| Nearly Boswell has (obviously) a really cool name. She also has a strong interest in her science and math classes. And, for some reason, she also has the ability to taste emotions when she touches other people's skin. Unsurprisingly, there is a romance with a "bad boy" who turns out not to be what he at first seems. But the serious plot in this YA novel concerns a serial killer who begins murdering students and leaving cryptic STEM-themed clues for Nearly.
I was sincerely tempted not to include this young adult novel in this database of mathematical fiction. Even though math is discussed and some of the clues have a mathematical component, there really is very little mathematical content overall. However, I realized that the book is marketing itself as mathematical fiction (e.g. the "E" and "A" in her name on the cover are represented by numerals 3 and 4). And so, I am considering it a public service to review it here just to say that this only barely counts as mathematical fiction.
In fact some of the things which might at first glance be mathematical turn out not to be (like a clue with numbers that actually refers to chemical elements). And, some non-mathematical concepts are incorrectly described in mathematical terms (such as the Schrödinger's Cat thought experiment which is falsely said to be an example of a mathematical proof by contradiction.)
Perhaps I am selling this book (and its sequels which I have not read) short. If you think so, please use the link below or e-mail me and I'll post your opinion here. |
