The Witch of Agnesi (Bonnie Pinkwater series) [Paperback]

Robert Spiller (Author)

Book Description

Series: Bonnie Pinkwater series | Publication Date: August 1, 2006

Bonnie Pinkwater is a teacher, a good one. She cares about her students. So when Peyton Newlin, a thirteen-year-old math genius, disappears, Bonnie starts nosing around. One by one, students who were competing with the young genius start turning up dead and Bonnie suspects Peyton may be narrowing the field. Then Peyton himself turns up murdered. Bonnie's investigation ratchets up.What she discovers is a coven of witches, a teenage comic book magnate, a skinhead Neanderthal with violent propensities, an abusive father, an amorous science teacher, and a mistranslated medieval mathematics manuscript. Somehow, all the pieces have intersected at the tragically brief life of her math protégé. As the body count mounts, Bonnie realizes she may have bitten off more than she can chew. Because whoever is eliminating her beloved students, has now decided East Plains, Colorado would be better off without one aging math teacher.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up–Bonnie Pinkwater is a math teacher with a mission. As advisor and coach for four students involved in the Knowledge Bowl competition, she becomes particularly concerned when one of her competitors goes missing. She does a little investigating and puts forward a number of suggestions to the police officer in charge, an old student of hers. But things start to get out of control when she finds herself the target, and one of her other students is murdered. Undeterred, Bonnie remains on the trail and, together with another teacher, is continually updating her theories as two more of her Knowledge Bowl students are found dead. While this novel has an adult as a main character, teens will be able to relate to it because of the supporting cast; from the school thug to the genius, and everyone in between, the secondary players are all strong characters. The nonstop action and intrigue will hold most readers; the suspense is ever present, and the mystery has a good balance of clues and misinformation to keep amateur sleuths turning the pages. The love interest between the two teachers is at times somewhat strained, but that does not detract from the main story.–Dylan Thomarie, Johnstown High School, NY
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About the Author

Robert Spiller is a mathematician and writer. He lives in Colorado Springs.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 15 and up
  
• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Medallion Press (August 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932815724
• ISBN-13: 978-1932815726
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #984,838 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > Science & Technology > Mathematics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars mystery...math...history...humor...romance..., November 3, 2006

By 

Anonymous (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Witch of Agnesi (Bonnie Pinkwater series) (Paperback)

The author combined all of these features in this clever and engaging book. This is a great mystery with a surprise ending. As the intricate characters and clues are gradually unveiled, you will be further immersed by the unique humor, a budding romance, and the inventive incorporation of the author's multidisciplinary knowledge.
You will thoroughly enjoy and look forward to the time you spend reading this book.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth Your Valuable Time, September 22, 2006

By 

N. Peters "Lil Red Head" (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Witch of Agnesi (Bonnie Pinkwater series) (Paperback)

I am very picky about my reading choices. I revere books, but I've also learned to let a book go if it's not going to pan out as a good read - I'd rather get onto a better book!

Bearing that in mind, I say that this book is a Must Read. I eased into it, but it was never far from the top of my priority list. The further I got into the book, the harder it was to put down. I ended up staying up way too late one night to finish it; I was completely taken in by the action and the story and the writing. I even had been given a few clues and forgot to watch for them as I was reading.

This is a book well worth reading and it sits well in the murder mystery genre. There are red herrings, clues disguised in plain view (or East Plains view), and an engaging protagonist. I spent some time pondering the clues vs. the misdirections, almost seeing the answer as a shell game. I would have put my money down, and I would not have come out on top! I also came to really enjoy being in the company of these characters. I am looking forward to his next book and following more adventures of Missus Pinkwater and other East Plains characters.

I must mention that I feel this a book for a more mature reader. There is some language and there are some adult themes in the book, so it is probably more appropriate for adults and older or mature teens.

Overall, I was impressed with the book and I was pleased that I didn't figure it all out before the final reveal. I'm looking forward to discussing the book with friends or hopefully in a reading group.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for teens and for adults., March 19, 2008

By 

Bonnie Ramthun (Erie, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Witch of Agnesi (Bonnie Pinkwater series) (Paperback)

I loved Bonnie Pinkwater, the math teacher who is the hero of this series. She's in her fifties, she's a middle school teacher and she's a widow. This is not your typical hero. Bonnie is witty, engaging and sparkling with down-to-earth intelligence. I found her relationship with her former student, now the investigating detective in a homicide, charming and believable. Her budding relationship with Armen Callahan, another teacher, is both romantic and laugh-out-loud funny. Adults should love this book. The mystery is well constructed and every step works perfectly. (You'd think the author was a math teacher, or something.) The characters are strong and unique and the high plains of Colorado are beautifully brought to life.

Now, about you teenagers. I'm going to recommend this for all teens, because I've read Harry Potter and I know what happens in there. What are few bodies in this book compared to watching Voldemort kill Cedric Diggory? In "The Witch of Agnesi" there are several murders and some very scary, very suspenseful scenes. There are a number of teenagers in the novel, all of them as real as the kids you go to school with. There are no boring stereotypes. This is a story that respects who you are as a teenager. You'll like it.

For parents, I recommend this book for teens. There's no love scenes, though there is a charming and very low-key romance and another, sordid relationship that's revealed at the very end of the book. There are witches, but they are neither the spiritual good guys or the evil bad guys. The "Witch of Agnesi" refers to a mathematical curve, which you see on the cover. There are some suspenseful and very scary scenes, but they never tip over into outright gore. You teen will enjoy this novel very much and get a lot out of it.

I highly recommend The Witch of Agnesi. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.