The pacing issues in Higurashi are in the beginning of CH2 and the repetitiveness of CH7. I strongly disagree, however, with those who think that CH1 has pacing issues. Yes, it is slow in the first half, but this is not a detriment but it the strength of the chapter. The contrast between the slow and happy half and the frantic paranoia of the second half strengthens the characters, setting, atmosphere, etc.