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lauraborkpower's review
The only reason I finished this book was to eke out as many more books I could this year to get the tiniest bit closer to my 2011 reading challenge (which I have absolutely no chance of actually meeting). This book makes my boycott list, since it's labeled as a "Sophie Knowles Mystery #1" so Madison is obviously going to churn out at least a few more of these stupid books. And I, for one, won't waste any more of my time.
Not only is this not a good book, but I'd go so far to say that this is a bad book. It's a case-in-point of how to tell instead of show. This book is overflowing with irrelevant details (about the boyfriend's love of movies, the boyfriend's job, the clothing the narrator is wearing during every single scene, the clothing every other character is wearing during every single scene, the narrator's favorite color, the narrator's favorite tea, and on, and on, and on, and on) but absolutely zero atmosphere or graspable setting. The dialogue is bad, and plot is unbelievable, and the characters are so bland that I almost can't care enough about them to dislike them.
Don't read this book. But if you ever want to make a quick buck with a mediocre mystery novel, send it to Berkley Publishing, since they'll obviously publish anything.
Not only is this not a good book, but I'd go so far to say that this is a bad book. It's a case-in-point of how to tell instead of show. This book is overflowing with irrelevant details (about the boyfriend's love of movies, the boyfriend's job, the clothing the narrator is wearing during every single scene, the clothing every other character is wearing during every single scene, the narrator's favorite color, the narrator's favorite tea, and on, and on, and on, and on) but absolutely zero atmosphere or graspable setting. The dialogue is bad, and plot is unbelievable, and the characters are so bland that I almost can't care enough about them to dislike them.
Don't read this book. But if you ever want to make a quick buck with a mediocre mystery novel, send it to Berkley Publishing, since they'll obviously publish anything.
tregina's review
3.0
It always feels like damning with faint praise when I say I like a book more than I expected to, but...well, I liked this more than I expected to, especially after putting it down after the first couple chapters and picking it up again weeks later. The university environment felt inauthentic, more like the author was dropping the appropriate lingo rather than actually understanding academia and higher level mathematics, and that really turned me off in the beginning. But I liked that the police were competent, I liked that the protagonist was in a functional and believable relationship before the start of the story, and I liked that she felt kind of like a shitheel for manipulating her friends and withholding evidence from the police because she was trying to run her own investigation.
It made sense for this one novel, because she was defending her friend and because it was said repeatedly that the crime was such a rare occurrence, but I'm not sure how it's going to spin into a series. I think I might leave this one at the one.
It made sense for this one novel, because she was defending her friend and because it was said repeatedly that the crime was such a rare occurrence, but I'm not sure how it's going to spin into a series. I think I might leave this one at the one.
ronninanney's review
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really enjoyed the brainteasers in the end of the book, and the few that were kind of subtly thrown in the book, as well as the few math hints that were thrown in. I found the main character to be relatable, even if she is a math nerd and I'm not so much.
I did catch myself losing focus at times during the story. Certain spots that maybe went into a little too much detail of the day to day tasks, or even thoughts of the character.
Overall, I did enjoy this book, and will be looking for #2 in the series!
I did catch myself losing focus at times during the story. Certain spots that maybe went into a little too much detail of the day to day tasks, or even thoughts of the character.
Overall, I did enjoy this book, and will be looking for #2 in the series!
marlynb's review
4.0
Math scares a lot of people. Mathematics professor Dr. Sophie Knowles, protagonist of this new mystery series, reminds me of my very first high school math teacher (whose name, sadly, I forget) who made algebra and geometry fun for me. Sophie teaches math at Henley College in the fictional town of Henley, MA, and tries very hard to make it enjoyable.
Her assistant, Rachel Wheeler, who is hoping to get into medical school, is a student who has become a friend. But Rachel needs to pass chemistry first, and the chemistry professor Dr. Keith Appleton is not making it easy for her. Appleton makes life difficult for most people at Henley College, including Sophie, although she does her best to get along with him.
One afternoon while celebrating the promotion of another colleague, Hal Bartholomew, from instructor to assistant professor, Rachel and other members of the department are expressing pleasure that Keith Appleton is not in attendance. Upset by their unprofessional behavior, Sophie chastises them, and in apology, Rachel offers to take some cake to the chemistry professor.
At home later that evening, Sophie receives a phone call from Rachel, who has been at the police station answering questions about the death of Dr. Appleton. Since Rachel was probably the last to see him alive, Sophie is certain that the police will focus on her assistant as the killer. Even more certain that Rachel is innocent, Sophie has to find a way to convince the authorities of it.
Ada Madison is a pseudonym for Camille Minichino, author of The Periodic Table Mysteries, a series of eight books featuring Gloria Lamerino, a retired professor of physics. As a faculty member at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, Dr. Minichino writes about the academic life from experience, and describes the academic life and people accurately (having been a graduate student in more than one department I can affirm this) and with humor.
Her assistant, Rachel Wheeler, who is hoping to get into medical school, is a student who has become a friend. But Rachel needs to pass chemistry first, and the chemistry professor Dr. Keith Appleton is not making it easy for her. Appleton makes life difficult for most people at Henley College, including Sophie, although she does her best to get along with him.
One afternoon while celebrating the promotion of another colleague, Hal Bartholomew, from instructor to assistant professor, Rachel and other members of the department are expressing pleasure that Keith Appleton is not in attendance. Upset by their unprofessional behavior, Sophie chastises them, and in apology, Rachel offers to take some cake to the chemistry professor.
At home later that evening, Sophie receives a phone call from Rachel, who has been at the police station answering questions about the death of Dr. Appleton. Since Rachel was probably the last to see him alive, Sophie is certain that the police will focus on her assistant as the killer. Even more certain that Rachel is innocent, Sophie has to find a way to convince the authorities of it.
Ada Madison is a pseudonym for Camille Minichino, author of The Periodic Table Mysteries, a series of eight books featuring Gloria Lamerino, a retired professor of physics. As a faculty member at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, Dr. Minichino writes about the academic life from experience, and describes the academic life and people accurately (having been a graduate student in more than one department I can affirm this) and with humor.
literary__escapism's review
4.0
Professor Sophie Knowles is a mathematician professor at Henley College. In her spare time she likes to create brain teasers and solve puzzles. When the most disliked professor, Dr Keith Appelton, turns up dead, due to poison, Sophie sees this as not just another puzzle to solve, but also a way to clear up her assistant's name.
This was my very first time reading a cozy mystery series that featured brain teasers, puzzles and a mathematician professor and I loved every minute of it. While I only have a basic understanding of math - I definitely had a better understanding back in my college days - I absolutely love puzzles, so I found the premise behind this series very enticing to read.
From the start I liked Professor Sophie a lot. She is independent and happy with her job as a teacher. She is in a happy relationship with emergency pilot, Bruce Granville. While other cozy series tend to start the main character off as single, I was pleasantly surprised by Sophie's relationship status. Bruce and Sophie are perfect together and I'm looking forward to seeing their relationship blossom further in future books.
I didn't solve the mystery until just before Sophie, and I liked watching Sophie treat the murder like a puzzle that needed to be solved.
As with any first book in a new-to-me series, I liked getting to know the other people in Henley and I can't wait to read about them in the next book. Henley seems like a really fun, cozy town.
This was my very first time reading a cozy mystery series that featured brain teasers, puzzles and a mathematician professor and I loved every minute of it. While I only have a basic understanding of math - I definitely had a better understanding back in my college days - I absolutely love puzzles, so I found the premise behind this series very enticing to read.
From the start I liked Professor Sophie a lot. She is independent and happy with her job as a teacher. She is in a happy relationship with emergency pilot, Bruce Granville. While other cozy series tend to start the main character off as single, I was pleasantly surprised by Sophie's relationship status. Bruce and Sophie are perfect together and I'm looking forward to seeing their relationship blossom further in future books.
I didn't solve the mystery until just before Sophie, and I liked watching Sophie treat the murder like a puzzle that needed to be solved.
As with any first book in a new-to-me series, I liked getting to know the other people in Henley and I can't wait to read about them in the next book. Henley seems like a really fun, cozy town.
cj_mo_2222's review
5.0
Math professor Sophie Knowles is teaching summer school on the small campus of Henley College in Massachusetts. While on the job, Sophie uses math games and activities to help students better understand math. A true devotee of mathematics, Sophie’s idea of relaxing is devising puzzles and brainteasers for publication.
Sophie’s assistant Rachel is trying to get accepted to medical school, but doesn’t stand a chance without a recommendation from her advisor. Unfortunately, Rachel’s advisor is the unpopular professor Dr. Keith Appleton who has said he will not give her the needed recommendation. Rachel is understandably furious, but while she isn’t the only person that has issues with the professor, circumstances put her at the top of the suspect list when Dr. Appleton is murdered. Sophie is convinced Rachel is innocent and is determined to solve the murder based on facts and logic, the way she would one of her math problems.
"The Square Root of Murder" is a well-written mystery with an interesting setting and appealing characters. I enjoyed getting a glimpse at life as a professor, both the good (getting the chance to help young people succeed in college) and the bad (academic politics). Sophie is a unique and engaging main character. She is extremely intelligent, caring, and compassionate, even when in the course of the investigation she learns sensitive secrets about another character that hasn’t always treated her fairly.
The primary supporting characters are also likeable. Sophie’s best friend Ariana Volens owns a bead shop and is all about intuition and more mystical things like reading a person’s aura in contrast to Sophie’s practical, logical way of dealing with things. Ariana is constantly trying to get Sophie to loosen up and enjoy things like beading and meeting new people, when Sophie would be satisfied staying home and working on a puzzle. However, Ariana’s encouragements are obviously done out of caring and she’s not pushy or bossy. Their personalities complement each other, and the two friends make a good pair.
Sophie’s boyfriend Bruce Granville is a medevac helicopter pilot and is likeable, but somewhat of an unknown. While I don’t feel I really get to know this character, what I see is that he is a brave, kind person who truly cares about Sophie. If he remains involved with Sophie in future books, his character will need to be further developed in order to make the series even better.
I love the way "The Square Root of Murder" is constructed. Nothing is random in this cleverly plotted book. Different aspects of the characters and events that occur throughout the book are all important pieces of the puzzle which come together in the satisfying conclusion. While the summer session comes to a close at the end of the book, I am looking forward to another “term” with Professor Knowles in the classroom and on another case!
The author’s new series will appeal to fans of the academic mysteries written by Amanda Cross or Maggie Barbieri. Ava Madison is a pen name for author Camille Minichino. The entertaining and intelligent writing style will appeal to those enjoy Minichino’s physics related mysteries or the cozies written under her other pen name, Margaret Grace.
This review was originally written for the "Season for Romance" E-Zine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Sophie’s assistant Rachel is trying to get accepted to medical school, but doesn’t stand a chance without a recommendation from her advisor. Unfortunately, Rachel’s advisor is the unpopular professor Dr. Keith Appleton who has said he will not give her the needed recommendation. Rachel is understandably furious, but while she isn’t the only person that has issues with the professor, circumstances put her at the top of the suspect list when Dr. Appleton is murdered. Sophie is convinced Rachel is innocent and is determined to solve the murder based on facts and logic, the way she would one of her math problems.
"The Square Root of Murder" is a well-written mystery with an interesting setting and appealing characters. I enjoyed getting a glimpse at life as a professor, both the good (getting the chance to help young people succeed in college) and the bad (academic politics). Sophie is a unique and engaging main character. She is extremely intelligent, caring, and compassionate, even when in the course of the investigation she learns sensitive secrets about another character that hasn’t always treated her fairly.
The primary supporting characters are also likeable. Sophie’s best friend Ariana Volens owns a bead shop and is all about intuition and more mystical things like reading a person’s aura in contrast to Sophie’s practical, logical way of dealing with things. Ariana is constantly trying to get Sophie to loosen up and enjoy things like beading and meeting new people, when Sophie would be satisfied staying home and working on a puzzle. However, Ariana’s encouragements are obviously done out of caring and she’s not pushy or bossy. Their personalities complement each other, and the two friends make a good pair.
Sophie’s boyfriend Bruce Granville is a medevac helicopter pilot and is likeable, but somewhat of an unknown. While I don’t feel I really get to know this character, what I see is that he is a brave, kind person who truly cares about Sophie. If he remains involved with Sophie in future books, his character will need to be further developed in order to make the series even better.
I love the way "The Square Root of Murder" is constructed. Nothing is random in this cleverly plotted book. Different aspects of the characters and events that occur throughout the book are all important pieces of the puzzle which come together in the satisfying conclusion. While the summer session comes to a close at the end of the book, I am looking forward to another “term” with Professor Knowles in the classroom and on another case!
The author’s new series will appeal to fans of the academic mysteries written by Amanda Cross or Maggie Barbieri. Ava Madison is a pen name for author Camille Minichino. The entertaining and intelligent writing style will appeal to those enjoy Minichino’s physics related mysteries or the cozies written under her other pen name, Margaret Grace.
This review was originally written for the "Season for Romance" E-Zine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
pagesplotsandpints's review
4.0
It was a pretty standard cozy mystery. I enjoyed the book, but I suppose the mystery behind the murder could have gone a little deeper. I actually think the reason I'm disappointed was because it said on the cover that there were puzzles included but they were all indexed in the end. I was hoping they'd be smack in the story and I could solve them as the book went along. Pretty silly, but it was what I was hoping for!
deanie's review
4.0
When a hated colleague is murdered and her own assistant implicated, math professor Dr. Sophie Knowles uses her puzzle solving skills to help the police solve the crime.
I'm surprised by a lot of the low ratings given to this book. I though it was a fun, clever mystery. I don't know a lot about small, Massachusetts liberal arts colleges, but it doesn't seem too far off base to me. I know a lot of math-and-science focused people who are like Sophie. While not everything flows smoothly (like the false confession and sudden reveal of the killer), it's still a good start to series I can't wait to read more of.
I'm surprised by a lot of the low ratings given to this book. I though it was a fun, clever mystery. I don't know a lot about small, Massachusetts liberal arts colleges, but it doesn't seem too far off base to me. I know a lot of math-and-science focused people who are like Sophie. While not everything flows smoothly (like the false confession and sudden reveal of the killer), it's still a good start to series I can't wait to read more of.