A great read ( )

I also loved the movie. The only downside is the brutal violence around which the story is told. ( )

This book is about a guy writing a book about a rape/murder from years ago, but it's also about his love for a former co-worker. I felt like the book started off really slow. The beginning was more about how he going to start writing his book, about his disappointment in himself for not becoming a lawyer or telling Irene how he felt all these years. It took until about 2/3 of the way through the book before the crime part of the story really took off. Then they decided to throw a few twists and turns in there. All in all it was not too bad of a book, but it just wasn't what I expected it to be. I thought it would be more a deep psychological thriller. I also don't think it was quite fast paced enough for me. I will hang onto it, but whether or not I read it again remains to be seen. ( )

Deadly obsession makes a pretty good murder mystery but there are other events moving this story. Like, there are several layers and more than one story -- how cool is that. Meanwhile, my mind is maybe wandering as I read, so I start to wonder, for example, what is a shade shy of obsession? Is it less dangerous or just slightly less persistent when a different character embodies an unrequited preoccupation?

I became aware of this novel after watching the Oscar winning (Best Foreign Film) "El secreto de sus ojos." You know sometimes, after a movie is over, you just want a little more. Luckily, the film is based on this book so there is more to enjoy. Sadly, this English translation -- which is a bit clunky at times, especially in the first hundred plus pages -- is less resonant and sometimes awkward. But the book-translation gets better over time (or I got used to the style.) With minor reservations the book is a good read which allows the film to be complimentary rather than simply repetitive.

One example of difference in the film adaptation is the lovable but supporting character, Sandoval; Sandoval's character is much more developed in the book. His death in the movie is horrific and generates anger. In the novel his character is more humorous while his death produces a melancholy of longing and sympathy. Similarly the book explores wider dimensional aspects of romance, love and obsession.

Obsession, crush, romance, murder, injustice, revenge, justice, psychological [punishment? | penitence?], love. What's not to like? ( )

From the book cover:

A retired detective revisits the most wrenching murder investigation of his career, and discovers not only the tenacious grip of revenge but also the enduring power of love.

What is Benjamín Chaparro going to do with his retirement? How will life have any meaning for him now? He finds that he will do what almost every retired cop does... obsess about the case that wasn't solved...the perpetrator that was never brought to justice. In Chaparro's case it was the brutal, rape and murder of a young woman that took place i 1968 in her bedroom only minutes after her husband had left for work. His attempts to write a book about the case, causes him to revisits every gory, frustrating details of the investigation. Reaching into the past, gives him cause to also remember all the beginnings. What was accomplished and on what had been long missing in the case as well as his secret love for Irene, then just an intern, now a high ranking and greatly respected judge. Past and present come together as this decades old mystery explores the dim lines between justice and revenge and makes a good man and a dedicated detective explore just how far he would be willing to go to right a wrong.

Eduardo Sacheri has created some great characters and has produced a story that is so close to real life that I had to check to see if this was based on a true story. Can't wait to see the movie. 4.5 stars. ( )