In The Mystery of the Invisible Hand, Henry Spearman, an economics professor with a knack for solving crimes, is pulled into a case that mixes campus intrigue, stolen art, and murder. Arriving at San Antonio’s Monte Vista University to teach a course on art and economics, he is confronted with a puzzling art theft and the suspicious suicide of the school’s artist-in-residence. From Texas to New York, Spearman traces the connections between economics and the art world, finding his clues in monopolies, auction theory, and Adam Smith. How is a company’s capital like an art museum’s collection? What does the market say about art’s authenticity versus its availability? What is the mysterious “death effect”—and does it lie at the heart of the case? Spearman must rely on his savviest economic thinking to answer these questions—and pin down a killer.
"The twists and turns of the plot make for great fun as well as for an enjoyable way to learn economics. . . . The Mystery of the Invisible Hand reveals clearly that, while economics can only sometimes help to piece together clues to an unsolved murder, it is utterly indispensable for making sense of the world."—Donald Boudreaux, Wall Street Journal
"The way that Spearman uses economics as a lens through which to view the ambitions and rivalries of academics is absolutely riveting. Like Freakonomics, this proves that the much-dreaded 'econ' can provide useful entertainment."—Booklist
"Jevons combines entertaining economic lessons with a crafty whodunit in his excellent fourth Henry Spearman mystery."—Publishers Weekly
"For anyone wanting to nail down some basic principles of economics, and have fun doing it, it's a 'rational solution.' It would make superb supplementary reading for an introductory econ course."—Brenda Jubin, Investing.com
"Completely unlike any other crime fiction being published at present. I loved it."—Jessica Mann, Literary Review
"A very enjoyable romp—campus novel meets detective novel meets economics primer. . . . As a way to bring some basic economic concepts to life for students, this is an excellent series."—Diane Coyle, Enlightened Economist
"It's hard to imagine how a short, balding Nobel Prize winner from Harvard could use economic theories to help solve mysteries, but Jevons manages it, with a sense of humor and a whole lot of economics."—HowMysterious.com
"Ingenious. . . . In The Invisible Hand, Marshall Jevons comes of age not only as a crime writer, but as one of a kind. The detective fiction is top-drawer, but the combination with economics is seamless. No one else has done this, and now Jevons has done it again. Rejoice!"—Fred S. McChesney, Southern Economic Journal
"A cerebral delight, The Mystery of the Invisible Hand is an engrossing, original, and compelling whodunit in the tradition of Amanda Cross and Joanne Dobson."—Carolyn Hart, Agatha Award-winning author of Letter from Home
"Marshall Jevons is the pioneer for integrating economics and detective fiction, and The Mystery of the Invisible Hand is another fine effort in this genre."—Tyler Cowen, George Mason University
"While it's been said that economics is the 'dismal science,' there's nothing dismal in Marshall Jevons's latest novel, The Mystery of the Invisible Hand. An art theft and alleged suicide lead Nobel Prize-winning economist Henry Spearman on a puzzling quest that demonstrates his talents both as a sleuth and an economist. Very much recommended!"—Brendan DuBois, two-time Shamus Award winner and author of Fatal Harbor
"This is another terrific Marshall Jevons mystery! If you enjoy your economics served with a side of fun and a dash of suspense, you should definitely read this book."—John Siegfried, professor emeritus of economics, Vanderbilt University
"The more than capable pen of Marshall Jevons transforms the field of economics into something far beyond what has often been referred to as 'the dismal science.' The Mystery of the Invisible Hand is an entertaining and educational treat for crime fiction fans and students of economics alike."—Andy Straka, Shamus Award-winning author of The K Street Hunting Society
"A must for readers who love academic mysteries."—Frankie Y. Bailey, author of The Red Queen Dies
"The Mystery of the Invisible Hand offers interesting economic insights in an entertaining detective story."—Michael Klein, Tufts University and author of Something for Nothing
"Jevons is an accomplished writer who sprinkles his work with eclectic quotes and economic perception. This latest addition to the Henry Spearman murder series is well written and provides an engaging look at the art market. I enjoyed it."—Jonathan Wight, author of Saving Adam Smith
