The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino,
translated by Alexander O. Smith
All I can say is read this one, but read it all the way through. It’s the end that makes it outstanding.
Set in Tokyo, the book starts out with a woman, Yasuko, killing her ex-husband to protect her daughter, so we know who the killer is, who was killed and why. Her neighbor, Ishigami, a brilliant mathematician, decides to help her cover up the murder, so we know who her accomplice is but not why he goes to such extremes to protect her.
I have to protect them, thought Ishigami. He would never be this close to so beautiful a woman ever again in his life. He was sure of that. He had to summon every last bit of his strength and knowlege to prevent any calamity from happening to her. (pg. 36, ARC)
Enter the detectives, a pair of good guys trying to figure out what happened. If it were just them working on the case, probably they wouldn’t get anywhere, but they are being aided to some degree by Yukawa, an associate professor of physics who happens to be an old college friend of the mathematician. It comes down to a struggle between the two of them, Yukawa and Ishigami, as to who can outwit the other. At the same time, though, they admire each other. They are both geniuses and don’t have many equals they can relate to. They’re both almost too brilliant to be believable, but I’m willing to overlook that.
If that were all there is to it, it’s a compelling story, an intelligent thriller, but the end, the last chapter or so, stunned me. It made me think back to the rest of the book, picking up on details I hadn’t seen the first time around. And the last page’s raw emotion is astounding. I don’t want to tell you too much, because I don’t want to spoil the ending. Trust me, it’s worth your time.
298 pages (ARC)
To be released February 1, 2011 by Minotaur Book
5 out of 5 stars
Pre-order at Amazon, an Indie bookstore, or The Book Depository.
Challenge: Mystery & Suspense
I received my ARC from the publisher and the above is my honest opinion.
About Keigo Higashino
Born in Osaka and currently living in Tokyo, Keigo Higashino is one of the most widely known and bestselling novelists in Japan. He is the winner of the Edogawa Rampo Prize (for best mystery), the Mystery Writers of Japan, Inc. Prize (for best mystery) among others. His novels are translated widely throughout Asia.
I am not that taken by mysteries and such, but it sounds so good that I really should mention it to a friend I have
Oh, my goodness, I just started this. I will try to read it without being too analytical about the details but your review has got me really excited to read the rest!
this does sound fantastic!
This book sounds really good. I’m always looking for new authors!
I love Japanese thrillers. Please sign me up:
harvee44 at yahoo.com
I’ve seen a lot of positive about this book, I’d love a chance to win.
Lane
Please, please count me in! I’m trying not to enter as many book giveaways this year as I have so many books to read, but this one I just can’t pass up! It looks really good and right up my alley!
You’ve got me curious with your review. I’ve added to my Amazon wish list so I remember it. I like good endings that make you think.
Lee
Tossing It Out
I’ve been wanting to read this since it first came up on goodreads. Glad to hear that it’s good. 🙂
That sounds like a really good book, it’s got tons of great reviews can’t wait to read it!
Wow, sounds really great! Have just gotten back into reading since a long illness! Sounds like a great one to start with!
This sounds wonderful! I’ll buy it even if I don’t win it. Really great to find a book that makes you think while you are enjoying it. Thanks for the opportunity…Sherry
Would LOVE to read this book. Am writing my first thriller now and am reading everything I can get my hands on….especially highly recommended books. Thanks!
Don’t see a winner announced yet so maybe I’m not too late? Would love to read this either way!
I read the summation “The Devotion of Suspect X” on the Barnes & Noble website and I have to admit that I am intrigued. I loved Stieg Larson and am an avid mystery reader, this book sounds like a definite read.
What an interesting gambit–physicist vs mathematician setting out to solve/cover-up a mystery. Would love to follow up the Millenium Trilogy by reading this. Thanks for the opportunity to participate.
Wow! Sounds like a great read!
Sounds like a good one! I’ll have to check it out!
I’m not entering the giveaway, as I have this ARC myself, but I’m really liking it so far!