The Crossword Murder

by Nero Blanc

Book Overview

When crossword puzzle editor Thompson C. Briephs is found dead under suspicious circumstances, private investigator Rosco Polycrates enlists the aid of rival crossword editor Annabella Graham to help him complete five puzzles written by Briephs before his death which may contain clues to the identit

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425169774
• ISBN13: 9780425169773
• Release Date: August 1999
• Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Great book

I don't do crosswords, I hate them, however the five puzzles do not interfer with the enjoyment of this story. Rosco and Belle are great fun and this is a great story

Great Trans-Atlantic Read

I picked up "The Crossword Murder" in the airport shop and finished it before I crossed the Pond. Good plot twists, great puzzles, and a nice romance to boot. I found myself wishing I'd picked up the next book in the series for the ride home.

Intelligent Mystery With a Twist

I thoroughly enjoyed Nero Blanc's 'The Crossword Murder'. It harkend back to good old-fashioned classic mystery writing. Characters and situations were contemporary but with a feel that was reminiscent of Nick and Nora Charles. It was bright, stylish and challanging. The puzzles did however stump me in several places, but I don't want a crossword puzzle to be 'dumbed-down'. I was glad to see that there was a sequel, 'Two Down' and bought it as soon as it was available. Here's hoping this book series has a good long run with many sequels to come!

Fun read. Great couple!

My favorite Christmas gift! Great story with an inventive angle and wry sense of humor. The puzzles are great fun, and Rosco and Belle make a modern couple I'd like to see a lot more of.

Unique, fun who-done-it with a twist

Thompson C. Briephs is the crossword puzzle developer for the Newcastle Herald. That is he was the puzzle guru for the Massachusetts paper until he is found dead from an apparent heart failure. No one sees foul play with Thompson's untimely death except his wealthy mother Sara who insists that her fifty-one year old son was in perfect health. Since the police refuse to listen to Sara, she hires private investigator Rosco Polycrates, who tries to dissuade her from wasting her money since the medical examiner already ruled as to cause of death. However, Rosco accepts the case and begins to make inquiries into Thompson's life. To help him understand puzzle makers, Rosco turns to Thompson's rival and peer, Annabell Graham of the Herald. Soon crossword puzzles arrive that Thompson seems to have authored. The clues to the puzzle point towards the identity of the killer. THE CROSSWORD MURDER is an inventive, unique novel that shows there are still many creative ways to distribute clues to readers. The story line is clever, uncanny, and entertaining as fans of mysteries solve the puzzles in order to solve a who-done-it. Is this a gimmick-laden plot? Yes, but it works because Nero Blanc does not ignore his characters or allow them to be overwhelmed by the stratagem. The audience will share in the fun of uncovering the killer's identity along with Rosco and Anna.Harriet Klausner