Murder Most Cryptic

A puzzling new murder mystery where crime and crosswords collide, for fans of Janice Hallett and Ludwig.

'I was completely immersed in a world I didn't want to leave. Full of twists and headcratching puzzles that leave you wanting more... absolutely, head and shoulders, the best thing I've read this year.' Jonathan Whitelaw

The dead body is their first clue - and the answer is murder... but can they solve the crossword, and find a killer too?

Nina is a promising young journalist. She’s also an alcoholic.

Once a week, she attends a recovery group in the local church hall. When a stranger walks in one night, the group think they might have a new member. Until he promptly drops dead.

The police believe it’s nothing more than an accident. But the group soon realise there’s more to this mystery than meets the eye, when they discover a cryptic crossword clue hidden in the dead man’s pocket – the answer to which is Murder.

As more mysterious and threatening clues start appearing in a newspaper crossword, Nina and team must work to crack this cryptic case. Can they solve the clues, and catch a killer?

Or will the next crossword spell death for one of them…?

'A surprising debut novel, righteously paced, filled with remarkable characters... an amazing portrait of an England I didn’t know anything about!' P. J. Nelson, author of Booked for Murder

'Clever and compelling, fans of Janice Hallett will gobble this up.' Catherine Mack, USA Today bestselling author of This Weekend Doesn’t End Well For Anyone

'Fans of The Marlow Murder Club rejoice! A crew of recovering alcoholics adds some welcome gravity to this clever, conundrum-filled cozy mystery. A wonderful debut!' Jo Nichols, author of The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective