The Sinner (TV Tie-In)
A Novel
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3.8 • 156 Ratings
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
The basis for the Emmy-nominated "instantly gripping" (Washington Post) anthology series on USA starring Jessica Biel, The Sinner is an internationally bestselling psychological thriller surrounding an unexplained murdert
On a sunny summer afternoon by the lake, Cora Bender stabs a complete stranger to death. Why? What would cause this quiet, kind young mother to commit such a startling act of violence in front of her family and friends?
Cora quickly confesses and it seems like an open-and-shut case. But the police commissioner, haunted by these unaswered questions, refuses to close the file and begins his own maverick investigation. So begins the slow unraveling of Cora’s past, a harrowing descent into the depths of her own psyche and the violent secrets buried within. The Sinner is a dark, spell spellbinding novel, where the truth is to be questioned at every turn.
“As I read [the novel], I kept going, ‘I know where this is going—there’s no way this could be interesting.’ And then it would just take a completely different direction.” —Jessica Biel
“The Sinner is unnerving and weird and guaranteed to stick with you weeks later.” —Sarah Weinman, editor of Troubled Daughters, Twisted Wives and Women Crime Writers
“Hauntingly insightful and sensitive.” —The Guardian
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Most murders don’t happen in broad daylight—and most murderers don’t confess and advocate for the death penalty. But The Sinner isn’t a typical crime novel. German author Petra Hammesfahr tells her story through the voices of chief investigating detective Rudolf Grovian (who’s empathetic, relentless, and occasionally clueless) and that of the murderer, Cora Bender (played by Jessica Biel in the TV adaptation). Cora is a young mother and a deliciously unreliable narrator; she’s desperate to keep the convoluted, ugly truth locked in her subconscious. We never quite knew who to root for, not to mention what would happen next. We did, however, savor every word of this remarkable and disturbing book.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Hammesfahr's darkly depressing yet engrossing crime novel, a bestseller in Germany, examines the price of survival for two young girls growing up in a small German community. Police commissioner Rudolf Grovian is assigned the case of Cora Bender, a young woman who murders an apparent stranger in a crowded park. The local constabulary deems it an open and shut case, but Grovian, intrigued by Cora's strange behavior, pursues his own investigation. Cora reveals the bizarre circumstances of her claustrophobic family life, from her mother's relentless blaming of Cora for stealing her life to Cora's own complicated relationship with her disabled younger sister. The mixture of both first- and third-person perspectives and the explicit discussions of religious and sexual obsessions set this work apart from standard psychological fare. Dubbed Germany's answer to Patricia Highsmith, Hammesfahr should win new American fans with this English translation.
Customer Reviews
The Sinner
I enjoyed the book and recommend it. My only complaint is about the translation. I found it difficult to follow at first. It got easier as I progressed. I have a working knowledge of German which helped. I enjoyed the twists and turns and the unexpected ending.
Affected me profoubdly
I first watched the television series which really affected me profoundly as someone trying to recover list memories. The first half of the book is hard to grasp and find the similarities because the books setting is on Germany rather than the USA. This is actually an advantage because most of what was portrayed in the us version wouldn’t actually happen. The tv show had a few plot holes that were never resolved. The book did not have those plot holes so it was a much more satisfying experience. I guess the people calling this book trash haven’t experienced childhood sexual abuse or a religious zealot of a mother. I found it believable, relatable, and heartbreaking.
It’s okay
Not really the best read. Sometimes dragged and some parts were a little disturbing for my taste.