On the night of 22 December 1980, a plane crashes on the Franco-Swiss border and is engulfed in flames. 168 out of 169 passengers are killed instantly. The miraculous sole survivor is a three-month-old baby girl. Two families, one rich, the other poor, step forward to claim her, sparking an investigation that will last for almost two decades. Is she Lyse-Rose or Emilie?
Eighteen years later, having failed to discover the truth, private detective Credule Grand-Duc plans to take his own life, but not before placing an account of his investigation in the girl's hands. But, as he sits at his desk about to pull the trigger, he uncovers a secret that changes everything - then is killed before he can breathe a word of it to anyone.
Eighteen years later, having failed to discover the truth, private detective Credule Grand-Duc plans to take his own life, but not before placing an account of his investigation in the girl's hands. But, as he sits at his desk about to pull the trigger, he uncovers a secret that changes everything - then is killed before he can breathe a word of it to anyone.
Two families , different in all aspects and yet tied by one baby , one case to decide her fate , one desire to win that and of doubts wether the verdict was right or not. How does it feel to live 18 years trying to find the truth , guessing it every day with a new light and keep this all a big secret. Lyse-Rose or Emilie or LyLie ? This is not just a story of the sole survivor of a plane crash but also how the simplest desires and expectations are capable of extracting huge price. How seemingly kind people can be ruthless and so focused on winning that they leave no person or event come in their way. Of changing loyalties , faith and characters so full of life and worries, perhaps of their own making.
Michel Bussi has written a brilliantly woven story and exceptional characters here. The writing style is impersonal and yet the descriptions are opposite. The emotions are portrayed more in actions than words that help one connect to the story visually.
From the voice of the coffee owner in the beginning to that of the grandmother in the end , every person is sketched perfectly. The thoughts , the intentions and the words are as honest as direct. The story somehow fits the phrase - miracle , co-incidence , irony and so on. You can call the end anything you feel like , but nothing can take away the thrill of the story ; the story that is a wonderful account of years of hard work and fighting against fate to find the truth. But truth has a set time to be revealed. Sometimes it takes 18 years !
You will not be disappointed with the book. Or with the cover , that is so perfectly set on the theme of the book.
Must read !
My rating : 4/5
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