Title: The Devotion of Suspect X
Author: Keigo Higashino
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: February 1, 2011
Hardcover: 304 pages
ISBN: 978-0312375065
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Yasuko Hanaoka is a divorced, single mother who thought she had finally escaped her abusive ex-husband Togashi. When he shows up one day to extort money from her, threatening both her and her teenaged daughter Misato, the situation quickly escalates into violence and Togashi ends up dead on her apartment floor. Overhearing the commotion, Yasuko’s next door neighbor, middle-aged high school mathematics teacher Ishigami, offers his help, disposing not only of the body but plotting the cover-up step-by-step.
When the body turns up and is identified, Detective Kusanagi draws the case and Yasuko comes under suspicion. Kusanagi is unable to find any obvious holes in Yasuko’s manufactured alibi and yet is still sure that there’s something wrong. Kusanagi brings in Dr. Manabu Yukawa, a physicist and college friend who frequently consults with the police. Yukawa, known to the police by the nickname Professor Galileo, went to college with Ishigami. After meeting up with him again, Yukawa is convinced that Ishigami had something to do with the murder. What ensues is a high level battle of wits, as Ishigami tries to protect Yasuko by outmaneuvering and outthinking Yukawa, who faces his most clever and determined opponent yet.
My Review:
Being an exceptionally talented physics professor at Imperial University, Manabu Yukawa would appear to have all he needs in life. But in addition to his academic career, he moonlights for the local law enforcement occasionally using his sleuthing skills and power of deduction. The story of The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino examines one case where Yukawa’s skills were desired when Yasuko Hanaoka along with her daughter, Misato, kill her ex-husband, Shinji Togashi. As if it was not bad enough that Togashi was attempting to extort money from his ex-wife, but his murder (think associated sounds) was hard for one neighbor to ignore. Enter Tetsuya Ishigami, the neighbor and also a mathematics teacher who has a plan for helping the newly minted murderers. Higashino has written an exceptionally intelligent suspense thriller; the battle of the minds over a case of murder is absolutely stunning, so engaging in fact that I lost sleep for I could not let this sit unread. One thing I have learned for certain, this author has a knack for captivating his readers’ attention and does not let go until the last page. The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino is not only the first Japanese suspense novel I have read, but it is also my favourite suspense book of 2011, which is saying quite a lot about Keigo’s ability to captivate me as a reader. Without any reservations I recommend The Devotion of Suspect X to all readers.
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.
Alexander O. Smith has translated a broad variety of novels, manga, and video games, for which he has been nominated for the Eisner Award, and won the ALA’s Batchelder Award (for his translation of Miyuki Miyabe’s Brave Story), and been recognized for his localizations of the video games Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy XII. He lives with his family in Vermont.
I received a complimentary ARC of The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino from Minotaur Books to offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.
Great review, I really liked this book as well. I heard there is a movie of it and that the character of Dr. Manabu Yukawa is a recurring character in his books.
My thoughts are here: http://manoflabook.com/wp/?p=1191
I was blown out of the water by this book. I am hoping (I have not looked yet) that more of the books are translated into English. The Scandinavian books I can buy without translations, but I do not know a stitch of Japanese and so I am at the mercy of the translators.
I have never read a Japanese suspense novel either– you are totally convincing me that I should
This is absolutely, hands down the book to purchase. I am hoping the others have been translated, but worried they are not and I want to read more of his works. I made a bold statement in my review, but I believe it to be true, this is the best suspense I have read at least in this year.
You say it is your fav book of 2011 in suspense genre .. Wow! That puts it higher up in my TBR shelf.
From your review it looks like a lot of interesting stuff is happening throughout the book. A math teacher involved in murders – makes it substantially more exciting.
Great review!
The book blew me away. The writing was lovely and the story was intelligent and positively brilliant and my statement is indeed bold. I have read and reviewed a lot of suspense novels, it is one of my favourite genres and this book wins hands down. I am hoping against hope his other books are translated into English.
Wow, your favorite suspense book of the year! This sounds amazing!
It is am amazing book, well written, clever, engaging and I am hoping his other books are translated into English.
You have managed to catch my interest (“the battle of the minds”), especially since I would love to read a Japanese-penned thriller or mystery. My only concern is the level of graphic violence, as I don’t handle that well. Can you give me your take on it or provide a point of comparison?
I actually thought it more a psychological thriller.
Perfect, that is what I was hoping to hear
Thank you!
I am glad I was able to help.
One of the books that I’m currently reading. Suspenseful!
I could not put it down. Do you know if his others are translated into English?
Congratulations! You’ve been chosen to receive the Seven Facts Award. Go here to collect your prize:
http://centralcaligrrrl.blogspot.com/2011/02/seven-facts-award.html
Thank you Yvonne.