The Crime of Julian Wells

“There is no more haunting story than that of an unsolved crime … but solutions, I was to discover, can be haunting too.” 

So begins Thomas Cook’s beautifully written mystery The Crime of Julian Wells as we step into the haunted life of Julian Wells.

When famed true-crime writer Julian Wells commits suicide, his oldest and closest friend, Phillip Anders, takes it upon himself to pack up his belongings and settle his affairs. While doing this, Phillip learns that at the time of his death, Julian was burdened by a “crime” he committed years ago – something he believed Phillip witnessed him committing. Phillip knows of no such crime and retraces Julian’s life, especially his life-long obsession with the “disappearance” of a young woman in Argentina, in search of this mysterious crime.

The story is built on a unique premise, a twist on the typical mystery structure: The main character (along with the reader) is not trying to discover “whodunit”. In fact, we know from the beginning that Julian is the culprit. What we don’t know is his crime. The central mystery is actually what is Julian Wells’ crime?

The Crime of Julian Wells is not for all mystery lovers – the pacing is slower than what we’re used to in a typical mystery, the structure is unusual, and the book hints at peripheral events without actually explaining them. I didn’t mind these traits and, in fact, found them to be a refreshing change. The writing is expressive and lyrical, without being overwrought. It truly earns the right to be called a “literary mystery” and is one of the best books I've read this year.

Most importantly, the ending is fitting and satisfying – although as haunting as Phillip warned us it would be on page 1.