Think of a Number: A Novel

Book Review by Reader Maid

This book review by Reader Maid proves that the U.S. is part of the world. Well, I think it proves that, since she favors International Crime Fiction.

Think of a Number: A Novel - by John Verdon

John Verdon's debut novel, "Think of a Number," is a rare treat that contains a fascinating plot and honest characters. I found myself drawn into the puzzle just like with an Agatha Christie novel, and I wasn't disappointed.

At the heart of the plot is the first taunting letter received by recovering alcoholic and new-age guru Mark Mellery that tells him, "Think of any number up to a thousand--the first number that comes to your mind. Picture it. Now see how well I know your secrets. Open the little envelope." When Mark opens the smaller envelope enclosed in the letter he sees the number 658, the very number he had conjured up in his mind. Then he receives another note in the same handwriting, but this one is in rhyming verse.

Mark is terrified. He knows there are periods in his past that he can't remember, people he might have hurt. So he looks up his old college classmate and former detective, David Gurney, now retired from the New York State Police after an illustrious career and living with his wife, Madeleine, in upstate New York. But even before they can meet, Mark receives another note, also in rhyming verse.

Gurney agrees to look into the matter but, before Gurney can discover the sender, Mark Mellery is murdered and the detective in Gurney needs to know why.

Although the murder mystery is the meat of this story, I found the characters of David and Madeleine Gurney to be people I can believe really live and struggle to love in their farmhouse outside of Walnut Crossing, New York. Dave Gurney's view of his marriage and family ring true, and Madeleine's personality and tensions with her husband come across as real.

I truly hope to meet this couple in another narrative, hopefully in a mystery as engaging as "Think of a Number."