Author: Joël Dicker
Genre: Mystery / Thriller / Metafiction
Ideal For: Readers who delight in multilayered whodunits, reflective narrators, and atmospheric settings where every twist tests your patience and rewards you richly
Why I Picked It Up
From the moment I learned Joël Dicker had written himself as the novel’s narrator, I was hooked. Known for The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair, Dicker’s penchant for nested mysteries promised a thriller rooted in both personal grief—mourning his publisher, broken relationship—and obsessive curiosity. Reviews described it as “a matryoshka doll of intrigue” built with Swiss precision. I was eager to get lost inside what readers called his most addictive puzzle yet.
Plot Summary (Spoiler‑Free)
Burnt out and grieving, a bestselling novelist named Joël retreats to the luxury Hotel Verbier in the Swiss Alps. Haunted by absence of “Room 622,” he teams up with Scarlett, a fellow writerly guest, to investigate the long-unsolved murder that once occurred there. Their investigation unravels layers of motive tied to Switzerland’s most powerful private bank: the Ebézner succession battle, espionage unit P‑30, love triangles, betrayal, and masked identities. The narrative unfolds across timelines: present day, fifteen years before the crime, and into deeper backstory.
Why It Resonates
1. A Novel That Feels Architected, Not Random
Think Swiss watchwork. Critics and fans alike point to its intricate nested structure: murder mystery, corporate intrigue, parallels between artistry and investigation. Dicker draws you into secret addition rooms, vintage gala dinners, and masked conspiracies. The tension isn’t just in the poor body—it’s in waiting.
2. Metafiction That Honours the Craft of Storytelling
Joël’s grief over his publisher, Bernard de Fallois, becomes both motive and memorial—this book was meant to be that tribute. Reviews note that the metafictional framing elevates the narrative into a reflection on creativity, loss, and investigation itself. It blurs the line between author and character with refreshing boldness.
3. Atmosphere Soaked in Alpine Opulence
From Geneva boardrooms to Verbier’s grand hotel, Dicker evokes place—the crisp mountain air, the luxury façades concealing secrets, the hush of corridors filled with shadows and guest whispers. One reviewer describes the hotel as “pulled from another realm, simultaneously perfect and mysterious.”
4. Character Ensemble Built for Intrigue
Macaire Ebézner, heir-to-be, carries naivety and espionage secrets. Lev Levovitch—part Russian dynast, part cunning outsider—maps the other angle. Scarlett infuses earnest ambition. Together they form a dynamic cast that unfolds through narrative Russian dolls: each scene adds another layer of motive, personality, history.
5. Twists That Matter—and Twist Again
This is Dicker’s specialty: revelations unfold but don’t satisfy until new conflicts emerge. Masked identities, corporate espionage, secret service intrigue—some reviewers flagged the finale as far-fetched, but others called it audacious and fun. It is suspense built through escalating improbability.
Where It Could Fray
- Convoluted Plot Can Exhaust: For many readers, the frequent time jumps and interwoven story arcs demand high attention. It’s difficult to follow if you’re expecting streamlined pacing—dialogue sometimes clunky, characters underdeveloped until late, and the tangled timeline demands mental stamina.
- Some Twists Stretch Belief: Certain revelations—espionage secrets, masked identities, and past explosions—seem cartoonish or too theatrical.
You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy…
- Complex puzzle-thrillers like The Club Dumas by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
- Metafiction that invites self-aware narration like If on a winter’s night a traveler
- European-set banking and boardroom intrigue mixed with noir
- Thriller readers who don’t mind unpacking story layers—or rereading to catch nuance
Moments That Pulled Me In
- The Room‑Number Mystery: The missing Room 622 is such a simple glitch—but becomes a portal to a buried secret. That detail alone launched a 600‑page mystery. I would say that’s a genius hook.
- The Bank Gala Flashback: Under chandeliers, masked board members vote for the next president. There’s tension in every handshake, and the event becomes the pivotal moment linking personal and corporate betrayal.
- Joël and Scarlett’s Writing as Investigation: Their literary framing—Joël worried about ghostwriting, Scarlett wanting her own book—blurs investigation and creation. It’s ambitious and thrillingly self-aware.
- Masked Revelations: At least one major character isn’t who we think. True identity hiding in plain sight matches the novel’s central theme: who writes the story—and who remains hidden?
- The Publisher Tribute: Scenes recalling Bernard de Fallois’ mentorship add emotional resonance. They’re subtle, but powerful: this thriller is also a love letter to a lost confidante.
Final Thoughts: A Roller Coaster Wrapped in a Russian Doll
The Enigma of Room 622 is not for readers craving emotional closeness or narrative brevity. It asks that you slow down—and reward you with layers of intrigue, atmosphere, and metafictional homage. Predictability? Rare. Plausibility? Optional. Immersion? Essential.
It earns five stars because it commits bravely to complexity, suspense, and a setting so vivid you feel cold mountain air in each chapter. Dicker wants you to puzzle, to linger, and to piece secrets together long after the final page. And if you’re willing to follow, the payoff is diabolically addictive.
If you love tangled timelines, Swiss hotel opulence, mysteries that echo back into personal grief and creative obsession—this is the labyrinth you’ll want to walk again.
