Scan barcode
mcbeezie's review
4.0
I thought this was a great read. Who knew math could be so thrilling and entertaining! Even though there was a lot of math stuff, I didn't feel overwhelmed or dumb. Nice mystery and characters were fun!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
maryw's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
anjana's review
3.0
Tom is not a very nice guy(he is not a bad guy either) and his day, and possibly the next few weeks/his life are get very complicated just because he gets curious about the wrong thing. On the plus side, Tom's erratic behaviour gets funny for those who are reading from the safety of their homes and not in the crazy situations he find himself. As the title mentions, there is a bit of math involved but it is mostly to stress the importance of the life's work of a pair of twins who died a decade before our story begins. It starts off with a conversation between our leading protagonist and another man on a train and the whole thing goes on at a hectic pace involving conspiracies, mysterious men, online communities and a whole lot of other things. If I had not read the second book soon after this one, I would have rated it differently because at the ending of the book does not wrap up the story completely but just to the point that Tom can feel like his life is not in immediate danger.
I am not sure if the randomness of the conversations and pat dialogue delivery would be everyone's thing but within a few chapters you will know if you will like the book. It is different in terms of the storyline and the very realistic protagonists introduced to us. Some of the jokes/language did not completely appeal to me but given the bigger picture of the tale at large I could go past it (especially since the characters are introduced to being people who are more comfortable with such behaviour)
For review of the second book: https://superfluousreading.wordpress.com/2019/04/14/mathematical-mysteries-1-2-by-jonathan-pinnock
I am not sure if the randomness of the conversations and pat dialogue delivery would be everyone's thing but within a few chapters you will know if you will like the book. It is different in terms of the storyline and the very realistic protagonists introduced to us. Some of the jokes/language did not completely appeal to me but given the bigger picture of the tale at large I could go past it (especially since the characters are introduced to being people who are more comfortable with such behaviour)
For review of the second book: https://superfluousreading.wordpress.com/2019/04/14/mathematical-mysteries-1-2-by-jonathan-pinnock
annarella's review
5.0
This book is very funny, paradoxal, entertaining and well written.
That means it's a very enjoyable read and I hope this is a series so there's going to be another instalment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Farrago and Netgalley for this ARC
That means it's a very enjoyable read and I hope this is a series so there's going to be another instalment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Farrago and Netgalley for this ARC
silelda's review
5.0
*Book received via NetGalley for an honest review.
This book was so much fun to read! I'm not normally one for murder mysteries, they're just not my thing. But with a cast of likeable characters, a swirl of conspiracy theories, a lot of fun and several Gordion knot solutions, this book was a wonderful exception to the "no mysteries" rule.
Tom was immediately the kind of character you can relate to and empathize with. Even just his trying to get a quiet moment on the train and ultimately failing despite the multiple "quiet car" signs was all too familiar. You really get the sense of him as the underdog so it's very easy to cheer for him as he progresses through the story. And yes he does genuinely mess up a couple things (and maybe a few more) but the other characters are quick to call him out on it and he learns his lesson pretty quickly.
As is the nature of conspiracy theories, they make so little sense from the outside. Pinnock does a wonderful job of making the intertwined theories more and more comprehensible as Tom delves deeper into them. It gets to the point where the even some of the most seemingly random things actually make perfect sense.
And if you're worried there's too much math involved, don't worry. Pinnock does a great job of explaining what math there is and keeping it as simple as possible. Seriously, the figuring out of Burgess' combination was equal parts educational, fun and absurd. I loved that entire scene.
If you're looking for a funny mystery novel, if you're the type of person who thought The DaVinci Code would've been good if it hadn't taken itself so seriously, this is a wonderful book for you to pick up. Pinnock's characters, circumstances and humor are definite winners.
This book was so much fun to read! I'm not normally one for murder mysteries, they're just not my thing. But with a cast of likeable characters, a swirl of conspiracy theories, a lot of fun and several Gordion knot solutions, this book was a wonderful exception to the "no mysteries" rule.
Tom was immediately the kind of character you can relate to and empathize with. Even just his trying to get a quiet moment on the train and ultimately failing despite the multiple "quiet car" signs was all too familiar. You really get the sense of him as the underdog so it's very easy to cheer for him as he progresses through the story. And yes he does genuinely mess up a couple things (and maybe a few more) but the other characters are quick to call him out on it and he learns his lesson pretty quickly.
As is the nature of conspiracy theories, they make so little sense from the outside. Pinnock does a wonderful job of making the intertwined theories more and more comprehensible as Tom delves deeper into them. It gets to the point where the even some of the most seemingly random things actually make perfect sense.
And if you're worried there's too much math involved, don't worry. Pinnock does a great job of explaining what math there is and keeping it as simple as possible. Seriously, the figuring out of Burgess' combination was equal parts educational, fun and absurd. I loved that entire scene.
If you're looking for a funny mystery novel, if you're the type of person who thought The DaVinci Code would've been good if it hadn't taken itself so seriously, this is a wonderful book for you to pick up. Pinnock's characters, circumstances and humor are definite winners.
clacksee's review
5.0
This is a tough book to rate and even tougher to review.
When Tom finds himself accidentally in a possession of a briefcase containing the secrets of murdered mathematical geniuses, Archie and Pye, his life goes from meaningless and dull to manic. Tom gets sucked into a seedy underworld of mathematical conspiracies and intrigue. He's got to solve the problem of who killed Archie, Pye, and the briefcase's owner. I mean, he could just turn the briefcase over to the authorities – but then his life would go back to being uninteresting.
Was this book interesting? Most definitely.
Well written, researched, and edited? Hell, yes.
Compelling reading? Absolutely.
Likeable characters? [she screws up her face in thought] I suppose I quite liked Mo, the delivery driver from Tom's local Indian takeaway. The rest of them… Not so much. Tom is awful. But he's interestingly awful – and that's got to count for something, right? He's an absolute disaster of a human being.
I liked it. I've no idea why I liked it, but I did.
When Tom finds himself accidentally in a possession of a briefcase containing the secrets of murdered mathematical geniuses, Archie and Pye, his life goes from meaningless and dull to manic. Tom gets sucked into a seedy underworld of mathematical conspiracies and intrigue. He's got to solve the problem of who killed Archie, Pye, and the briefcase's owner. I mean, he could just turn the briefcase over to the authorities – but then his life would go back to being uninteresting.
Was this book interesting? Most definitely.
Well written, researched, and edited? Hell, yes.
Compelling reading? Absolutely.
Likeable characters? [she screws up her face in thought] I suppose I quite liked Mo, the delivery driver from Tom's local Indian takeaway. The rest of them… Not so much. Tom is awful. But he's interestingly awful – and that's got to count for something, right? He's an absolute disaster of a human being.
I liked it. I've no idea why I liked it, but I did.
katevane's review
4.0
After a chance encounter with eccentric author George Burgess on a train, Tom Winscombe learns that he has been murdered. Tom thinks that the murder must be linked to Burgess’s work on the mysterious mathematician twins Archimedes and Pythagoras Vavasor, who died some years ago in suspicious circumstances. Their deaths and their unfinished work are the subject of almost cultish speculation.
Tom decides to investigate Burgess’ murder, not least because he has time on his hands. He has just sabotaged his own career via an unfortunate outburst on social media and his girlfriend’s attention seems to be elsewhere.
What follows is a fun, entertaining caper which takes Tom through internet forums, catnapping, maths-themed mutilations and a burgeoning interest in Belarus.
I enjoyed the mathematical elements of the story, but don’t be put off if you find the idea daunting. Tom doesn’t know anything at the start so the reader learns as he does. And if you’re not up for equations, there are plenty of odd characters, fun set pieces and Tom’s unerring knack for walking into trouble.
*
I received a copy of The Truth about Archie and Pye from the publisher via Netgalley.
Tom decides to investigate Burgess’ murder, not least because he has time on his hands. He has just sabotaged his own career via an unfortunate outburst on social media and his girlfriend’s attention seems to be elsewhere.
What follows is a fun, entertaining caper which takes Tom through internet forums, catnapping, maths-themed mutilations and a burgeoning interest in Belarus.
I enjoyed the mathematical elements of the story, but don’t be put off if you find the idea daunting. Tom doesn’t know anything at the start so the reader learns as he does. And if you’re not up for equations, there are plenty of odd characters, fun set pieces and Tom’s unerring knack for walking into trouble.
*
I received a copy of The Truth about Archie and Pye from the publisher via Netgalley.
moonlightbookreader's review
3.0
This is probably one of the funniest and unique mystery books I've read in a long time.
The mixture of mystery, mathematical concepts and humour is a perfect combination to get anyone, of any age, to enjoy this book. Even for children who are always saying that 'math is boring', this may give them a funny approach to it, albeit in a fictional and pretty incredible plot.
I'm very interested in reading the next book in this series.
Disclaimer: I was provided this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
#TheTruthAboutArchieAndPye #NetGalley
The mixture of mystery, mathematical concepts and humour is a perfect combination to get anyone, of any age, to enjoy this book. Even for children who are always saying that 'math is boring', this may give them a funny approach to it, albeit in a fictional and pretty incredible plot.
I'm very interested in reading the next book in this series.
Disclaimer: I was provided this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
#TheTruthAboutArchieAndPye #NetGalley
avalinahsbooks's review
4.0
This was such a funny book! My mind keeps trying to go to similar books, and I know I've read some, but I can't remember any for the life of me right now. But once you start reading it, you'll know the kind I mean. It's fast, it's hilarious, it's got a ridiculously incompetent main character who is still quite likeable, despite being either a major dick, or just a big doofus - interchangeably (think of a main character from an urban fantasy, for example.) It's good evening entertainment, nothing short of watching a spy or con men movie, and it will deliver.
One more thing - little mathematical details are sprinkled all over the plot - but they're not as difficult as to go over your head, they are explained and they certainly set a nice tone to the story. If you've ever been a maths dork (like me!), this will be an added bonus.
Despite the mystery the main character is chasing in this book, there's still a hanging thread that remains after everything seems to be solved - which makes me happy because that means there's will be a part two. Can't wait to read it!
I thank Farrago and Prelude for the review copy in exchange to my honest opinion. This has not affected my review.
One more thing - little mathematical details are sprinkled all over the plot - but they're not as difficult as to go over your head, they are explained and they certainly set a nice tone to the story. If you've ever been a maths dork (like me!), this will be an added bonus.
Despite the mystery the main character is chasing in this book, there's still a hanging thread that remains after everything seems to be solved - which makes me happy because that means there's will be a part two. Can't wait to read it!
I thank Farrago and Prelude for the review copy in exchange to my honest opinion. This has not affected my review.
More...