The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker

The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair

Joel Dicker

There are many strands and many characters in this very long novel, but basically it's a 35-year-old murder mystery. The setting, in a small 1970's New England town, is very atmospheric and convincing. The are other themes running through the book - the novelist's academic history, the writer's block and the unscrupulous publisher. Originally published in French and a huge success in Europe. Worth persevering for the murder's solution.

Extract
'Somerset Police. What's your emergency?'
'Hello? My name is Deborah Cooper. I live on Side Creek Lane. I think I just seen a man running after a girl in the woods.'
'Could you tell me exactly what happened, ma'am?'
'I don't know! I was standing by the window I looked over toward the woods, and I saw this girl running through the trees. There was a man behind her. I think she was trying to get away from him.'
'Where are they now?'
'I can't see them anymore. They're in the forest.'
'I'm sending a patrol over right now, ma'am.'
Parallels
  • The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve
  • Tigers in Red Weather by Lisa Klaussmann