Very Particular Murder - Hardcover

Haymon, S T

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0094688605 ISBN 13: 9780094688605

Publisher: Trafalgar Square, 1989

Synopsis

It is a seemingly random, if tragic event-that Professor Max Flaschner, Nobel Prize-winning particle physicist, should collapse and die, surrounded by loving family and friends at the celebration of his life's work and of the crowning achievement of his protégé. A shame, one might think, as does Inspector Ben Jurnet, that the brilliant and eccentric man won't be able to hear his adopted son, Dr. Tawno Smith, read the scientific paper that would vault him into the ranks of Newton and Einstein.

But it is even more of a shame-and a shock-that the Professor turns out to have been murdered by means of a glass of poisoned orange juice, perhaps intended for Tawno, administered by Tawno's own hand. And that Tawno's paper, now rumoured to contain revelations about the universe more earth-shattering than anyone had guessed, has disappeared before he could present it.

A theory in quantum physics holds that the mere act of observation changes and shapes events. And so Inspector Jurnet, whose duty is objectivity, cannot remain unmoved by the strangely intertwined group surrounding Professor Flaschner and Tawno, individuals connected by bonds as elusive, and yet as unbreakable, as those cementing matter.

To solve the myriad mysteries of God, and love, and particle physics-and the complex relationship among them-Jurnet must make quantum leaps in intuition and knowledge of the human heart before he will know how, and why, the Professor had to die. 'A spellbinder . . . Haymon's new novel is a masterwork, her crowning achievement so far.' Publishers Weekly

About this title

About the Author

"One of the purest lyric voices in the mystery field" New York Times Book Review

Sylvia Theresa Haymon was born in Norwich, and is best known for her eight crime fiction novels featuring the character Inspector Ben Jurnet. Haymon also wrote two non-fiction books for children, as well as two memoirs of her childhood in East Anglia.

The Ben Jurnet series enjoyed success in both the UK and the US during Haymon's lifetime: Ritual Murder (1982) won the prestigious CWA Silver Dagger Award from the Crime Writers' Association. Stately Homicide (1984), a skilful variation on the country house mystery, was praised by the New York Times as a 'brilliantly crafted novel of detection...stylish serious fiction', and favourably compared to the work of Dorothy L. Sayers.

From Publishers Weekly

The British author's appealing Inspector Ben Jurnet returns in a story packed with astounding incidents growing out of skewed relationships and thwarted desires. Like Death and the Pregnant Virgin , Stately Homicide et al., this novel is a spellbinder. Although Jurnet and almost all of Scotland Yard are on the alert for trouble during a reception for physicist Max Flaschner, a Nobel Laureate, the scientist dies after drinking cyanide-laced orange juice. Beginning his investigation of this extremely complicated case, Jurnet discovers that Flaschner had ordered the juice for Tawno Smith, his beloved protege, and believes the poison was meant for Tawno, perhaps because he is feared as a brilliant scientist, "tampering with natural laws." But people who flout the law requiring respect for other humans, Jurnet discovers, create the most appalling crimes. Haymond's new novel is a masterwork, her crowning achievement so far. Mystery Guild selection.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Trafalgar Square
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 0094688605
• ISBN 13: 9780094688605
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224