Catherine Shaw (1)Rezensionen

Cambridge, 1888. Tres profesores de la universidad han sido asesindos misteriosamente cuando investigaban el problema de los tres cuerpos, un enigma matemático que Sir isaac Newton fue el primero en plantear. Vanessa Duncan es una joven institutriz que ha empezado a trabajar recientemente en la ciudad universitaria como maestra de niñas. Gracias a las familias para las que trabaja, tiene la oportunidad de relacionarse con las más privilegiadas mentes matemáticas de la prestigiosa universidad. Además, el momento no podría ser más emocionante: todos se hallan inmersos en la investigación del problema de los tres cuerpos. El rey Óscar de Suecua ha decidido que para su 60 aniversario concederá un sustancial premio a aquel matemático que consiga resolver el problema, que fue planteado por vez primera por Isaac Newton. Sin embargo, todo da un giro inesperado cuando el profesor adjunto de matemáticas, Akers, es encontrado muerto en sus habitaciones de un violento golpe en la nuca y el enamorado de la srta Duncan, otro matemático llamado Weatherburn, es acusado del crimen.

Sadly, telling the story through the device of letters written home results in a style that is just too artificial and far-fetched. The "letters" contain lots of history and explanation for the reader which does not help their authenticity. It should be noted that the background to this story is true, but the book can't really be recommended, as other reviewers have commented.

What a muddle of a book! Inconsistencies, incongruities, improbabilities abound. Enormous leaps of logic made on suspicion alone, and what is with the possible love interest introduced in the last two chapters? Spoiler: Why does our scatterbrained detective not even speak with the villain until the very last pages of the book? Two stars only because I finished it anyway.

I did something I rarely do with this book - I gave up reading it halfway through. I don't know if it was the novel's format of letters written to a twin sister, the earnest discussion of mathematical theories, the rigid adherence to Victorian era standards of behaviour, the precision of the language or just me but I was bored and restless as I read and never able to immerse myself in Vanessa's world.

As soon as the murder scene was described it was obvious what the solution was and made more obvious by the fact that it was resolutely not suggested as a possibility by any of the characters. The plot was slow moving and not enlivened by the detective's frequent moonings over the 'sweet little limbs' of her children, whom she pretty much abandons every time there is a case. I enjoyed the parts about research into Jewish history and blood liable but the audiobook seemed to go on forever and all of the characters were annoying and bits of the plot far-fetched and ridiculous.

When three mathematics professors are murdered, schoolteacher Vanessa Duncan sets out to solve the crime because she believes the person accused of the murders is innocent.

Although the mystery is enjoyable, this book is ultimately forgettable. None of the characters are overly well developed, and many act outside the norms of Victorian propriety often enough that the reader forgets the setting is intended to be Victorian-era Cambridge, England. The resolution is entirely implausible and does not convey any sense of urgency as Vanessa attempts to deliver a crucial piece of evidence to the court in time.

This is a mystery. And book number four in a series. I don't read mysteries, and I don't start in the middle of a series. But – dad gum – I enjoyed this!

Victorian England historical fiction, set in Cambridge, involving a missing Shakespearean actress, the Charles Darwin family, prostitution, social classes, scientific advances, boating, a bookstore, and a female detective. It was a good, fun, little mystery and I'll definitely look for the earlier books in this series.½

En 1888, el plácido ambiente universitario de Cambridge vive días de horror. Varios prestigiosos maestros matemáticos son asesinados mientras intentan resolver un problema matemático, por cuya solución está dispuesto a pagar una gran fortuna el rey de Suecia.
Para la joven institutriz Vanessa Duncan, los crímenes son algo más que inexplicables acontecimientos que se ciernen amenazadores sobre la ciudad: en el horizonte acecha un perverso asesino decidido a sembrar el terror por toda Europa.

A bluestocking Victorian wife and mother chafing gently under the social constraints of Cambridge is invited to investigate the suspicious death of a London academic. Leaving her children with relatives she comes to Kings College and mingles with academics and Jewry to solve an ingenious mystery in a Victorian London redolent with authenticity. With its clear style and rigourous fair play, this is a rewarding puzzle and and a satisfying resolution.

The dead body of a academic is found in the library of King's College University ,London in 1896.It seems from the facts that emerge that is is quite simply impossible that anyone could have been near enough,given the time factor involved,to have done the deed. The person brought in to investigate is Vanessa Wetherburn (nee Duncan) who is a feisty private detective. But is she either feisty or indeed clever enough to solve this seemingly impossible case. As she digs deeper,another case which involves Ritual Murder becomes entangled in this one.
This is a classic 'Locked Room' mystery and is a paradox indeed !