The Cambridge Theorem

A police detective is drawn into intrigue while investigating a mathematical genius's murder: "A combination of P.D. James and John le Carré." — Austin American-Statesman When Simon Bowles commits suicide, no one is surprised. A graduate student in mathematics at Cambridge University, Bowles had a long, well-documented history of depression. But as Detective Sergeant Derek Smailes soon discovers, he also had a passion for investigating historical mysteries and an extraordinary knack for solving them. His most recent project: uncovering the identity of the fabled fifth man in the notorious Cambridge spy ring of the 1930s. Smailes can't help wondering whether Bowles could have possibly solved that mystery—and if so, whether his theorem could have brought about his death . . . "Smailes, the engaging hero of this atmospheric thriller, is a most unusual CID detective: he wears lizard-skin cowboy boots, loves the music of Willie Nelson and is generally obsessed with all things American . . . In his first novel, Cambridge graduate Cape expertly mixes just enough fact with fiction to keep his readers intrigued and entertained." — Publishers Weekly "Engrossing . . . A classy freshness and appealingly labyrinthine plot." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "A resounding success, suspenseful and fascinating." — Chicago Tribune "An entertaining first effort combining the mystery and spy genres . . . with several twists." — Library Journal