Think of a Number (Dave Gurney, #1) Summary & Key Insights

John Verdon's "Think of a Number" introduces Dave Gurney, a recently retired NYPD detective haunted by a past case and the loss of his wife. The novel unfolds not as a fast-paced chase, but as a meticulously crafted intellectual puzzle, showcasing Gurney's sharp mind as he confronts a unique and unsettling challenge.

The plot centers around a series of meticulously planned murders, each victim seemingly chosen at random and left with a cryptic playing card tucked into their hand. The killer, unknown, leaves no forensic evidence, frustrating the local police force and highlighting the inadequacy of standard investigative techniques. This lack of conventional clues forces the narrative to focus heavily on the killer's psychology and the patterns underlying their actions. The seemingly random nature of the murders is the central mystery.

Gurney, despite his retirement and personal turmoil, is drawn into the case, primarily due to his unique skillset. He possesses an uncanny ability to think like a criminal, anticipating their moves and motivations. His approach is unconventional, relying heavily on intuition and pattern recognition rather than traditional police procedures. This sets him apart from the more conventional police force led by the somewhat exasperated Detective Miller. The contrast between Gurney's intuitive methods and the police's procedural approach forms a key element of the plot's tension.

The key character, of course, is Dave Gurney. He is presented as a complex and compelling individual, battling both the external pressures of the case and the internal demons of his past. His grief over his wife’s death fuels his dedication, giving him an almost obsessive focus on solving the murders, even if it means re-opening old wounds. The killer, remaining unnamed and unseen for much of the novel, acts as an intellectual foil to Gurney, representing a chillingly methodical and calculating mind. The other significant characters are relatively underdeveloped, serving primarily to highlight Gurney's exceptional abilities.

The overarching themes in the novel revolve around memory, loss, and the nature of randomness. Gurney's own struggles with memory and his attempts to grapple with his wife's death serve as a parallel to the seemingly random selection of victims. The killer's meticulous planning contrasts sharply with the seemingly arbitrary nature of their targets, forcing Gurney to search for patterns in the apparently chaotic. The novel ultimately explores the idea that even seemingly random events can have underlying structures, and that understanding those structures is key to solving the most complex of mysteries. The novel's ending provides a chilling resolution that leaves a lingering sense of unease, highlighting the disturbing nature of the killer's actions and the unsettling power of the human mind.