The Riddle of the River: Vanessa Weatherburn #4 by Catherine Shaw

Cambridge Mysteries #4

by Catherine Shaw

On a balmy summer in 1898 Vanessa Wetherburn is contentedly feeding a clotted cream scone to her young son in her Cambridge garden when she is startled by the abrupt arrival of her long-time friend, the journalist Patrick O'Sullivan. Eager to discover the identity of a beautiful young woman found floating in the River Cam, Pat has called on the one woman he knows is sure to be able to solve the mystery.As Vanessa considers what to do, her first important clue arrives in the form of Ernest Dixon, who is worried by the disappearance of his favorite actress; a young woman named Ivy Elliot, who was playing the part of Ophelia. Could the missing girl and unidentified body be one and the same woman? Forced to go undercover to continue her research, Vanessa stumbles across an amazing and revolutionary discovery, which not only helps her to solve the case but will have a major impact worldwide.

Genres: Mystery, Victorian, Historical Mystery, British Literature

Paperback

First published September 18, 2007

About the author

CATHERINE SHAW is a pseudonym used by Leila Schneps. She is a mathematician and academic and writer of murder mysteries. She lives in Paris, France.

After taking an undergraduate degree in pure mathematics at Harvard University, Leila Schneps moved to France definitively in 1983, where shortly after obtaining her Ph.D., she was hired by the French National Scienctific Research Centre as a researcher in mathematics. Over twenty years of doing maths, teaching, and mentoring graduate students, her interests have widened far beyond the horizons of pure algebra to aspects of mathematics - such as probability and statistics- that play a more visible role in the world around us, and to the way in which people absorb, reject or react to mathematics.

At the same time, a lifelong passion for mystery stories led Leila to try her hand at writing one herself, eventually leading to a series of "Cambridge Mysteries" published by Allison & Busby.

Reviews

[E · Rating 2 out of 5]

Put the "meh" in melodrama

[Deanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short fun read set in Victorian Cambridge, a young woman is found in the river Cam but who is she and how did she die.

[SWC · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining read. The plot contained diverse topics such as women’s fashion, up to date scientific theories, and the arts. I did chuckle when the detective put a number of theories only to have them squashed by the policeman’s reference to the subjects’ alibis. I must admit to having been confused by the articles included between subsequent diary dates. However, all was eventually explained. I do consider that Mrs Weatherburn has a calm and supportive husband.

[Damian Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent story with a smattering of science to keep me interested!

[Rachel Lundwall · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the back cover, my hopes were high for this one: a female sleuth in Cambridge, England on the threshold of the 20th century...it sounded like my cup of tea. However, I was hugely disappointed by the amateur detective. She was not nearly as intelligent as she thought. Her theories were never rational, and at at least two points during the book they were downright hysterical ravings. Very few of the other characters were convincing. The villain(s), for instance, never actually became people. While the narrator (yes, the sleuth. The book is in first person, another grievance of mine) kept assuring the reader that her suspects were sending chills down her spine, they never were recorded as doing or saying anything that could justify this reaction.

Some of the characters were interesting, the plot was good, and the setting and historical research were excellent; however, I probably would not have bothered to finish reading the book if I hadn't been on an airplane with nothing else to do.

[Patrice Fischer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the actual plot was not as strong as The Library Paradox, I enjoyed learning about Marconi's history, the struggle over understanding what magnetic waves could and could not do, and other historical information, especially at the end of the book.

It did drag in the middle. It seemed as if the presence of her husband & twin toddlers was 'dropped into' the actual detective work, and they didn't really fit in with the rest of the plot.

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mystery set in Cambridge in which lady investigator Vanessa Weatherburn follows up a mysterious death of a young actress. Is there something else lurking in her past? Vanessa cunningly works it all out, bringing in new technology of the time (1898) and involving some historical personages along the way. Nice storyline, good characters, pleasant read.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this book was written very logically. As far as mysteries go, it was pretty easy to solve, but the research into the era about which it was written was flawless. The author is also a mathematician, and that is very apparent. She does not bombard the reader with overly flowery language. This book is methodical and well-planned. I enjoyed it.

[Mary O'connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book it was a quick,fun read. Her protagonist is an amiable amateur dectective with a loving husband and helpful friends. Vanessa Weatherburn is not a reserved and distant sleuth as many murder investigators are depicted in literature. It was a well-researched Victorian Era mystery in the style of Anne Perry's novels.

[Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this as I enjoyed The Library Paradox. Unfortunately I didn't have the patience to continue to read this, it just didn't grab my interest. Shame.

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have problems accepting that a woman of that day could have the freedom to pursue a career such as this--as a student of history, it just doesn't seem right.

[Briansmom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a new favorite amateur detective! Vanessa Duncan is terrific! A great little mystery with a story that involves the stage! Pure bliss! I'll def look for more from this author.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever mystery with historical context woven into the story

[N.A. Fedorak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Generic mystery story. Nothing spectacular, but not terrible either. dull characters with little/no development.

[Nancy]

A bit of fun in Victorian England - with plucky narrator investigating the death of a young woman.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Purchased the book at the bookshop that is at the center of the mystery!