The Oxford Murders
14 journalers for this copy...
Synopsis from amazon.co.uk: "On a balmy summer's day in Oxford an old lady who once helped decipher the Enigma Code is killed. After receiving a cryptic anonymous note containing only the address and the symbol of a circle, Arthur Seldom, a leading mathematician, arrives to find the body. Then follow more murders - an elderly man on a life-support machine is found dead with needle marks in this throat; the percussionist of an orchestra at a concert at Blenheim Palace dies before the audience's very eyes - seemingly unconnected except for notes appearing in the maths department, for the attention of Seldom. Why is he being targeted as the recipient of these coded messages? All he can conjecture is that it might relate to his latest book, an unexpected bestseller about serial killers and the parallels between investigations into their crimes and certain mathematical theorems. It is left to Seldom and a postgraduate mathematics student to work out the key to the series of symbols before the killer strikes again."
I'm still reading this one, but already have a suspicion of who the guilty party is!
Users on amazon.co.uk are quite divided in their opinions about this book. So I thought I'd turn it into a bookray and see what some fellow Bookcrossers think of this mystery.
The Oxford Murders was also made into a film which came out earlier this year (but not yet in South Africa).
Users on amazon.co.uk are quite divided in their opinions about this book. So I thought I'd turn it into a bookray and see what some fellow Bookcrossers think of this mystery.
The Oxford Murders was also made into a film which came out earlier this year (but not yet in South Africa).
Bookray participants:
darkhorse4460 (UK)
ReetPetite (UK)
Frenchnicola (UK)
molekilby (UK)
iliotropio (Belgium)
chich (France)
bearyfriend (Singapore)
Supertalya (South Korea)
Kiri (USA)
esperanza03 (USA)
darkpunkangel (Canada) ---> Book is here
--> last person to release book in wild / pass it on to another BCer
darkhorse4460 (UK)
ReetPetite (UK)
Frenchnicola (UK)
molekilby (UK)
iliotropio (Belgium)
chich (France)
bearyfriend (Singapore)
Supertalya (South Korea)
Kiri (USA)
esperanza03 (USA)
darkpunkangel (Canada) ---> Book is here
--> last person to release book in wild / pass it on to another BCer
Released 15 yrs ago (7/28/2008 UTC) at Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa
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Off to the UK today.
Off to the UK today.
Journal Entry 5 by darkhorse4460 from Bletchingdon, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Monday, August 4, 2008
Received from Klaradyn today - thank you.
There may be a little pause while I finish my current book - and move house. But I'll try to get to it as soon as possible
There may be a little pause while I finish my current book - and move house. But I'll try to get to it as soon as possible
Journal Entry 6 by darkhorse4460 from Bletchingdon, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Sunday, August 31, 2008
This has an interesting and well constructed murder plot and the mathematical theorems and symbolism add an unusual dimension that you don't have to be a mathematician to appreciate. However I would have like a bit more 'meat on the bone', stronger character development, more Oxford atmosphere, more reflection on what it is like to be a foreign outsider in the rarefied world of Oxford academia. All these things were treated rather superficially and, probably because it was a translation, the writing seemed a bit clunky at times.
It seems to exist in a parallel Oxford, this may be deliberate or maybe the author just hasn't been there or doesn't remember it well. For someone like me who knows the city its a bit irritating to have well known landmarks and institutions described totally inaccurately - the Sheldonian Theatre doesn't have boxes with padded seats, the covered market doesn't have stalls and the Oxford Times is not a daily newspaper. This may seem like nitpicking but the Oxford setting seems to be one of the main selling points of this novel, so you think he'd attempt to get it right.
Apologies for having this so long. I've just moved house and everything has been a bit stressy and chaotic. I'll be passing it on to ReetPetite as soon as possible.
It seems to exist in a parallel Oxford, this may be deliberate or maybe the author just hasn't been there or doesn't remember it well. For someone like me who knows the city its a bit irritating to have well known landmarks and institutions described totally inaccurately - the Sheldonian Theatre doesn't have boxes with padded seats, the covered market doesn't have stalls and the Oxford Times is not a daily newspaper. This may seem like nitpicking but the Oxford setting seems to be one of the main selling points of this novel, so you think he'd attempt to get it right.
Apologies for having this so long. I've just moved house and everything has been a bit stressy and chaotic. I'll be passing it on to ReetPetite as soon as possible.
Journal Entry 7 by darkhorse4460 at To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (9/3/2008 UTC) at To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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In the post to ReetPetite. Enjoy!
In the post to ReetPetite. Enjoy!
Journal Entry 8 by ReetPetite from Beeston, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Friday, September 5, 2008
Thanks darkhorse4460. I met you at the Oxford Release Walk last September.
Thanks for the postcard of Hertford Bridge, one of the places we visited.
Thanks for the postcard of Hertford Bridge, one of the places we visited.
Journal Entry 9 by ReetPetite from Beeston, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Monday, September 15, 2008
I can't comment on the mistakes made about Oxford because I've only been there for a weekend, great place.
This book isn't up to the standard of a Rankin or Reichs but it was OK. I was fooled!
The maths bit I just skipped what I didn't understand.
Thanks for sharing klaradyn.
I'll PM Frenchnicola for the address.
This book isn't up to the standard of a Rankin or Reichs but it was OK. I was fooled!
The maths bit I just skipped what I didn't understand.
Thanks for sharing klaradyn.
I'll PM Frenchnicola for the address.
Journal Entry 10 by Frenchnicola from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Waiting for me when I got home today - I'm about to finish another book so this is perfect timing!
Journal Entry 11 by Frenchnicola from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
I devoured this book in two days - I didn't manage to guess what had happened (I think I too was too involved in the mathematical series and couldn't see it as anything else). I wouldn't rush to read another Martinez book - I wasn't overwhelmed by the writing, but it kept me hooked on my train home.
Thanks for sharing, I'm about to PM the next person on the list.
Thanks for sharing, I'm about to PM the next person on the list.
Journal Entry 12 by Frenchnicola at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Friday, September 26, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (9/26/2008 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
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Popped in the post to molekilby this morning.
Popped in the post to molekilby this morning.
Arrived today. Thanks to klaradyn for sharing and Frenchnicola for sending on. I saw the film advertised on a poster when I was on a train. This ring was offered a few days later. Sounds like my type of book. Will read soon and send along.
A light read. I can see why this is a love or hate book. Personally, I enjoyed the Maths, Cryptology, Mystery. However, the charcaters are a little flat and there's not a lot of substance to it.
Will pass on once I have an address.
Will pass on once I have an address.
Journal Entry 15 by molekilby at Bookring, Book Ring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, October 20, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (10/20/2008 UTC) at Bookring, Book Ring -- Controlled Releases
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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Enjoy
Enjoy
Journal Entry 16 by iliotropio from Bruxelles / Brussel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The Murders arrived safely in Brussels.
Many thanks molekilby!
Many thanks molekilby!
Journal Entry 17 by iliotropio from Bruxelles / Brussel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Tuesday, December 16, 2008
A well-written mystery novel, which at some point started seeming a bit simplistic to me until its final, unpredictable twist took me completely by surprise.
On its way to chich. Happy reading!
On its way to chich. Happy reading!
Journal Entry 18 by chich from Ibiza - Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Sunday, December 21, 2008
Book received today, thanks so much for passing it on iliotropio! And thanks for starting this ring klaradyn :o)
Journal Entry 19 by chich from Ibiza - Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Monday, December 29, 2008
This was an ok read but I don't think I'd pick up another Guillermo Martinez in the future. The plot was interesting enough but, as mentioned by previous readers, the characters were quite flat. One word of advice for those who haven't seen the film adaptation: don't watch it, it's one of the worst book adaptation I've watched!
Thanks again for sharing klaradyn!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!
Thanks again for sharing klaradyn!
Journal Entry 20 by chich from Ibiza - Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Monday, December 29, 2008
Book arrived. Will get it read soonest I can. Thanks chich for sending.
Interesting read, though I've skipped the Maths part with all the analysis of pythagora's theorem and stuff. I kind of know who the real murderer is, yet you have to finish reading the book till the last page before knowing the truth, though the ending seems to point to another person whom the police think he's the one. It's a perfect crime, if one agrees to what the book says, was not one that remained unsolved, but one where the wrong person was blamed. As for the codes and puzzles, I don't see the link between them and the murder, what has it got to do with the reasons behind the killing, other than just to create suspense. But I can understand a father's love for his child and could do whatever irrational things to save her life even if it's sacrificing his own. Overall good read. Sending off to the next reader in South Korea.
I forgot about this ring. It looks good. I have a ring ahead of it but should get to it soon.
Update: I wasn't able to finish this book. I don't know what it was but I just couldn't get into it. I felt the writing was too clunky and since I see the book was originally written in Spanish, I may have to pick it up and read it in Spanish. I have Kiri's address and will send it on to her in the next week.
Update: I wasn't able to finish this book. I don't know what it was but I just couldn't get into it. I felt the writing was too clunky and since I see the book was originally written in Spanish, I may have to pick it up and read it in Spanish. I have Kiri's address and will send it on to her in the next week.
Journal Entry 24 by Supertalya at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Wednesday, March 11, 2009
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Argh, I forgot I had this. It is now on its way to Kiri. Sorry for keeping so long.
Argh, I forgot I had this. It is now on its way to Kiri. Sorry for keeping so long.
Released 15 yrs ago (4/16/2009 UTC) at
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This came back to me since my postal scale must be off. Boo. I am going to the post office now to drop it off with some other books.
This came back to me since my postal scale must be off. Boo. I am going to the post office now to drop it off with some other books.
It has arrived. Will read asap and send along to Princess Peapod. =)
06 May 2009 - Have read this and am pm'ing princess-peapod for her address in order to send this along. =)
07 May 2009 - Princess-Peapod is "swamped" and has asked to pass on this. Pm'ing esperanza03 for address.
08 May 2009 - Received esperanza03's address, book packaged and ready to be sent out.
06 May 2009 - Have read this and am pm'ing princess-peapod for her address in order to send this along. =)
07 May 2009 - Princess-Peapod is "swamped" and has asked to pass on this. Pm'ing esperanza03 for address.
08 May 2009 - Received esperanza03's address, book packaged and ready to be sent out.
Journal Entry 27 by Kiri at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Friday, May 8, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (5/9/2009 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
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CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES: Onto esperanza03!
received the book - looking forward to reading this one
Well this was an interesting little book. I've read better mysteries but this one wasn't too bad. I liked how they set it around Andrew Wiles proving Fermat's Theorem. I'm a math major and that is one of my favorite math stories. The book is now on its way to darkpunkangel
This arrived safe and sound today. I already started reading this and enjoying it so far.
This was a good read, I enjoyed reading this.
RES for a surprise RABCK
RES for a surprise RABCK
Journal Entry 32 by darkpunkangel at Wishlist RABCK, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, September 26, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (9/25/2009 UTC) at Wishlist RABCK, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
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Surprise! Hope you enjoy the book!
Surprise! Hope you enjoy the book!
Journal Entry 33 by Giz-angel from Greenwich, Greater London United Kingdom on Saturday, October 3, 2009
Wow thanks very much indeed DPA how fabulous - I read The Book of Murder and loved it so I was very excited when this arrived today. Thanks v v much indeed :)
Journal Entry 34 by Giz-angel from Greenwich, Greater London United Kingdom on Sunday, December 13, 2009
Totally enjoyed this - I've got the film on DVD but not watched it yet. Thought it interesting that we never find out the narrator's name. I kind of did have a suspicion of who it could be, but it didn't spoil it one bit because it was so interesting.
RES for the European VBB
RES for the European VBB
Journal Entry 35 by fritzykatz from Buchenbach, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Thursday, March 4, 2010
book arrived safe and sound,thanks!
Journal Entry 36 by fritzykatz from Buchenbach, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Tuesday, March 23, 2010
An interesting mixture of mystery and mathematics.
