Ammon's Horn, or The Mystery of the Brain: A Novel

by Pierre Magistretti, Christine Magistretti

Five cutting-edge scientists compete for $100 million and control of a new institute dedicated to eradicating Alzheimer’s in this edifying, Da Vinci Code -esque thriller.

Spurred by his wife’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and disenchanted with the slow progress in finding a cure, a rich Swiss businessman launches a contest for promising young neuroscientists who can think “outside the box.” Chosen for their scientific excellence and originality, they must travel throughout Europe in search of the answers to five fiendishly difficult riddles, each combining an enigmatic neuroscientific question with a geographical and historical challenge.

As their personal stories unfold, the competitors share their moments of elation and disappointment when they solve a riddle or reach a dead end. Soon a conspiracy materializes to threaten and endanger the scientists, which at first seems random, but then becomes increasingly deliberate and targeted.

The nature of the riddles and the talents of the competitors open a world of discovery for us too as we learn about some of the most pressing areas in current brain research, such as neurodegenerative diseases, stem cell grafts, artificial intelligence, drug addiction, genetics, and the mechanisms of memory. And as the candidates visit some of the great European cities—Prague, Vienna, Cordoba, Cambridge, Geneva, Venice—we also experience their beauty and intrigue.

400 pages, Paperback

Published October 24, 2023

Reviews

[emily]

'Olfactory neurons, those very neurons that were being activated by the orange blossoms, are regenerated throughout life and this is true from fish to man. Until recently, however, it was thought that olfactory neurons were the only neurons in the nervous system to regenerate. Now we know that the adult brain is capable of producing new neurons throughout life and these are not limited to olfactory neurons.'

Enjoyed the little 'facts', but felt otherwise about the 'fiction'. Might have liked this more if it's a collection of pop-science essays. Felt a bit too ambitious, somewhat disjointed somehow. But 'cute' I guess (even though it's not the kind of 'cute' that is to my taste). The 'cocaine' bits at the later part of the book was particularly disappointing to me. Might suit a different, less demanding reader better.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kudos to the husband and wife team who wrote this fun and exciting book! This book marries a treasure hunt across Europe with intriguing facts about neuroscience. Introducing (sometimes) cumbersome neuroscience concepts into a fast-paced book is no easy task. However, the authors did a fantastic job, and helped me gain a deeper appreciation of the history of neuroscience in ways I didn’t expect.

IMO, the villain is a little corny, and I was hoping his motivations would be a little deeper. Additionally, I found some of the decisions the characters made to be unrealistic (particularly how Fred keeps a contest going that is obviously harming people and then chooses a winner in a contest that was obviously tampered with).

That being said, it’s still a fun & gripping read that’s perfect for anyone who wants a good Scooby Doo villain vs. a mysterious millionaire, and a fast-paced adventure!

[dejah_thoris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copy received in exchange for a review. How do you teach people about Alzheimer's without confusing or boring them? The Magistrettis answered this question by creating a contest focused on five riddles each of which combines the history of neuroscience with an applicable location. Participants have to travel to said location, explain why it's relevant to a designated party, and get a picture with that party in the location to solve the riddle. To add to the tension, there's a threat against some of the candidates that almost ends the contest. This novel took three decades to write and the quality shows because it's not easy to write an accurate medical thriller. Should be required reading for introductory neuroscience courses.

[Geraldine (geraldinereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would describe this as a medical mystery that takes you around the world! I enjoyed this one and actually wish it would've been twice the length. There were so many great characters that I wanted to know and hear more about, but maybe we'll get a sequel or companion in the future.

Full review coming soon!

[E Cheong · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a text book on dementia than a novel...

[ken · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stiff start, no draw beyond what it promises. But if the vehicle is already wheezing when we've only just begun, I knew in an instant that I wanted off this ride.

But also, the book design did nothing for me.

[Joelle Egan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thriller or textbook? It isn't easy to discern which one wins out as the probable foundation for Ammon’s Horn. The storyline follows a group of renowned scientists competing for a coveted position as director of a new Alzheimer's Disease research institute. A wealthy magnate designed the contest and donated its funding soon after his wife was diagnosed, hoping that such a contest would help identify the most innovative thinker. The experts are given five riddles to decipher, with clues sending them on a worldwide race to solve them all. As each contestant is introduced, they are accompanied by a short lecture about their specialization and theories of Alzheimer’s underlying mechanisms. These mini-tutorials range from very basic biology overviews to more complex and arcane topics. The reader gains an education, occasionally diverted back to the plot for sporadic entertainment. The reality game show premise cleverly lightens the tone, and the authors stoke tension by providing anonymous threats to intimidate the participants. Unique and informative, Ammon’s Horn ultimately sacrifices the quality of its central story, reducing it to a mere vehicle for presenting data. The plausibility of the large-scale competition and its underlying conspiracy is stretched to its limits, and the reader may become overwhelmed by the number of characters and settings. Even if the novel falls somewhat short in delivering a seamless narrative, it provides an interesting technique as a primer on the mystifying disease.

Thanks to the authors and Other Press for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.