Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of Einstein’s Daughter – Tim Symonds
Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of Einstein’s Daughter – Tim Symonds
Mention Einstein and one generally thinks of a grey-haired man and/or E=MC2. I can’t say I ever thought of him being married, let alone having a daughter. But this is the scenario for Tim Symond’s book. In addition, Tim draws on another historical character, albeit a fictional one – that of Sherlock Holmes – and his partner Dr Watson, by Arthur Conan-Doyle, to tell his story.
I’ve watched numerous Sherlock Holmes films but not read any of the books, yet it feels that Tim has kept his Sherlock very similar to Conan-Doyle’s. Einstein’s Daughter is not Tim’s first Sherlock-style book, so I can’t comment on how his characterisation has developed.
This was an intriguing read on numerous fronts – from seeing how he worked Sherlock, to the mystery surrounding Einstein. Crossing countries to solve the challenge set for Sherlock, Tim explores religious and cultural issues of the day as well as the moral dilemma posed with the appointment of Einstein to Berne University. In addition, gender aspects feature through the role Einstein’s first wife played in the development of his theory. The what-if potentials remain – and as Tim has suggested hopefully (in correspondence) should inspire further interest and research into the life of Mileva Maric to whom Einstein was married between 1903 and 1919.
Since Tim has written his novel, a few articles on Mileva and Einstein have appeared. I suggest reading Tim’s Einstein’s Daughter before reading or dipping into them if you want to keep the sense of discovery Sherlock and Dr Watson experienced.
If I get to read another of Tim’s Sherlock series, it will likely be Sherlock Holmes and the Dead Boer at Scotney Castle.
Which would be your choice? Visit tim-symonds.co.uk for more on Tim and his books. If you’re in the UK and order through his site, he can autograph a copy for you.
And if by any chance you know someone who has investigated the link between Einstein’s physics’ theories and maths ability and his compared with Mileva’s, please do get in touch – I know Tim is keen to hear about it.
