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The Fractal Murders

by Mark Cohen

Mark Cohen is a fresh new voice in the mystery field. The Fractal Murders is his first novel, and his protagonist, Pepper Keane, is a wisecracking, tough private investigator reminding you of Robert Parker's Spenser. Fractal geometry is the basis for the book, and since I loathed math of any kind in school, I was prepared to be bored out of my skull. Surprise! It seems I wasn't alone in detesting mathematics (I fell asleep once during an explanation of calculus) – both Pepper Keane and his creator had also scraped bottom when it came to that subject. But Mark Cohen's research is evident in his writing, and makes the fractal principle not only understandable but interesting as well.

The Fractal Murders starts off with Pepper being retained by Jane Smyers, an Associate Professor of Mathematics and a Phd. Ms. Smyers teaches fractal geometry, and has discovered that three of the most prominent people in that field have all been murdered. She requested the FBI to look into it, but was told there was no reason to believe the murders were related. Jane doesn't think it could be coincidence, and she hires Pepper to find out the truth.

Jane Smyers explains fractal geometry to Pepper (and to us). Its principles have already been used in many businesses, in the arts, and in the stock market. The latter seems to rely on models priorly tested and proven. Investments rely on predicting what the market may do, so the creators of any proven model usually either goes into business for him/herself or publishes their findings, perhaps hoping for the prestige of a Nobel Prize.

Pepper, along with his close friend Scott McCutcheon, begins to search the locations where the three fractal specialists worked. Their names were Paul Fontaine (Walla Walla Washington), Carolyn Chang (University of Nebraska), and Donald Underwood (Boston). Distances separating the three was one of the reasons given for the FBI conclusion that the murders were unrelated. It also appears there was no correspondence between the specialists. In the course of his investigation, Pepper is attracted to Jane, and arouses the suspicion and influence of Stephen Finn, one of her colleagues at the college.

Mike Polk was one of the FBI investigators who first looked into Jane Smyers suppositions. Mike Polk is also the guy whom Pepper still holds responsible for his deceased wife's car accident some years ago – so Pepper is happy when the evidence begins to accumulate against Polk. Between Pepper and Scott, they delve into everything possibly connected to the three murdered fractal specialists – their students, colleagues, families and anything or anyone who might connect them. When they do find a connection, it points directly to Polk.

A subplot concerns Pepper's developing personal relationship with Jane. He manages to inform her of his frequent bouts of depression (for which he takes medication), but before he has a chance to tell her about his past conviction for manslaughter and the reason for it – someone else does, and Jane is less than pleased to hear it. The relationship is placed firmly on hold until Jane can deal with Pepper's past and accept it.

When the murderer is finally revealed in a surprise twist (I thought for once I'd already spotted both clues and killer, thinking Mr. Cohen perhaps not so clever as a new writer – I congratulated myself far too soon!) the FBI organization comes out looking less than perfect. However, all is resolved, except for Pepper's attraction to Jane – maybe fodder for the next novel.

The recent explosion of CIA and FBI misdemeanors, graft, and murder in so many recent mystery books seems to indicate an agreement of mistrust in these august organizations with which I heartily agree. But whether or not these fictional misconducts are based on reality is something I know nothing about. I base my own feelings solely on intuition.
However, discovery of FBI foibles in The Fractal Murders once again outlines a possible need for some kind of check on everything they do, including their most secret accomplishments. No doubt remains that there are dedicated employees in both groups who adhere strictly to the rules and expectations. There's also no doubt that everyone involved is human, subject to human frailty and temptation. The Fractal Murders certainly highlights that.

The Fractal Murders is as interesting as it is informative. Mark Cohen has made a delightful beginning for a great series with this work. Mr. Cohen already knows just how to incorporate all the little human touches which provide life to his characters, and his humor is everywhere apparent.

Alan Paul Curtis

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