Review: The Enigma of Room 622 by Joël Dicker

ByMary Emmer Updated on

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If you’re looking for a mystery that even the likes of Agatha Christie herself might find irresistible, The Enigma of Room 622 by Joël Dicker may be exactly what you’re looking for.

In all honesty, the real enigma for me started when I first picked up the book and tried to figure out exactly what this was. Why was the author’s name also the main character’s name? Fiction? Autobiography? It was confusing for me and I thought for sure this book wasn’t going to stay in my hands for long.

My review of The Enigma of Room 622 will give you a short synopsis of the book along with my thoughts on this novel, how it made me feel, and whether I think this is a book worth reading.

The Enigma of Room 622

book cover for the enigma of room 622

If you’re not familiar with author Joël Dicker, it’s not surprising as his books are written in French and only a few have been translated to English so far.

Joël Dicker is a native of Geneva, Switzerland where he was born in 1985. He studied law there, and, at some point turned to writing mysteries. And he’s become an award-winning novelist for his efforts. His book, The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair won three French literary prizes, including the Grand Prix du Roman from the Académie Française, and was a finalist for the Prix Goncourt.

The Enigma of Room 622 is one of those books that I felt completely indifferent about when I first picked it up. I’m not sure exactly what compelled me to read it. Certainly, the synopsis of the book intrigued me. But in the end, I think it was the cover photo that made me actually open the book.

But, a book that was translated from French? I don’t know, I was just of the mind that this book wasn’t going to last (for me) past the first 20 pages or so.

Despite the fact that I was, at the time, not particularly in the mood for a mystery, and certainly not such a long book, I was a total goner once I read the first page.

Publishers Synopsis of The Enigma of Room 622

A burnt-out writer’s retreat at a fancy Swiss hotel is interrupted by a murder mystery in this metafictional, meticulously crafted whodunit from the New York Times bestselling author of The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair.

A writer named Joël, Switzerland’s most prominent novelist flees to the Hôtel de Verbier, a luxury resort in the Swiss Alps. Disheartened over a recent breakup and his longtime publisher’s death, Joël hopes to rest. However, his plans quickly go awry. It all starts with a seemingly innocuous detail: at the Verbier, there is no room 622. 

Before long, Joël and fellow guest Scarlett uncover a long-unsolved murder that transpired in the hotel’s room 622. The attendant circumstances: the succession of Switzerland’s largest private bank, a mysterious counterintelligence operation called P-30, and the most disreputable sabotage of hotel hospitality. A European phenomenon, The Enigma of Room 622 is a matryoshka doll of intrigue–as precise as a Swiss watch–and Dicker’s most diabolically addictive thriller yet.

The Enigma of Room 622 – What I Liked

There are many things about this book that I love.

The first would be the setting. The setting of the book is mostly Geneva and Verbier, Switzerland. I have been to Switzerland more than once, so I’m somewhat familiar with the vibe there already. But this book made me really imagine walking the streets of Geneva and wondering about all those secret international banking laws – something I’ve always been fascinated by. And the Verbier setting made me imagine myself skiing in the Alps and enjoying a wonderful apres-ski.

And, speaking of international banking laws – I’ve always been a fan of bank thrillers, especially the ones that involve Swiss banks. There is just something about all those Swiss banking laws that make for very intriguing stuff.

The characters are interesting, likable, and a bit mysterious. But, why not? It’s a mystery, right?

The book is fast-paced, twisty, and complicated. For someone who thought they wouldn’t make it past the first 20 pages or so, I believe I finished this book – all 574 pages of it – in record time.

Adding to the mystery of the story, there was sort of a “book within a book” element. This was a bit confusing to me at first. But it worked well as part of the story.

Last but not least, reading this book and consequently writing the review forced me to learn how to type the two dots over the ë like this ë. You never know when you’ll learn something useful like that! Thanks, Joël 🙂

The Enigma of Room 622 – What I Didn’t Like

Yes, I know I mentioned this just above, but that “book within a book” thing was a bit confusing for me at first. The author’s name as a character of the book as well? I couldn’t quite wrap my head around that before I started reading the book. Was it fiction or an autobiography of some sort? But, I soon got into the rhythm of the story and this no longer bothered me.

There is a lot of jumping around in terms of time periods. I’m still not sure of a couple of things, and I won’t specify what those are because I don’t put spoilers in my reviews.

The Enigma of Room 622 – Read, ReRead, or Reconsider?

And now, it’s time for my 3 Rs of book reviews. Should you read, reread, or reconsider The Enigma of Room 622?

ReRead!

Yes, for me this is most definitely going to be a reread but I think I will wait a bit until the novel fades away in my mind. Why? Remember above where I stated that there were some things I wasn’t quite sure about? I’d like to go back and experience the book again to see what new clues I might notice the second time around.

This was the most surprising book to me in many ways. I had no expectations of liking it, and yes, although I certainly wrongly misjudged the book before even cracking the cover, it just wasn’t what I was expecting to get.

I’m so glad I made the effort to read it. Now, I plan to uncover another Joël Dicker book, specifically the one that one all the awards, to see if all the fuss is worth it.

Kudos to Joël Dicker as well as Robert Bononno who translated the book from French to English!

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Mary Emmer, is the founder of Looks Like Books. She is an avid book enthusiast and self-employed entrepreneur, with an inspiring passion for reading and learning.  With a background in the travel industry spanning four decades, Mary has cultivated a diverse range of experiences that have shaped her unique perspective on life and storytelling.  More about Mary.

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2 Comments

    1. Hi Abigail, that’s an interesting opinion! I found the book a bit confusing, but I’m not sure I thought it was dragged out too long. I’m going to have to reread my own review LOL! It’s been awhile since I read the book.

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