Lemon by Kwon Yeo-Son (Recorded Books) 4 Stars

Publication date 12/10/21 Audio time 3hrs 15 mins Book 160 pages

If your doing my reading challenge starting Jan 2022 this book will fit the following prompts #17 #20 #30 #35

Synopsis

In the summer of 2002, when Korea is abuzz over hosting the FIFA World Cup, nineteen-year-old Kim Hae-on is killed in what becomes known as the High School Beauty Murder. Two suspects quickly emerge: rich kid Shin Jeongjun, whose car Hae-on was last seen in, and delivery boy Han Manu, who witnesses Hae-on in the passenger seat of Jeongjun's car just a few hours before her death. But when Jeongjun's alibi turns out to be solid, and no evidence can be pinned on Manu, the case goes cold. Seventeen years pass without any resolution for those who knew and loved Hae-on, and the grief and uncertainty take a cruel toll on her younger sister, Da-on, in particular. Unable to move on with her life, Da-on tries in her own twisted way to recover some of what she's lost, ultimately setting out to find the truth of what happened. Told at different points in time from the perspectives of Da-on and two of Hae-on's classmates, Lemon loosely follows the structure of a detective novel. But finding the perpetrator is not the main objective here. Instead, the work explores grief and trauma, raising important questions about guilt, retribution, and the meaning of death and life.

My Review

I really enjoyed this short novel. The story evolves around the death of a female character. Following the investigation of the murder it really eerie psychological novel. I listened to the audiobook and liked the fact it had multiple narrators that added great atmosphere and tension. The fact it follows 3 different perspectives was very good I enjoyed that aspect. It is not your normal psychological thriller it has a great air of mystery to it. its a really who done it. I loved its very unique story-line. As the story spans over 20 years, I did get a little confused st times as the story jumps through different time lines. I love reading books set in Asia especially when they involve lots about cultures and traditions. I found the sister really creepy which is especially good for the upcoming season if you are not into horror books. If your looking for a complete novel with a satisfying solved ending avoid this book. Although you are led to think who the killer is it is left open without confirmation of who you think it is but that didn't both me . I reckon I had it worked out. I'm really glad I read this book. Many thanks to the author a publishing team for bring us this great complex and unique short story to life.