As is typical in Davies' work, the novel's themes are wide-ranging: miraculous cures, halitosis, cannibalism, medical solutions to literary mysteries, and more.

A continuing literary mystery is the nature of the "little nameless object" made in Woollett.

It has been one of the most bizarre literary mysteries in recent memory: Who, exactly, is the novelist JT Leroy?

So he spent the next 13 years working on an elaborate literary mystery.

It was a French literary mystery and many speculated about who Osmonde might be.

Mr. LaBute was convinced that adapting "Possession" was a literary mystery he could solve.

"An affectionate acquaintance with Joyce's Dubliners adds considerably to the pleasures of this profoundly clever literary mystery."

As literary mysteries go, this one goes with all the humor, heart and grace of a city that insists on remaining unto itself.

LEAD: As the Supreme Court's term comes to an end, a literary mystery remains unsolved.