The Day of
Disappearance (Saturday, August 30, 1975)
"Somerset
Police. What's your emergency?"
"Hello, My
name is Deborah Cooper. I live on Side Creek Lane. I think i'v just seen a man
running after a girl in the woods."
"Could you
tell me exactly what happened, ma'am?"
"I don't
know! I was standing by the window. I looked over toward the woods, & i saw
this girl running through the trees. There was a man behind her. i think she
was trying to get away from him."
"Where are
they now?"
"I can't see
them anymore. They're in the forest."
"Im sending a
patrol over right now, ma'am."
The news story
that would shock the town of Somerset, New Hampshire, began with this phone
call.
This was the very first page of the whodunit that left me in
a tizzy. A story starting with this premise could only promise something
good….rather very good.
I first came upon Joel Dicker’s bestselling thriller,
reading a book recommendation article in Mint’s weekend edition of Lounge. The
premise of the book was so brilliant that I immediately booked my copy.
In a classic whodunit style, The Truth…focuses on a very
prominent & celebrated author of the past & his protégé, who goes on to
become a prodigy of sorts as well, falling in the footsteps of his mentor,
Harry Quebert.
After writing a super successful bestseller, the protégé,
Marcus Goldman, is struck with writer’s block & is simply unable to pen
another expected “bestseller”.
Distraught & facing the possibility of a major lawsuit from his
publishing house, he retreats to the quiet town of Somerset, where his mentor
Harry Quebert is living his days out. Goldman needs some quiet, some
inspiration that can chug the writer in him back in action.
It is here that Goldman stumbles upon an affair that
happened 30 years back, between Harry & a young girl Nola Kellergan. Harry
is still heartbroken about the sudden disappearance of his girlfriend &
cannot seem to move on in life from that sore spot.
Goldman returns to his home, still without a story, &
still facing a lawsuit. One fine day, he receives a phone call, & is asked
to switch on the news. Nola’s remains have been found in Harry’s own lawn,
buried deep inside, and the legendary author is now facing charges of sexual
assault, possibly rape & murder of a 17 year old Nola Kellergan.
Goldman, who cannot believe his mentor could do this,
embarks upon an investigation of the case….and the case that opens up is so
terribly complex & layered that it becomes difficult to find the truth…page
after page!!!
I am revealing no further spoiler here, as that will simply
deceive the purpose of writing about a whodunit. The information I have let out
above is what you will also read at the back of the book & on promotional
details of the novel; and trust me when I say it, that’s just the start of this
roller coaster ride.
Joel Dicker, a young Swedish author, with his debut work has
hit the nail right on spot. The book is especially a bestseller in Europe, and is
touted as Sweden’s answer to Swiss thriller “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”.
I would not call it an answer to the latter, as that 3 part thriller was truly
more riveting, tightly knit, better characterized. Having said that, I cannot
take away from the brilliant effort that The Truth…is.
The Truth…might intimidate you with its sheer length &
breadth (it’s a huge book), however it’s a sure shot page-turner, from the word
go.
The book is deeply layered, like any mystery/thriller/whodunit,
with a bouquet on interesting characters forming their own small weave of
mysterious backstories, thereby resulting in the arrow of suspicion being
pointing at each. However, what especially caught my attention about this book
was not only the main plot revolving around Harry Quebert, but the beauty with
which the side stories also get their own character & form a completely
detached mystery. It was like reading 2-3 mysteries in one book, yet not losing
focus from the main plot. Balancing this act was truly a feat by Dicker.
The Truth…often alternates between a time gap of 30 years
back & forth in order to relate the whole story thus taking it’s time in
unfolding every nuance of the story.
The most striking feature for me
in The Truth…was Harry’s mentoring of Marcus in just some impactful lines…chapter
after chapter!! It was quite a treat for aspiring writers like me!! J J I have picked up a few
tips for sure. J
The Truth…will soon be adapted
into a major motion picture!! Grab the copy & read the thriller before
that!!
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