pushkin Vertigo on 16th January 2025 and is available in paperback, audio and digital formats (please note, the following links are affiliate links which means I receive a small percentage of the purchase price at no extra cost to you): | amazon.co.uk | Waterstones | bookshop.org | Goodreads | damppebbles bookshop.org shop | damppebbles amazon.co.uk shop | damppebbles amazon.com shop |

Hidden behind a white papier-mâché mask, wearing a black bodysuit and speaking in a modulated voice, Uketsu is a Japanese Youtuber who rose to literary fame with his mystery-horror books. Very little is known about him, only that he is a man, lives in Tokyo and that he was working at a supermarket at the time he began posting YouTube videos. Uketsu became an internationally bestselling sensation with Strange Pictures, Strange Houses and Strange Buildings, a series of fiendishly clever and disturbing interactive mysteries which blend crime fiction and horror, and are translated into English by Jim Rion, with Strange Pictures earning a place on the shortlist for the Waterstones Book of the Year 2025.