MATHEMATICAL FICTION:

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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The Invention of Zero [Die Erfindung der Null] (2020)
Michael Wildenhain
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This German novel records a "game of cat and mouse" between a prosecutor and a suspected murderer, who happens to be a mathematician. The young prosecutor tries to prove that Martin Gödeler, who holds a doctorate in mathematics and teaches at the University of Stuttgart, is responsible for the disappearance of his female traveling companion. Under interrogation, Gödeler essentially recounts his life story, including his love life as well as evidence of his genius, which apparently extends beyond mathematics and includes his ability to manipulate the conversation to his own advantage.

I have not yet read this book, nor has Vijay Fafat who brought it to my attention. So, the information above is just my own attempt to summarize the information that Vijay found online. If you have read the book and can provide more information (or correct any errors I may have made), please write to let me know. Thanks!

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 Invention of Zero [Die Erfindung der Null]
According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:
  1. The Devotion of Suspect X [Yôgisha X no kenshin] by Keigo Higashino
  2. A Doubter's Almanac by Ethan Canin
  3. Secrets to the Grave by Tami Hoag
  4. The Distant Dead by Heather Young
  5. The Body Counter by Anne Frasier
  6. The Eighth Detective by Alex Pavesi
  7. Magpie Lane by Lucy Atkins
  8. The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny
  9. Powerball 310 by K.T. Reid
  10. Los crímenes de Alicia [The Alice Murders / The Oxford Brotherhood] by Guillermo Martinez
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Categories:
GenreMystery,
MotifEvil mathematicians,
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)