The Witch of Agnesi

November 1, 2006
Gr 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"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.