Quick Review: The Devotion of Suspect X

(Not my picture!)

Note: This is a spoiler-free post!

Different mysteries stand out in their own different ways. Some, like Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, are celebrated for its shocking reveal of the culprit. On the other hand, I remember being so haunted by Five Little Pigs - another of Christie’s works - for a completely different reason. Solving a 20-year-old cold case isn’t all that exciting, in complete honesty, but I was struck by how tragic the story was.

The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino is a mix of both. It’s a shocker - but not because of a shocking culprit! - that sends you on a rollercoaster of emotions.

A Brief Blurb

Yasuko Hanaoka’s ordinary life drastically changes the evening ex-husband Shinji Togashi appears at her door. The situation turns violent - and in a flash, Yasuko and daughter Misato find themselves looking at Togashi’s dead body. They killed him. Still reeling from the shock, mother and daughter then receive the most surprising offer from the math teacher next door, Tetsuya Ishigami: He will help dispose of the body. All this time Ishigami was simply a neighbor they never really talked to. Why would he want to help them, let alone cover up a murder? But Yasuko and Misato have no choice - they warily accept. And thus starts their game of cat-and-mouse with not only the police, but also one another.

The Shock Factor

When I think of mysteries, I tend to think of whodunits. And so when I think of mystery plot-twists, I tend to think of a shocking reveal of who the Big Bad Guy is. But what kind of plot twist is there to do when the culprit’s identity is revealed in the very beginning? The Devotion of Suspect X takes on this challenge.

With the murderer and her accomplices plainly revealed in the beginning, what Higashino invites us to deduce are: (1) the way the deed is covered up, and (2) why Ishigami is willing to go to such lengths for Yasuko. I think most of the shock comes from the former. I actually caught on to a hint about it early on - but unfortunately did not pursue further because I was confused (haha).

The latter, on the other hand, contributes to the story’s emotional weight by allowing better characterization. There are indeed stories that focus on logically figuring out the criminals’ identity and the modus operandi. Thus characters may not receive proper characterization. I think focusing on the why, like what Higashino did in this story, opens up the way for better characterization. For example, Higashino naturally has to provide a solid backstory and personality for Ishigami so that his behavior and motive make sense. As readers, we are “forced” to take a closer look at Ishigami’s character if we really want to figure him out. The characters, then, become more than just bad guys who we cast a suspicious eye on - they become characters with whom we can empathize and connect. And so, I think it is because we connect with them that we find ourselves emotionally affected.

Tension

The tension in this story is very, very, palpable. It’s one of the main driving forces of the story. I initially wanted to take my time with this book, but all the tension made me finish it in around 2 or 3 days. I just had to know how all this tension was going to be resolved.

The game of cat-and-mouse in this book is naturally a very big source of tension. It’s the kind of story that makes you feel conflicted (at least I did). And as the story progresses, Yasuko, Misato, and Ishigami’s relationship with one another turns into a source of tension as well. Will they be able to continue evading the police with this much internal discord between them?

To sum up…

This book is definitely among my top ten mystery stories. And as a Christie fan, it’s something of a treat to see this review by David Pilling in Financial Times: “Agatha Christie would be mightily impressed”. I agree! So, if you’re in for a shocker - especially a different kind of shocker - The Devotion of Suspect X is there for you to read.