The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino

The Devotion of Suspect X (Detective Galileo, #1)

by Keigo Higashino

Yasuko Hanaoka is a divorced, single mother who thought she had finally escaped her abusive ex-husband Togashi. When he shows up one day to extort money from her, threatening both her and her teenaged daughter Misato, the situation quickly escalates into violence and Togashi ends up dead on her apartment floor. Overhearing the commotion, Yasuko's next door neighbor, middle-aged high school mathematics teacher Ishigami, offers his help, disposing not only of the body but plotting the cover-up step-by-step.

When the body turns up and is identified, Detective Kusanagi draws the case and Yasuko comes under suspicion. Kusanagi is unable to find any obvious holes in Yasuko's manufactured alibi and yet is still sure that there's something wrong. Kusanagi brings in Dr. Manabu Yukawa, a physicist and college friend who frequently consults with the police. Yukawa, known to the police by the nickname Professor Galileo, went to college with Ishigami. After meeting up with him again, Yukawa is convinced that Ishigami had something to do with the murder. What ensues is a high level battle of wits, as Ishigami tries to protect Yasuko by outmaneuvering and outthinking Yukawa, who faces his most clever and determined opponent yet.

Reviewed by Lianne on

3 of 5 stars

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The Devotion of Suspect X is an interesting mystery with a tense atmosphere and a few surprises (just when I thought I understood the case and the way everything was going to turn out, Higashino throws in a few surprises that I did not anticipate). The way in which Ishigami and Yukawa interact and later try to figure out the other reminds me a little of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment. The novel dragged at times and some of the characterisations could've been fleshed out further. You could read my full review over at my blog (may contain some spoilers!): http://www.caffeinatedlife.net/blog/2012/04/16/review-the-devotion-of-suspect-x/

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  • Started reading
  • 18 April, 2012: Finished reading
  • 18 April, 2012: Reviewed