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Edie O'Sullivan #1
Das mörderische Christmas Puzzle
Diese Weihnachten puzzeln Sie um Leben und Tod
Edie O'Sullivan, berühmt für ihre Kreuzworträtsel in der Zeitung, hasst Weihnachten. Kurz vor Heiligabend findet sie auf ihrer Türschwelle ein Päckchen mit einem unheimlichen Puzzle. Ein Tatort? Die beigefügte Nachricht Wenn sie das Rätsel nicht bis zum Fest löst, werden mehrere Menschen sterben. Der neue Weihnachtskrimi von Erfolgsautorin Alexandra teuflisch spannend und herrlich skurril.
Es ist der 19. Dezember, Schnee fällt sanft auf die Straßen der englischen Kleinstadt – und Rentnerin Edie O'Sullivan findet ein mysteriöses Päckchen vor ihrer Haustü sechs Puzzleteile, die den Ausschnitt eines Tatorts zeigen. Und eine Wenn sie es nicht schafft, alle Teile zusammenzufügen und den Absender aufzuhalten, werden bis Heiligabend mindestens vier Menschen sterben. Edie ahnt, dass sie nicht zufällig ausgewählt wurde, schließlich gilt sie als eine der größten Rätselexpertinnen des Landes. Ein schlechter Scherz? Edie sucht Rat bei ihrem Großneffen Sean, einem Polizisten. Da taucht das erste Opfer mit einem Puzzleteil in der Hand auf, und beiden wird Das ist kein Spiel. Sean will ohne Edie weiterermitteln, aber Edie lässt nicht locker. Unbeirrt puzzelt sie weiter, und je näher sie der Lösung kommt, desto mehr führen die Hinweise in Edies Vergangenheit und zu einem Geheimnis, das sie tief vergraben glaubte.
Edie O'Sullivan, berühmt für ihre Kreuzworträtsel in der Zeitung, hasst Weihnachten. Kurz vor Heiligabend findet sie auf ihrer Türschwelle ein Päckchen mit einem unheimlichen Puzzle. Ein Tatort? Die beigefügte Nachricht Wenn sie das Rätsel nicht bis zum Fest löst, werden mehrere Menschen sterben. Der neue Weihnachtskrimi von Erfolgsautorin Alexandra teuflisch spannend und herrlich skurril.
Es ist der 19. Dezember, Schnee fällt sanft auf die Straßen der englischen Kleinstadt – und Rentnerin Edie O'Sullivan findet ein mysteriöses Päckchen vor ihrer Haustü sechs Puzzleteile, die den Ausschnitt eines Tatorts zeigen. Und eine Wenn sie es nicht schafft, alle Teile zusammenzufügen und den Absender aufzuhalten, werden bis Heiligabend mindestens vier Menschen sterben. Edie ahnt, dass sie nicht zufällig ausgewählt wurde, schließlich gilt sie als eine der größten Rätselexpertinnen des Landes. Ein schlechter Scherz? Edie sucht Rat bei ihrem Großneffen Sean, einem Polizisten. Da taucht das erste Opfer mit einem Puzzleteil in der Hand auf, und beiden wird Das ist kein Spiel. Sean will ohne Edie weiterermitteln, aber Edie lässt nicht locker. Unbeirrt puzzelt sie weiter, und je näher sie der Lösung kommt, desto mehr führen die Hinweise in Edies Vergangenheit und zu einem Geheimnis, das sie tief vergraben glaubte.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2023
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10337 people want to read
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October 26, 2024
A confusing mystery featuring an unsympathetic Scroogelike protagonist.
On December 1st, curmudgeon and eighty year old crossword setter Edie O’Sullivan is gifted a box of puzzle pieces on her doorstep from “Rest in Pieces,” which when put together represent a crime scene. She is determined to solve the mystery before the four people represented are murdered. Despite her nephew/son being the DI for the police, Edie withholds some of the pieces to prevent him from finding out that he is a target. She must solve the mystery and protect her only remaining family member before Christmas.
While I understand Benedict’s intentions in creating Edie O’Sullivan’s unlikeable character, it made for a very slow, difficult read. This 260 page book took me two weeks to finish! I thought that I would enjoy this plot, as I am a huge fan of Robert Thorogood’s The Marlow Murder Club, which also contains an elderly crossword setter protagonist. However, Edie was not very compelling or sympathetic, wallowing in her own depressing sorrow for nearly the entire book.
The plot contains themes of IVF and adoption, as well as many LGBTQ characters. The characters and their motivations are confusing and not fully developed before they are murdered. While I didn’t guess the murderer before the reveal, it didn’t help to save my interest.
As a bonus, Benedict includes several additional hidden puzzles for the reader to solve while reading. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel inspired enough to attempt these.
2.5/5 stars rounded down
Publication Date: 10/8/24
Thank you to Edelweiss and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC of The Christmas Jigsaw Murders in exchange for an honest review.
On December 1st, curmudgeon and eighty year old crossword setter Edie O’Sullivan is gifted a box of puzzle pieces on her doorstep from “Rest in Pieces,” which when put together represent a crime scene. She is determined to solve the mystery before the four people represented are murdered. Despite her nephew/son being the DI for the police, Edie withholds some of the pieces to prevent him from finding out that he is a target. She must solve the mystery and protect her only remaining family member before Christmas.
While I understand Benedict’s intentions in creating Edie O’Sullivan’s unlikeable character, it made for a very slow, difficult read. This 260 page book took me two weeks to finish! I thought that I would enjoy this plot, as I am a huge fan of Robert Thorogood’s The Marlow Murder Club, which also contains an elderly crossword setter protagonist. However, Edie was not very compelling or sympathetic, wallowing in her own depressing sorrow for nearly the entire book.
The plot contains themes of IVF and adoption, as well as many LGBTQ characters. The characters and their motivations are confusing and not fully developed before they are murdered. While I didn’t guess the murderer before the reveal, it didn’t help to save my interest.
As a bonus, Benedict includes several additional hidden puzzles for the reader to solve while reading. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel inspired enough to attempt these.
2.5/5 stars rounded down
Publication Date: 10/8/24
Thank you to Edelweiss and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC of The Christmas Jigsaw Murders in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2025
EXCERPT: Ms O'Sullivan,
You are known for your cross words, but can you set your sights on a murderer? Four, maybe more, people will be dead by midnight on Christmas Eve, unless you can put all the pieces together and stop me. Make sure you do it properly, you never were a good cheater.
Yours,
Rest In Pieces
ABOUT 'THE CHRISTMAS JIGSAW MURDERS': THIS CHRISTMAS, A KILLER TAKES FAMILY GAMES TO A MURDEROUS NEW LEVEL.
On 1st of December, renowned puzzle setter, loner and Christmas sceptic Edie O'Sullivan finds a hand-delivered present on her doorstep. Unwrapping it, she finds a jigsaw box with a question mark on the lid, and, inside, six jigsaw pieces. When fitted together, the pieces show part of a crime scene – blood-spattered black and white tiles and part of an outlined body. On the back of the pieces is a message: ‘His death takes place on the solstice, unless you can put together the pieces,’ along with a clue to the location of more pieces.
When the police say there isn’t anything to investigate, Edie teams up with her Christmas-loving nephew, DI Sean Brand-O'Sullivan, to solve the clues, find the jigsaw pieces and prevent the murder. Each set of jigsaw pieces leads to the next, but the more Edie finds, the more she discovers that the mystery is far more connected to her past than it first appeared, and to a Christmas mystery she’s being trying to forget for a very long time.
Only by fitting all the pieces together will Edie find the peace and goodwill she’s secretly always been looking for.
MY THOUGHTS: The Christmas Jigsaw Murders is an entertaining Christmas murder-mystery that has the added bonus of challenges for the reader to complete. There are anagrams of Charles Dickens' novel and Christmas story titles scattered throughout. Also, the titles of sixteen Fleetwood Mac songs and, at the beginning of each chapter, a jigsaw piece containing a letter or character which, when rearranged, gives the title of a well-known Christmas song and its singer. Now, I didn't set out to do the challenges (It's a time thing for me) and I completely ignored the anagram challenge; the jigsaw pieces showed up on my ARC but minus the letters/characters; but I did find most of the Fleetwood Mac songs. To be honest, they kind of jumped out at me even though I wasn't consciously looking for them. The answers to the challenge (except for the jigsaw pieces which are a competition) are in the back of the book, along with a recipe for Riga's Christmas Livener (which I think would knock me off my feet!), and Edie's Dorset Apple Cake which I am definitely going try.
I really liked Edie's character, even though she is reclusive, really doesn't like people, and a Christmas Grinch. There's a story behind why she is the way she is which is slowly revealed throughout the narrative. Her nephew, DI Sean Brand-O'Sullivan is the direct opposite of Edie - he loves Christmas with a passion - and is married to Liam, whom Edie doesn't like - well, doesn't like any more than anyone else, and as she doesn't like anyone except Sean, this causes a few problems! She does kind of like Riga, one of her neighbours who is eighty-nine and tends to put Edie in her place when required.
The puzzle Edie is trying to solve is . . . puzzling. With only the enigmatic letter and a few pieces of a jigsaw, Edie doesn't have much to go on. But with each new murder comes another letter - the second warning her NOT to involve the police - and a few more pieces of the jigsaw puzzle.
I have to say that I admire the way Edie's mind works. It's cool and logical, but sometimes she can't see the wood for the trees. There's a particular aspect of one of the clues she receives that appears to threaten her great-nephew Sean, and this upsets her greatly - enough for her to stop passing on the information she receives, and to take Riga into her confidence. Riga is wonderful, smart and sassy, she sees things not immediately obvious to Edie, and doesn't let Edie get away with her bad behaviour.
This is a well written Christmas cracker of a mystery that had me flipping the pages furiously. I would love to read another story featuring these characters. It is full of humor and intrigue. Even the recipe for Edie's Dorset Apple Cake had me chuckling while reading the instructions.
If you have a puzzler - jigsaw, crossword, or whatever - in your family/circle of friends, this will make a great pressie to pop under the tree.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheChristmasJigsawMurders #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Alexandra Benedict has been a composer, singer-songwriter, actor, and lecturer in crime fiction, and is now an award-winning writer of novels, short stories and scripts. As AK Benedict, she writes high-concept novels, speculative short stories and scripts.
She lives on the south coast of England with her fiancé, writer Guy Adams, their daughter, and their dog, Dame Margaret Rutherford. She writes in a room filled with teapots and the severed head of a ventriloquist’s dummy.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Simon & Schuster UK via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Christmas Jigsaw Murders by Alexandra Benedict for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
You are known for your cross words, but can you set your sights on a murderer? Four, maybe more, people will be dead by midnight on Christmas Eve, unless you can put all the pieces together and stop me. Make sure you do it properly, you never were a good cheater.
Yours,
Rest In Pieces
ABOUT 'THE CHRISTMAS JIGSAW MURDERS': THIS CHRISTMAS, A KILLER TAKES FAMILY GAMES TO A MURDEROUS NEW LEVEL.
On 1st of December, renowned puzzle setter, loner and Christmas sceptic Edie O'Sullivan finds a hand-delivered present on her doorstep. Unwrapping it, she finds a jigsaw box with a question mark on the lid, and, inside, six jigsaw pieces. When fitted together, the pieces show part of a crime scene – blood-spattered black and white tiles and part of an outlined body. On the back of the pieces is a message: ‘His death takes place on the solstice, unless you can put together the pieces,’ along with a clue to the location of more pieces.
When the police say there isn’t anything to investigate, Edie teams up with her Christmas-loving nephew, DI Sean Brand-O'Sullivan, to solve the clues, find the jigsaw pieces and prevent the murder. Each set of jigsaw pieces leads to the next, but the more Edie finds, the more she discovers that the mystery is far more connected to her past than it first appeared, and to a Christmas mystery she’s being trying to forget for a very long time.
Only by fitting all the pieces together will Edie find the peace and goodwill she’s secretly always been looking for.
MY THOUGHTS: The Christmas Jigsaw Murders is an entertaining Christmas murder-mystery that has the added bonus of challenges for the reader to complete. There are anagrams of Charles Dickens' novel and Christmas story titles scattered throughout. Also, the titles of sixteen Fleetwood Mac songs and, at the beginning of each chapter, a jigsaw piece containing a letter or character which, when rearranged, gives the title of a well-known Christmas song and its singer. Now, I didn't set out to do the challenges (It's a time thing for me) and I completely ignored the anagram challenge; the jigsaw pieces showed up on my ARC but minus the letters/characters; but I did find most of the Fleetwood Mac songs. To be honest, they kind of jumped out at me even though I wasn't consciously looking for them. The answers to the challenge (except for the jigsaw pieces which are a competition) are in the back of the book, along with a recipe for Riga's Christmas Livener (which I think would knock me off my feet!), and Edie's Dorset Apple Cake which I am definitely going try.
I really liked Edie's character, even though she is reclusive, really doesn't like people, and a Christmas Grinch. There's a story behind why she is the way she is which is slowly revealed throughout the narrative. Her nephew, DI Sean Brand-O'Sullivan is the direct opposite of Edie - he loves Christmas with a passion - and is married to Liam, whom Edie doesn't like - well, doesn't like any more than anyone else, and as she doesn't like anyone except Sean, this causes a few problems! She does kind of like Riga, one of her neighbours who is eighty-nine and tends to put Edie in her place when required.
The puzzle Edie is trying to solve is . . . puzzling. With only the enigmatic letter and a few pieces of a jigsaw, Edie doesn't have much to go on. But with each new murder comes another letter - the second warning her NOT to involve the police - and a few more pieces of the jigsaw puzzle.
I have to say that I admire the way Edie's mind works. It's cool and logical, but sometimes she can't see the wood for the trees. There's a particular aspect of one of the clues she receives that appears to threaten her great-nephew Sean, and this upsets her greatly - enough for her to stop passing on the information she receives, and to take Riga into her confidence. Riga is wonderful, smart and sassy, she sees things not immediately obvious to Edie, and doesn't let Edie get away with her bad behaviour.
This is a well written Christmas cracker of a mystery that had me flipping the pages furiously. I would love to read another story featuring these characters. It is full of humor and intrigue. Even the recipe for Edie's Dorset Apple Cake had me chuckling while reading the instructions.
If you have a puzzler - jigsaw, crossword, or whatever - in your family/circle of friends, this will make a great pressie to pop under the tree.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheChristmasJigsawMurders #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Alexandra Benedict has been a composer, singer-songwriter, actor, and lecturer in crime fiction, and is now an award-winning writer of novels, short stories and scripts. As AK Benedict, she writes high-concept novels, speculative short stories and scripts.
She lives on the south coast of England with her fiancé, writer Guy Adams, their daughter, and their dog, Dame Margaret Rutherford. She writes in a room filled with teapots and the severed head of a ventriloquist’s dummy.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Simon & Schuster UK via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Christmas Jigsaw Murders by Alexandra Benedict for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 15, 2024
Trochę mało puzzli 😭
December 8, 2024
‘Bah,’ said Scrouge. ‘Humbug.’ - Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
I have officially established that my favourite kind of Christmas fiction is that of the murder mystery variety…if you’re the same or just love a good old fashioned murder mystery then this is the read for you. It was fun, fast-moving and very puzzling 🧐 (see what I did there? 😜). It had me guessing right until the very end!
🌟🌟🌟🌟
On the 19th of December, renowned puzzle setter, loner and Christmas sceptic Edie O'Sullivan finds a hand-delivered present on her doorstep. Unwrapping it, she finds a jigsaw box and, inside, six jigsaw pieces. When fitted together, the pieces show part of a crime scene - blood-spattered black and white tiles and part of an outlined body. Included in the parcel is a message:
‘Ms O’Sullivan,
You are known for your crosswords, but can you set your sights on a murderer? Four, maybe more, people will be dead by midnight on Christmas Eve, unless you can put all the pieces together and stop me. Make sure you do it properly, you never were a good cheater.
Yours,
Rest in pieces’
Edie contacts her nephew, DI Sean Brand-O'Sullivan, and together they work to solve the clues. But when a man is found near death with a jigsaw piece in his hand, Sean fears that Edie might be in danger and shuts her out of the investigation. As the body count rises, however, Edie knows that only she has the knowledge to put together the killer's murderous puzzle. And, because of the time-sensitive nature of the countdown to Christmas, this is a fast-moving, page-turning novel that will have you at the edge of your seat from start to finish.
I loved Edie’s character. While she may hate Christmas but cats, puzzles and tea - she loved! And, despite being a Christmas grinch, she is very likeable and real. There is a reason behind her reclusiveness which unravels along with the murder mystery. I thought the characterisation in this book was brilliant. Given that it isn’t a particularly long book, the main characters are well developed and complex in their nature and history.
This story definitely had Richard Osman vibes about it, making it an instant winner for me! I could totally see Eddie becoming part of the Thursday murder club…
Overall, this was a really fun and entertaining read. Probably one of the better Christmas novels I have read. However, for a fun Christmas mystery, this’s killer was RUTHLESS! As foretold at the beginning of the book, people would be killed. And nobody was safe…and I mean nobody 🤐 This isn’t just a cozy Christmas read. This is a FULL ON gruesome murder mystery!
‘People made themselves into jigsaw pieces. They made their lives fit together in the same way every day.’ 🧩
I have officially established that my favourite kind of Christmas fiction is that of the murder mystery variety…if you’re the same or just love a good old fashioned murder mystery then this is the read for you. It was fun, fast-moving and very puzzling 🧐 (see what I did there? 😜). It had me guessing right until the very end!
🌟🌟🌟🌟
On the 19th of December, renowned puzzle setter, loner and Christmas sceptic Edie O'Sullivan finds a hand-delivered present on her doorstep. Unwrapping it, she finds a jigsaw box and, inside, six jigsaw pieces. When fitted together, the pieces show part of a crime scene - blood-spattered black and white tiles and part of an outlined body. Included in the parcel is a message:
‘Ms O’Sullivan,
You are known for your crosswords, but can you set your sights on a murderer? Four, maybe more, people will be dead by midnight on Christmas Eve, unless you can put all the pieces together and stop me. Make sure you do it properly, you never were a good cheater.
Yours,
Rest in pieces’
Edie contacts her nephew, DI Sean Brand-O'Sullivan, and together they work to solve the clues. But when a man is found near death with a jigsaw piece in his hand, Sean fears that Edie might be in danger and shuts her out of the investigation. As the body count rises, however, Edie knows that only she has the knowledge to put together the killer's murderous puzzle. And, because of the time-sensitive nature of the countdown to Christmas, this is a fast-moving, page-turning novel that will have you at the edge of your seat from start to finish.
I loved Edie’s character. While she may hate Christmas but cats, puzzles and tea - she loved! And, despite being a Christmas grinch, she is very likeable and real. There is a reason behind her reclusiveness which unravels along with the murder mystery. I thought the characterisation in this book was brilliant. Given that it isn’t a particularly long book, the main characters are well developed and complex in their nature and history.
This story definitely had Richard Osman vibes about it, making it an instant winner for me! I could totally see Eddie becoming part of the Thursday murder club…
Overall, this was a really fun and entertaining read. Probably one of the better Christmas novels I have read. However, for a fun Christmas mystery, this’s killer was RUTHLESS! As foretold at the beginning of the book, people would be killed. And nobody was safe…and I mean nobody 🤐 This isn’t just a cozy Christmas read. This is a FULL ON gruesome murder mystery!
‘People made themselves into jigsaw pieces. They made their lives fit together in the same way every day.’ 🧩
December 18, 2023
This... wasn't great. Probably wasn't even good if I'm being truthful.
I love how lively Benedict's narrative voice is, but this is the weakest of her 3x festive mysteries so far.
Am I going to keep reading them? Of course. They're frivolous (I.e. silly), festive fun.
Am I going to recommend you read them too?
Probably not.
I love how lively Benedict's narrative voice is, but this is the weakest of her 3x festive mysteries so far.
Am I going to keep reading them? Of course. They're frivolous (I.e. silly), festive fun.
Am I going to recommend you read them too?
Probably not.
November 10, 2025
3,5 Sterne
Ein passender Krimi für die Vorweihnachtszeit. Es geht um die 80-jährige Edie O´Sullivan, eine Rätselexpertin, die Kreuzworträtsel erstellt und Puzzles liebt.
Eines Tages erhält sie einen Umschlag ohne Absender mit sechs Puzzleteilen, dazu eine bedrohliche Nachricht. Edie soll die Teile zusammenfügen und den Absender aufhalten, der ansonsten bis Weihnachten mehrere Menschen umbringen wird...
Es ist ein ruhiger, gemächlicher Krimi, der nicht immer hochspannend ist, aber durch seine Charaktere und die Atmosphäre punkten kann.
Ich mochte die Geschichte; sie hat mich gut unterhalten.
Ein passender Krimi für die Vorweihnachtszeit. Es geht um die 80-jährige Edie O´Sullivan, eine Rätselexpertin, die Kreuzworträtsel erstellt und Puzzles liebt.
Eines Tages erhält sie einen Umschlag ohne Absender mit sechs Puzzleteilen, dazu eine bedrohliche Nachricht. Edie soll die Teile zusammenfügen und den Absender aufhalten, der ansonsten bis Weihnachten mehrere Menschen umbringen wird...
Es ist ein ruhiger, gemächlicher Krimi, der nicht immer hochspannend ist, aber durch seine Charaktere und die Atmosphäre punkten kann.
Ich mochte die Geschichte; sie hat mich gut unterhalten.
December 21, 2025
Trama/Plot ⭐⭐⭐
Personaggi/Characters ⭐⭐
Stile/Style ⭐⭐
Il libro più deludente letto in ottobre e probabilmente dell'intero 2024...ho trovato la trama poco approfondita, tutto lasciato in superficie, non ci sono personaggi che vengono descritti per intero, sono delle macchiette che appaiono e scompaiono dalla scena, senza una vera e personalità. Alla fine ti lascia con l'idea che non ci sia un vero perché alla base del racconto.
***
The most disappointing book I've read in October and probably in the whole 2024... I found the plot not very deep, everything left on the surface, there are no characters that are fully described, they are caricatures that appear and disappear from the scene, without a real personality. In the end it leaves you with the idea that there is no real why at the base of the story.
Personaggi/Characters ⭐⭐
Stile/Style ⭐⭐
Il libro più deludente letto in ottobre e probabilmente dell'intero 2024...ho trovato la trama poco approfondita, tutto lasciato in superficie, non ci sono personaggi che vengono descritti per intero, sono delle macchiette che appaiono e scompaiono dalla scena, senza una vera e personalità. Alla fine ti lascia con l'idea che non ci sia un vero perché alla base del racconto.
***
The most disappointing book I've read in October and probably in the whole 2024... I found the plot not very deep, everything left on the surface, there are no characters that are fully described, they are caricatures that appear and disappear from the scene, without a real personality. In the end it leaves you with the idea that there is no real why at the base of the story.
November 11, 2024
4.0 Stars
This was an enjoyable Christmas themed mystery. First, I loved the older protagonist who was full of personality and wit. She was a complex, flawed but likable protagonist.
I expected this to be a shallow, surface level story, but I was quite mistaken. For a story framed around puzzles, this one got surprisingly dark and mature. The ending was fantastic.
I got to listen to the audiobook and my only regret was not doing a jigsaw puzzle while listening. Such an enjoyable story that made for a holiday read.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This was an enjoyable Christmas themed mystery. First, I loved the older protagonist who was full of personality and wit. She was a complex, flawed but likable protagonist.
I expected this to be a shallow, surface level story, but I was quite mistaken. For a story framed around puzzles, this one got surprisingly dark and mature. The ending was fantastic.
I got to listen to the audiobook and my only regret was not doing a jigsaw puzzle while listening. Such an enjoyable story that made for a holiday read.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
April 25, 2025
**3.5-stars rounded up**
In The Christmas Jigsaw Murders we follow octogenarian crossword puzzle setter, Edie O'Sullivan, who on December 1st finds a hand-delivered Christmas gift on her doorstep.
Upon opening it, Edie is intrigued: a jigsaw box containing 6-puzzle pieces. Once she's pieced them together they reveal a portion of a crime scene, with blood splattered across black and white tiles and the outline of body.
How odd. What could this mean?
The Sender knew Edie might need a little help, so included the following message: ‘Four, maybe more, people will be dead by midnight on Christmas Eve, unless you can put all the pieces together and stop me.’ Signed, Rest In Pieces.
Edie's great-nephew, Sean, who she raised as her son after his parents were tragically killed, happens to be a Detective. She contacts him about her special gift and they intend to work together to figure it out.
Shortly thereafter, a local man is found close to death with a puzzle piece gripped in his hand. This pushes Sean over the edge. Edie could be in real danger and he expects her to shut down her little investigation into Rest in Pieces right away. Octogenarians aren't so easily controlled, however. Anyone with elderly parents knows that...
As bodies continue to drop, Edie realizes she is this key to this all. Only her knowledge can solve it. Going against Sean's wishes, Edie digs in deeper with the hopes of uncovering the identity of Rest in Pieces before anyone else can be killed.
I really enjoyed this detailed Adult Mystery. It's probably my 2nd-fave out of the 3-books that I have read thus far from this author.
I liked the incorporation of the jigsaw puzzle pieces as clues left by the murderer. I also grew quite attached to Edie. She's a bit of a curmudgeon, which I can get behind, and has quite the Scrooge character arc within this story.
While this wasn't as Christmas-focused as I was expecting, it was still just enough to get my spirits up as we soar into the holiday season.
I do want to mention that I feel like some Readers may expect this to be a Cozy Mystery, maybe due to the inclusion of Christmas in the title, or just the basic synopsis, but it's really not. This is a straight Adult Mystery with some heavier topics explored throughout.
I feel like a couple of Benedict's earlier books could have fallen victim to this quandary. Readers going in expecting one thing, getting another and not being happy about it. That's the only reason why I am mentioning that.
I enjoy Benedict's mysteries. They intrigue me and I enjoy that the MCs are often dealing with some pretty significant real life things in addition to the mystery elements.
While her characters may be hard for some to understand, or get behind, I always end up rooting for them. Edie is someone I would want to be close to in real life. She's a grump and so am I. I find that endearing. I can relate.
I'm hoping Benedict has a few more Christmas Mysteries in store for us. I would definitely be picking them up.
Thank you to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press and Dreamscape Media, for providing me with copies to read and review. The audiobook was fantastically narrated and I absolutely recommend that format for this one!
In The Christmas Jigsaw Murders we follow octogenarian crossword puzzle setter, Edie O'Sullivan, who on December 1st finds a hand-delivered Christmas gift on her doorstep.
Upon opening it, Edie is intrigued: a jigsaw box containing 6-puzzle pieces. Once she's pieced them together they reveal a portion of a crime scene, with blood splattered across black and white tiles and the outline of body.
How odd. What could this mean?
The Sender knew Edie might need a little help, so included the following message: ‘Four, maybe more, people will be dead by midnight on Christmas Eve, unless you can put all the pieces together and stop me.’ Signed, Rest In Pieces.
Edie's great-nephew, Sean, who she raised as her son after his parents were tragically killed, happens to be a Detective. She contacts him about her special gift and they intend to work together to figure it out.
Shortly thereafter, a local man is found close to death with a puzzle piece gripped in his hand. This pushes Sean over the edge. Edie could be in real danger and he expects her to shut down her little investigation into Rest in Pieces right away. Octogenarians aren't so easily controlled, however. Anyone with elderly parents knows that...
As bodies continue to drop, Edie realizes she is this key to this all. Only her knowledge can solve it. Going against Sean's wishes, Edie digs in deeper with the hopes of uncovering the identity of Rest in Pieces before anyone else can be killed.
I really enjoyed this detailed Adult Mystery. It's probably my 2nd-fave out of the 3-books that I have read thus far from this author.
I liked the incorporation of the jigsaw puzzle pieces as clues left by the murderer. I also grew quite attached to Edie. She's a bit of a curmudgeon, which I can get behind, and has quite the Scrooge character arc within this story.
While this wasn't as Christmas-focused as I was expecting, it was still just enough to get my spirits up as we soar into the holiday season.
I do want to mention that I feel like some Readers may expect this to be a Cozy Mystery, maybe due to the inclusion of Christmas in the title, or just the basic synopsis, but it's really not. This is a straight Adult Mystery with some heavier topics explored throughout.
I feel like a couple of Benedict's earlier books could have fallen victim to this quandary. Readers going in expecting one thing, getting another and not being happy about it. That's the only reason why I am mentioning that.
I enjoy Benedict's mysteries. They intrigue me and I enjoy that the MCs are often dealing with some pretty significant real life things in addition to the mystery elements.
While her characters may be hard for some to understand, or get behind, I always end up rooting for them. Edie is someone I would want to be close to in real life. She's a grump and so am I. I find that endearing. I can relate.
I'm hoping Benedict has a few more Christmas Mysteries in store for us. I would definitely be picking them up.
Thank you to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press and Dreamscape Media, for providing me with copies to read and review. The audiobook was fantastically narrated and I absolutely recommend that format for this one!
August 29, 2024
I received a free copy of, The Christmas Jigsaw Murders, by Alexandra Benedict, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Edie O'Sullivan loves puzzles, she receives a couple puzzle pieces, that are actually puzzles to a crime. Edie and her nephew who is a DI, try to solve the puzzle. This was a good cozy Christmas mystery.
November 16, 2024
In The Christmas Jigsaw Murders by Alexandra Benedict, octogenarian Edie loves puzzles and hates Christmas. As the day approaches, someone calling themself Rest in Pieces is sending her jigsaw puzzles that she must solve to prevent a string of murders. This is a clever and fun mystery with plenty of twists and turns and clues buried in the text, interesting characters, a complex mystery, and a wave to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol especially in the ending. An entertaining Christmas mystery that kept me guessing throughout.
Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
January 1, 2025
This story is told in third person and follows Edie O’Sullivan. Edie is a renowned puzzle setter and quite the curmudgeon. I think your enjoyment of the book will depend on how comfortable you are with Edie. She’s that relative that says what she thinks before thinking about whether it will hurt feelings.
Edie finds a hand-delivered present on her doorstep with a few jigsaw pieces inside and a note signed “Rest in Pieces” indicating that she must solve the puzzle to prevent multiple murders. She contacts her nephew, Sean, who is a police investigator, and they work on the investigation together in the beginning, but he later concludes that it’s too dangerous for her to be involved and shuts her out. Of course, she continues her own investigation without him.
There are multiple games interspersed throughout as described in the front of the book. I love puzzles and enjoyed finding the musical references. I have discovered that I am terrible at anagrams. There are also a few interspersed chapters that follow the killer. I’m not usually a fan of points of view from the killer and admit that they annoyed me a bit in this story. I found the mystery to be entertaining and unpredictable. I love to have a few nonromance holiday books this time of year, so this book fit perfectly into my seasonal reading plan.
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a copy provided for an honest review.
Edie finds a hand-delivered present on her doorstep with a few jigsaw pieces inside and a note signed “Rest in Pieces” indicating that she must solve the puzzle to prevent multiple murders. She contacts her nephew, Sean, who is a police investigator, and they work on the investigation together in the beginning, but he later concludes that it’s too dangerous for her to be involved and shuts her out. Of course, she continues her own investigation without him.
There are multiple games interspersed throughout as described in the front of the book. I love puzzles and enjoyed finding the musical references. I have discovered that I am terrible at anagrams. There are also a few interspersed chapters that follow the killer. I’m not usually a fan of points of view from the killer and admit that they annoyed me a bit in this story. I found the mystery to be entertaining and unpredictable. I love to have a few nonromance holiday books this time of year, so this book fit perfectly into my seasonal reading plan.
Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a copy provided for an honest review.
December 7, 2024
Looking for some Christmas reading for this time of year, I turned to this murder mystery by Alexandra Benedict. A great mix of British mystery and modern thriller, Benedict pens a great story that is sure to keep the reader attentive around the holiday lights well into the evening. When Edie O’Sullivan receives some jigsaw puzzle pieces by post, she is baffled, but soon realises that it is only part of a larger creation, as she is provided a cryptic letter that foretells numerous murders. Only after a murder occurs in town does Edie learn that the puzzle’s image tells of a clue to solve the crime. As more puzzle pieces arrive, as well as additional letters from the presumptive killer, Edie must race to assemble the puzzle and solve the mystery before another body emerges. Alexandra Benedict does well and keeps things holiday-focussed with a hint of murder throughout.
At the start of December, Edie O’Sullivan receives an odd package at her door. Known for being an avid puzzle setter, Edie is used to mysteries, though she is baffled by this one. The contents of the package include six jigsaw puzzle pieces and a short note. Once assembled, Edie learns that the puzzle reveals a picture, but nothing that means anything to her. The note teases that people will die if she is unable to solve the puzzle by Christmas Eve, though there is little else that can help Edie crack the code.
After contacting her grand-nephew and adoptive son, Detective Inspector Sean Brand-O’Sullivan, Edie tries to get the official angle on the mystery. It appears as though a local murder could be connected to the puzzle’s image, though nothing is concrete. While Edie tries to get more information, she also must handle DI Brand-O’Sullivan’s personal events around trying to adopt a young girl. When further puzzle pieces arrive and murders occur, Edie is fully invested and must reach a solution, though Sean is less than willing to share anything the police have been messaging that is not yet known to the public. Still, Edie refuses to stand down, no matter the warnings she receives.
As additional bodies emerge and the killer gets more brazen, Edie O’Sullivan views that she will crack the case and use her abilities to help those in a position of authority. The killer keeps taunting her and provides the police with little help to solve things, leaving it a race ahead of Christmas Eve, when the holidays could turn bloody. The challenge is there and Edie is ready to take up opportunity to show that her skills cannot be topped, even by a ruthless killer. Alexandra Benedict does well to keep the reader in the middle of the mystery throughout the reading experience.
While this is my first experience with Alexandra Benedict, I hope it is not my last. She has a great way of mixing a stuffy British mystery with modern references and a peppering of salty language. While this is no Poirot mystery, the story flows well and the narrative soon pulls the reader along a great pathway. Characters provide wonderful colouring to the story, with some great determination and a little stubbornness that is sure to impress the eager reader. Plot twists serve to benefit this great mystery, taking the reader on many a journey throughout the case and keeps things edgy as trying to reveal the killer and stop the murders throughout. I will be back to find more by Benedict, as I see she has other holiday-themed mysteries.
Kudos,. Madam Benedict, for a chilling and exciting introduction to your work.
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October 6, 2025
This was so lame, OMG.
I don't even know where to begin - the cantankerous, grouchy, pain-in-the-neck protagonist Edie, her softie wimp totally inadequate of a son/grand-nephew, the forgettable characters whose only trait is unpleasantness, the son/grand-nephew's shady suspicious husband - this book was just about truly awful characters being awful in general.
Basically, Edie receives bits of a Jigsaw puzzle just days before Christmas, which she must solve to prevent Murders (yes, plural) happening before Christmas eve. Sounds interesting? It was the lamest story imaginable!
Even the murderer was so lame, my God. Like what's with the hyperflow of emotion? Just murder and get on with it.
And honestly, the murderer does such a botched job of it, that it's actually hilarious.
How am I meant to take this seriously after that???
The overhyped 'solve the puzzles' to prevent murders arc which just goes nowhere. Edie is absolutely rubbish at puzzles, despite acting so high and mighty and as if she's a big shot. She isn't.
She couldn't prevent any murder at all!
And the truly lame part?
The one which made me want to cry bcoz why would a writer do this and expect readers to be shocked when you've been drawing their attention to it from the first page itself??!
Edie has a dark past, which she avoids.
The murderer keeps calling her out for her past.
I mean it's the most obvious thing, the most OUT-THERE answer, right in your face!
But no, the writer wants to drag it out until the last dozen pages and then spring it on the audience as a 'twist'!
Ha!
Absolutely brainless move!
If you want it to be an actual twist, stop making references to it continously!
Honestly, lamest murder mystery ever.
I don't even know where to begin - the cantankerous, grouchy, pain-in-the-neck protagonist Edie, her softie wimp totally inadequate of a son/grand-nephew, the forgettable characters whose only trait is unpleasantness, the son/grand-nephew's shady suspicious husband - this book was just about truly awful characters being awful in general.
Basically, Edie receives bits of a Jigsaw puzzle just days before Christmas, which she must solve to prevent Murders (yes, plural) happening before Christmas eve. Sounds interesting? It was the lamest story imaginable!
Even the murderer was so lame, my God. Like what's with the hyperflow of emotion? Just murder and get on with it.
And honestly, the murderer does such a botched job of it, that it's actually hilarious.
How am I meant to take this seriously after that???
The overhyped 'solve the puzzles' to prevent murders arc which just goes nowhere. Edie is absolutely rubbish at puzzles, despite acting so high and mighty and as if she's a big shot. She isn't.
She couldn't prevent any murder at all!
And the truly lame part?
The one which made me want to cry bcoz why would a writer do this and expect readers to be shocked when you've been drawing their attention to it from the first page itself??!
Edie has a dark past, which she avoids.
The murderer keeps calling her out for her past.
I mean it's the most obvious thing, the most OUT-THERE answer, right in your face!
But no, the writer wants to drag it out until the last dozen pages and then spring it on the audience as a 'twist'!
Ha!
Absolutely brainless move!
If you want it to be an actual twist, stop making references to it continously!
Honestly, lamest murder mystery ever.
December 15, 2023
I really liked the cozyness of the ending but it just didn’t save the story for me. Edie is a big christmas hater and a known puzzle setter. When she get’s an envelope delivered with jigsaw pieces and the challenge to prevent oncoming murders, she contacts her nephew Sean who’s a DI to help solve everything.
I get why Edie hated Christmas, hell we hate it for the same reason. But did it have to be mentioned every two sentences? It was SO tiring. Next to that we’re told she’s a sourputs a 100 times but are only given a few good reasons (imo), and she caused those reasons by BEING a sourputs. Get over yourself please.
The ending was original and supposed to be deeply intertwined in Edie’s life but we only learn about the true reasons of the killer at the moment Edie literally confronts the killer. There is no way for us to take a guess or have a clue before that and I just don’t think that’s fun. Other people where planted to put you of track but there are so many characters involved that I couldn’t care less by the end of it. The story also only picks up a few chapters before everything get’s resolved.
I get why Edie hated Christmas, hell we hate it for the same reason. But did it have to be mentioned every two sentences? It was SO tiring. Next to that we’re told she’s a sourputs a 100 times but are only given a few good reasons (imo), and she caused those reasons by BEING a sourputs. Get over yourself please.
The ending was original and supposed to be deeply intertwined in Edie’s life but we only learn about the true reasons of the killer at the moment Edie literally confronts the killer. There is no way for us to take a guess or have a clue before that and I just don’t think that’s fun. Other people where planted to put you of track but there are so many characters involved that I couldn’t care less by the end of it. The story also only picks up a few chapters before everything get’s resolved.
January 5, 2024
Couldn't finish this. Unlikeable characters, dour storyline and an unbelievable plot. Nothing Christmassy about it except for flashbacks to family deaths at this time. Avoid.
November 27, 2024
I found this slow and confusing. I did love a few times when I chuckled - especially that Santa shirt - but I just didn't love the mystery.
December 28, 2024
El final no me ha disgustado, pero no creo que eso justifique que no empiece a ser interesante hasta el 80%
November 4, 2024
A bit of a disappointment this one. I was expecting something a lot more interesting, it seemed to me that the characters were rather bland and unable to solve much at all. Shame really as I really thought this would be a good one.
December 22, 2024
Z zimowych, okołoświątecznych książek najbardziej lubię... klasyczne kryminały. Nic mnie tak nie wciaga, jak zaśnieżone okoliczności przyrody i ludzkie charaktery ze skrywanymi głęboko sekretami, które - w miarę postępu śledztwa - powoli wychodzą na wierzch. To już trzecia z serii morderczych świątecznych książek pisarki wydanych w ostatnich latach. Czekałam na nią mimo, że poprzednie nie rzucily mnie na kolana. Tę czytało mi się bardzo dobrze, mimo pewnych językowych niedociągnięć - korekta nad książką chyba trochę przysypiała. Kim jest morderca też szybko zgadałam. Książka bywała miejscami naiwana, ale pomysł z puzzlami podbił moje serce, bo to - obok książek - mają druga pasja 😀
December 17, 2024
CONCLUSION: A good book for those who like cozy mysteries, and puzzles as well.
THE GOOD: A fun unique feature is the beginning of the book starts out with 3 games the reader can play while reading the book - word puzzles for you to solve!
THE BAD: Diversity checklist bingo starts almost immediately at 4% and levels up to a gay drop, with a side character that could be significant, at 6%.
Also, the author simply tries to get too cute with her similes and metaphors, in an eye-rolling way.
Moving on after 6% read.
THE GOOD: A fun unique feature is the beginning of the book starts out with 3 games the reader can play while reading the book - word puzzles for you to solve!
THE BAD: Diversity checklist bingo starts almost immediately at 4% and levels up to a gay drop, with a side character that could be significant, at 6%.
Also, the author simply tries to get too cute with her similes and metaphors, in an eye-rolling way.
Moving on after 6% read.
December 20, 2023
this was a really fun, quick christmas themed mystery. Edie was an enjoyable character to follow, and i liked the addition of puzzles. the mystery itself wasn’t super compelling but following Edie put the puzzle pieces into place made it more fun. it’s more on the cozy mystery side but some of the themes do get a bit heavy.
December 16, 2023
I liked this better than the Christmas murder game. Good twist.
November 24, 2024
Edie O'Sullivan lubi układać puzzle, ale nie lubi Świąt Bożego Narodzenia. I w tym roku, tradycyjnie, ma zamiar ignorować znienawidzone przez siebie święta, ku rozpaczy jej bliskich. Niestety, jej decyzja jest nieodwołalna, w końcu kobiecie po osiemdziesiątce wolno robić to, co chce, prawda? Kiedy 19 grudnia przyglądała się z odrazą, jak sąsiedzi z naprzeciwka dekorują dom, nie spodziewała się, że za chwilę wszystko w jej życiu wywróci się do góry nogami. Właśnie tego dnia dostarczono bowiem pod jej dom paczkę, w której znajdują się kawałki układanki. Ale to nie byle jaka układanka! To przysłane przez mordercę puzzle, które zapowiadają morderstwa w Wigilię, którym tylko Edie może zapobiec, o ile rozwiąże zagadkę. Wraz ze swoim przyszywanym synem, detektywem Seanem Brand-O'Sullivanem, Edie rozpoczyna grę z mordercą. Czy zdąży na czas ułożyć wszystkie kawałki?
Niby wszystko ładnie, świątecznie (no po za morderstwami, rzecz jasna), ale jednak momentami książka zupełnie odjeżdżała od rzeczywistości.
UWAGA, SPOILER!
Bo jak inaczej wyjaśnić fakt, że Edie ukrywała przed Seanem i resztą policji kolejne paczki z układanką? Może babcia chciała sama rozwiązać zagadkę, ok, ale skoro w pierwszej paczce znalazła fragment układanki, który sugerował, że zagrożone jest życie Seana, to chyba powinna go o tym poinformować? Facet byłby ostrożniejszy, jeżeli wiedziałby o potencjalnym niebezpieczeństwie, prawda? Przez całą książkę wydawało mi się to wręcz absurdalne i psuło przyjemność z czytania.
5/10
Niby wszystko ładnie, świątecznie (no po za morderstwami, rzecz jasna), ale jednak momentami książka zupełnie odjeżdżała od rzeczywistości.
UWAGA, SPOILER!
Bo jak inaczej wyjaśnić fakt, że Edie ukrywała przed Seanem i resztą policji kolejne paczki z układanką? Może babcia chciała sama rozwiązać zagadkę, ok, ale skoro w pierwszej paczce znalazła fragment układanki, który sugerował, że zagrożone jest życie Seana, to chyba powinna go o tym poinformować? Facet byłby ostrożniejszy, jeżeli wiedziałby o potencjalnym niebezpieczeństwie, prawda? Przez całą książkę wydawało mi się to wręcz absurdalne i psuło przyjemność z czytania.
5/10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2024
Sra. O’Sullivan: Es usted célebre por sus crucigramas, pero, más allá de pensarse grandezas, ¿logrará abrirse paso entre las retamas de una mente criminal? Cuatro o tal vez más personas habrán muerto antes de la medianoche de Nochebuena a menos que consiga usted recomponer todas las piezas de este rompecabezas y detenerme. Debo advertirle, no obstante, que no se ande con jueguecitos: hacer trampas nunca ha sido su fuerte. Atentamente, Descanse En Piezas
December 20, 2024
Questo è stato certamente il mio preferito tra i 3 libri di Alexandra Benedict.
Mi piace molto quando la protagonista è una vecchietta che riesce in qualche modo a risolvere il crimine. Inoltre la trama la trovo bene strutturata, e il colpevole finale non è così scontato.
Mi piace molto quando la protagonista è una vecchietta che riesce in qualche modo a risolvere il crimine. Inoltre la trama la trovo bene strutturata, e il colpevole finale non è così scontato.
December 26, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook with excellent narration by Sandra Duncan.
I quite enjoyed this cozy mystery set in the days leading up to Christmas. The fact that the protagonist was a 'curmudgeonly' octogenarian was an added bonus.
Edie O'Sullivan is just barely tolerating her least favourite time of year - Christmas. She doesn't put up a tree, or celebrate in any way. Edie's history with Christmas's past has turned her against the festive holiday. Her mother died on Christmas day, and she has other very painful memories that occurred during the festive season.
Edie is a loner. She has a few friends and a great nephew whom she adores. He is a detective inspector working for the Weymouth Police in Dorset. Sean and his husband are looking to adopt their first child and they are currently jumping through the hoops necessary to ensure their success.
Edie is eighty years old and is 'sharp as a tack'. A former teacher, she now sets crossword puzzles for remuneration. Also, she loves doing jigsaw puzzles, she enjoys her tea steeped just the exact right way, and she adores her three feline housemates.
When she receives a few jigsaw pieces in a parcel delivered to her front door, she is intrigued. The pieces look to be part of a crime scene and the note attached is signed "Rest In Pieces". When bodies begin to turn up with jigsaw pieces at the crime scenes, her great-nephew Sean is leading the case. It will take all of Edie's expertise and intelligence to crack the case - a case that Sean wants her distanced from for her own safety and for his career track.
“Jigsaws require a mind that can hold the whole picture as well as the pieces”
I adored Edie. She was vulnerable, and prickly in equal measure. She could be very brusque, a demeanour which holds strangers at bay and belies her inner fragility. Elderly now, Edie lives with a deep regret that her life's trajectory didn't go the way she should have let it...
Sandra Duncan's narration of this audiobook added greatly to my enjoyment of the story.
In all, this story was a very entertaining murder mystery with excellent characterization. A book that will appeal to lovers of the mystery genre, jigsaw puzzle fanatics, and those who enjoy a bristly, elderly, protagonist. I'd love to meet up with Edie's character again in another book.
I quite enjoyed this cozy mystery set in the days leading up to Christmas. The fact that the protagonist was a 'curmudgeonly' octogenarian was an added bonus.
Edie O'Sullivan is just barely tolerating her least favourite time of year - Christmas. She doesn't put up a tree, or celebrate in any way. Edie's history with Christmas's past has turned her against the festive holiday. Her mother died on Christmas day, and she has other very painful memories that occurred during the festive season.
Edie is a loner. She has a few friends and a great nephew whom she adores. He is a detective inspector working for the Weymouth Police in Dorset. Sean and his husband are looking to adopt their first child and they are currently jumping through the hoops necessary to ensure their success.
Edie is eighty years old and is 'sharp as a tack'. A former teacher, she now sets crossword puzzles for remuneration. Also, she loves doing jigsaw puzzles, she enjoys her tea steeped just the exact right way, and she adores her three feline housemates.
When she receives a few jigsaw pieces in a parcel delivered to her front door, she is intrigued. The pieces look to be part of a crime scene and the note attached is signed "Rest In Pieces". When bodies begin to turn up with jigsaw pieces at the crime scenes, her great-nephew Sean is leading the case. It will take all of Edie's expertise and intelligence to crack the case - a case that Sean wants her distanced from for her own safety and for his career track.
“Jigsaws require a mind that can hold the whole picture as well as the pieces”
I adored Edie. She was vulnerable, and prickly in equal measure. She could be very brusque, a demeanour which holds strangers at bay and belies her inner fragility. Elderly now, Edie lives with a deep regret that her life's trajectory didn't go the way she should have let it...
Sandra Duncan's narration of this audiobook added greatly to my enjoyment of the story.
In all, this story was a very entertaining murder mystery with excellent characterization. A book that will appeal to lovers of the mystery genre, jigsaw puzzle fanatics, and those who enjoy a bristly, elderly, protagonist. I'd love to meet up with Edie's character again in another book.
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