Swiss Novelist, Dicker's "The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair" Truly a Major Event

Joel Dicker (b. Switzerland '85) has created a sensational, award winning novel with his 1st book.   The title is a mouthful & this clever novel is so full of surprising twists, pithy platitudes and poignancies it  seems incredulous such a young writer, in his 1st book, could have accomplished this amazing work.   Dicker won the Prix Coucourt des Lyceens voted on by French h.s. students from 2 French literary award lists.  The novel contains an illicit love affair between a 15 yr. old, Nola, & a writer 20 years her senior, Harry.  Marcus is the protagonist of this complex & compelling read that is equal parts a thriller, mystery, friendship, love, & coming-of-age story.  We meet Marcus as an egomaniacal  h.s. student, wanna-be writer.  He is a master manipulator who has fooled everyone to be dubbed "Marcus the Magnificent." Despite receiving acceptances to Harvard/Yale Marcus decides to attend Burrows Univ. in order to flourish at the top of his class.  It is at Burrows where he meets his mentor & friend, celebrated author, Prof. Harry Quebert.  Harry takes Marcus under his wing, teaches him how to box,  write & what are life's important lessons.  "The most important thing {in life} is knowing how to fall."  After college, Marcus' 1st novel is met with critical & financial success.  Following his success, he suffers writer's block.  When he learns Harry is arrested for the murder of Nola, Marcus rushes to be in Harry's corner & prove his innocence.  Nola's body is uncovered on Harry's property 30 yrs. after her disappearance.  The roller coaster investigation, quirky town's characters & convoluted relationships makes for a page turning novel (all 650 pages.)  Harry told Marcus that the mark of "A good book, is a book you are sorry has ended."  Finishing this book is a buzz kill.  I hope Dicker never suffer from writer's block.