The Oxford Murders
by Guillermo Martinez
Translated by Sonia Soto
A twenty-two year old Argentine graduate student (never named) has a year's scholarship to study mathematics at
Oxford University in England. He makes his lodgings at the home of Mrs. Eagleton, a widow who worked on the Enigma
Code during World War II. Arriving home one day he finds renowned logician Arthur Seldom at the door. Seldom has
received an anonymous note directing him to Mrs. Eagleton's home. When they enter the house they find Mrs. Eagleton
dead. At first it seems she died a natural death but further investigation proves she was smothered.
Seldom, the author of a book on mathematics which includes a chapter on the connection between serial killers
and mathematics, thinks the note he received is the first of a series. More bodies pile up, each indicating
apparent natural causes, but each has a message bearing a new mathematical symbol. Arthur and the student,
working closely with the police, ponder whether the deaths are the homicides of a madman seeking to match wits
with Seldom. They seek to find the mathematical pattern behind the killings. Or is this all a cover-up for a
single homicide?
This is a fascinating application of logical mathematic sequences to crime scene investigation. There is a
comprehensive, detailed explanation of mathematical theories and theorems ....almost too detailed for the average
reader. The plot is sometimes obscured by the technicalities. The characters are not fully developed. The dialogue
is stilted. The setting of Oxford is delightful with many familiar locales. The final solution comes suddenly and
as a great surprise. |
The Book |
Penguin Books |
Reprint edition: Sept 2006 |
Paperback |
014303796X |
Mystery |
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Excerpt |
NOTE: |
The Reviewer |
Barbara Buhrer |
Reviewed 2007 |
NOTE: |
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