"This one decision" by Karine Tuil: Emotional highlight and my favorite book of the week

Created: 12/12/2022, 6:00 p.m

By: Sven Trautwein

Karine Tuil constructs a suspenseful novel about anti-terrorist prosecutor Alma Revel, who must make one life-changing decision.

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Abdeljalil, a 21-year-old Frenchman, is arrested returning from Syria with his wife.

He is accused of planning an attack in Paris for the Islamic State (IS).

How are his statements to be assessed?

Anti-terror prosecutor Alma Revel is under enormous pressure.

Privately as well as professionally.

Can she make the right decision?

And what does "right" mean?

Karine Tuil “That One Decision”: About the Book

Karine Tuil "This one decision" © dtv

In a high-security wing of the Paris Palace of Justice, the charismatic investigating magistrate Alma Revel has to decide whether to arrest or release a very young man who is suspected of being a terrorist.

But not only professionally Alma is extremely challenged.

Her marriage is over and she throws herself headlong into an affair, with the lawyer who is now defending the terrorist suspect, of all people.

Alma makes a momentous decision that will turn her life and her country upside down.

What are we willing to give up to ensure our own safety?

blurb dtv

Alma is torn between her personal life and work.

Her marriage is failing and she has an affair with the attorney who is defending the terror suspect.

She therefore makes one momentous decision after the next, both privately and professionally, which shakes everything up.

The constant pressure to always be on the side of the rule of law, to make decisions that are anything but easy, constant bombardment in social networks and media, tug at the thin nerves of the main character.

The political terrorism that has repeatedly shaken France and other European countries is revealed in this book in all its brutality.

The interspersed interrogation protocols also deal with the radicalization of young people.

How could a terrorist organization develop and retain such a following?

The complexity of her job and the dwindling state of her marriage are the two central themes of the novel.

More and more tense, she makes a decision that will have a negative impact on her entire life.

Karine Tuil "This one decision": My conclusion

Highly emotional, sensitive and deep at the same time and a reappraisal of the attacks in Paris.

Exciting like a thriller.

A book that you won't let go of easily.

Karine Tuil "That One Decision"

Translated from the French by Maja Ueberle-Pfaff

2022 dtv, ISBN-13 978-3-423-44612-9

Price: hardcover €23, e-book €16.99, 352 pages (deviating from the format)

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Karine Tuil

Karine Tuil, born in 1972, is a lawyer and the author of several acclaimed books, including the novel The Greedy (promotional link).

Most recently, her highly acclaimed novel “Menschliche Dinge” (promotional link) was published, which was awarded prizes, translated into numerous languages ​​and made into a film.

Karine Tuil lives in Paris with her family.