Monday, March 5, 2018

A Mathematical Puzzle and Murder


Hazel, adopted granddaughter of mathematical genius, Issac Severy, is devastated to learn of his suicide. She is even more startled when she receives a letter from him written before his death. In the letter, he entrusts her with finding and delivering his final equation to a colleague he believes will use the equation for good.

In the letter he tells her that he is being followed by a shadowy organization that wants control of the equation. He doesn’t trust them and doesn’t want the equation to fall into their hands. Hazel feels she is the least likely member of this family of geniuses to carry out the task, but Isaac has told her he respects her logical mind and is sure she can do the job.

After the funeral, Hazel’s task starts, complicated by the family of eccentric geniuses and her brother, who is a police officer. The book follows Hazel’s quest, but also explores the lives of the other Severys particularly Philip, Isaac’s theoretical physicist son.

If mathematics is not your thing, don’t worry. Math is the background for an engrossing mystery. The characters are well drawn. Although they are unusual and bedeviled with the problems of being a member of a family of geniuses, it’s easy to relate to them. The action moves moderately fast, but there are a number of chapters where the family members expose their insecurities and the backstory of how Hazel and Gregory became members of the family is explained.

I enjoyed the book. The plot was well constructed and the ending a surprise. It was hard to guess until you got to at least the middle of the book. If you enjoy a mystery with quirky characters and a reluctant heroine who realizes her potential, this is a good book.

I received this book from Eidelweiss-- Above the Trees for this review.



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