The Devotion of Suspect X: A Detective Galileo Novel (Detective Galileo Series, 1) Paperback – February 28, 2012

Keigo Higashino’s The Devotion of Suspect X completely flipped my expectations of a mystery novel. Unlike Agatha Christie, who keeps you guessing about the identity of the culprit until the very end, Higashino tells you upfront who the suspect is. And yet, the suspense doesn’t fade—instead, it only deepens. You’re left wondering how the investigation will play out, and that’s where the genius of this novel lies.From the start, I was hooked by how brilliantly the story unfolded. Ishigami, the math teacher at the center of it all, is far more than he seems. The way he manipulates not just the investigators but also the reader is pure genius. I found myself second-guessing every assumption I made, only to realize that Ishigami had been ten steps ahead the entire time. By the end, I was screaming internally, utterly caught off guard by the twists and turns.What really surprised me was how much I ended up sympathizing with Ishigami. His intellect and quiet devotion made it impossible not to root for him, even knowing what he’d done. I was torn between wanting justice and wanting him to succeed in his meticulous plans. Higashino crafted such a complex character that I couldn’t help but take his side, which left me with a mix of emotions long after I finished the book.If you’re looking for a mystery that’s not just about solving a crime but also about understanding the depths of human nature, The Devotion of Suspect X is a must-read. It’s one of those rare books that will keep you thinking, guessing, and feeling long after you’ve turned the last page.

A novel that is part psychological profile, part murder mystery, Keigo Higashino’sThe Devotion of Suspect X is a masterfully written novel. The novel, originallypublished in 2005 and translated into English in 2011, is a standout in the worldof mystery fiction, offering a plot that is both intellectually stimulating andemotionally resonant.We have three central characters: Ishigami,a brilliant but socially isolated mathematician; Yasuko Hanaoka, a single mothertrying to escape her abusive ex-husband; and Yukawa, a physicist and collegefriend of Ishigami, who becomes involved in the investigation of a murder. WhenYasuko's ex-husband, Togashi, shows up at her doorstep and threatens her, a violentconfrontation ensues, leading to his death. Ishigami, who is secretly in lovewith Yasuko, offers to help her cover up the crime, devising a seemingly foolproofplan to mislead the police. While the tone of the novel starts out as a Christie-like cozy, it rapidly turns into a dark noir.Higashino’s narrative is a fascinating explorationof logic and emotion, presenting a battle of wits between Ishigami and Yukawa.The novel’s brilliance lies in its ability to subvert the reader’s expectations;what appears to be a straightforward whodunit quickly evolves into a much deeperand more complex story. The tension between the characters is palpable, andHigashino skillfully explores themes of unrequited love, sacrifice, and themoral dilemmas faced by ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.The pacingof the novel is meticulous, with each revelation peeling back another layer of themystery, culminating in a shocking and tragic conclusion that lingers long afterthe final page. Higashino’s translated prose, though straightforward, is effective inconveying the inner turmoil of his characters. Overall, a very engaging. it will beinteresting on how this compares to the rest of the series.

It is with the elevated expectation that I have from anything Japanese that I picked up this book. The rave reviews on a reading group helped seal the case . I enjoyed the time spent on the book without the frenetic pace that some of the thrillers push you to. I loved the setting in Tokyo and the digressions to google Sumida river and Kiyosu bridge . The location is gentle but interesting in its presence such as in Jø Nesbos Oslo and Ian Rankins Edinburgh. The characters are real , interesting and relatable without tending to the extremes. Even Ishigami, omnipresent , is relatable , despite being a mathematical genius. He is still that good guy with a good heart that often loses out in romance to the good looking and successful in real life. As Yasuko , the attractive neighbour of Ishigami hopes, "Yasuko hoped he wouldn’t ask her out on a date.". The other genius , Yukawa is a bit too clever by half for my taste but blends well into the story and continues to feature in other novels. He along with Inspector Kusanagi and Ishigami are all clever guys pitted against each other in an intricate weaving of friendship and adversity. Yasuko seemed a bit left out. It has the standard twists , turns and surprises that are mandatory for a thriller. At 300 pages , it seemed just right in length too. The language is simple and easy. Hooked enough to try the next Keigo Higashino.

An intelligent read with a well constructed plot I was glad I read this book. Two stars are missing for character development. I'm not sure if this was a translated story or not but the characters for whatever reason seemed to lack depth. The most development was between the university alumni while the detective and female lead remained disappointingly flat. The ending was satisfactory but if the characters had been more identifiable it would have been absolutely monumental.If you are a fan of Japanese contemporary fiction read this book. Three stars is a solid rating from this reviewer. Mr. Higashino, if you are reading this, if the character development was as strong as your plot and inner monologues this would be a different beast altogether. Keep it up!