The case of Alaska Sanders
The case of Alaska Sanders -or Marcus Goldman 3, by its original title, is a crime novel written by Swiss lawyer and author Joël Dicker. The work was published for the first time in 2022, being translated by María Teresa Gallego Urrutia and Amaya García Gallego, and distributed by the Alfaguara publishing house. In general, reviews of this volume have been positive, although it has some “buts.”
in a timely manner, certain readers have complained about the use of the same formulas for different plots, in addition to a constant addition of pages that contribute nothing. However, with a score of 4.29 on Goodreads, The case of Alaska Sanders It remains an entertaining and addictive thriller that, despite its flaws, will keep the audience on the edge of their seats at all times.
Synopsis of The case of Alaska Sanders
The exciting new investigation of Marcus Goldman and Sergeant Perry Gahalowood
To satisfy the wait of more than 15 million readers, Joël Dicker launches The case of Alaska Sanders, where he brings together Harry Quebert and other characters from the most famous and appreciated of his novels. In this case, the title The strange investigation into the death of Alaska Sanders continues, who, eleven years earlier, on April 3, 1999, was found at the edge of Mount Pleasant Lake with a note.
In his pocket, a message was found that said “I know what you have done.” From then on, this becomes the guiding thread of a new search. Eleven years later, in the present, Justice puts the alleged culprits behind bars. However, there are aspects of the events that don't add up, which puts writer Marcus Goldman and Sergeant Perry Gahalowood back on the case.
Who really was Alaska Sanders?
In this type of novels, It is natural that, during the investigation, the protagonist(s) discover that the victim is not perfect. Throughout the story, a tumultuous past often emerges that creates probable cause for many members of the deceased's social circle. This is what happens in The case of Alaska Sanders, transforming it into a plot of investigation by discarding.
As in Ten bold —now known as And there were none left—, by the British writer Agatha Christie, in the book that concerns this review It's easy to be suspicious of everyone, even those who seem most innocent. The reader travels between scandals and lies while the author alternates between the present and the past to tell what really happened.
Summary of the first part of The case of Alaska Sanders
The novel is set in 2010, a period in which Marcus goldman He receives countless offers to turn his book into a film. As he weighs his options, He decides to visit his old friend, Sergeant Gahalowood.. In the midst of conversations and revisiting old documents, They find a revealing document about a case closed eleven years ago.
During that time, someone pleaded guilty to having murdered Alaska Sanders, but the friends realize that there is something very strange in the process of that investigation. Is it possible that an innocent person was sent to jail? Esto It is something that the protagonists will have to find out. To do this, they seek the help of Harry Quebert.
Structure and narrative style of the work
En The case of Alaska Sanders, the author He alternates between first and third person to tell his story. Initially, it uses Marcus' voice to create a more intimate plot, while the police investigation is developed through an omniscient narrator. At the same time, Joël Dicker makes use of time jumps and multiple perspectives, which generates dynamism.
The novel does not innovate in terms of the typical tropes of the genre., but it does create the feeling of action and movement thanks to the constant plot twists and cliffhanger —or “suspense ending”—. Joël Dicker is an expert at raising doubts that make it necessary to read one more chapter, so the book can be enjoyed in a week, at most. This makes it perfect for summer days.
About the Author
Joël Dicker was born on June 16, 1985, in Geneva, a French-speaking part of Switzerland. He is the son of a librarian and a French teacher. The author attended the Collège Madame de Staël, but was not a very good student. Nonetheless, When he was only ten years old he founded The Gazette des Animaux —The animal magazine—, a publication about nature, which he directed for almost a decade.
Thanks to his work in this magazine he received the Prix Cunéo for the Protection of Nature, and He was named “Switzerland's youngest editor-in-chief” by the Tribune de Genève. At the age of twenty he entered the Faculty of Law at the University of Geneva, from which he graduated in 2010. His literary career began a year earlier, when she participated in a competition with a story titled Tiger.
His story was so good that the jury declared it plagiarism, considering that someone so young could not have written it. Even so, some time later this story was recognized with the International Prize for Young Francophone Authors, being published in an anthology that compiled the work of other winners. Seeing his story motivated him to follow the path of letters, which he continues to do.
Other books by Joël Dicker
- Le tigre — The tiger (2009);
- Les derniers jours de nos pères — The last days of our fathers (2010);
- La vérité sur l'affaire Harry Quebert — The truth about the Harry Quebert case (2012);
- Le livre des Baltimore — The Baltimore book (2015);
- La disparition de Stéphanie Mailer — The disappearance of Stephanie Mailer (2018);
- L'énigme de la chambre 622 — The enigma of room 622 (2020);
- A wild animal (2024)
All Joël Dicker awards
- Cunéo Prize (2005);
- Genevois écrivains Prize (2010);
- Grand Prize for Novel of the French Academy (2012);
- Goncourt des lycéens Prize (2012).