Numbers Up by Kevin Clark

ISBN-10: 1-60704-008-8
ISBN=13: 978-1-60704-008-8
published by Seton Books, $8.95

reviewed by Tannia Ortiz-Lopès

In his book, ”Numbers Up”, first time author Kevin Clark brings to the teens/young adult audience a crime story full of mathematical and science concepts woven into the storyline.

The story begins in the Institute for Applied Mathematics with the discovery of the body of renowned mathematician Dr. Michael Townsend. A call is placed to the Metropolitan Police Department and detective Paul Ondracek is chosen to lead the investigation.

In the course of the investigation, Detective Ondracek uncovers some suspicious activities involving the late Dr. Townsend and some well known and established banks, including financial support for some terrorist groups in Palestine. Detective Ondracek must use his experience, good judgment, and analytical skills to solve the case before it’s too late.

Meanwhile, the Feds and the NSA (National Security Agency) are also monitoring, with the help of an undercover agent and his informer. some suspicious activities in the Chechen Republic. When a fax transmission is intercepted, giving details about the sale of an old Russian Joe-2 nuclear bomb to a terrorist group in Palestine, the White House finds itself in a big dilemma: how to prevent the sale of the bomb without causing an international crisis and further deterioration of relations with Moscow.

Numbers Up moves back and forth between Detective Ondracek’s criminal investigation and the terrorist group in Palestine, pursuing economical ways to purchase the Joe-2 from a former Russian Red Army general. When all pieces of the case start to fall in place, the author sets up an opportunity for a sequel in which Detective Ondracek’s character may be developed to his full potential. He could be promoted or transfered to another government agency, giving him the opportunity to amend his mistakes and close the case successfully.

I liked the character of Detective Ondracek very much. He is clever, naïve, fresh, and with a personality that enables the reader to identify with him and his predicaments. On the other hand, Numbers Up could have greatly benefited from the services of an editor to help the author polish the dialogue and correct flaws in the storyline. In some instances, it appeared that the author was discussing prime numbers and DNA sequences  with high school students, and the repetition of these conversations throughout the book made it very hard at times to follow the story. It also undermined the potential development of the main character, Detective Ondracek. I encourage the author to continue cultivating and improving his writing skills so the sequel to this book is enjoyable to a wider audience.

In general, I found the storyline to be original and interesting, albeit that it was written by an amateur author.I recommend the book for teens/young adults looking for a crime story, though I don’t think it is suitable for readers under sixteen years of age or so; they will not be able to understand it and follow the story.