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The Stars Turned Inside Out
The discovery of a suspicious death at a famous Swiss physics laboratory sparks a mystery that merges science, philosophy, and the high-stakes race to unlock the fundamental nature of our universe in this thrilling new novel from the Edgar Award–nominated author of the “hugely entertaining” (The Wall Street Journal) The Last Equation of Isaac Severy.
Deep beneath the ground outside of Geneva, where CERN’s Large Hadron Collider smashes subatomic particles at breathtaking speeds, a startling discovery is made when the tunnel is down for maintenance: the body of Howard Anderby, a brilliant and recently arrived young physicist, who appears to have been irradiated by the collider. But security shows no evidence of him entering the tunnel, and for all of the lab’s funding, its video surveillance is sorely lacking.
Eager to keep the death under wraps until more is known, CERN brings in private investigator Sabine Leroux, who has her own ties to the lab’s administration—and more than a passing interest in particle physics. Meanwhile, Howard’s colleague and budding love interest Eve, shattered by his death, determines to reconcile what she knew of Howard with his gruesome fate, wondering if she could have done something to stop it.
As Sabine digs into petty academic rivalries and personal secrets, an escalating international physics arms race heightens tensions and fuels speculation of a mole at the lab—throwing into question loyalties and revealing what sort of knowledge may be worth killing for.
Deep beneath the ground outside of Geneva, where CERN’s Large Hadron Collider smashes subatomic particles at breathtaking speeds, a startling discovery is made when the tunnel is down for maintenance: the body of Howard Anderby, a brilliant and recently arrived young physicist, who appears to have been irradiated by the collider. But security shows no evidence of him entering the tunnel, and for all of the lab’s funding, its video surveillance is sorely lacking.
Eager to keep the death under wraps until more is known, CERN brings in private investigator Sabine Leroux, who has her own ties to the lab’s administration—and more than a passing interest in particle physics. Meanwhile, Howard’s colleague and budding love interest Eve, shattered by his death, determines to reconcile what she knew of Howard with his gruesome fate, wondering if she could have done something to stop it.
As Sabine digs into petty academic rivalries and personal secrets, an escalating international physics arms race heightens tensions and fuels speculation of a mole at the lab—throwing into question loyalties and revealing what sort of knowledge may be worth killing for.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2024
236 people are currently reading
9519 people want to read
About the author
Nova Jacobs
3 books223 followersNova Jacobs is the author of the novels
The Stars Turned Inside Out
and The Last Equation of Isaac Severy, which was a Book of the Month selection, a Best Mystery of 2018 by The Wall Street Journal, and was nominated for a 2019 Edgar Award by the Mystery Writers of America. She is a co-writer with Donnie Eichar on the true-crime New York Times Best Seller Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident. She has an MFA from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and is a recipient of the Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Jeremy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
May 10, 2024
I am very sad to say The Stars Turned Inside Out was not the book I was hoping it would be. I knew going in it would be heavy on science, but I was really hoping for a bit more action and a more pacy plot. I loved the setting of a Swiss physics laboratory and that I got to hear the words dark matter in here which took me back to one of my favorite books of all time, Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. There are a lot of characters in the story, and I honestly just could not keep track of who was who. I think this made the killer's reveal not all that exciting for me because at that point I was just kind of like who?
While the audiobook was good, it REALLY should have had a full cast, and I would have loved some sound effects or at least some music. I think that would have brought the story alive a bit more, and just liven things up in general for an audio listener. Lisa Flanagan is a great narrator though, and I definitely loved listening to her. The storyline itself is pretty slow and I found myself being easily distracted as I was listening. I thought The Stars Turned Inside Out had an impressive beginning and ending, but the middle made it fizzle out for me. If you love science and the quantum world this might be a better fit for you, especially if you care more about that than solving a mystery.
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
While the audiobook was good, it REALLY should have had a full cast, and I would have loved some sound effects or at least some music. I think that would have brought the story alive a bit more, and just liven things up in general for an audio listener. Lisa Flanagan is a great narrator though, and I definitely loved listening to her. The storyline itself is pretty slow and I found myself being easily distracted as I was listening. I thought The Stars Turned Inside Out had an impressive beginning and ending, but the middle made it fizzle out for me. If you love science and the quantum world this might be a better fit for you, especially if you care more about that than solving a mystery.
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Want to read
March 8, 2024 pre read: y’all I got the ARC through GR giveaway WHAT!!!!!! . The story look very intriguing and I can’t wait to start 🙂
May 25, 2024
A superb mix of science, thriller, mystery, and science fiction with a welcome setting in Geneva (at CERN) and a you-are-there insider's look at the science and politics of particle physics, all while entertaining and pulling readers along through the mystery of deaths and the characters who are not who they seem.
Although the action involves many male characters, there are also scenes that meet the Bechdel test--many readers will love the carelessly natural scientific expertise of the European women physicists (including the investigator)--who in the mold not just of Marie Curie but also Lise Meitner.
So, there is a green sub-note of climate hysteria as the protag's avocation-turning-vocation which feels false. It doesn't fit with the rest of the book's true science as the testing of hypotheses.
I enjoyed the physics expertise of the book, and the way Jacobs made it accessible (and wrapped a very good mystery-thriller with a bit of romance around it.). One of the closest comparisons--and this book is better and more sophisticated--is the movie Altered States from 1980.
Highly, highly recommended.
Although the action involves many male characters, there are also scenes that meet the Bechdel test--many readers will love the carelessly natural scientific expertise of the European women physicists (including the investigator)--who in the mold not just of Marie Curie but also Lise Meitner.
So, there is a green sub-note of climate hysteria as the protag's avocation-turning-vocation which feels false. It doesn't fit with the rest of the book's true science as the testing of hypotheses.
I enjoyed the physics expertise of the book, and the way Jacobs made it accessible (and wrapped a very good mystery-thriller with a bit of romance around it.). One of the closest comparisons--and this book is better and more sophisticated--is the movie Altered States from 1980.
Highly, highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2024
2.5 stars
I enjoyed how this book seamlessly integrated scientific elements, such as CERN and the exploration of new matter or energy. Despite my limited knowledge of particle physics, I never felt that I was being bombarded with information or that it was hard to understand. The mystery surrounding the death of a physicist added an intriguing layer, especially considering the enigmatic nature of the victim.
What didn’t work for me were the dual POVs and dual timelines. The past timeline added little to the story and I was more interested in the present timeline and ongoing investigation. The romance also fell flat for me. It felt underdeveloped and lacked the emotional depth it needed to truly resonate. One aspect of the book interested me, but I wished it had been explored more apart from the brief moments we saw of it. Overall, the book had some intriguing elements but as a whole it felt quite disjointed.
I enjoyed how this book seamlessly integrated scientific elements, such as CERN and the exploration of new matter or energy. Despite my limited knowledge of particle physics, I never felt that I was being bombarded with information or that it was hard to understand. The mystery surrounding the death of a physicist added an intriguing layer, especially considering the enigmatic nature of the victim.
What didn’t work for me were the dual POVs and dual timelines. The past timeline added little to the story and I was more interested in the present timeline and ongoing investigation. The romance also fell flat for me. It felt underdeveloped and lacked the emotional depth it needed to truly resonate. One aspect of the book interested me, but I wished it had been explored more apart from the brief moments we saw of it. Overall, the book had some intriguing elements but as a whole it felt quite disjointed.
October 14, 2023
I received an ARC through goodreads giveaways
I had been so excited to read this book. The premise sounded very intriguing, an Investigation into a mysterious death at CERN. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. While I did expect the author to discuss scientific terms and to give explanations, I wasn't expecting the author to spend most of the first hundred pages of the book explaining in detail a lot of science that really wasn't necessary. It was as if the death, which was the primary story line, was an after thought.
Once you got passed all the science, the storyline itself was very slow. And, while the ending was a bit of a surprise, it just seemed to fall flat.
I had been so excited to read this book. The premise sounded very intriguing, an Investigation into a mysterious death at CERN. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. While I did expect the author to discuss scientific terms and to give explanations, I wasn't expecting the author to spend most of the first hundred pages of the book explaining in detail a lot of science that really wasn't necessary. It was as if the death, which was the primary story line, was an after thought.
Once you got passed all the science, the storyline itself was very slow. And, while the ending was a bit of a surprise, it just seemed to fall flat.
December 2, 2023
There is so much going on in this book that I find it hard to know where to begin. It’s a mystery: how did Howard wind up dead in a tunnel with no evidence of even entering it? It’s psychological: whom can you trust? It’s an international crime thriller: is there someone in the multinational European Organization for Nuclear Research selling information to foreign rivals? It’s science fiction: can the physics behind particle acceleration and dark matter affect time and space? It’s philosophy: can science and metaphysics coexist and influence each other? It’s romance: boy meets girl. It’s educational: what is particle acceleration and dark matter, anyways?
With so much going on, this book should have kept me on the edge of my seat. However, the scientific explanations (much of it interesting despite often going over my head), the inaction, and the multiple conversations between scientists added speed bumps to the flow of the plot. The most interesting aspects of this book (to me) did not appear until two-thirds into the book; exactly where the plot picked up, and I became interested and invested. Maybe someone more right-brained than I would be able to follow and appreciate this novel.
I would like tho thank Goodreads Giveaways and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
With so much going on, this book should have kept me on the edge of my seat. However, the scientific explanations (much of it interesting despite often going over my head), the inaction, and the multiple conversations between scientists added speed bumps to the flow of the plot. The most interesting aspects of this book (to me) did not appear until two-thirds into the book; exactly where the plot picked up, and I became interested and invested. Maybe someone more right-brained than I would be able to follow and appreciate this novel.
I would like tho thank Goodreads Giveaways and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 29, 2023
What to say about this intriguing and unusual story? It's fascinating and confounding. A detective story set in a physics lab. A female investigator far smarter than the old style detectives of the stories we grew up with.
Set in Geneva, in the CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research), a suspicious death triggers the director to phone in a good friend in an effort to stave off police and any bad publicity. Private investigator Sabine Leroux has more than a basic understanding of particle physics and begins to navigate the many varies personalities within labs. There is quite a bit of competition and of course the rumor of discovery dark matter that may have cause the death of a very promising physicist from Princeton.
Fantastic story and I hope to hear more from Sabine. You will love it whether you enjoy science or not :)
#atriabooks #Thestarturnedinsideout #novajacobs
Set in Geneva, in the CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research), a suspicious death triggers the director to phone in a good friend in an effort to stave off police and any bad publicity. Private investigator Sabine Leroux has more than a basic understanding of particle physics and begins to navigate the many varies personalities within labs. There is quite a bit of competition and of course the rumor of discovery dark matter that may have cause the death of a very promising physicist from Princeton.
Fantastic story and I hope to hear more from Sabine. You will love it whether you enjoy science or not :)
#atriabooks #Thestarturnedinsideout #novajacobs
April 4, 2024
It is difficult for me to know where to begin because this book was all over the place. The plot was everything and the kitchen sink, which makes it tricky to review. I am not sure how I feel about this novel, but I was invested enough to see it through to the end, if that is helpful.
What initially hooked me was the premise of a murder mystery taking place at one of the world's top scientific research centers – CERN. Why would anyone murder a physicist? And how would they pull this off at such an esteemed institution? The mystery fascinated me, but this plotline quickly gets overshadowed by so many other subplots starring so many flat, stereotypical characters. Because of this, and the non-linear structure of the book, it's difficult to keep track of dates and plot. The reader doesn't know what is important enough to hang on to and remember.
The prose is oversaturated with information dumps about physics, philosophy, history, and religion. It's so much that it actually disturbs the flow of the novel and slows the pace way down. The general reader isn't going to be able to digest much less care about these heady concepts. So they add very little to the story other than showing that the author has done research in these areas. However, it's far more telling than showing in writing style. Most of these science lessons happen in dialogue, which is a bit too unbelievable. Physicists are intelligent, but do they actually go around mansplaining everything to other physicists that already know a lot of the same content? Or do they talk about, literally anything else?
The magical realism elements in this novel felt completely out of place because of how much actual science is embedded. Sure the theory of the multiverse is an actual thing, but traveling there is something at home in a Blake Crouch novel, but this feels strange in this particular book. Could there be rumors of secret tunnels left by the cold war? Sure. But would the world fund and build a multi-billion dollar collider over unstable ground? No. Of course not.
The romance subplot between the protagonist and the victim also is incredibly slow. If the reader can tell how invested the main character is, then why would we care about their relationship? To me, it felt like Eve tried to hide everything from the investigation rather than help the detectives and get the LHC (large hadron collider) back up and running. I guess this is because she cared about maintaining Howard's scientific reputation, but she felt dodgy and suspicious rather than loving and protective. Meanwhile, Arnav’s hidden love and queerness felt like it came from left field. I'm all about lgbtq+ representation, but there were no subtle hints along the way. Maybe that was the point, but putting two characters who basically despise each other into a relationship out of nowhere was strange. Then to kill off this love interest, felt cheap.
The reveal of the investigation also left me wanting. All the pieces from all the subplots eventually come together at the end, but it's unsatisfying. Maybe this is because the novel spends more time explaining physics than developing the characters' motives and personalities…
This book was okay. Not good, not great. Earning 2.5 stars. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
What initially hooked me was the premise of a murder mystery taking place at one of the world's top scientific research centers – CERN. Why would anyone murder a physicist? And how would they pull this off at such an esteemed institution? The mystery fascinated me, but this plotline quickly gets overshadowed by so many other subplots starring so many flat, stereotypical characters. Because of this, and the non-linear structure of the book, it's difficult to keep track of dates and plot. The reader doesn't know what is important enough to hang on to and remember.
The prose is oversaturated with information dumps about physics, philosophy, history, and religion. It's so much that it actually disturbs the flow of the novel and slows the pace way down. The general reader isn't going to be able to digest much less care about these heady concepts. So they add very little to the story other than showing that the author has done research in these areas. However, it's far more telling than showing in writing style. Most of these science lessons happen in dialogue, which is a bit too unbelievable. Physicists are intelligent, but do they actually go around mansplaining everything to other physicists that already know a lot of the same content? Or do they talk about, literally anything else?
The magical realism elements in this novel felt completely out of place because of how much actual science is embedded. Sure the theory of the multiverse is an actual thing, but traveling there is something at home in a Blake Crouch novel, but this feels strange in this particular book. Could there be rumors of secret tunnels left by the cold war? Sure. But would the world fund and build a multi-billion dollar collider over unstable ground? No. Of course not.
The romance subplot between the protagonist and the victim also is incredibly slow. If the reader can tell how invested the main character is, then why would we care about their relationship? To me, it felt like Eve tried to hide everything from the investigation rather than help the detectives and get the LHC (large hadron collider) back up and running. I guess this is because she cared about maintaining Howard's scientific reputation, but she felt dodgy and suspicious rather than loving and protective. Meanwhile, Arnav’s hidden love and queerness felt like it came from left field. I'm all about lgbtq+ representation, but there were no subtle hints along the way. Maybe that was the point, but putting two characters who basically despise each other into a relationship out of nowhere was strange. Then to kill off this love interest, felt cheap.
The reveal of the investigation also left me wanting. All the pieces from all the subplots eventually come together at the end, but it's unsatisfying. Maybe this is because the novel spends more time explaining physics than developing the characters' motives and personalities…
This book was okay. Not good, not great. Earning 2.5 stars. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2024
3-1/2 stars, rounded up
It's told from two POVs -- Eve, another scientist who was clearly (this is not a spoiler, I swear; it's that obvious from the get-go) dead-guy Howard's girlfriend (although the book seems to try to keep that a secret for the first two-thirds, for no good reason); and Sabine, a private detective who is called in because she lives nearby and studied physics with two of the top scientist/administrators at CERN.
Eve is a bit bland, and her "Before" chapters drag with the weight of pretending that she and Howard were not sleeping together. This pretense backfires a bit. It kept me from getting attached to Howard (and instead spending a fair amount of my reading time wondering if the author was herself trying not to get attached to Howard), and it left me wholly un-invested in Eve's and Howard's relationship, because I didn't get to live with it through much of the story. Howard is like a vague, ephemeral ghost, just a memory before he's even gone. I think this portion of the book would have been much stronger if it had been more honest and upfront, and made Howard more real.
Sabine's chapters are straightforward detective work, but as a 50-something, Sabine has some history and an outlook that make her more interesting than Eve. She's pragmatic and efficient, gathering evidence and finding connections in an understated but compelling manner. Her portions kept me going when I wanted to step in and shake Eve for being so unforthcoming.
So why the rounded-up rating? First, this book set a mood that drew me in and kept me in its atmosphere even when I wasn't reading. Second, the mystery part was decently gripping and kept me searching for clues along with Sabine. And third, there is a science fiction aspect to the story that is maybe a little out of place, but which for me added an angle that cast the entire book in a more interesting light. This is a slightly different kind of mystery, fairly quiet, definitely sad, and with a creative genre overlap.
----------------------------------------------------------
Bonus review link:
Despite this song asserting "Goodbye, CERN," I found myself humming it as I read.
"Supercollider" -- Tribe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLrA0...
Shortly after his arrival at CERN, a scientist is found dead in one of the tunnels. Speculation swirls about what he was doing underground -- and why he was at CERN at all.This is a very unusual mystery, and a little frustrating because of that.
It's told from two POVs -- Eve, another scientist who was clearly (this is not a spoiler, I swear; it's that obvious from the get-go) dead-guy Howard's girlfriend (although the book seems to try to keep that a secret for the first two-thirds, for no good reason); and Sabine, a private detective who is called in because she lives nearby and studied physics with two of the top scientist/administrators at CERN.
Eve is a bit bland, and her "Before" chapters drag with the weight of pretending that she and Howard were not sleeping together. This pretense backfires a bit. It kept me from getting attached to Howard (and instead spending a fair amount of my reading time wondering if the author was herself trying not to get attached to Howard), and it left me wholly un-invested in Eve's and Howard's relationship, because I didn't get to live with it through much of the story. Howard is like a vague, ephemeral ghost, just a memory before he's even gone. I think this portion of the book would have been much stronger if it had been more honest and upfront, and made Howard more real.
Sabine's chapters are straightforward detective work, but as a 50-something, Sabine has some history and an outlook that make her more interesting than Eve. She's pragmatic and efficient, gathering evidence and finding connections in an understated but compelling manner. Her portions kept me going when I wanted to step in and shake Eve for being so unforthcoming.
So why the rounded-up rating? First, this book set a mood that drew me in and kept me in its atmosphere even when I wasn't reading. Second, the mystery part was decently gripping and kept me searching for clues along with Sabine. And third, there is a science fiction aspect to the story that is maybe a little out of place, but which for me added an angle that cast the entire book in a more interesting light. This is a slightly different kind of mystery, fairly quiet, definitely sad, and with a creative genre overlap.
----------------------------------------------------------
Bonus review link:
Despite this song asserting "Goodbye, CERN," I found myself humming it as I read.
"Supercollider" -- Tribe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLrA0...
July 22, 2024
Great setting, great idea, awkward execution. It’s as if the story couldn’t decide what it wanted to be in genre or tone. Scientific info-dumps were clunky, reading more like a peer journal versus an exhilarating set-up for a sci-fi side plot. Character exploration and romance was intermittent, with small bursts of intrigue but not enough to really captivate me. And the murder mystery/investigation was occasionally interesting but ultimately unsatisfying.
Again, some great ideas within but overall it was slow and uninspiring.
Again, some great ideas within but overall it was slow and uninspiring.
April 15, 2024
I loved this mystery so much! It was Agatha Christie meets Big Bang Theory, with an erie atmosphere throughout. The description of CERN and the types of physics experiments done there were so interesting and detailed in a way that integrated into the mystery nicely.
November 3, 2024
She often wondered why there weren't more physicist-detectives in mystery novels. After all, she'd always found Albert Einstein and Hercule Poirot to be astonishingly similar. Hadn't both mustached men retreated to the laboratories of their own minds? Performing complex thought experiments of their own devising while their colleagues chased after scraps of external evidence? Maybe she should write that mystery series herself one day."
I received this book as a gift from a friend. I don't read a lot of mysteries, but I am a nerd, so I enjoyed the CERN-setting and physicist post-doc character roster. Other reviewers talk about too many scientific data dumps, which I didn't notice... maybe I just have a high tolerance. I did make it all the way through Three Body Problem, after all (those data dumps were frustrating and just-barely tolerable).
This book was fun and breezy, 100% enjoyable experience to read.
The only distracting thing was the scene with the shroom coffee... If you're going to have a bunch of physicist readers to check your physics, you might also check your description of drug effects.
I received this book as a gift from a friend. I don't read a lot of mysteries, but I am a nerd, so I enjoyed the CERN-setting and physicist post-doc character roster. Other reviewers talk about too many scientific data dumps, which I didn't notice... maybe I just have a high tolerance. I did make it all the way through Three Body Problem, after all (those data dumps were frustrating and just-barely tolerable).
This book was fun and breezy, 100% enjoyable experience to read.
The only distracting thing was the scene with the shroom coffee... If you're going to have a bunch of physicist readers to check your physics, you might also check your description of drug effects.
August 27, 2025
Listen, I love reading. I love physics and the multiverse. I love multiple timelines in a story. And yet, I am flabbergasted at how boring this managed to be... Unremarkable and one-note characters, an ending you can see coming a mile away, and the most laughably contrived deus ex machina "twist" I've ever read.
This book might have been the hard way for me to learn that I should really DNF books sometimes. 1.5 stars.
If you're intrigued by this plot, I recommend reading Version Control by Dexter Palmer instead.
(ETA Aug. 2025: I initially had this as 2 stars on Goodreads's scale, but I'm still angry enough about it that I'm knocking it down to 1.)
This book might have been the hard way for me to learn that I should really DNF books sometimes. 1.5 stars.
If you're intrigued by this plot, I recommend reading Version Control by Dexter Palmer instead.
(ETA Aug. 2025: I initially had this as 2 stars on Goodreads's scale, but I'm still angry enough about it that I'm knocking it down to 1.)
April 29, 2024
This was a delightful read and I appreciate the amount of detail that went into it, which I felt was crucial in framing each of the characters various idiosyncrasies.
The ending was great and unexpected.
The ending was great and unexpected.
March 4, 2025
Type of read: Commuter Read
What made me pick it up: I think I found this on one of my library lists, but honestly, I'm not certain.
Overall rating: 'The Stars Turned Inside Out' is a slow starter, but once you get into it, it's got quite a few twists and turns that keep you guessing. There was never a time when I was reading that I was actually able to guess the ending, which I always take as a good sign. There is time-hopping between the chapters, but Jacobs did everyone a favor with the titles clearly letting you know if it was 'then' or 'now.' I'm very happy I stumbled across this book and would absolutely recommend it to those who aren't afraid to get a little technical with their reading, especially when it comes with a good ending.
Reader's Notes: 'The Stars Turned Inside Out' includes themes of death and dying and discussions of suicide and mental health, including depression and the treatment of depression.
What made me pick it up: I think I found this on one of my library lists, but honestly, I'm not certain.
Overall rating: 'The Stars Turned Inside Out' is a slow starter, but once you get into it, it's got quite a few twists and turns that keep you guessing. There was never a time when I was reading that I was actually able to guess the ending, which I always take as a good sign. There is time-hopping between the chapters, but Jacobs did everyone a favor with the titles clearly letting you know if it was 'then' or 'now.' I'm very happy I stumbled across this book and would absolutely recommend it to those who aren't afraid to get a little technical with their reading, especially when it comes with a good ending.
Reader's Notes: 'The Stars Turned Inside Out' includes themes of death and dying and discussions of suicide and mental health, including depression and the treatment of depression.
March 27, 2025
Thank you Atria for the gifted copy!!
I enjoyed the premise of this book and feel like it had really great potential. I couldn’t connect with it as much as I would’ve liked. The characters were just nit engaging at times.
I enjoyed the science aspect, but again, wish there was more, it lacked action and I’d find myself spacing out (pun? haha). It reminded me a tiny bit of another book I read.
I enjoyed the premise of this book and feel like it had really great potential. I couldn’t connect with it as much as I would’ve liked. The characters were just nit engaging at times.
I enjoyed the science aspect, but again, wish there was more, it lacked action and I’d find myself spacing out (pun? haha). It reminded me a tiny bit of another book I read.
September 26, 2024
Too many notes, but fun if you’re interested in CERN or physics.
May 1, 2024
THE STARS TURNED INSIDE OUT is a story filled with scientific pursuits, murder, and love. Jacobs takes on a subject that could have been boring but breathes new life into it. The personalities coupled with the plot were enriched by the science aspects. The author truly creates a whole picture of devotion to one’s passion, complicated relationships, and the need for something more than just a career.
With all that said, I do have to talk about the dual timeline a bit. It took this reader several chapters and a quarter of the way through the book to get used to the pace and flow. However, once I was acclimated with the writing style, I devoured this book.
If you are looking for a science-centric novel with a bit of duplicity, death, and the possibilities of what could be in this world, I suggest reading this one. The way Jacobs plays with all facets of humanity and the way our experiences shape our views of the world is compelling. Then you add on top of that the exploration of physics to create a tale that has intrigue, secrets, and heart.
Highly Caffeinated Rating of… ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕
Reviewer Disclaimer: I have been playing around with a hybrid reading method where I read and listen to the same book. The physical book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review, but the audiobook was borrowed from my local library.
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
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✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
With all that said, I do have to talk about the dual timeline a bit. It took this reader several chapters and a quarter of the way through the book to get used to the pace and flow. However, once I was acclimated with the writing style, I devoured this book.
If you are looking for a science-centric novel with a bit of duplicity, death, and the possibilities of what could be in this world, I suggest reading this one. The way Jacobs plays with all facets of humanity and the way our experiences shape our views of the world is compelling. Then you add on top of that the exploration of physics to create a tale that has intrigue, secrets, and heart.
Highly Caffeinated Rating of… ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕
Reviewer Disclaimer: I have been playing around with a hybrid reading method where I read and listen to the same book. The physical book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review, but the audiobook was borrowed from my local library.
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
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Website | Instagram | Facebook Group
✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
August 5, 2024
It was a quite enjoyable way to reacquaint myself with quantum physics 😂
February 28, 2024
The first thing I have to say about this story is that it contains a lot of Physics -- really, really a lot. I know nothing about Physics having managed to dodge the subject in high school, college, and graduate school. The story is also a mystery which is a genre I read and enjoy.
When the body of a young, brilliant physicist is found in the tunnel of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the director calls in her college friend Sabine Leroux, a private investigator, to determine not only how Howard Anderby died but how he found himself in the tunnel in the first place. Sabine studied Physics in college but decided that police work and later private investigation were the career for her. She sees much similarity between her job and the jobs of scientists. Fearing for CERN's funding, the director would greatly prefer not to have to call in the police.
As Sabine investigates, she finds herself dealing with all sorts of academic rivalries and secrets as she tries to learn about the life of a man who was very good at keeping his own secrets. Luckily for us readers, the story is also told in part by Eve who is another physicist at CERN. Eve also had a relationship with Howard and has more insight into his mind than anyone at the lab. The story also includes a large number of flashbacks detailing Eve and Howard's growing relationship and Howard's relationship with some of the others at CERN.
But when a second physicist is murdered and his body shows on a live stream of a tank built to capture dark matter, it is impossible to keep the police away from CERN. The second death also shifts the investigation to missing data from the lab and the scientific rivalries between the EU, China and Russia. Spies and moles and traitors to CERN are revealed in the conclusion of this mystery.
Once I allowed myself to skim lightly over the physics and the philosophy, I enjoyed this story. The characters were what kept me reading when the science went too far over my head. I recommend this one especially to science nerds, but mystery lovers will enjoy it too.
When the body of a young, brilliant physicist is found in the tunnel of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the director calls in her college friend Sabine Leroux, a private investigator, to determine not only how Howard Anderby died but how he found himself in the tunnel in the first place. Sabine studied Physics in college but decided that police work and later private investigation were the career for her. She sees much similarity between her job and the jobs of scientists. Fearing for CERN's funding, the director would greatly prefer not to have to call in the police.
As Sabine investigates, she finds herself dealing with all sorts of academic rivalries and secrets as she tries to learn about the life of a man who was very good at keeping his own secrets. Luckily for us readers, the story is also told in part by Eve who is another physicist at CERN. Eve also had a relationship with Howard and has more insight into his mind than anyone at the lab. The story also includes a large number of flashbacks detailing Eve and Howard's growing relationship and Howard's relationship with some of the others at CERN.
But when a second physicist is murdered and his body shows on a live stream of a tank built to capture dark matter, it is impossible to keep the police away from CERN. The second death also shifts the investigation to missing data from the lab and the scientific rivalries between the EU, China and Russia. Spies and moles and traitors to CERN are revealed in the conclusion of this mystery.
Once I allowed myself to skim lightly over the physics and the philosophy, I enjoyed this story. The characters were what kept me reading when the science went too far over my head. I recommend this one especially to science nerds, but mystery lovers will enjoy it too.
November 6, 2023
3.5 stars. It was an extremely slow start with a bunch of physics talk and i worried we’d never get to the plot. I had no issue with the authors knowledge of physics, which in fact made the book seem more real. I just felt that too much time was built up on the physics aspects of the book and sometimes the murder plot got lost in all of it.
About halfway through the book, it starts getting juicy. Howard mysteriously dies and Sabine is brought in from the outside to figure it out before word spreads that the CERN lab has a murderer inside of it. What comes from this is the physics version of Multiverse of Madness, only better written. Eve holds the secret to Howard’s escapades in the tunnels but guards them for his memory but worries when Sabine starts getting particularly interested in Eve.
I felt like this book spent a lot of time on the physics part (which I understand why) but it took a very long time getting to the suspense and murder mystery of it. When we finally got there, I couldn’t stop flipping through the pages wanting to know how it ends. That being said, I felt like Sabine’s interest in Eve was a one-time mention and never to be thought of again. What I loved about the book was how descriptive it was and I felt like I was right in Geneva in the CERN lab.
In accordance with FTC guidelines, please note that this ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
About halfway through the book, it starts getting juicy. Howard mysteriously dies and Sabine is brought in from the outside to figure it out before word spreads that the CERN lab has a murderer inside of it. What comes from this is the physics version of Multiverse of Madness, only better written. Eve holds the secret to Howard’s escapades in the tunnels but guards them for his memory but worries when Sabine starts getting particularly interested in Eve.
I felt like this book spent a lot of time on the physics part (which I understand why) but it took a very long time getting to the suspense and murder mystery of it. When we finally got there, I couldn’t stop flipping through the pages wanting to know how it ends. That being said, I felt like Sabine’s interest in Eve was a one-time mention and never to be thought of again. What I loved about the book was how descriptive it was and I felt like I was right in Geneva in the CERN lab.
In accordance with FTC guidelines, please note that this ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 8, 2024
ARC provided by the publisher.
As someone who has been fascinated by CERN, and then all these sort of scientific research compounds that exist, since I learned about them...this was such an intriguing book for me. Throw in a murder mystery, and I was hooked. And then it got better! Secret romances, snark and sarcasm, complex backstories, international espionage, and spirituality and mysticism.
Told in two timelines, the before and after of a murder. More secrets than anyone expects come out. The before is told from the perspective of one of the physicists, Dr. Eve Marsh, and her complicated and evolving relationship. The present is in the view of an investigator brought on by CERN, Sabine Leroux, an old university friend of the director-general, and one of the team leaders; a unit of three reunited under strained circumstances. No one's past or present is free of scrutiny.
There's lots of science here, and it really makes you feel like you're not only at CERN but in Geneva. The author did extensive research on the culture of CERN both in person and in reading, and it comes through. This mix of competition and comradery, desperation and passion. The mix of personalities all united by this strange work was fun to read.
I enjoyed the characters, the mystery reveals were solid (one of the reveals made me gasp, that was so fun), and I would read books about science nerds and murder every day if I could.
As someone who has been fascinated by CERN, and then all these sort of scientific research compounds that exist, since I learned about them...this was such an intriguing book for me. Throw in a murder mystery, and I was hooked. And then it got better! Secret romances, snark and sarcasm, complex backstories, international espionage, and spirituality and mysticism.
Told in two timelines, the before and after of a murder. More secrets than anyone expects come out. The before is told from the perspective of one of the physicists, Dr. Eve Marsh, and her complicated and evolving relationship. The present is in the view of an investigator brought on by CERN, Sabine Leroux, an old university friend of the director-general, and one of the team leaders; a unit of three reunited under strained circumstances. No one's past or present is free of scrutiny.
There's lots of science here, and it really makes you feel like you're not only at CERN but in Geneva. The author did extensive research on the culture of CERN both in person and in reading, and it comes through. This mix of competition and comradery, desperation and passion. The mix of personalities all united by this strange work was fun to read.
I enjoyed the characters, the mystery reveals were solid (one of the reveals made me gasp, that was so fun), and I would read books about science nerds and murder every day if I could.
October 21, 2023
The Stars Turned Inside Out by Nova Jacobs is a clever and exciting mystery set in a captivating location: CERN, the lab near Geneva.
The premise of the story is that eeep beneath the ground outside of Geneva, where CERN’s Large Hadron Collider smashes subatomic particles at breathtaking speeds, a startling discovery is made when the tunnel is down for maintenance: the body of Howard Anderby, a brilliant and recently arrived young physicist, who appears to have been irradiated by the collider. But security shows no evidence of him entering the tunnel, and for all of the lab’s funding, its video surveillance is sorely lacking.
Eager to keep the death under wraps until more is known, CERN brings in private investigator Sabine Leroux, who has her own ties to the lab’s administration—and more than a passing interest in particle physics.
The story reminded me of what a dramatic episode of The Big Bang Theory would be like.
I enjoyed the overall story; it had a solid mystery, and I learned a lot about physics. I felt there were good twists and red herrings to hold my interest and keep me invested in the story. The author had a nice writing style and made the information easy to understand.
I would recommend reading this book.
#TheStarsTurnedInsideOut #NetGalley @AtriaBooks
The premise of the story is that eeep beneath the ground outside of Geneva, where CERN’s Large Hadron Collider smashes subatomic particles at breathtaking speeds, a startling discovery is made when the tunnel is down for maintenance: the body of Howard Anderby, a brilliant and recently arrived young physicist, who appears to have been irradiated by the collider. But security shows no evidence of him entering the tunnel, and for all of the lab’s funding, its video surveillance is sorely lacking.
Eager to keep the death under wraps until more is known, CERN brings in private investigator Sabine Leroux, who has her own ties to the lab’s administration—and more than a passing interest in particle physics.
The story reminded me of what a dramatic episode of The Big Bang Theory would be like.
I enjoyed the overall story; it had a solid mystery, and I learned a lot about physics. I felt there were good twists and red herrings to hold my interest and keep me invested in the story. The author had a nice writing style and made the information easy to understand.
I would recommend reading this book.
#TheStarsTurnedInsideOut #NetGalley @AtriaBooks
February 25, 2024
A scientist is found dead in the deep tunnels of the CERN large hadron collider, killed from being irradiated even though the collider was supposedly shut down for maintenance. It sounds like an exciting premise for a mystery book with a lot of physics thrown in. However, I found the book difficult to get through. It moved very slowly and the characters didn’t grab my interest. I found the characters all to be hiding truths about themselves constantly and never being honest with the investigator brought in. The later part of the book got a little more interesting when we saw more truths come out about what was really going on, but by that point I had lost interest I’m sorry to say. The book tries to throw a lot at us, physics, international espionage, space-time travel, etc. I think it was all a bit too much. I give the book 2 stars out of 5.
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 7, 2024
This book started slow and there is a lot of physicist jargon..but once you get through the first few chapters this becomes a really thrilling story! Not everyone is who they seem at this science institute..and our universe may have identical universes running next to it.
May 15, 2024
The ending? Pretty cool. The lead up? Very boring/slow.
March 28, 2024
This story centers on the death of Howard Anderby, a young physicist at CERN who recently arrive. But there’s no evidence of arriving in the tunnel where his body is found - not a single video in a facility that is surveilled heavily. CERN hire private investigator Sabine Laroux to investigate the murder and get to the bottom of it. With this premise, we’re off on what is potentially an incredible multiversal story with intrigue, mystery, and adventure. I found the last 2/3 of the book entertaining. It wasnt quite what I was expecting but it held my attention. However, it took way too long to get to the meat of the story. I usually can manage a lot of scientific explanation but this story was bogged down with it. I found it deeply exhausting and ended up putting the book aside to read something else for weeks.
That said, I’m glad I read it. It was an interesting story with great ideas. Very creative book that just perhaps needed a bit more editing in its exposition.
That said, I’m glad I read it. It was an interesting story with great ideas. Very creative book that just perhaps needed a bit more editing in its exposition.
December 22, 2023
This could have been a 4-star thriller/murder mystery, BUT the introduction of the multiverse bit in the last quarter threw off the pacing and made me lose focus. Obviously I love a speculative fiction/multiverse moment, but I would have liked it to be around from the beginning to really seem significant to the plot.
May 19, 2024
A different kind of mystery that crosses science, philosophy, and of corse good old detective work. It takes place at a swiss physics laboratory and had the death of a young physicist and the lab brings in there own Investigatior to solve the crime. It was a great mystery to read and found the femal Investigatior/detective an extraordinary sleuth. It gave off old Agath Christic if the detective had to investigate scientist similar to the characters in The Big Bang Theory, with egos , quirks, and, secrets of their own each .
May 4, 2024
The Martian did it better.. when you are throwing around a bunch of terms that average people do not know you need a character(s) that are compelling and sadly none of them are in this book
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