The Theory of Death

A Decker/Lazarus Novel

By: Faye Kellerman

Narrated by: Richard Ferrone

Now living in upstate New York, former LAPD lieutenant Peter Decker is plunged into a bizarre web involving academia, underworld crime, and calculating killers in this compulsive novel in New York Times bestselling author Faye Kellerman's beloved Decker and Lazarus series.

Former LAPD lieutenant Peter Decker is relishing the quiet and slow pace of his new job with the Greenbury police department. The work is low stress and engaging, and it’s been almost a year since the last murder in this sleepy upstate New York town.

Then the body of a nude man is found deep within the woods, shattering Decker’s peace. The death appears to be a suicide—a single shot to the head, the gun by his side. But until the coroner’s ruling, the scene must be treated as a suspicious crime. Without any personal effects near the body, Decker must dig to uncover his identity, a task made difficult by the department’s tight budget and limited personnel. Luckily, Decker gets some unexpected help when his friend and former Greenbury colleague Tyler McAdams calls, looking for a quiet place to study for his law finals.

The investigation takes Decker and McAdams to Kneed Loft College, where they must penetrate the indecipherable upper echelons of mathematics and mathematical prodigies. Beneath the school’s rarified atmosphere they discover a sphere of scheming academics, hidden cyphers—and most dangerous of all—a realm of underworld crime that transforms harmless nerds into cold, calculating evil geniuses. It will take all of Decker’s experience and McAdams’s brains to penetrate enigmatic formulas and codes and solve a dark, twisted crime devised by some brilliant and depraved masterminds.

Not Faye Kellerman's best

Normally I love her books. I struggled to get through this one. At least one of the characters was annoying. I just didn't find this fun.

Why this narrator?

Stock story for this author / protagonists. My first audiobook by Fay Kellerman. I hated the narrator's gravelly old man voice. Peter Decker, although aging, is supposed to be slightly hot, and the other detective, Tyler, is a young man. I won't even mention how he handles the female characters. Narrator's voice not appropriate for the characters, also not pleasant to listen to . Endless male vocal fry.

Takes a trio to solve this one

Peter, Rina and Tyler join forces to solve this murder (suicide? or both). Tyler McAdams is supposed to be studying for his law finals, but gets involved with Decker's case set at a college, where everyone seems suspect. A brilliant mind shows up dead. How and why did it happen, and why does staff and students alike want to look at his research. It's an interesting case with Rina stepping up to bat, playing a larger role in helping Peter.
I like the way Kellerman has added young characters to liven up Decker's aging years, starting with Chris Donali a few books back. Tyler McAdams adds the bright spot once again in this novel. A satisfying listen, looking forward to the next.

Always a good read

The narrator was right on the money. The modulation, cadence were great. The Decker and Rina of my minds eye was right on
Good job.

Busy Book

There was not a dull moment in the story line! I think this will have many more storey lines emerging from here. Great read!