The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair

The #1 internationally bestselling thriller, and ingenious book within a book, about the disappearance of a 15-year-old New Hampshire girl and, 30 years later, a young American writer’s determination to clear his mentor’s name—and find the inspiration for his next bestseller
 
August 30, 1975: the day fifteen-year-old Nola Kellergan is glimpsed fleeing through the woods before she disappears; the day Somerset, New Hampshire, lost its innocence.

Thirty-three years later, Marcus Goldman, a successful young novelist, visits Somerset to see his mentor, Harry Quebert, one of America’s most respected writers, and to find a cure for his writer’s block as his publisher’s deadline looms. But Marcus’s plans are violently upended when Harry is suddenly and sensationally implicated in the cold-case murder of Nola Kellergan—whom, he admits, he had an affair with. As the national media convicts Harry, Marcus launches his own investigation, following a trail of clues through his mentor’s books, the backwoods and isolated beaches of New Hampshire, and the hidden history of Somerset’s citizens and the man they hold most dear. To save Harry, his writing career, and eventually even himself, Marcus must answer three questions, all of which are mysteriously connected: Who killed Nola Kellergan? What happened one misty morning in Somerset in the summer of 1975? And how do you write a successful and true novel?

A global phenomenon, with sales approaching a million copies in France alone and rights sold in more than thirty countries, The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair is a fast-paced, tightly plotted, cinematic literary thriller, and an ingenious book within a book, by a dazzling young writer.

My Review


I can tell a difference in the writing style of international writers. The authors use less words, so it seems more stiffer or just the way the story is told is different. Some times I have problems with this. Not in this case. I liked this book. The way that the author drew out the story piece by piece. Marcus was a likable guy. In fact, he seemed to be the only one that even cared about the truth. To be honest, if Marcus had not been investigating Harry's story then he would have been just another guy.

Harry's story involving him and Nola was a tragic love story that had gone wrong. I felt for them both. Harry's story did need someone to tell it and Marcus did a good job of doing so. However about half way through, I could tell where this story was heading. It then seemed to move slowly and be drawn out way too long. It could have been shortened about 100 pages and this book still would have been good. The ending was not a surprise. I do think that Mr. Dicker is a good storyteller.