The Crossword Murders
by Helena Dixon
DESCRIPTION
A crossword that’s tricky to crack, a hot cup of coffee… and hidden clues? Can Jane Treen work this mystery out?
England, 1942. Jane Treen is hot-footing it to Devon, having received an urgent message from her colleague and fellow sleuth, Arthur Cilento. He had been deeply worried for his mentor, crossword writer Professor Watkins. And the invitation he’s sent Jane is to the Professor’s funeral… he’s dead.
Arthur suspects foul play, but before they have time to fill in the blanks, their clues lead them into a secret vault nearby. Jane, fluffy ginger cat by her side, begins to connect the dots. But then another man is murdered, and she realises that Professor Watkins’ death is one piece in a much larger and deadlier game.
But who could be behind the untimely deaths? Could the professor’s beloved sister be responsible? Or a wealthy and influential benefactor and her assistant? And someone else close to the professor – also no stranger to compiling a crossword – seems to be increasingly cryptic too.
It’s clear that the killer isn’t playing by the book. And when the clue the professor left in the last crossword he wrote doesn’t help them to solve the crime, Jane and Arthur are back to square one and must think outside the box to crack the code. But just as they start to figure out what’s happening, they find themselves trapped, their lives at stake…
Can the duo solve the puzzle and escape before it’s too late?
BUY LINK
- Amazon: https://geni.us/B0GX38GWBNsocial
MY THOUGHTS
In this fifth installment in The Secret Detective Agency series, amateur sleuth Jane Treen is summoned by Crossword Club member and occasional sleuthing partner Arthur Cilento. As it is England, 1942, with World War II raging, the danger of bombing is never far from their minds. Arthur’s mentor, Professor Sanford Watkins, has been killed, and Arthur suspects murder. Having worked together on previous cases, Jane and Arthur join forces to find the killer. Posing as a couple provides them with a cover for their investigation, but with danger lurking around every corner, they know they must proceed with caution.
Jane arrives with her cat, Marmaduke, and after working together on several investigations, Arthur has finally stopped complaining about Jane bringing Marmaduke along! They get to work right away, but when another man is murdered, they begin to wonder whether the killings are connected to the Crossword Club or if the answer lies closer to home. As they question several people, including the professor’s sister, his benefactor, and her assistant, they discover that there is much more to this case than meets the eye.
As Jane and Arthur begin piecing together the clues, they uncover a possible motive involving missing art treasures. Hopefully, the professor’s final crossword puzzle will help them decipher the clues and flush out the murderer. As in previous installments, their investigation puts both Jane and Arthur in danger, as someone is determined to keep the truth from coming to light.
I thoroughly enjoyed this latest installment in the series. I love the historical setting, the intriguing mystery, and the way Jane and Arthur work together to unravel the clues. The crossword puzzle adds an interesting element to the investigation, and I enjoyed watching the pieces come together as they got closer to the truth. Marmaduke is also a welcome addition, and I always enjoy seeing him accompany Jane on her adventures. Another entertaining mystery that kept me guessing, and I look forward to seeing what Jane gets herself into next!
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
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