A Clue for the Puzzle Lady - (Puzzle Lady Mysteries) by Parnell Hall (Paperback)

About the Book

First in a series, this clever mystery from an Edgar Award nominee lets readers fill in the clues as the plot unfolds. The heroine, Cora Felton, is a weekly syndicated crossword columnist who turns into a modern-day Miss Marple at the whiff of a good mystery. "Fresh, funny, and ingeniously densed. It kept me guessing right down to the end--just like a good crossword".--WIll Shortz, Crossword Editor, "The New York Times".

Book Synopsis

Cruciverbalists, rejoice! Pick up a pencil and get ready to solve a puzzling murder-and an actual crossword puzzle-in this sparkling debut of a unique amateur detective: Miss Cora Felton, an eccentric old lady with a syndicated puzzle column, an irresistible urge to poke into unsettling events, and a niece who's determined to keep her out of trouble.

When the body of an unknown teenage girl turns up in the cemetery in the quiet town of Bakerhaven, Police Chief Dale Harper finds himself investigating his first homicide. A baffling clue leads him to consult Bakerhaven's resident puzzle expert-his first big mistake. Soon Cora's meddling, mischief-making behavior drives Chief Harper to distraction and inspires many cross words from her long-suffering niece, Sherry. But when another body turns up in a murder that hits much closer to home, Cora must find a killer-before she winds up in a wooden box three feet across...and six down.

From the Back Cover

Cruciverbalists, rejoice! Pick up a pencil and get ready to solve a puzzling murder -- and an actual crossword puzzle -- in this sparkling debut of a unique amateur detective: Miss Cora Felton, an eccentric old lady with a syndicated puzzle column, an irresistible urge to poke into unsettling events, and a niece who's determined to keep her out of trouble.

When the body of an unknown teenage girl turns up in the cemetery in the quiet town of Bakerhaven, Police Chief Dale Harper finds himself investigating his first homicide. A baffling clue leads him to consult Bakerhaven's resident puzzle expert -- his first big mistake. Soon Cora's meddling, mischief-making behavior drives Chief Harper to distraction and inspires many cross words from her long-suffering niece, Sherry. But when another body turns up in a murder that hits much closer to home, Cora must find a killer -- before she winds up in a wooden box three feet across...and six down.

Review Quotes

"Heaven for crossword puzzle fans!"--Kirkus Reviews

Some puzzles are real killers...."devious and delightful!"--Chicago Sun-Times

"Complex and satisfying...A fun series for mystery fans and cruciverbalists!"--USA Today

"In addition to his trademark zippy, witty dialogue, Hall provides a dandy puzzle, congenial secondary characters, plenty of laughs, and a true original in Cora Felton, the Puzzle Lady."--Publishers Weekly

"A Clue for the Puzzle Lady is fresh, funny, and ingeniously devised. It kept me guessing right down to the end-just like a good crossword!"--Will Shortz, crossword editor, The New York Times

About the Author

Parnell Hall is the author of the critically acclaimed Stanley Hastings mystery novels and the Steve Winslow courtroom dramas, and has been nominated for the Edgar, the Shamus and the Lefty Awards. This is his first Puzzle Lady mystery. Bantam will publish his second, Last Puzzle & Testament, in Fall 2000.