This book, translated from the original French, is a complex mystery in which a famous sixty-something author named Harry Quebert is accused of murder. The murder charge turns out to be a golden opportunity for Harry's protégé, a 28-year-old writer named Marcus Goldman.
Marcus is a one-hit wonder who's under contract to deliver a second book SOON! Unfortunately Marcus has severe writer's block and can't manage to type a single word.....until he hits on the idea of proving that Harry is innocent and writing a book about it.
The story alternates back and forth between the present, when Harry is accused of murder, and 33 years ago, when the homicide occurred.
*****
In the late 1970s, 34-year-old writer/English professor Harry Quebert was a mildly successful writer who'd published a single book.
Needing a quiet place to pen his second novel, Harry rented a house near the beach in rural Somerset, New Hampshire.
The people of Somerset were thrilled to have 'a famous writer' in their midst and Harry was feted and fawned over - especially by the ladies.
Harry was standing on the Somerset beach one inclement afternoon when he saw fifteen-year-old Nola Kellergan dancing in the rain.
Cupid's arrow flew true that day because it was love at first sight for Harry and Nola. 😍
Of course a romance between a thirtysomething man and an underage teen is wildly inappropriate (and illegal), and Harry made attempts to keep his distance. Part of Harry's strategy was to feign interest in a pretty blonde waitress named Jenny Quinn, who worked in a diner owned by her mother Tamara Quinn.
Harry's mild flirtatiousness gave Jenny and Tamara notions of matrimony, and their machinations are hilarious. 😊
For Nola, however, Harry's coolness was a trigger, and her attempted suicide served to cement the relationship between herself and the writer.
Harry's illicit romance with Nola was the inspiration for his second novel, 'The Origin of Evil', which turned out to be a smash best seller that made Harry famous all over the world.
Before 'The Origin of Evil' was published, however, Harry and Nola planned to run away and elope. On the very night the lovers were meant to flee, Nola vanished. Moreover, a woman who called the police to say she saw Nola running from a man was shot dead.
The police investigate Nola's disappearance and the woman's homicide, but neither case is solved. Harry goes into deep mourning, and - hoping Nola returns one day - remains in Somerset.
Then, 33 years later, Harry hires gardeners to landscape his lawn, and Nola's body is found buried on his property. As if that's not bad enough, an early draft of Harry's book 'The Origin of Evil' is interred with the corpse. Harry is arrested and - because he's so famous - the news makes headlines around the world.
It looks like the trial will be open-and-shut until writer Marcus Goldman gets involved.
Marcus partners up with Police Sergeant Perry Gahalowood to investigate Nola's murder, and all kinds of secrets come to light......secrets that people are desperate to keep hidden.
Thus Marcus is threatened and harassed in an effort to drive him out of town.
Marcus carries on, though, and makes many false steps before the truth is revealed. To give away more would be a spoiler, but it's safe to say the book has more twists and turns than Disney World's Space Mountain Roller Coaster.
*****
This novel by Swiss author Joël Dicker was a best seller when it was published in 2012, and received rave reviews.
Author Joël Dicker
That said, my feelings about the book aren't as laudatory. I agree that the main story is a compelling whodunit. I also like some of the side plots, especially Marcus's interactions with his publisher, who threatens, cajoles, and wheedles to get Marcus to deliver a second book. The publisher is even thrilled that Marcus was almost killed, since this will increase sales exponentially. All this is good fun. 😊
On the downside, the book has some serious flaws (IMO). My next comments may contain spoilers so read them at your own risk.
SPOILER ALERT
SPOILER ALERT
- The story is repetitive and - at over 650 pages - much too long.
- Harry's obsession with underage Nola is overwritten, cringeworthy, and not believable.
- The mental illness facets of the plot don't ring true.
- The men in Somerset seem to be drinking from the crazy fountain.
- Harry Quebert's novel, 'The Origin of Evil' is a mundane romance about people from different classes. It would never be a blockbuster and Harry wouldn't be super-famous.
- Marcus's Jewish mother is an overused stereotype, and her constant nagging about Marcus getting a girlfriend is annoying.
- The Russian Doll structure of the book is overdone. Every time the case seems to be solved, it's not. This gets old fast. I literally couldn't wait for the book to end.
END SPOILER ALERT
END SPOILER ALERT
That said, if you have time for a lengthy mystery with a satisfying conclusion and a lot of humor, this is the book for you.
FYI: The book has been adapted to a mini-series starring Patrick Dempsey as Harry Quebert and Ben Schnetzer as Marcus Goldman.
Rating: 3.5 stars
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