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Itatte Meikai Na Satsujin (2011)

by Grant Jerkins(Favorite Author)

3.54 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

4102178511 (ISBN13: 9784102178515)

languge

English

genre

Mystery & Thriller

publisher

Shinchosha

review 1: This story is downright unnerving. First off, none of the characters are likable.Second of all, the book is not terribly well written. I say that because early in the book the POV changes from one character to another very rapidly, sometimes on the same page. I have always thought that is a mistake made by novice writers. However, despite all that, I stayed up until midnight finishing it and then could not sleep very well. So, if you can overlook the fact you won't like anyone in the story, it is not a bad read.
review 2: Goodreads Description- A twisting debut novel of murder and dark family secrets from a riveting new voice in crime fiction. A murdered woman. A grieving husband. And their son-a mentally handicapped adult with a history of violent outbursts. ... moreA very simple case. Or is it? Leo Hewitt, an Assistant DA once blamed for setting free a notorious child-killer, is eager to redeem himself with this intimate and grisly crime. As he digs below the surface he discovers more than he ever anticipated-including an emotionally disturbed wife, a husband who'd do anything to escape his disastrous marriage, and an accused young man with no apparent means of defense. But with each shocking new revelation, Leo is only led deeper and deeper into the darkness-an inescapable trap of blood bonds and twisted family secrets.A Very Simple Crime is the story of Adam Lee, a man who was orphaned at a young age and, along with his older brother Monty, is sent to live as what as a described "a life of darkness" with his mother's sister's family. They are relegated to the lightless basement only to have contact with those who "live above" when they use the bathroom. This seems to be a driving theme in the book...darkness...and it continues to drive both brothers into adulthood. Adam is a man who seems to have skimmed along the surface of life, not living very deeply. His older brother Monty is one of the most successful criminal defense lawyers in the Atlanta area and a handsome womanizer who seems to have it all. Adam has worshiped Monty since the two brothers were boys.Adam marries Rachel, a mentally disturbed woman who is the sole heir to her wealthy father's fortunes. They have a child, Albert, who is mentally handicapped. Adam gets a job in his father-in-law's firm and is initially a competent, proficient worker. During his son's childhood, however, he starts to throw himself into his work and is surprised that he becomes successful. Eventually it becomes obvious that Albert needs to be institutionalized after he hits his mother in the head with an ashtray, hard enough that she is hospitalized. Life goes one. At first Adam and Rachel visit Albert regularly, but then Rachel's own mental illness intensifies and the visits dwindle. Adam seems trapped in his sick marriage . . . and from there the plot takes off. When Rachel is found dead and obviously murdered, is seems a simple conclusion can be drawn that Albert, the son, did it. He was home visiting his mother that weekend. But complications arise. Enter Leo Hewitt, a junior deputy prosecutor whose once stellar career is now in shambles after being blamed for releasing a suspected child murder who was later caught red-handed. Leo is prompted to dig into this new crime. The authorities were going to consider the murder an open and closed case. But Leo finds some damning evidence. Dark history between Adam and Monty comes to light. Did Adam do it? He's claimed all along that he loved his wife....One thing I must say is that every character in this book has serious issues. Some more than others. The characters were well written. Leo's desire to regain his lost position was fairly powerful. Monty Lee seemed like a douchebag attorney and Paula's drive to get to the top was also pretty convincing. Adam Lee, the conflicted suspect, was both sympathetic and repugnant at the same time. Plumbing his past was good for some foreshadowing of the futureJerkins uses shifting viewpoints to his advantage. Adam Lee, the suspect, has his part of the story told in the first person while the rest is told in the third person, primarily from the point of view of Leo Hewitt. This works to Jerkins' advantage. While I was pretty sure what was going on from the beginning, he had me doubting myself quite a few times. Jenkins had me flipping pages back and forth because the twists kept coming.I enjoyed this book, and enjoy it more as it continues to play around in my mind. I recommend it to readers who like their mystery/thrillers to have a psychological edge and a little legal action. The writing is deceptively simple. Take my advice and pay attention to the details as you're reading. If the beginning is a little slow or hard to get into, stick with it. It's one of those thrillers that starts with some short chapters that leave you wondering what the heck is going on, but you quickly get drawn into the story and when you think you know what's going on that's when you really don't know what the heck is happening.I enjoyed the simplicity of the writing: monotonous, understated, and apathetic in the face of mental illness, adulterous sex, and murder. A Very Simple Crime was a twisted, yet fascinating journey into the psyche of a clever, almost sociopathic criminal. Highly recommended! 5 stars! less

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