The Devotion of Suspect X

By: Keigo Higashino, Alexander O. Smith Translated by

Narrated by: David Pittu

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

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

amazing

definitely worth checking out. is it harder to create the unsolvable problem? or to solve that problem?

Straight up procedural..satisfying in that respect

This is a no-frills detective investigation story that has the somewhat non-conventional aspect of having a Columbo style beginning where the reader knows who the murderer is. The story is simple and the characters are for the most part non-complicated. The narrative is largely dialogue driven which makes for a compelling listen. The narrator is also very buttoned down with a minimum of acting flair but for this type of story and writing style it really works. An added bonus: the book is concise at just 8 hours.

This review may sound like this book is largely conservative in scope and style but this is why it is such a satisfying experience. For crime fiction fans this book is similar to reading a Connelly or Lehane work - it is straight-up detective fiction without trying to be too much and a concise story that will leave you satisfied.

Very good, very sad

Where does The Devotion of Suspect X rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have read many many mysteries/thrillers, this is one of the saddest but also one of the best. Be warned: Good but sad

What did you like best about this story?

The characters...

Have you listened to any of David Pittu’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He was fine

Who was the most memorable character of The Devotion of Suspect X and why?

Suspect X

Any additional comments?

I would recommend but with a caveat.

Great Read

I loved this book. The plot drew me in and kept me engaged through to the end of the book. Even threw a few surprises my way. I have recommended this book to friends who have enjoyed it as much as I have.

The reader kept me going. The story? Not so much.

The writing and narration were excellent. The characters in this story are wonderfully developed and very rich in complexity. However there were very few surprises in the plot and it was too simple for my taste.

An Interesting Mystery

I chose this book to listen to as a research supplement for one of my own projects, and I was amazed by how invested I became in the story.

The entire time you think you know what is going on, but really you have no idea, and the whole mystery is beautifully executed. Engaging prose, complex characters, and enough suspense to keep you listening.

The reading of the novel was good, and I can tell the narrator worked to pronounce the Japanese names and cities accurately. However, while I did enjoy the performance, it would have been nice to see a Japanese book narrated by a person of Japanese descent. Missed opportunity if you ask me.

one of the best anti-heroes ever

This was such a compelling story. What a mystery!

Unfortunately, I did not find the "heroes" in this series (Detective Galileo and Kusanagi) interesting at all. I found the two "villains" more interesting. Kusanagi, in particular, I found super annoying and quite sexist. He was so illogical. And Yukawa? Meh. His motivations were purely academic. So kinda boring.

Now, Ishagami and Yasuko. They were compelling. The revelation of Ishagami's motivations brought me to tears. It was beautiful. I would have been more interested in a series about him.

Haunting

This is chilling, suspenseful, dark, unpredictable story that will stay with you long after it ends.

The narrator is excellent and appropriately aligns with the tone of the story.

Very clever

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

This is a how-it-was-done rather than a whodunnit that really keeps your attention. Excellent plot and writing. I recommend it to all.

Devotion

Incredible. A must read for all people. Left me unsatisfied in the best way possible.