The Devotion of Suspect X

By: Keigo Higashino, Alexander O. Smith Translated by

Narrated by: David Pittu

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.

©2005 Keigo Higashino (P)2010 Macmillan Audio. A Macmillan Audiobook from Minotaur Books

Devoted tale of kindness and unknown friendship.

There is an old saying about a friend will help you move, but a real friend will help you move a body. This is an above average story exploring the latter. A lonely math nerd comes to the aid of a single mother and her teenage daughter. The story pulls you along, forcing you to compete with the characters as they practice their deception or those seeking the truth. I spent the first few chapters (if not half the story) trying to decide which character was my hero only to conclude each had their own integrity, values and redeeming qualities. This is not your typical crime mystery - it's so much more. I greatly enjoyed it and hope you do too.

Even Japanese murderers are polite

The tone of Devotion is very calm. The characters are interesting and complex. Everyone is very polite! Though there is a lot going on, it is never frenetic. A psycho, murder, police, genius book written by a western author would inevitably involve lawyers...this one does not (cheering). Character development is expansive at times, but nothing seems too far-fetched. If you like the sample then you'll like the pacing of the book.

only so so

This is not your typical murder mystery from the get-go, but what makes this book frustrating and lack suspense is that there's no way for the reader/listener to hypothesize how the crime was even committed in the first place. This is one of those books that gives you information after the fact, rather than giving you clues along the way. I also think that there were some issues with translation as the dialogue comes across as very wooden. Overall it's an okay book; however, it's not one that I would recommend to someone who enjoys murder mysteries.

Sure, rip my heart out. I didn't need it anyway.

Okay let me just say right out of the gate that this story has a lot of detail explanations that seem meaningless at first, and I mean A LOT of detail.
BUT!!
These seemingly meaningless details play a HUGE part towards the end of the story, and really come together in one big sucker punch of a conclusion.

The vocal reading and performance was engaging, clear, and immersive with the emotions of the characters. I found myself moving between harsh initial judgements of each character, to deeply invested in the weirdly mundane but gripping realities of their lives. I found myself worrying after characters I didn't like within the first two hours of the book and not knowing what to think or what to do when it was nearing the last hour of the book.

By the end, my heart felt so gutted and confused on how it should feel that all I could do was bother my fiancé for an hour over how much I hated my decision to read this book, and going back to revisit it again.

To the author, you suck and also great work on this one. I am now going to go lay on the floor for an hour to recover.


Happy reading, everyone. 📚

Nothing short of amazing

What made the experience of listening to The Devotion of Suspect X the most enjoyable?

The main protagonists are deep, multidimensional and well defined. The book is simply a masterpiece, and too tough if I sound melodramatic.

What did you like best about this story?

There is no complacency in the story line. Intense all the way to the end.

What about David Pittu’s performance did you like?

Very good indeed.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Expect the unexpected

Any additional comments?

Strangely enough I am shying away from the other offering by the author lest I be disappointed. Can't imagine the Devotion of Suspect X being bested!

wow. just wow. fun listen!

suspence - twists - madness of the highest order, certainly worth a listen, as it'll shake you inside.

Devotion

The very best in psychology suspense, police procedural, and murder all combined in one story. A genius level mathematician's secret love for his neighbor, a beautiful divorcee being victimized by her ex, sacrifices himself to save her. Like the Colombo mysteries, you know who committed the murder, but getting to the finale is the best rollercoaster ride you'll ever have.

just okay

Is there anything you would change about this book?

There should be more background on the protagonist

What was most disappointing about Keigo Higashino and Alexander O. Smith ’s story?

predictable.

Also the suicide attempt by the daughter seemed to be too much.

Which scene was your favorite?

seeing the main character work on the math problems. This added a lot to this character's development

Do you think The Devotion of Suspect X needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

no - not much to go on

Any additional comments?

no

A fantastic Japanese thriller

This one is a masterpiece. The approach of this book is unique and fantastic. It’s like experiencing a game of intelligent moves played by two extraordinary intelligent persons. Another interesting thing is that this book dealt with few mathematical hypothesis, like which one is more difficult to design and unsolvable problem or to find solution to that problem? Or another one is like which one is easier to find: to find exact flaw of an incorrect solution or to find the correct solution of the problem? After reading this book you will find insights about this famous mathematical hypothesis. This is one of the best detective/thriller book I have ever read. A must read for mystery, detective and thriller book lovers.

Addictive and Worth it

I cannot even begin to describe how amazing this book is. Seriously could not stop listening because of how phenomenally Keigo Higashino writes, alongside the *chef's kiss* work of David Pittu narrating. So much thoughtfulness, sheer intellect, and creativity went into this book. It is not your average whodunnit murder mystery type. If you think you know what's going on and are convinced you know how it'll all go down... Oh Lord you're in for a wild ride.