A very interesting mathematical allusion arises in the occasional discussion of P vs.Yukawa, apparently testing whether his old friend's abilities have weakened as they both approach middle age, brings a purported counter-example to the Riemann Hypothesis to show Ishigami, and is suitably impressed when he is able to identify the flaw in only one night.Another point of interest is his answer to the eternal question 'why do we need to learn this?'.

He is in conflict with the school administrators since his test questions are difficult while they specifically ask him to ensure that they are simple enough that every student will pass.

We see mathematics education in the interactions between Ishigami and his students.

He lives in self-imposed isolation so that he can work on his mathematics without distraction, and does so because he loves mathematics, not because he seeks public recognition of his accomplishments.

Ishigami is shown to be working on a proof of the Four Color Theorem, knowing full-well that many mathematicians are satisfied with the proof provided by Appel and Haken, but is said to be seeking one that would appeal to Erdos.

The mystery itself is not mathematical, but there is quite a bit of discussion of mathematics in the following ways: It becomes a battle of wits between Ishigami and Yukawa. This book is a mystery in which the reader can piece together the clues, but unlike the traditional situation in which the puzzle is to determine the identity of the murderer, here the mystery is to figure out Ishigami's plan, and to see whether it will succeed.

The only thing he did not include in his plan was that the investigating detective happens to know Manubo Yukawa, a physicist who was Ishigami's only friend when they were university students together. When Hanaoka and her daughter kill her abusive ex-husband, they are shocked that Ishigami (a man they barely knew) comes to their rescue with an intricate plan to keep them safe from the police. Reclusive high school math teacher Tetsuya Ishigami is 'devoted' to two things: his math research and his neighbor, Yasuko Hanaoka. Note: This work of mathematical fiction is recommended by Alex for literati. A list compiled by Alex Kasman ( College of Charleston)

The devotion of suspect