“The last time I met Ishigami, he presented me with a mathematical conundrum.,” he said. “It’s a famous one, the P=NP problem. Basically, it asks whether it’s more difficult to think of a solution to a problem yourself or to ascertain if someone else’s answer to the same problem is correct.”
Is there anything like a good mystery? I mean, a really well-thought out puzzle resembling a mathematical problem which begs to be solved? Such is the mystery which Higashino gives us in this novel.
But, maybe the most important part of the novel isn’t about who committed a crime.
When Ishigami comes forth with the confession that he has killed Yasuko’s ex-husband, the whole point of the novel suddenly becomes clear. It was never about who committed the crime.
It was about the devotion of one of the suspects.
In fact, perhaps this should be labeled more of a desperate love story than one of murder. Although there are an abundance of clues, and curiosity about who will discover the truth (the detective or the physicist), these aren’t the most important elements.
The most important element is Ishigami’s character. He is a lonely teacher at the High School, working there only for the money as his passion is solving mathematical problems. Bur, his passion extends to his neighbor, Yasuko, as well.
I am gobsmacked by Higashino’s cleverness. He masqueraded a tale of devotion as one of murder and had me sidetracked all along. The Devotion of Suspect X is as brilliant a thriller as I have ever read.
Wow, you've been busy this month! I remember you weren't sure how much you'd be able to participate this year, so I'm very glad you've been able to read and write so much. This one sounds very interesting. I like crime novels that turn out not really to be about the crime.
ReplyDeleteI’m as surprised as you that I’ve been able to read so much! What has happened is that I broke my foot last week, because a heart condition is repair isn’t enough! 😉
DeleteIt is the good side of “mending” to be able to escape in books. I, too, love a mystery which is about more than the crime itself. If you do pick this up, it seemed to lag a bit in the middle…and then, wham! It was great.
Thanks for visiting and commenting. I always love to hear from you, Andrew.
Oh yes, this was so so good! Hoping to start very soon his latest, a new series!
ReplyDeleteI think I have read all of Higashino’s work, he is such a marvelous writer! And now I have put Guest, coming in April, on hold at the library. We should read it together!
DeleteNot Guest, Guilt!
DeleteNo place is roach proof, no matter how long one has lived there, and there are plenty of situations in this world that are not relieved by mathematics. Furthermore, mathematics have been known to be directly responsible for long episodes of boredom and headaches. I waited for Ishigami to make these discoveries, to no avail. He should have settled for getting the bike fixed and riding off into the rising sun. I loved the book.
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DeleteI have never found mathematics to be terribly satisfying myself, much preferring a bicycle and book any day! Glad you loved it, too, Abby.
I haven't read any Higashino because I assumed they were a straight crime/murder story and they're not really my thing, but a crime mystery with a twist sounds more like something I'd enjoy. In fact, you've made this sound very enticing - thanks!
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