“A Question of Trust” is the second in A Mathematical Mystery Series by Jonathan Pinnock that continues right after “The Truth About Archie & Pye” ends. PR guy Tom Winscombe is sharing an apartment with business partner Ali and looking for his missing girlfriend Dorothy who seems to have taken off with all the company’s money, equipment, and work product. Tom, being in love, is absolutely certain that Dorothy is innocent and must be in trouble and is determined to save her.

This leads to several frying pan to fire scenarios with a high body count and many incidental characters of dubious character who move through the story quick as a rabbit. The plot moves quickly from one hair-raising exploit to the next as Tom follows the trail wherever it goes.

I made the mistake of reading “A Question of Trust:” without reading the first book. Now, nothing irritates me more than a series mystery where major plot points from prior books are rehashed and every character who crosses the stage gets an introductory reprise of their greatest hits. However, this book goes to the other extreme, providing no explanation of some of its made-up concepts and conceits. There is a sweet spot between “oh, come on, don’t tell me everything” and “what the heck is happening?”

I enjoyed the visual humor, the kind of ludicrous antics of grabbing a curtain and having it slowly break from its support, easing our hero to the ground. There were moments of hilarity. But they were tempered by silly plot points like Tom collaborating in the kidnap/rescue of someone without making sure the rescuer he was helping was worthy of help. Also, that person is a loose end that never gets satisfactorily tied up. Also, while it’s nice to have a hero who eschews gun violence, not shooting at someone who shoots at you is silly if you have a gun.

I wanted to read this because it was a mathematical mystery, but only one math concept was explored. It happens to be one of my favorite math concepts, but it still was disappointing. It is likely I would have enjoyed this book far more if I had read the first. If you like hilarity and nonsensical capers, you will like this, but be sure to read the series in order because starting in the middle is frustrating

I received an e-galley of A Question of Trust from the publisher through NetGalley.

A Question of Trust at Farrago Books
A Mathematical Mystery Series at Farrago Books
Jonathan Pinnock at GoodReads

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