Benedict Carey - Author

I am a science reporter at the New York Times, and I set up this site as a home for my kids' science books - "Island of The Unknowns," a math mysery (formerly titled "The Unknowns" and named a notable book by Scientific American magazine, and winner of the 2010-2011 Battle of the Books contest in North Carolina for middle schoolers: http://www.ncslma.org/BookCompetitions/BoBstate/bobbooklist2010-2011.htm) - and "Poison Most Vial," a murder mystery featuring forensic toxicology that is due out in April.

Both books are adventures in which kids use science to save themselves and solve a mystery. It's real science, accessible but not obvious, and builds understanding of some fairly advanced principles - transcendental numbers (among other things) in "Island of the Unknowns," and mass chromatography in "Poison Most Vial."

It has received one review already, in ebook form:

"This book is lovely.

There is a tendency in young adult literature these days to focus on the fantastic and the outrageous.  This story is set in a place that could be real.  With characters who have real problems.  The fact that the story is solved through science is even better. A great read for young scientist who want to know how forensics really solves mysteries."

--Rebecca Pausley




The book is the only one I have found that teaches important math concepts as a part of a novel-length mystery. These are pre-algebra theorems and properties that are fundamental to a complete math education and will help in school - read about them on the Teaching Guide page. The book was named a notable book by Scientific American and a winner of the Battle of the Books 2010-2011 in North Carolina. The story has gotten some great reviews, all of which you can see on the Reviews page. Or, you can judge for yourself.

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Poison Most Vial

The famous forensic scientist Dr. Rama is dead - murdered - and suspicion has fallen on Ruby Rose's father, the only family she has. Ruby is new to her school and is having enough trouble just making a friend; now she has far bigger problems. To save her father, she will have to solve the murder herself, relying for help on an elderly  neighbor who used to be a toxicologist. But is this woman reliable? And is there enough time? 

The Unknowns