The Sudoku Murder

The Sudoku Murder by Shelley Freydont, Mystery, 2007

Katie McDonald, a member of the Institute of Theoretical Mathematics and master puzzle solver, returns home when her mentor Professor P.T. Avondale, writes that he is in trouble. His museum is being threatened as a developer buys up properties in the small town of Granville, New Hampshire. Soon after her arrival, she finds P.T. stabbed in the neck at his desk and gives him CPR, but he dies.

The Chief of Police Brandon Mitchell is a newcomer to town and disliked by everyone, including her Aunt Pru because he cited her for rolling through a stop sign. To complicate matter, Pru arranges dates for Katie with men in town who have steady jobs.

Katie is Brandon’s number one suspect, and Katie begins asking questions to discover who killed P.T. The more she gets in trouble, the more time she spends with Brandon who looks more appealing over time.

In a cozy mystery, the police have to be inept or think the amateur sleuth is guilty. Brandon is good at his job but lacks people skills, something geek Katie can sympathize with. Also included is a cat, puzzles, and a secret compartment. The supporting cast of characters are zany and fun or evil and suspicious.

Freydont does an excellent job of moving the story along as she adds more and more layers to the story and gives the reader a satisfying ending.  

#mystery #cozy #sudoku #bookreview