Fatal Inheritance

Cambridge Mysteries #5

by Catherine Shaw

On New Year's Day, 1900, the brilliant violinist Sebastian Cavendish is found dead, leaving his friends and relations grief-stricken and perplexed as to the reasons behind his suicide. Vanessa Weatherburn is engaged to investigate the dead man's final movements.

Genres: Mystery

351 pages, Hardcover

First published January 13, 2013

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

[James Rivett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating and intriguing combination of science and mystery. Catherine Shaw's style is really enjoyable and always draws me in. I especially enjoyed a greater insight into Vanessa and her emotions and feelings but also her preparedness to go to extremes to discover the truth (even if I do struggle with idea and ease of her jumping on trains to traverse the continent at the drop of a hat).
In each of Shaw's books that I have read, I love that I discover something new or a deeper understanding of something mathematical, medical, or scientific. In this book, I was fascinated by the discussions around heredity and probability that became known as Mendel's law. Shaw has an engagingly straightforward way of explaining or having characters explain what should be complicated theories in a very clear and accessible manner that informs and intrigues simultaneously while drip feeding clues to the mystery. It always makes me cross reference and research further.
Unfortunately, the story itself is a tad preposterous, but if you can suspend disbelief with sharp historical detail and engaging characters, all will be well.
For once, I am not bothered by rich people are bad, and poor people are good themes, but I am curious why intelligent people miss the obvious and uninitiated can see the truth in seconds.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is New Year's Day and the acclaimed violinist Sebastian Cavendish is found dead.
A note is found saying he can't go on and he has found out about a "cursed inheritance."
Naturally everyone thinks it is suicide but strangely this doesn't ring true with his vibrant, joyful nature.
Vanessa Weatherburn is an amateur detective tasked with this baffling case.
She doubts the story being put about and delves into Sebastian's life and family history.
What she finds is a tissue of lies, corruption and even worse vices.
Could finding this out have upset Sebastian's mind to the point of suicide or did someone want the Cavendish secrets to stay that way?
Only the tenacious Vanessa can find out.
This was a brilliant little winter mystery set around the world of music and with a little fact blended in with some characters who were name dropped actually existing.
A great read.

[Patrice Fischer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have previously enjoyed this author's mysteries & picked this up because of my previous experience.

I don't think I enjoyed this one as much as the others. However, it did deal with several areas of crime analysis that I did enjoy: Mendel's Laws of Genetic Inheritance, the early 1900's craze for "automatic writing", the use of "informants" during the yr. 1900, etc.

I think the author writes intelligently but the whole premise of the particular "crime" for which the victim dies is a little underwhelming. The outrage that is revealed by the people wronged is a little over the top for my tastes.

An extreme urge to read ahead to find out what exactly the *actual* crime was, is a tip for me that she did create some suspense.

Overall, an OK read.

[SWC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second book written by the author. I appreciated the brief descriptions that were included in the chapter headings. An intriguing mystery which includes probability. An insightful commentary on the status of women towards the end of the 19th century. As I read the story I was even more impressed with the author’s dedication to her daughter who plays the cello.

[Rita Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mystery - I would have given it five stars were it not for over-lengthy Doctor's notes. A good story, well-written with some interesting twists.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for a forthcoming reading group. I had already read The Library Paradox, and this was a similar experience. It was reasonably enjoyable, but some of the background science is gone into just a bit too thoroughly for my liking. I found myself wanting to get back to the plot. Regarding the outcome, It seemed very unlikely that a particular character would have figured out what they did, thus making the whole plot less believable overall. Plus the ending was rather abrupt. I would have liked to see some of the fallout from the revelations.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book, really dull meandering and very unengaging. The language is very flowery and detracts from the plot. The plot is very simple and its about 200 pages too long. Very disappointed in this.

[Laura Hannaway · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting plot, but certainly my least favourite in the series to date. Well written, but the story itself was pretty grim and depressing, the ending was abrupt and I didn't enjoy Vanessa's character as much as I have previously.

[Sam Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting style of writing, chapters are given a mini synopsis. Okay storyline 2nd book I've read and will try a third if only to see if the style changes once again!