The Last Equation of Isaac Severy

De: Nova Jacobs

Narrado por: Lisa Flanagan

Duración: 9 h y 36 m

Resumen del Editor

The Family Fang meets The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry in this literary mystery about a struggling bookseller whose recently deceased grandfather, a famed mathematician, left behind a dangerous equation for her to track down - and protect - before others can get their hands on it.

Just days after mathematician and family patriarch Isaac Severy dies of an apparent suicide, his adopted granddaughter Hazel, owner of a struggling Seattle bookstore, receives a letter from him by mail. In it, Isaac alludes to a secretive organization that is after his final bombshell equation, and he charges Hazel with safely delivering it to a trusted colleague. But first, she must find where the equation is hidden.

While in Los Angeles for Isaac’s funeral, Hazel realizes she’s not the only one searching for his life’s work, and that the equation’s implications have potentially disastrous consequences for the extended Severy family, a group of dysfunctional geniuses unmoored by the sudden death of their patriarch.

As agents of an enigmatic company shadow Isaac’s favorite son - a theoretical physicist - and a long-lost cousin mysteriously reappears in Los Angeles, the equation slips further from Hazel’s grasp. She must unravel a series of maddening clues hidden by Isaac inside one of her favorite novels, drawing her ever closer to his mathematical treasure. But when her efforts fall short, she is forced to enlist the help of those with questionable motives.

©2018 Nova Jacobs (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Very good read!

I never was much of a mathematician, but felt like it interested me in this quirky mystery. Our book group will have plenty to discuss! Give it a try!

Disappointed

Premise of plot re the last equation would have inspired a far more intense effort at discovery. The plot is 90% about personal and family relationships, rather than the mystery of the equation.

FABULOUS❣️ CAN'T BELIEVE THIS ISN'T HER 30TH BOOK❗️

This is one of the best books I've "read" all year! I couldn't believe this is her first book. She writes like someone who has been writing best sellers for many years. I usually figure out a mystery by page 35, because so many books, so few plots. But this one kept me guessing until the very end and was constantly entertaining. I hope the next one is read by someone like
Keith Michaelson who has a thousand character voices. Lisa Flanagan was pleasant to listen to, but the men's voices need a little work to distinguish one from another and from the each of the women.
The plot was refreshingly surprising with many unseen twists. Hard to put down and I finished it in 2 sessions. Delicious!

Great read & terrific narration

Loved this book which was made delightful by the narrator using authentic accents. Exceptional plot with unexpected twists.

Great Roadtrip Pick!

Recently listened to this book on a roadtrip and loved it! Similar plot flow as The DaVinci Code

Interesting Mystery

Where does The Last Equation of Isaac Severy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's pretty good - the narrator has a pleasing voice and the story is very good

What other book might you compare The Last Equation of Isaac Severy to and why?

I'm not sure I've read anything like this before because it's a mystery, but about mathematics. There aren't really any puzzles to try to solve, but it's definitely suspenseful

Which character – as performed by Lisa Flanagan – was your favorite?

Hazel

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extreme reaction, but I read a lot and definitely enjoyed this one.

Very Unique & Original Story - Excellent Narration

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel in every way. I've never read anything quite like it and the author proved her mettle in the creation and layout of this story. The mathematics aspect of this novel shows the depth of the author's research and/or knowledge of such subject. She really shined in the telling of the created lives of the characters. I'm deeply impressed. But it doesn't ever get heavy or too technical, but focuses on the story/characters and their interactions that bid to a very surprising outcome that will captivate any reader/listener. I recommend this novel to anyone that is ready for a unique reading/listening experience.

entertaining mystery novel

I really enjoyed this book. Characters are interesting and well-developed. Plot has several surprising twists.

No sympathetic characters

The mystery and various clues were interesting, but, by the end, I had lost all sympathy for all of the characters dead or alive. Seemed to me like there were still a lot of plot holes at the conclusion, but was happy to be done!

Spoiler Alert

Nova Jacobs evidently spent a fair amount of time on Google, researching math and physics topics, because she salts the narrative with Fibonacci Series, string theory, and even the Monty Hall Paradox. However, she has absolutely no feeling for how math and physics actually works. The central idea, that there could be an equation to predict precise events in the LA area, is laughable. She makes a nod to quantum indeterminacy, but that is not the main flaw. Even if the universe were totally deterministic, you could never collect all the variables that would enable you to predict a specific event. Chaos theory may say that a butterfly can cause a wind gust far away, but that's just a possibility, not a prediction. And certainly you can't predict exactly when and where that wind gust will manifest.
For the above reason, the whole premise of the story is absurd, and the plot becomes amateurish. The characters could have been interesting, but they really don't hang together.
The fact that this book was nominated for Best First Novel is a testament to the ignorance of the judges about math and physics. Nova Jacobs should write about topics that she actually understands.