The Devotion of Suspect X Paperback – 2 February 2012

Sometimes, all you need to do is exist in order to be someone's saviour.Many of you might not get what I meant by the above thought or line from the book I am reviewing, I will not go into details, just never think that your existence is of no value in this world since you never know who might be living looking upto you in his/her life, your life can never be insignificant.Yasuko lives a quiet life, working in a Tokyo bento shop, a good mother to her only child. But when her ex-husband appears at her door without warning one day, her comfortable world is shattered.When Detective Kusanagi of the Tokyo Police tries to piece together the events of that day, he finds himself confronted by the most puzzling, mysterious circumstances he has ever investigated. Nothing quite makes sense, and it will take a genius to understand the genius behind this particular crime...Keigo Higashino is one of the most popular and biggest-selling fiction authors in Japan. He wrote this book, which went out to be the second-highest-selling book in all of Japan. In the year it was published, more than 800,000 copies were sold. Its motion picture adaptation went out to be at the top of the box office for four weeks after its release.So you might be wondering what made this book so good?The story was super strong at the beginning; the author did work hard on the story's core, which is why you will not be able to find any loopholes in the story easily. He didn't go in a straight line; he cleverly weaved an intensely interesting web of character arcs and used their personas to capture the reader's mind. At least he did capture my mind completely by creating such an intelligent character named Ishigami.You might ask why Ishigami is so interesting; one might consider him pretty boring by his lifestyle; he teaches high school, manages a dojo, and lives alone in his house. But he ain't as simple as he seems; he is always working his mind towards figuring out the depths of mathematics, and it is mathematics itself that helped him throughout this book. Not only him, but you will find several other interesting characters, including Yukawa, a physicist.The story runs slowly, revealing everything bit by bit so that the reader never gets bored, if one is impatient then he or she might finish this entire novel in one sitting just to feed their curiosity.What did I feel after reading this book?It did leave me some questions which I will ponder upon during next few days and I did feel bad for few characters just because of the ending but overall I am quite happy.If you are into murder mystery books and psychological thrillers this is a must read for you all.

The story alternates between the perspectives of the investigators and the perpetrators, reminiscent of Agatha Christie's nuanced suspense. It is not merely a detective story but a profound exploration of characters and social protocols. The book seamlessly blends elements of literary fiction, focusing on the everyday lives and future aspirations of its characters.Character development is exceptional. Ishigami, a high school math teacher, demonstrates incredible devotion and ingenuity in covering up a murder to protect his neighbor, Yasuko. The interplay between Ishigami and his old schoolmate, Yukawa, a physicist who aids the police, adds a compelling dynamic to the narrative. The genius of Ishigami's plan and the emotional depth of his motivations elevate the story beyond a typical crime novel.Despite minor confusion caused by characters with similar names and a somewhat melancholic ending, the book's strengths far outweigh its flaws. The ending is particularly noteworthy, providing a satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion. What makes "The Devotion of Suspect X" truly unique is its ability to transform a straightforward mystery into a psychological thriller, delving into the reasons behind the characters' actions. Higashino explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the complexity of human emotions with skillful precision. Higashino's ability to weave an intricate plot while maintaining a calm, methodical narrative style makes this a standout read. "The Devotion of Suspect X" is a must-read for fans of mysteries, police procedurals, and psychological thrillers. It is a beautifully crafted story that keeps you engaged from the first page to the last, showcasing Higashino's brilliance as a storyteller.