A Spark of Death

May 30, 2011
Set in 1901 Seattle, Pajer's deft, highly entertaining debut introduces calm, relentlessly logical Benjamin Bradshaw, an electrical engineering professor at the University of Washington. When fellow professor Wesley Oglethorpe is murdered, electrocuted in a particularly byzantine fashion, Bradshaw immediately comes under suspicion, having long had a hostile relationship with the deceased and possessing the esoteric skills needed to deliver a fatal shock that looks accidental. Bradshaw immediately puts his keen cognitive powers to use by searching for the real killer. Does the murder have anything to do with President McKinley's impending visit? What about Oglethorpe's browbeaten yet knowledgeable wife? Are student anarchists to blame? Bradshaw's intuitive powers go into high gear when an attempt is made on his own life, now sweeter since he has fallen in love. Readers will look forward to seeing more of this quaintly charming and idiosyncratic sleuth.

April 1, 2011

A professor becomes a suspect in a shocking 1901 murder.

Ever since his mentally unstable wife committed suicide at a dinner party, Prof. Benjamin Bradshaw has devoted himself to bringing up his son Justin. He's moved to Seattle, settled at the University of Washington and hired the competent Mrs. Prouty as a housekeeper. Now his life may be ruined by the murder of his colleague Prof. Oglethorpe, a man he had no cause to like. Oglethorpe was found electrocuted, apparently by a machine built in a university lab that was soon to be used in a demonstration for President McKinley. Bradshaw is certain that he must solve the murder to save his own life. His task is made both more difficult and more likely to be successful by Oglethorpe's unpopularity. His students despised him, his wife secretly did much of his work, and he was involved in a dishonest business deal with Henry Pratt, a friend of Bradshaw's who left for Alaska on the day of the murder. When Henry's niece, Missouri Fremont, arrives on the scene shortly after her uncle's departure, Bradshaw, feeling compelled to take her in, finds himself strongly attracted to her. Getting pushed almost to his death on a visit to the Snoqualmie Falls Power Plant redoubles his efforts to find the killer.

Pajer's series kickoff presents a good mystery, a clever detective and a fascinating look at the early days of electrical power.

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May 1, 2011

Many people disliked Professor Oglethorpe, but who hated him enough to make sure he died in his own laboratory? Seattle in 1901 is the setting for this distinctive scientific mystery that delves into the political machinations of the university and the changing technological landscape of that era. Like today's concerns about terrorists, fear of anarchists ran high at the time. Professor Bradshaw, our intrepid protagonist, becomes the amateur detective in this promising new series. VERDICT If your readers are looking for a new venue and something they can dig their teeth into, this is an intriguing title. The science is key to the plot, and Pajer does a fine job of interpreting for the lay reader. Compare it to Stefanie Pintoff's turn-of-the-century historicals (In the Shadow of Gotham) for appeal, and consider this for YA audiences as well.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2011
Pajers strong debut is the first in a series of historical mysteries set in turn-of-the-century Seattle and featuring widowed electrical-engineering professor Bradshaw. When Bradshaw discovers the body of one of his colleagues, with whom he had recently had a public spat, he begins his own investigation to clear his name. As the end of the semester nears, and the University of Washington prepares for the upcoming visit of President McKinley, Bradshaw must delve into the complexities of early electricity and power generation, starting with the mystery of how a dead man could possibly be found locked in a supposedly accident-proof Faraday cage. Pajer does especially well in writing about electricity in such a way as to make the subject accessible to general readers. With plenty of historical details and an eclectic cast of characters, plus a well-constructed plot and terrific pacing, this engaging first novel should be recommended to all fans of historical mysteries, especially the Max Liebermann mysteries by Frank Tallis.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)