3.5 stars on this one.

Premise; the perfect murder executed by an unlikely individual who framed an innocent party for 11 years.

The book was definitely interesting to read, I enjoy Dicker's writing, it's always engaging including the way he shifts perspectives from present to past and back to present over the entire book. I enjoyed the chronology of the story, the pacing and the setup of the various characters. Alaska herself may not have been as well developed at the beginning of the story as she was in the final chapters, which made for a better understanding of who she was and what she really was about. The only main gripe I had was when the "supposed character" was noted as the murderer it felt absolutely anticlimactic but I am glad that the writer redeemed that section swiftly when he wrote the actual murdered. This gave the book the shock element it needed. Also, I wish the writer had given us more detail on what actually killed Helen for closure.

Intriguing mystery to read although it has taken some time to get through. This is my 3rd book from this writer and I cannot wait to read more of his works in the future.

This is my first Joel Dicker book and I absolutely devoured it. A different writing style to what I usually read and I loved it. I look forward to reading other titles by this author. Maybe I should have read “The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair “ after seeing other reviews. But I don’t feel it’s essential to read in order *****

Oh dear. I was so disappointed with this book, it was clunky & confusing & very, very long. There are far too many characters, red herrings & an unbelievable plot.

Marcus Goldman is back- it is eleven years on and again he is immersed in a murder- this time of a woman in a fast-food carpark. changes everything. He starts unravelling the case Sergeant Perry Gahalowood. This book is about their relationship and the effect of the original murder on them both- it is a symbiotic relationship that grows throughout the novel.
A good plot twist but did feel a little too long.

I certainly can’t complain that all the loose endings weren’t sorted by the end but gosh what a long winded read to get there.
Interesting characters who I mostly did like and if you enjoy a good twist the this one is for you.

The murder of Alaska Sanders was swiftly resolved—two suspects emerged, one died, and the other confessed, sealing the case. However, eleven years later, a woman's death in a fast-food parking lot disrupts this apparent closure. Marcus Goldman, a celebrity author and amateur investigator, uncovers a thread that threatens to unravel the very fabric of his best friend’s life.

Sergeant Perry Gahalowood, who oversaw the original investigation, is determined to set the record straight. Joining forces with Marcus, he confronts the most intricate case of his career, seeking redemption for past errors.

In this sequel to the acclaimed The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair, Joël Dicker masterfully constructs a slow-burn police procedural. Methodically, the characters uncover an unguessable puzzle, revealing twists only a plot master like Dicker could devise. As a devoted fan of the previous work, I found this follow-up highly anticipated and utterly satisfying. The investigation leads Marcus and Perry to reassess their assumptions about the initial case, proving that even seemingly closed chapters can hold deeper secrets. A brilliantly crafted whodunnit with a captivatingly twisty narrative, this novel solidifies the dynamic between Goldman and Gahalowood.

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Outstanding. I felt part of the investigation. It’s so clever with how it’s fiction yet it’s written like it’s non fiction. I never figured out the culprit so I wouldn’t make a good detective!
I will read anything by Joel Dicker, and I will continue to do so.

The first book I read that was written by Joël Dicker was The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair. A very enjoyable read and memorable for being slightly different in that it is supposedly the Author telling the story in first person.

Click forward to The Alaska Sanders Affair and we have a re-hash of The Truth. I can only guess that Joël Dicker was given a huge advance on this book and he just churned out The Truth 2.0.

The Alaska sanders affair wastes so much time going over plot lines from different perspectives that the story becomes tedious and downright boring. The plot twists seem to be there just to achieve the word count and as such there is no real story just a series of annoying setups.

I have read other books by Joël Dicker and I had vowed never to read any more but I was tempted by the offer of a ARC from Netgalley, for which I am very grateful for as I am now firmly of the opinion that The Alaska Sanders Affair will definitely be the last Joël Dicker novel I will read.

The sequel to the Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair is a multi layered twisty.crime thriller set over two timelines. I liked the relationship between Marcus the writer and Sergeant Gahalowood, though at times the role of author as investigator felt unrealistic. The novel was a touch too long but the denouement very satisfying and the storytelling pristine.

A twist far too far 3.5 raised

I’m stop go with Dicker, I do love his intelligence, his twistiness, his interesting characters and the fact that a lot more is going on than just the crime investigation by a famous writer (Dicker’s somehow alter ego) Marcus Golding and laconic detective Perry Gahalowood, but in Alaska Sanders, as in his first, Harry Quebert, ultimately the cleverness becomes rather wearing, and the endless twists, well, endless.

I found myself, perhaps unfairly, comparing Dicker’s playing around with the writer as investigator, or playing with fiction itself, with that other much wittier writer pairing with a detective – Anthony Horowitz, in his Horowitz and Hawthorne outings. What I miss with Dicker is wit as well as incisiveness and sparkle

I had 5 starred Dicker’s more heartful, deeper investigation of mysteries in his fictional writer’s own family second novel, whereas I had 4 starred ‘Harry Quebert’ because The Baltimore Boys, involving more of Goldman’s background psychology and history had tenderness and heart, rather than a to the nth degree celebrally twisty journey.

I reveal no spoilers here, but this plot, which flips between 1999 (and sometimes a bit earlier) and 2010, including times inbetween, concerns the death of Alaska Sanders, and the subsequent police investigations. Alaska, a brilliant and beautiful young woman, model and aspiring actress, who somewhat mysteriously is working at a gas station, in small town Mount Pleasant, New Hampshire is violently killed in 1999. Though the murder was solved by the police, all was not quite as it seemed. One of the police team at that time was Perry Gahalowood, whim Marcus got to know and have a strong affection for, in ‘Harry Quebert’. Perry is one of the people who gave Marcus a sense of longed for family and community because of how Perry and his wife welcomed Marcus into their family.

Somehow, though, new information begins to suggest that the initial solve of Alaska’s murder may not have been quite as conclusive as things seemed. Marcus, now a famous writer gets involved again, in part because of his need for strong relationships with some kind of father figure, or cohesive family, to heal where these were lacking, or may have been lacking, in his boyhood. And then there is Marcus’ desire to be a family man himself, but, somehow, he can never quite commit, is never quite sure that any woman he is drawn to, is the one. He is not any kind of philanderer or Don Juan, but clearly has insecure attachment patterns

I thought Alaska Sanders would probably be a clear 4 star, perhaps even 4.5, but in the end the twisty and absorbing journey, which also incorporated Goldman’s neediness, his veneration of mythical golden family, need for a father figure and admired mentor, became a stretch too long and too twisty. The very final twist and revelations ensuing were a tangle far too far, and, frankly had a kind of gratuitous darkness and incredibility.

To sum up, perhaps too long (maybe like this review!) and definitely a final twist let down

This book is described as a slow burn police procedural however the writing is so good that it really doesn't feel like that. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read and the writer gives time to explore the story rather than the short chapter breakneck speed utilised by many writers. It makes a refreshing change to read writing like this.

I loved “The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair” so to dive back into this world of a writer diving passionately into local murders was very entertaining. This prequel/sequel had me guessing for a very long time… (perhaps ever so slightly too long a time) but I had to know what would happen at the end. I love the relationship between Gahalowood and his “writer”. A solid read.

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed both Harry Quebert and The Baltimore Boys, it was a no brainer that I would pounce on this book as soon as I could. Obviously, as already familiar with the previous Goldman books, as well as another couple of his books, I was well prepared for it being a drawn out, moving back and forward in time, long old tome. But, despite all those things, as well as having a bit of a vast cast of characters, it really didn't feel that long and I made decent progress throughout.
It all revolves around the murder of Alaska Saunders. Which was, at the time, an open and shut case, done deal. Once again, Marcus teams up with Sgt Perry Gahalowood when doubt is injected into the veracity of thr conviction. They eventually manage to glean just enough new evidence to persuade the powers that be to re-open the case properly.
Yes, it's a bit wordy, maybe pretentious, but it doesn't ever drag so, why not? The way it has been written with something happening in the present day invoking a reminiscence back to the past, and then we jump back to said past, all starts to have a bit of a "written for miniseries" feel to it, as well as allowing the story to progress efficiently. The previous two books are referred to in this one, but it is not wholly necessary to have read them to enjoy this one.
One thing I especially loved about this book was the relationship between Marcus and Perry, how it started with Harry Q and is rekindled and developed herein.
The plot is a bit on the twisty turny convoluted side. Deliciously so as it kept me on my toes throughout. I long gave up trying to second guess, and then kicked myself as certain revelations were made. Leaving me wholly satisfied at the end. Actually, I say that, but there is something that was introduced in this book which I reckon will form the basis for the next... Not a cliffhanger, more of a tempter, and that makes me very excited to read it...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

A long book that is confusing as there is so much detail and a lot of characters.
It helps to have read the Harry Quebert book.
Overall I enjoyed reading it because there are so many twists and turns. I thought I had guessed who the murderer was several times, but I was wrong and totally surprised.

Joel Dicker has an engaging way of writing, although at times, the story can feel quite drawn out. In this novel, I enjoyed the different view points and the switching between years. The police interview excepts added to the story also. You have to follow the story quite closely as there is lots going on as well as many characters. I did find that once I had gotten further into the story, it became clearer who was who and I was keen to find out the connections between the past and present, as well as what had happened to Alaska. There are lots of twists and turns, especially towards the end of the story, which at times can be difficult to follow; however, it is a very clever tangled web of lies, deception, relationships and occurrences bringing everything together in the end.

The murder of Alaska Sanders seemed to be an open-and-shut case: two suspects, one dead, one guilty. But eleven years later, when another woman is found dead, everything changes. Enter Marcus Goldman, an author turned investigator, who teams up with Sergeant Perry Gahalowood to reopen the case. What unfolds is a complex, slow-burn mystery that uncovers secrets no one could have anticipated.

Joël Dicker’s writing feels cinematic—each chapter pulls you further into the story, with the plot unfolding carefully and deliberately. The way he builds the mystery feels like piecing together a puzzle—clue by clue, twist by twist. You never feel like you’re ahead of the characters, which keeps the suspense alive.

The twist? Commendable (and I’m hard to please when it comes to twists!!). It wasn’t predictable, yet everything made perfect sense by the end. And while this book is over 500 pages, none of it felt excessive; every detail mattered, and I was fully invested the entire time.

I also have to mention the translator! It was one of those rare times I forgot I was reading a translation, it was seamless.

For fans of The Harry Quebert Affair, this sequel is a must and won’t disappoint!

Overall, I 100% recommend investing your time into this one. It’s a masterful murder mystery, and when you finally find out whodunnit, your jaw will hit the floor!

It’s been a very very long time since I read The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair.

I remember I liked it, and I liked Dicker’s sequel so I thought I’d give this a go, despite not remembering anything at all about the previous books.

This one has me hooked right away. At first the dual timelines were confusing but I settled in, and I liked how it jumped in perspective depending on who it was focusing on.

I feel like Dicker didn’t know how to approach his previous books and the character of Harry Quebert. In some places it felt like it was assumed you knew everything but in other parts it felt like it was retelling the story of that book.

I didn’t love the slightly meta approach to Marcus’ character however, who had written the truth about the Harry Querbert affair in this book.

However like a lot of thrillers, for me this completely fell apart in the last act. Characters I was meant to care about coming out of the woodwork, convoluted alibis and complicated evidence. I really found the end messy and unnecessary and added way too many complicated sub plots I struggled to follow.

But up until the last quarter I really enjoyed this..

4 stars

Joel Dicker puts himself into his stories in a fictional fashion. He did it in his bestseller “The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair” and he does it again here. In some way this book is the follow up to that one. This book brought his fictional self Marcus Goldman fame and money. He is now a well-known author. Unfortunately, he lost contact to his friend Harry Quebert whom he exposed in his book. But he made a friend in Sergeant Perry Gahalowood who was involved in the murder of Nola Kellergan. Marcus is still struggeling to find is place as a writer. He is still full of self-doubt and the fear of writer’s block. So it comes in handy that Gahalowood gets a tip that something was handled wrong in the ten year old case of Alaska Sanders. The murder was solved and the culprit is behind bars. But did they incarcerate the real killer? Marcus again becomes involved in a case about a murdered young woman which will lead to his new book.

It seems that readers are divided in Joel Dickers case. There are some who find his work pretentious and boring. And there are the others, like me, who enjoy his writing. For me, he has a light-footed style which makes it easy for me to follow him into his story. He tends to repetitions and over-explaining and he loves his flashbacks. Every time something from the past is told, we jump back in time and see the scene in real time. That gets a bit tedious after a while. That also makes the book a bit long and winding, like all his books are.

Dicker makes often references to his Harry Quebert book and another one, “The Baltimore Boys”. It is helpful to know the other ones but it is not necessary.

I enjoyed this book. I know about Joel Dickers flaws and I mostly can live with them. There was only one book “The Disappearance of Stephanie Mailer” which I did not like that much for several reasons. It seems he found his way back into solid story telling. His characters are all flawed and he describes himself not too flattering, too, but still with some vanity. I and will wait patiently for his next one.

I found this an enjoyable read but was a bit disappointed by the ending which I felt was stretching things a bit.
A good crime novel where a police sergeant and a novelist seek to solve a crime of murder of a young women where potentially the convicted murder is innocent.
The book flips back to the events of 1999 and then forward to 2010 as the plot weaves between the various suspects and motives. I would have given 4 stars but felt the ending was less believable as the murder suspect is revealed.

Back in 2015, I read Joël Dicker’s book The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair, a story featuring two writers, Harry and his friend and mentee Marcus Goldman, each struggling to write a novel. It also documented Goldman’s attempts to solve a mystery surrounding the murder of a fifteen year old girl, Nola, more than thirty years earlier – a girl Harry had been close to. I found it to be a long, jumpy story full of highs and lows; there were elements I loved (typically the conversations between the two writers) and sections I found tortuously dull and hard to swallow (mainly revelations about the relationship between Harry and Nola). But it’s a book that, despite its flaws, has always stayed with me.

So, my attention was quickly grabbed when I spotted that the author had written what amounts to a follow-up novel. Here, Marcus is shown to have benefitted from his time spent with Harry, in as much as he’d written a very successful book telling the story of the investigation into Nola’s death. The year is now 2010, and two years have passed since the events of that time. But he hasn’t seen his close friend since. However, driving back from a short trip to Canada, Marcus plans a route that will take him through the small New England town where Harry had lived. He’s gone now, and nobody seems to know where he’s now living, but Marcus still has hope that he might just get lucky and spot Harry snooping around his old haunts.

There are a number of carry-over characters from the earlier book, most notably Sargent Perry Gahalowood, who’d befriended Marcus as they’d jointly sought to uncover the mystery of Nola’s death. Perry is to feature large here, as he and Marcus now become drawn into the mystery surrounding another murder: that of an attractive young woman called Alaska Sanders. The murder had occurred back in 1999, and Perry had been part of the investigative team, but current events have started to throw doubt on the reliability of the conclusions reached and, therefore, the resultant actions taken.

Once again, the author provides a whole group of passages I really like (even perhaps love) but also some elements I didn’t. The relationship between Marcus and Perry is brilliantly observed, and their conversations are, for me, the high points of this novel. There are even a few statements - touching on life, marriage, success and how events change you - that I highlighted in order that I might read them again, and probably keep, so poignant did I find them to be. But the re-investigation into the crime is a painfully drawn-out affair. This is a long book, getting on for six hundred pages, and there are many twists and turns – in truth, too many for me. Quite a few sections are finished with a ‘you won’t believe what happened next’ type statement. This highlights that yet another mysterious happening or discovery is about to be added to the pot.

There is something else I found a little off-putting, too, this being that writer Marcus seemed to be allowed almost equal status to policeman Perry in conducting the re-investigation. I’m no expert on American police procedure, but this felt distinctly off to me. So it’s this mix of the good, the bad, and the unlikely that I wrestled with throughout. And yet, as the book came to a close, I knew in my heart that I’d miss it and the characters in it, just as I had with the Harry Quebert book. This seems to be something of a conjuring trick that the author has managed to perfect.