Crossbone's Detectives - Reviews

If you're looking for clever deductions and clear logic behind the detective work, then this isn't the series for you. The first chapter uses a literal dowsing rod to find a cat, the second chapter uses obscure trivia knowledge which readers would have no way of knowing, the third chapter uses off-screen work, and the final chapter just involves following a guide to a designated location. The only thing even coming close to thought-based detective work is the riddle presented in the first chapter, though even that is very badly made. The beginning part of the riddle says "At the time when the bells chime," and from that minimal hint we are apparently supposed to be able to deduce that it's referencing Christmas ('cause...Jingle Bells...). But since Christmas isn't the only time when bells chime, it's less of a deduction and more of an assumption. And it's not super interesting seeing detectives making assumptions and happening to be right, as it just comes across as plot armor.

The characters are shallow and underdeveloped. At first, I assumed that Misaki is supposed to be the protagonist, but fe does very little to actually push the plot forward and serves more as a comic relief character. The real driving force is Shiki, the most detective-like out of all of them. Shiki has some sort of mysterious background which is never adequately unpacked. Professor Kujou is a stupid addition and makes an already weak story feel even more asinine and ridiculous. The artwork is very unimpressive. It has some okay aspects to it (so I don't think it deserves a 1/10), but the characters are especially sloppy and stilted.

There is an extra chapter called "Scramble Fish" which I believe is loosely based on "The Little Mermaid" by Hans Christian Andersen (the author specifically name-drops Andersen, so at the very least it's alluding to it).