Praise for Broken Summer

"Few things are as mysterious as what goes on in a marriage, sometimes even one's own...[in] J.M. Lee's emotionally wrenching Broken Summer." --New York Times

"Skillfully rendered into English by translator An, the novel contemplates these issues in a murder mystery notable for its nuanced storytelling...A subtle psychological thriller." --Kirkus Reviews

"Lee excels at psychological realism, and Hanjo's quest to learn the truth feels naturally driven by deep, painful emotions...This exquisite portrait of minds torn apart by mourning will appeal not just to mystery readers." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"This is an engrossing and beautifully written mystery, with complex characters that Lee delicately strips bare." --Library Journal (starred review)

"This book is more about self-deception, self-absorption, and the unspoken truths that can both prop up and destroy a marriage than it is a conventional murder mystery...Quiet but devastating." --New York Times

"Peeling back layers with utmost precision, Lee bares a portrait of an artist as a desperately troubled young man; even more admirable are the masterful manipulations necessary for such decimating exposure." --Booklist

"Broken Summer is an elegiac thriller, a vivid family portrait, a study of guilt, deception and revenge across class divides, and the gifted JM Lee's most accomplished novel to date." --David Mitchell, author of Cloud Atlas and Utopia Avenue

Praise for J.M. Lee

"Channeling timeless quests from The Odyssey on while highly reminiscent of Vikas Swarup's contemporary cult classic Q & A (the literary inspiration for celluloid sensation Slumdog Millionaire), Lee's latest should guarantee exponential growth among savvy Western audiences searching for a universal story with global connections. In a phrase, read this." --Library Journal (starred review)

"Another outstanding thriller from Lee (after The Investigation, 2015), whose novels have garnered massive acclaim in Korea." --Booklist

"Lee's novel touches on the literary need for character-driven stories that move beyond the strangeness and horror of life under the North Korean state. This, along with its thriller-like pace, make The Boy Who Escaped Paradise worth a read." --Paste

"A smart, riveting read." --Publishers Weekly

"The language is mesmerizing. An exciting adventure added to rich characters, all multiplied by stunning language, equals an unforgettable novel." --Shelf Awareness