The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel by Douglas Brunt is one of those nonfiction books that reads like a thriller (think Erik Larson-esque)…and I mean that in the best way. I had no idea who Rudolf Diesel really was beyond the engine that shares his name, and now I can’t believe this story isn’t more widely known.

Brunt dives into Diesel’s strange disappearance in 1913 and pieces together a mystery that’s full of twists, shady politics, gilded age tycoons, and a whole lot of questions. It’s part biography, part true crime, and part geopolitical drama, and somehow even with all of those things, it all works. You can tell Brunt did his homework, but he also knows how to keep the story moving. I was hooked pretty much from the start. 

The only reason I’m giving it 4.5 instead of a full 5 stars is that I personally got bogged down in the science a couple of times and a few of the theories felt a little speculative, but to be fair, Brunt is clear about what’s fact and what’s educated guesswork. It didn’t take away from the mystery at all. 

If you like history, unsolved mysteries, or just a great story, this book’s definitely worth picking up!

(Ps: Edison and Diesel hating each other is so funny to me)