Quote by Joël Dicker.
The riddle of room 622 is the latest novel by the Swiss writer Joël Dicker. Its original version in French was published in March 2020. Three months later it was presented in Spanish, with translations by Amaya García Gallego and María Teresa Gallego Urrutia. Like his previous works, it is a thriller.
Although the protagonist bears the same name as the writer, it is not an autobiography. About, Dicker maintains: “… there is a small part of me, but I do not narrate my life, I do not narrate myself... ". Likewise, the author made a special dedication in the novel: “To my editor, friend and teacher, Bernard de Fallois (1926-2018). Hopefully all the writers in the world can meet such an exceptional editor one day. "
Summary of The riddle of room 622
Beginning of the year
In January 2018, Joël goes through a difficult time in his life: Bernard de Fallois, his great friend and editor, has passed away. The man had been a representative figure in the young man's life. He owes him the success of his career as a writer, so he decides to honor him. Immediately, he takes refuge in his office to write a book dedicated to his mentor Bernard.
A wonderful encounter
Joël is a somewhat isolated writer; in fact, he only maintains frequent contact with his faithful assistant Denise. She is the one who encourages him daily to get fresh air and exercise. One day when he comes back from running he unexpectedly bumps into Sloane, his new neighbor. Although they only exchanged a few words, the young man is captivated by the attractive woman.
Fleeting love
Since then, Joël was interested in knowing more about SloaneBut he didn't have the courage to ask her out. One April night, just by chance, they coincide in an opera concert, they talk and after finishing the act they go out to dinner. From there, they both live two months of intense passion that immerse Jöel in what he considers to be full happiness. As a plus, she becomes the muse that allows him to continue with the book in honor of Bernard.
Everything collapsed
Little by little Joël focused more on writing than spending time with his beloved. The encounters were only fleeting, which led to the fracture of a relationship that seemed perfect. Sloane decided to put an end to it all through a letter that he leaves with the building's janitor. Joël's idyll collapses after reading the letter, so he resolves to flee immediately from that place in search of tranquility.
Trip to the alps
That is how Joël goes up to the famous Palace hotel in Verbier in the Swiss Alps. Upon arrival, a peculiar detail catches the writer's attention: the room that They have assigned you to stay is 621 and the adjoining one is identified with "621 bis". When consulting, they explain that said numbering is due to a crime committed years ago in room 622, an event that has not yet been resolved.
Neighbor writer
Scarlett is also staying at the hotel, an apprentice novelist who traveled to that place to clear up after his divorce. She is in room 621 bis, and when he met Joël he asked him to instruct him with some of his writing techniques. Likewise, she tells him about the enigma that surrounds the place where he is staying and convinces him to investigate the case in order to solve it.
Research progress
As the investigation progresses, Joël discovers important facts surrounding the homicide. In the winter of 2014 the executives of the Swiss bank Ebezner were meeting at the hotel to appoint the new president of the entity. They all stayed at the Verbier for the night of the celebration. The next morning appeared dead one of the directors: the guest in room 622.
The intrepid couple unveil a bunch of secrets that lead them to the murderer. This is how artifices, plots, betrayals, love triangles, corruption and the power game that surrounds the Swiss banking leadership will come to light.
Analysis of The riddle of room 622
Basic data of the work
The riddle of room 622 Is made by 624 pages, Divided into 4 main parts developed in 74 chapters. The history is counted in first and third person, and the narrative voice alternates between various characters. Similarly, on several occasions the plot moves from the present (2018) to the past (2002-2003); this in order to know details of the murder and the people involved.
Characters
In this book the author presented a variety of well-crafted characters that unfold throughout the story. Among them, its protagonists stand out:
Joel Dicker
Share with the author both his name and his profession as a writer. He traveled to the Alps in order to clear himself after two traumatic events. There, thanks to an attractive and interesting woman, he plunges into a murder investigation. Finally, he discovers the murderer and reveals the great corruption that surrounds the case.
Scarlett
It is a inexperienced novelist that she has decided to spend a few different days driven by her recent marital separation. She is staying in the room next to Joël Dicker's, so she takes advantage of learning the techniques of this famous writer. She It will be of great help in investigating the mysterious murder that occurred years ago.
About the Author
Joel Dicker was born on June 16, 1985 in Geneva, Switzerland. He is the son of a Geneva bookseller and a French teacher. His school training was in his hometown, at the Collège Madame de Staël. In 2004, -Before entering university- attended acting classes in Paris for a year. He returned to Geneva, and in 2010 he obtained a law degree from the Université de Genève.
In his early days as a writer lived an interesting anecdote al be disqualified from a youth literature contest. Dicker had presented his account Tiger (2005), but was rejected because the jurors considered that he was not the creator of the work. He was then awarded the international prize for young French-speaking authors and the text was published in an anthology with other winning stories.
That same year enrolled in the Prix des Ecrivains Genevois (a contest for unpublished books), with the novel The last days of our fathers. After being the winner, he managed to publish it in 2012 as his first formal work. From there, the author's career has been on the rise. It currently holds four titles that have become bestsellers and with which it has conquered more than 9 million readers.
Joël Dicker books
- The last days of our fathers (2012)
- The truth about the Harry Quebert case (2012)
- The Baltimore Book (2015)
- The disappearance of Stephanie Mailer (2018)
- The enigma of the room 622 (2020)