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A Detective's Novel on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information

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On a cold November night in a desolate estate deep in the mountains an innocent life has prematurely perished and its up to the player to find out who did it.

A Detective's Novel is a indie, adventure and visual novel game developed and published by Amaterasu Software.
Released on July 28th 2016 is available in English only on Windows.

It has received 882 reviews of which 599 were positive and 283 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. 😐

The game is currently priced at 1.99€ on Steam, but you can find it for 0.19€ on K4G.


The Steam community has classified A Detective's Novel into these genres:

Media & Screenshots

Get an in-depth look at A Detective's Novel through various videos and screenshots.

System requirements

These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.

Windows
  • OS *: Windows XP
  • Processor: 1GHz
  • Memory: 512 MB RAM
  • Graphics: DirectX compatible card
  • Storage: 180 MB available space

User reviews & Ratings

Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.

12 hours played
June 2026
A Detective’s Novel is a mystery-focused visual novel developed and published by Amaterasu Software that embraces the traditions of classic detective fiction. Set within an isolated mountain estate following the suspicious death of a wealthy businessman, the game places players in the role of following a brilliant young investigator as he searches for the truth hidden among a cast of suspects. Rather than depending on action sequences or elaborate gameplay systems, the experience is built around storytelling, logical deduction, and the gradual uncovering of secrets. From the opening moments, the game establishes a tense atmosphere where every conversation feels important and every character seems capable of hiding something. The narrative revolves around Detective Knox, a gifted investigator with a remarkable record of solved cases despite his youth. Accompanied by his assistant Clark, he arrives at the Goldberg residence to examine what initially appears to be a straightforward murder. As the investigation unfolds, however, layers of deception begin to emerge. Family disputes, personal grudges, concealed motives, and conflicting testimonies create a web of uncertainty that keeps the mystery engaging. The game successfully captures the spirit of traditional whodunit stories by encouraging players to pay attention to details and consider the evidence presented throughout the case. One of the strongest aspects of the game is its commitment to detective work. Information is revealed through interviews, observations, and discussions rather than through combat or exploration-heavy mechanics. The story frequently challenges players to think critically about what they have learned, making the process of reaching the final solution feel rewarding. While the game does not feature highly complex puzzle systems, it does a respectable job of making players feel involved in the investigation. Fans of classic mystery novels will appreciate how the narrative focuses on logic and deduction rather than relying on supernatural twists or excessive action. The cast plays an important role in maintaining suspense. Each suspect contributes to the overall intrigue, and the story gradually exposes hidden aspects of their personalities and relationships. Detective Knox serves as an effective protagonist, possessing enough intelligence and confidence to drive the investigation forward while remaining interesting to follow. Clark acts as a useful companion who helps balance the narrative and provides a different perspective on events. Although some supporting characters receive more attention than others, the ensemble as a whole succeeds in creating a believable mystery environment where trust becomes increasingly difficult. Visually, A Detective’s Novel adopts a simple but functional presentation. Character portraits and backgrounds are designed to support the narrative rather than dominate it, and they effectively establish the atmosphere of a secluded estate cut off from the outside world. The artwork may not be particularly ambitious compared to larger visual novels, but it remains consistent and appropriate for the story being told. The focus remains firmly on dialogue and investigation, which allows the narrative to take center stage. The audio presentation follows a similar philosophy. The soundtrack provides a steady sense of tension and mystery without becoming distracting, helping key moments feel more impactful. Music cues are used effectively to emphasize revelations and dramatic confrontations. While the production values are relatively modest, the combination of sound and visuals succeeds in creating an immersive detective story that remains engaging throughout its runtime. The game is not without shortcomings. Its relatively short length means that certain characters and subplots could have benefited from additional development. Experienced mystery fans may also recognize some familiar genre conventions and predict a few developments before they occur. Furthermore, players seeking extensive branching paths, multiple endings, or deep gameplay mechanics may find the experience somewhat limited. The title is designed primarily as a focused narrative adventure, and its appeal depends heavily on a player's appreciation for detective fiction. Despite these limitations, A Detective’s Novel delivers an enjoyable mystery that remains faithful to the traditions that inspired it. Its carefully structured investigation, intriguing cast of suspects, and emphasis on deduction create a satisfying experience for fans of crime stories and visual novels. While it lacks the scale and polish of bigger genre releases, it compensates with a clear understanding of what makes a classic murder mystery compelling. For players who enjoy unraveling secrets, examining motives, and piecing together clues, the game offers several hours of engaging detective work. Rating: 6/10
3 hours played
June 2026
The $1 reality check
220 hours played
April 2026
Compelling, with unexpected twists.
22 hours played
Nov. 2025
Short, focused, and well-written. A Detective’s Novel delivers a tight little story that scratches the mystery itch without overstaying its welcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Detective's Novel is currently priced at 1.99€ on Steam.

No, A Detective's Novel is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 1.99€ on Steam.

Yes, A Detective's Novel received 599 positive votes out of a total of 882 achieving a rating of 6.56.
😐

A Detective's Novel was developed and published by Amaterasu Software.

Yes, A Detective's Novel is playable and fully supported on Windows.

No, A Detective's Novel is not playable on MacOS.

No, A Detective's Novel is not playable on Linux.

A Detective's Novel is a single-player game.

No, A Detective's Novel does not currently offer any DLC.

No, A Detective's Novel does not support mods via Steam Workshop.

No, A Detective's Novel does not support Steam Remote Play.

Yes, A Detective's Novel is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.

You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for A Detective's Novel.

Data sources

The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.

Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.

Last Updates
Steam data 26 July 2026 01:17 UTC
SteamSpy data 29 July 2026 13:35 UTC
Steam price 29 July 2026 10:43 UTC
Steam reviews 28 July 2026 09:54 UTC

If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about A Detective's Novel, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.

  • SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about A Detective's Novel
  • SteamCharts - Analysis of A Detective's Novel concurrent players on Steam
  • ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck A Detective's Novel compatibility
A Detective's Novel
Rating
6.6
599
283
Game modes
Features
Online players
1
Developer
Amaterasu Software
Publisher
Amaterasu Software
Release 28 Jul 2016
Platforms
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