La Décision (The Decision) - Karine Tuil

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Karine Tuil’s novel La Décision (The Decision) shows what it is like to operate at the harshest end of counterterrorism investigations. It shows how these protagonists sometimes wrestle with issues of morality, questioning the choices they need to make that will change their lives forever. I read the French text. 

The story is about Alma Revel, a French anti-terrorism judge, who must determine whether to keep this young man in custody as a suspected ISIS collaborator or grant his release. Meanwhile, her personal life is in turmoil as she launches an affair with the defence lawyer of the accused.

Tuil fully displays her meticulous research and background as a legal journalist, with a vivid inside portrayal of the judicial system's mechanics and the interpretive quandaries accompanying terrorism-related crimes. She poses difficult questions related to an immediate professional duty, versus the array of personal predilections that can sometimes accompany it. She poses the consequences that hang in the balance when weighing one over the other. 

The narrative is not just a thrilling ride, but also a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of right and wrong. Tuil, in a master class of characterisation, illuminates her protagonist’s inner struggles, inviting readers to delve into the shades of morality. The author's ability to present a balanced view, without taking sides, has earned her acclaim and encourages readers to critically examine their own perspectives.

Though some reviewers criticised what they saw as improbable or predictable plot points, I believe it’s a page-turner. This novel transforms an emotionally loaded subject into one with compelling storytelling and emotional gripping.