Devotion of Suspect X | first half

[Lala, owner]

I've divided the book in half, so this discussion is for the first 10 chapters / 150ish of 300 pages.

Tell us what you've learned so far, what storylines intrigue you.

What characters have been introduced and do you have a favorite?

What mysteries have been presented and do you have any predictions for what is to come?

Have you read a book like this before?

[Mandy]

I am honestly liking this book so far. I dnfed last month’s book so this is a pleasant up tick for me.

I’m reading a kindle/audio tandem type deal and the narrator is great.

I don’t know if I really care for any of the characters. Maybe Misato since she’s just a little girl, and Yasuko is unfortunately a woman who has been through it. I can’t imagine the desperation she felt in this situation.

But this woman must be drop dead gorgeous because she has no personality and all these men are falling over her to help her or stalk her.

I love police procedural books and this one is fascinating to have both the perspective of the police trying to figure out the mystery while the culprit is covering it up.

I’m honestly just here for the ride to see how it ends and I’ll probably finish today because I am eating it up. Right now, I predict this will be a 4 star for me. It won’t be an all time favorite I don’t think, but I do foresee me liking it and recommending it.

[Brit]

So far the book seems to have my attention even though I feel like nothing has really happened since the initial crime. I'm just kind of anticipating it gaining some speed and intrigue but I really can't tell where it's going... Knowing all of the details of the crime at the beginning is taking away a little of the suspense for me but who knows it could take a complete 180 so we'll see!

[Mor]

Does this book even get better. I’m 40 pages in and I’m totally bored.

[Christine]

I just finished chapter 2. I really enjoy the different writing style. The developing atmosphere with the characters so far is so fun. The math teacher (Ishigami) is hands down my favorite. He is so intrinsic to the situation and I'm half impressed and half nervous for Yasuko. Having read so many mysteries with a repetitive tone, I think this is refreshing.

[Pooja]

I finished the book last morning .The ending is too good !

[Janet]

I just reached the half-way mark and I'm really enjoying the cerebral aspects of the story. That question -- which is more difficult.. designing a problem to be unsolvable or attempting to solve an unsolvable problem -- has fascinated me for most of my life, whether it is applied to math problems, secret codes, or the perfect murder.

I cant' say that I find any of these characters overly "likeable" but I am definitely intrigued by Ishigami, Professor Yukawa, and Detective Kusanagi. Individually they are interesting but the connection/relationship that is developing between the three of them is fascinating.

Of the three of them, I'm most drawn to Yudawa.. the observant physicist. He gives me all the cozy mystery MC vibes.. you know, the one who only has a tenuous connection to the crime and it is not their job to investigate said crime but they are curious and just can't help inserting themselves into the investigation. I fully expect him to solve the crime. LOL.

I should also say that I don't actually find any of the characters overly UN-likeable either.. except, maybe, the dead guy. He was a sleaze.

The trajectory so far is headed for a 4- or 4.5- star read..

[Amanda]

I'm enjoying this so far! This is a quick read.

I'm intrigued by Ishigami. He had to abandon his dreams to take care of his parents, but they don't live with him now...so where are they?

I'm intrigued by how Ishigami always notices things about the homeless people he sees every day. Does he know one of them? Perhaps the man with the ponytail? Is that his father? I like that the book talks about them, how dire their life is, and how difficult it is for them to find a job. Will one of them provide information to crack the case?

Honestly, I'm happy Shinji was killed. Misato is so BRAVE.

I like the relationship between the detectives, and also Yukawa. He's like us, the reader, injecting ourselves into the case out of curiosity.

I'm intrigued by all the math. I've always loved math so this is right up my alley. The Riemann hypothesis that they mention is a real one. It's considered to be the most important unsolved mathematical problem.

The one critique I have so far is that I find it hard to believe a guy like Togashi didn't have enemies to investigate.

I can't stand the cheating husband, Kudo. I hope they pin the murder on him. LOL

My favourite character is Ishigami. There's something very intriguing about him. He's like an anti-hero.

Translated books that I liked:

The Wolf and The Watchman by Niklas Natt Och Dag translated by Ebba Segerberg

The Man Who Died written by Antti Tuomainen and translated by David Hackston

Love in the Time of Cholera written by Gabriel García Márquez translated by Edith Grossman, Kjell Risvik, and Carlos Marrodán Casas

The Diary of a Young Girl written by Anne Frank translated by
Susan Massotty, Γιάννης Θωμόπουλος, Barbara Mooyaart-Doubleday

[Daria]

Honestly, this book confuses me. I am reading it fairly quickly (usually I spread a book out, here I got through 50% in two sittings), but nothing particular is happening and I don't see characters as having... well, much of a character? and the ones that kinda do (the science guys) are do obnoxious in their tower of knowledge I find it hard to care? also, the murdered guy basically deserved it (no, I don't think people should be punished by murder, but it was basically self-defense at that point) and I do not see how this story can be wrapped up in a satisfying manner.

I enjoy Columbo tv series, which does start with showing us a crime and then a guy investigating it, so it can be interesting, but I don't feel it with this one, unfortunately...

[Teresa]

I’m liking the book, but not loving it. The mystery doesn’t entice me as much as other thriller books

[Elina]

I'm really enjoying this so far. I'm a bit suspicious of Yukawa, I think something happened with him and Ishigami when they where younger, he's just so into the investigation. I'm also fearing for Yasukos safety because Ishigami seems to start being really possessive of her. I really want to finish this today because I'm really curious of what's going to happen

[Amber]

I'm really intrigued by the mathematican vs physicist bit. It reminds me so much of the Death Note manga characters L and Light and their interactions.

I'm so curious for the ending now because we know the murder part... now it's a matter if they get caught. I'm also curious how other books in the series are structured.