MATHEMATICAL FICTION:

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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The Square Root of Murder (2002)
Paul Zindel
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A murder mystery written for a middle school aged audience in which a calculus professor is found pinned to a chalk board by a bolt fired from a crossbow. A formula on the board turns out to be an essential clue (though it involves only elementary arithmetic).

This novel for young readers should not be confused with the adult mystery novel with the same title by Ada Madison.

More information about this work can be found at www.amazon.com.
(Note: This is just one work of mathematical fiction from the list. To see the entire list or to see more works of mathematical fiction, return to the Homepage.)

Works Similar to The Square Root of Murder
According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:
  1. The Witch of Agnesi by Robert Spiller
  2. The Square Root of Murder by Ada Madison
  3. A Calculated Demise by Robert Spiller
  4. Do the Math: Secrets, Lies, and Algebra by Wendy Lichtman
  5. Mattemorden by Alexander Barth / Gustav Öhman Spjuth
  6. Do the Math #2: The Writing on the Wall by Wendy Lichtman
  7. Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet
  8. The Wright 3 by Blue Balliet
  9. The Unknowns: A Mystery by Benedict Carey
  10. The Secret Life of Amanda K. Woods by Ann Cameron
Ratings for The Square Root of Murder:
RatingsHave you seen/read this work of mathematical fiction? Then click here to enter your own votes on its mathematical content and literary quality or send me comments to post on this Webpage.
Mathematical Content:
1/5 (1 votes)
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Literary Quality:
2/5 (1 votes)
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Categories:
GenreMystery, Children's Literature, Young Adult,
MotifEvil mathematicians, Math Education,
Topic
MediumNovels,

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Where are the new works of mathematical fiction?: As you can see from this chronological listing, this database includes many works of mathematical fiction for each year from 1990 to 2025. Strangely, only two are listed for 2026, so far. Either less mathematical fiction is being published than in previous years or I'm just having more trouble finding it. If you know of any works of fiction that should be added to this list, especially recently published ones, please let me know. (Keep in mind that I do not include self-published works or children's fiction that just covers elementary mathematical concepts.) Thanks!

(Maintained by Alex Kasman, College of Charleston)