The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair, Great Mystery


“Learn to love your failures, Marcus, because it is your failures that will make you who you are. It is your failures that will give meaning to your victories.” Harry Quebert

Hey 1000 Bookies!! 

I recently finished the murder mystery, The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker.  Mr. Dicker is a Swiss novelist. I enthusiastically recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery.  I discovered the book on a Buzzfeed list, 21 Thought-Provoking Books That Will Stay on Your Mind for Days.  The book did not disappoint.  Although the book is over 600 pages long, the story did not feel overly long nor did I lose interest.  I found the book a pretty quick read and I almost did not want the book to end.  However, I wanted to find out what really happened.  The story has many twists and turns.  Everything centers around the disappearance in 1975 of Nola Kellergan, a 15yo waitress and high school student.  What happened to Nola?  This story is a great ride for anyone who wants to take it.  I kept hoping toward the end for a happy ending, while knowing that was not to be. 

Who is Harry Quebert?  Harry is one of the most esteemed writers of his day.  His Book, The Origin of Evil is considered one of the greatest novels.  Quebert’s other books have sold just by having his name attached.  Harry is also a professor and that is where he meets Marcus Goldman, the protagonist of the book.  Marcus is an opportunist and has been his entire life.  Called Marcus the Magnificent in high school because of mediocre competition, Marcus strives to keep the moniker and really through the book despite the best of intentions is looking out for his best interests.  Marcus decides to get close to Harry and be mentored by him.  Harry sees greatness in Marcus but also cowardness. Harry strives to make Marcus a better person and a famous writer while keeping parts of himself secret, 

Fast forward a decade, Marcus has hit it big with a novel in his 20s.  He lives a party life until he needs to write his second novel as he is under a three-novel contract.  As he goes to write his second one, Marcus is hit with writer’s block.  Marcus calls Harry and then visits his old mentor and friend in a seaside town in New Hampshire in hopes for quiet and inspiration.  While staying with Harry, Marcus uncovers a box with photos and letters of Harry and a young girl, Nola Kellergan.  Harry discovers Marcus with the box and explains a little of the illicit affair, Nola was 15 years old.  Some weeks later Harry calls Marcus telling him that he has been arrested.  Nola’s body has been found buried on Harry’s property.   The Harry Quebert Affair thus begins.

Marcus runs to New Hampshire to help prove Harry is innocent.  But is he?  Marcus meets an array of people in the mists of his investigation and the book is full of rich characters.  Somebody in town wants Marcus to terminate his investigation or they will terminate the investigation for him.  You will meet Detective Perry Gahalowood, Tamara Quinn, Travis Dawn, Luther Caleb, Dave Kellergan, and Elijah Stern to name a few.  Marcus is then pushed into writing a book about the disappearance and the ensuing drama.  The story has many aspects and jumps around in the timeline.

The Marcus and Harry relationship, the Harry and Nola relationship, Nola’s relationship with her parents, the book is full of cross currents and lost dreams.  And just when you think you have this story is figured out, there is a huge twist.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  The book was so popular that a miniseries was developed starring Patrick Dempsey, Kurt Fuller and Virginia Madsen.  This book is a perfect beach read, a perfect sit by the fire with your favorite drink book. 

Finally, the book has one of my favorite lines delivered by Harry— “We live in a society of defeated office workers and to get ourselves out of this fix, we must fight—against ourselves and against the whole world.”  Reading, music and art are ways to battle against becoming a defeated office worker.  Embrace your creative side and continue reading.

Keep Reading My Friends!!! 






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