Rating: 
Summary: It is a good book, a bit slow paced but quite interesting.
Review: A great book for teachers of economics . . . a murder is solved because the murderer fails to realize that the laws of economics point the invisible hand of suspicion squarely at him. An amusing, painless way to learn some basic economics, and a decent mystery at the same time.
Rating: 
Summary: Economics made deadly fun.
Review: A great book for teachers of economics . . . a murder is solved because the murderer fails to realize that the laws of economics point the invisible hand of suspicion squarely at him. An amusing, painless way to learn some basic economics, and a decent mystery at the same time.
Rating:
Summary: It is a good book, a bit slow paced but quite interesting.
Review: Henry Spearman,an Economics professor at Harvard university,is on a holiday at St. John.His holiday is spoiled by a murder of an army general at the hotel at which he is staying. The professor,who tends to explain everything with economic theories, is determined to find the murderer-using economic theories of course. A change of events occur,and a person drowns.Two days later a judge is murdered. The local police associate these activities with black racialist groups. They even arrest two suspects. But as it is they turn out to be wrong. the prof. finds out otherwise. This book is a slow-paced mystery and you might find it interesting so take a look.
Rating: 
Summary: Marvelous way to learn economics
Review: I know of no more enjoyable way of learning sound economics than by reading Marshall Jevons's murder mysteries. Jevons's deep understanding of economics is evident throughout, and his ability to weave economics into engaging plots is stunning. Read these books and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Marvelous way to learn economics
Review: I know of no more enjoyable way of learning sound economics than by reading Marshall Jevons's murder mysteries. Jevons's deep understanding of economics is evident throughout, and his ability to weave economics into engaging plots is stunning. Read these books and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: 2 hours -- the opportunity cost for me reading this book...
Review: I read this book as a intersemester assignment for my AP Economics class. Interesting to say the least, it went well with my microeconomics intuition. Nice interesting story, although I already suspected who was the murderer way before our protagonist Henry Spearman mentions.
The interesting twist is in the end when I realized there was a BIGGER picture I didn't suspect. Overall, its a great murder mystery that takes economics to a whole new level.
The fusion of economics and criminology is just impressive in this witty satiric tale although there are high traces of clique stereotypes from the era the book was probably written (racial tensions) the book operates solely on economic reasoning. For those Sherlock Holmes out there looking for a good "utility," of their time this book will be worth your opportunity cost. I managed to stay awake to read the whole book through -- something meritable since I usually fall asleep reading my economics textbook.
If you want to enjoy economics fused with a Sherlock Holmes character, definitely check this book out. I highly recommend it especially for Microeconomics students.
Rating:
Summary: Learn economics with a good mystery
Review: The premise that an economist is capable of solving a murder mystery by using economic analysis appears at first glance to be absurd. However, this story is one where that concept is made thoroughly believable. The hero, modeled after economist Milton Friedman, analyzes all aspects of behavior in terms of maximum return on expenditure. And when people appear to be violating that principle, he is led down a dangerous path that allows him to find the killer(s).
Written by two economists, this book can also be used as a supplemental text in introductory economics. It is a refreshing way to study economics and mathematics without appearing to do so.
Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission.
Rating:
Summary: A good economics primer
Review: This book was required reading as part of my Microeconomics course. Although it's not quite on the level of Agatha Christie or Ellery Queen- the plot and story is relatively simple and easy to follow- it does show how one can see the basic laws of economics at work in just about every facet of day-to-day life. Using opportunity cost, the laws of supply & demand, interdependent utility functions, and even the prisoner's dilemma to get to the bottom of the case, Harvard economics professor Henry Spearman tracks down the killer/killers of two high-society tourists at the Cinnamon Bay resort on the Caribbean island of St. John. Interestingly enough, the foreword & afterword of the book both go into the economic possibilities of writing and publishing a mystery novel featuring an economist as the protagonist! Apparently, the possibilities looked good, since there's two follow-up Henry Spearman mystery novels out there, both of which I'm planning to take a look at once I get some free time in. Of course, I'll have to calculate the opportunity costs of other forms of recreation, the utility I receive from reading the other novels, etc. I have a feeling I'll receive a handsome profit out of the deal... All told, "Murder at the Margin", if not exactly a great murder mystery, is a fairly interesting primer on the practical uses of economics, and makes for surprisingly quick reading! 'Late
Rating:
Summary: Great mystery that demonstrates economics
Review: This is a fun and short read for any mystery lover, and as an added bonus, it demonstrates economic principles in action! Great for students of economics as a supplement to a textbook
Rating:
Summary: Great mystery, good economics
Review: This is a good mystery with a very creative plot. In addition, the characters are intriguing and fun to read about. There are great subtle touches, such as the way one hotel guest examines his bacon. (Yes, I know that sounds strange, but if you read the book you will understand) It was the authors first effort, and being such it is not quite as good as the following two books, which I would rate at 4 1/2 and 5 stars. Still, it is a very good read.
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