Grant McAllister is a retired mathematician living on a remote island in the Mediterranean. Over twenty years ago he wrote a collection of mystery stories and had a meager publishing of them. Julia Hart is an editor representing a small publisher who found a copy of the book and wants to republish the collection. She arranges a meeting and they read and discuss each story methodically, fitting them into his carefully designed mathematical theory of mystery construction.
I don’t want to say much more about the details of the story because it is as cleverly constructed as Grant’s theorem. It took a bit for this slow burn to consume me but when it did, I couldn’t let go. Each story in the collection is presented as if it’s the main one in the book, which initially felt confusing but quickly became something I avidly anticipated. Along the way, I started questioning a lot more than the stories and that was an extremely gradual development.
This is one of the most clever stories I’ve read in a long time and I love clever. It’s also a debut novel by the author and I’ll sign up for the next book he chooses to write and release. I wish I could share more but it would be much too spoilerish. It’s capped with a stunning ending that had me rewinding the audiobook to make certain I’d heard what I heard. And speaking of the audio format, the narrator was outstanding. She was not only responsible for distinctively giving voice to the two main characters but a host of others from the individual stories in the collection, which she handled excellently. This turned out to be a gem in the rough for me.
Book Info
- Release Date: August 4, 2020
- Narrator: Emilia Fox
- Audio Length: 11 hours, 16 minutes
- Publisher: Macmillan Audio
- Alternate Title: “Eight Detectives”
I still need to read this book. Great review!
Thank you, Jacob💜 I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
I love clever story lines too. That is why I love Anthony Horowitz. (although his last one was a tad disappointing!)
I will have to take a look at this one. Clever lovely review too, Jo!
Thank you, Marialyce💜 I didn’t know Horowitz’s books could be described as clever! Gotta move them up. This is oh, so clever.
Fab review Jo I definitely want to listen to this one!
Thanks, Nicki💜 This is one I think you’d enjoy!
I had a hunch it would be a great book. Your review just proved me correct. Great review, Jonetta. 🙂
Thank you, Debjani💜 I had no idea what to expect.
This is a book and author that I am not familiar with Jo. It sounds like one I should become familiar with though. Great review, now to see if I can find the audiobook.
Thanks, Carla💜 It’s his debut novel and I’m definitely up for whatever he writes next.
I will have to wait a bit for this one. The libraries don’t have it yet.
Fab review! I really like the sound of this one. xx
Thanks, Yvo💜 I’m glad I took a chance on it.
You had me at mathematician! This sounds amazing and the narrator appealing.
Anne – Books of My Heart
Oh, you’d love this on audio, Anne!
I just checked it out at the library on audio.
That’s where I got mine! Hope you enjoy.
My initial response? Open up my browser and head to my online wish list and add this one. Damn it, Jo, this really does sound good, and yes, I love clever too.
Oh, Alex, you’re gonna love this one.
Ooo, even better, might get this in my next batch of buys, mid month! 😜
I love a clever story too so I’m going to have to check this one out, probably on audio because I’m loving the sample you shared. Great review!
Thank you, Suzanne💜 I’m very happy that sample was helpful!