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Cherringham #16
The Last Puzzle
Listening Length: 2 hours, 43 minutes
When amiable old village eccentric Quentin Andrews dies, the good folk of Cherringham are astonished at the crowd that turns up to his funeral. But even more astonished are the beneficiaries of his will: Quentin has left a veritable fortune to whomever is the first to solve an intricate 'Cherringham crossword.' That puzzle is only the first of many that Jack and Sarah will uncover as they follow the treasure hunt for clues and learn the truth about who Quentin Andrews really was. And the biggest mystery of them all ... was he - in fact - murdered?
-- Cherringham is serial novel à la Charles Dickens, with a new mystery thriller released each month. Set in the sleepy English village of Cherringham, the detective series brings together an unlikely sleuthing duo: English web designer Sarah and American ex-cop Jack. Thrilling and deadly - but with a spot of tea - it's like Rosamunde Pilcher meets Inspector Barnaby. Each of the self-contained episodes is a quick read for the morning commute, while waiting for the doctor, or when curling up with a hot cuppa.
-- For fans of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple series, Lilian Jackson Braun's The Cat Who series, Caroline Graham's Midsomer Murders, and the American TV series Murder She Wrote, starring Angela Lansbury.
-- Co-authors Neil Richards (based in the UK) and Matthew Costello (based in the US), are known for their script work on major computer games. The Cherringham crime series is their first fictional transatlantic collaboration.
When amiable old village eccentric Quentin Andrews dies, the good folk of Cherringham are astonished at the crowd that turns up to his funeral. But even more astonished are the beneficiaries of his will: Quentin has left a veritable fortune to whomever is the first to solve an intricate 'Cherringham crossword.' That puzzle is only the first of many that Jack and Sarah will uncover as they follow the treasure hunt for clues and learn the truth about who Quentin Andrews really was. And the biggest mystery of them all ... was he - in fact - murdered?
-- Cherringham is serial novel à la Charles Dickens, with a new mystery thriller released each month. Set in the sleepy English village of Cherringham, the detective series brings together an unlikely sleuthing duo: English web designer Sarah and American ex-cop Jack. Thrilling and deadly - but with a spot of tea - it's like Rosamunde Pilcher meets Inspector Barnaby. Each of the self-contained episodes is a quick read for the morning commute, while waiting for the doctor, or when curling up with a hot cuppa.
-- For fans of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple series, Lilian Jackson Braun's The Cat Who series, Caroline Graham's Midsomer Murders, and the American TV series Murder She Wrote, starring Angela Lansbury.
-- Co-authors Neil Richards (based in the UK) and Matthew Costello (based in the US), are known for their script work on major computer games. The Cherringham crime series is their first fictional transatlantic collaboration.
Audible Audio
First published June 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
September 10, 2024
3,5 Sterne
Band 16 dieser Cosy-Crime-Buchreihe.
Für mich nicht unbedingt der stärkste Band, aber dennoch konnte die Geschichte mich gut unterhalten.
Was mir besonders gut gefallen hat, ist die Idee an sich und das Rätselhafte daran.
Nach dem Herztod eines Kreuzworträtselautors erbt sein beträchtliches Vermögen, wer von den möglichen vier Erben als erstes ein raffiniertes Kreuzworträtsel löst.
Jack und Sarah befassen sich etwas näher mit dem Tod des Mannes und dessen Hintergründe...
Spannend, rätselhaft und unterhaltsam.
Band 16 dieser Cosy-Crime-Buchreihe.
Für mich nicht unbedingt der stärkste Band, aber dennoch konnte die Geschichte mich gut unterhalten.
Was mir besonders gut gefallen hat, ist die Idee an sich und das Rätselhafte daran.
Nach dem Herztod eines Kreuzworträtselautors erbt sein beträchtliches Vermögen, wer von den möglichen vier Erben als erstes ein raffiniertes Kreuzworträtsel löst.
Jack und Sarah befassen sich etwas näher mit dem Tod des Mannes und dessen Hintergründe...
Spannend, rätselhaft und unterhaltsam.
May 13, 2015
Cheeringham is a novel series with a new mystery thriller released every month. The stories takes place in the English Village of Cherringham. English web designer Sarah and American ex-cop Jack are an unlikely sleuth duo, but criminal activities keep getting in their way.
This is very much like reading a Midsomer Murder episode, I almost expected to hear the theme music while I read this book. Unfortunately I just didn't find it that enjoyable to read, probably because the book was so short and that meant you just didn't get to know the characters that well and that made the characters feel very flat.
Also, the story was not terrible interesting to read, and old man dies and in his will he leave everything to one of four people who can solve a crossword. If not, well then the money will go to charity. And, because of the shortness of the story, it just doesn't feel like the story get the chance to be interesting. The dialog felt like a script for an episode and many of the chapters ended with a cliffhanger, which in a way really made me feel like I was reading a magazine story were a new chapter is published in every issue. But as a whole story it just didn't grab me. Perhaps it's because I'm not really a fan of short stories.
I received this copy from the publisher through Netgalley in return for an honest review!
Review also posted on A Bookaholic Swede and It's a Mad Mad World
This is very much like reading a Midsomer Murder episode, I almost expected to hear the theme music while I read this book. Unfortunately I just didn't find it that enjoyable to read, probably because the book was so short and that meant you just didn't get to know the characters that well and that made the characters feel very flat.
Also, the story was not terrible interesting to read, and old man dies and in his will he leave everything to one of four people who can solve a crossword. If not, well then the money will go to charity. And, because of the shortness of the story, it just doesn't feel like the story get the chance to be interesting. The dialog felt like a script for an episode and many of the chapters ended with a cliffhanger, which in a way really made me feel like I was reading a magazine story were a new chapter is published in every issue. But as a whole story it just didn't grab me. Perhaps it's because I'm not really a fan of short stories.
I received this copy from the publisher through Netgalley in return for an honest review!
Review also posted on A Bookaholic Swede and It's a Mad Mad World
June 13, 2018
Eccentric crosswords fan Quentin Andrews leaves his main beneficiaries one last puzzle to solve before enjoying his fortune, but as the story develops, Jack and Sarah realise Quentin's death was no natural one, so, who knew about the net worth of Andrews and who was that man to begin with?
As always, very enjoyable and quite entertaining!
As always, very enjoyable and quite entertaining!
January 1, 2019
This series is delightful, more of a 3.5 star read which, for me means enjoyable, worth a read, but not life changing. Love to listen to this series while I'm sewing/cooking, etc. - something that keeps me engaged but doesn't force me to think too hard.
November 14, 2025
Kad vīrusu laikā esi apslimis, tad šāda tipa grāmatas ir daļa no veseļošanās kūres.
Vienkāršas kā kokvilnas paladziņš, un kad galva kā spainis, tad nav nekā labāka par šo.
Ciematiņš (grozies kā gribi, nu, man tas ir ciematiņš nevis pilsētiņa, kā rakstīts), kur reizēm neslepkavo tik daudz kā Midsomerā, bet visādi āķīgi gadījumi gan tiek izmeklēti.
Viegli, omulīgi, nepretenciozi.
I' nepamani, kā esi izlasījis vienu epizodi pēc otras.
Vienkāršas kā kokvilnas paladziņš, un kad galva kā spainis, tad nav nekā labāka par šo.
Ciematiņš (grozies kā gribi, nu, man tas ir ciematiņš nevis pilsētiņa, kā rakstīts), kur reizēm neslepkavo tik daudz kā Midsomerā, bet visādi āķīgi gadījumi gan tiek izmeklēti.
Viegli, omulīgi, nepretenciozi.
I' nepamani, kā esi izlasījis vienu epizodi pēc otras.
June 29, 2015
This is book 16 in the Cherringham cozy series. I have read books 1 and 2 and thoroughly enjoyed them. For some reason, this one just didn't grab me into the story as much. I really plan on going back to #3 but when I saw this on NetGalley I couldn't pass it up.
I especially like the description of the locations. The story is a quick read and well written. I recommend this if you like British cozy mysteries but think reading the books in order is best. So go grab #1 and get reading!
* I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I especially like the description of the locations. The story is a quick read and well written. I recommend this if you like British cozy mysteries but think reading the books in order is best. So go grab #1 and get reading!
* I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2025
A good book to listen too when you clean the house. It gives you ”Midsomer murders” wibes. It is fun to try to figure out how the guilty person is. Jack is a retired cop from US, Sarah is a singel mom and they solves crime together. This one was about a murder.
August 22, 2022
⭐️3.5⭐️
May 22, 2015
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...
I was really intrigued with the description and blurb of this book, so was delighted when I was given the opportunity to review it from the publishers Bastei Entertainment via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. The book is a quick read and comes under the cosy mystery genre. For those not aware, this installment is part of a series in which a new mystery thriller is released every month so there is never very long to await the next in the series, ideal for those impatient people like me! This is the first that I have read in the series and it was a lovely way to pass a few hours. The story focuses around the will of eccentric Quentin Andrews who passes away and leaves the main beneficiaries a challenge to solve if they want to receive the monies that he has left behind - there can only be one winner. There are some twists and turns and the plot flows at a nice pace with the two main characters being strong enough to hold their sections of the book easily. This book is published on 1st June 2015.
I was really intrigued with the description and blurb of this book, so was delighted when I was given the opportunity to review it from the publishers Bastei Entertainment via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. The book is a quick read and comes under the cosy mystery genre. For those not aware, this installment is part of a series in which a new mystery thriller is released every month so there is never very long to await the next in the series, ideal for those impatient people like me! This is the first that I have read in the series and it was a lovely way to pass a few hours. The story focuses around the will of eccentric Quentin Andrews who passes away and leaves the main beneficiaries a challenge to solve if they want to receive the monies that he has left behind - there can only be one winner. There are some twists and turns and the plot flows at a nice pace with the two main characters being strong enough to hold their sections of the book easily. This book is published on 1st June 2015.
May 6, 2015
eARC: Netgalley
This was my first experience with the Cherringham Cozy Crime Series and I quite liked it. The characters were interesting and made for an very quick fun read. Hoping to go back and read some of the other installments in the series now!
This was my first experience with the Cherringham Cozy Crime Series and I quite liked it. The characters were interesting and made for an very quick fun read. Hoping to go back and read some of the other installments in the series now!
February 22, 2021
⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️
February 26, 2018
An eccentric old man dies of an apparent heart attack in his bedroom not long before his friend Michael is to arrive to play chess. Sad but not completely unexpected as the elderly man had a history of heart problems. His friend Michael is shocked by the death of his friend but he realizes that he knew very little about this man's past. Jack and Sarah quickly become involved, partly through their connection with Michael who is Sarah's father, and partly as "observers" required by the dead man's will. There are four possible heirs to the man's estate and they are set a complex puzzle to solve within a set time and with no collaboration between heirs. Jack and Sarah must watch these heirs and solve the puzzle while they learn about the dead man's past.
This was a fun read and I always enjoy the development of Jack, Sarah, and Sarah's two kids. After 16 of these short mysteries, they're beginning to seem a bit monotonous though. May take a little break from the series before I get burned out.
This was a fun read and I always enjoy the development of Jack, Sarah, and Sarah's two kids. After 16 of these short mysteries, they're beginning to seem a bit monotonous though. May take a little break from the series before I get burned out.
January 20, 2019
Probably 3 and 3 quarters really. Listened on audiobook.
This is the second Cherringham I’ve read (I got the Christmas one to listen to, but didn’t put it on goodreads as it isn’t really a whole book, and I was right at the final stages of hitting 100 books for the year, and didn’t want to ‘cheat’ with a short - 3 and a half hours on audiobook). The Cherringham books are classic English mysteries set in a village. A new one is produced on audiobook each month apparently.
The ‘detectives’ are an ex USA police officer (who is a widower) and a local woman who has her own business (I think in graphic design/computer design) and is a single mum with two teenage children. They are sometimes ‘helped’ by her younger female colleague and their local relatives and friends. The mysteries are pretty satisfying and thoughtfully constructed, at least in the two I have listened to. They are called ‘Cosy mysteries’ on audible, and that is what they are. The narrator is a good British actor and reads them well. I will probably read more. Great for listening to while doing housework!
This is the second Cherringham I’ve read (I got the Christmas one to listen to, but didn’t put it on goodreads as it isn’t really a whole book, and I was right at the final stages of hitting 100 books for the year, and didn’t want to ‘cheat’ with a short - 3 and a half hours on audiobook). The Cherringham books are classic English mysteries set in a village. A new one is produced on audiobook each month apparently.
The ‘detectives’ are an ex USA police officer (who is a widower) and a local woman who has her own business (I think in graphic design/computer design) and is a single mum with two teenage children. They are sometimes ‘helped’ by her younger female colleague and their local relatives and friends. The mysteries are pretty satisfying and thoughtfully constructed, at least in the two I have listened to. They are called ‘Cosy mysteries’ on audible, and that is what they are. The narrator is a good British actor and reads them well. I will probably read more. Great for listening to while doing housework!
November 13, 2017
Nice and light a quick readers delight.
As one of the series, and because nothing is outstanding in this story, here is my book rating as a guide.
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Book Rating
Sexual Content: u
Language: u
Violent: u
Would I read the next oneor reread?: Please don't ask.
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A great read. A prominent example of the genre.
As one of the series, and because nothing is outstanding in this story, here is my book rating as a guide.
Connect with me on Twitter and FB
See all my reviews
Check out my blog on imjussayin
Book Rating
Sexual Content: u
Language: u
Violent: u
Would I read the next one
My rating system (* = star)
0* Could not finish this book (waste of time)
1* Finished the book but didn't like it.
2* Finished the book it was okay.
3* A good read worth your time.
4* An excellent read often with a novel concept or unusual plot.
5* A great read. A prominent example of the genre.
December 29, 2023
As usual, a short but wonderful mystery from the Cherringham series. What begins with a death turns into an intriguing puzzle, with Sarah's father playing a crucial role this time. While the book may not be a highlight of the series and drags a bit in some places, the English countryside charm makes up for it. Only those familiar with the British love for challenging crosswords will truly appreciate the intense involvement of all participants (aside from the substantial amount of money involved, of course). On the other hand, the Cherringham series is tailor-made for fans of Britain. Anyone who enjoys teatime with scones, jam, and clotted cream, English village idyll and clever British amateur detectives will find this volume just as satisfying. In this sense: Long live the King!
October 31, 2021
Everyone loves a good puzzle, that is until it’s tied to an inheritance, and people will do just about anything to come out on top. This is where Jack and Sarah come in. They must monitor the participants, and when no one is sure who can be trusted and who may have already swayed the results, they must find a way to even the odds and guarantee a fair outcome. But this being Cherringham means the ending is not what was expected and maybe the most innocent looking is the most devious of them all.
I am only halfway through this series, but I know that I am going to miss them when they are gone. There is something quaint and twisted when it comes to the people of Cherringham.
I am only halfway through this series, but I know that I am going to miss them when they are gone. There is something quaint and twisted when it comes to the people of Cherringham.
June 29, 2019
It is so nice to have these books to read for a change of pace. They are interesting with a charming village and likable, or sometimes very unlikable, characters with an interesting problem to solve. The only thing I didn't like about this one is that the reader can't figure out the clues because there is not enough information.
April 7, 2018
Quentin intricate 'Cherringham crossword.' puzzle was really interesting and pulling part of his own death. I liked how Sarah and Jack partnership grows with every book. They are working so well together its amazing. I'm glad it was released in an audiobook series. This book was amazing!
July 15, 2018
This episode fulfills its promise of being suitable for a relatively short commute, providing an interesting yet not demanding audio file with mysteries to be solved.
Good narration by Neil Gudgeon.
Good narration by Neil Gudgeon.
May 25, 2022
I love the story. It was designed in such a way that you did not know who it was until the very end, but it all did not bring in some character who had only been a peripheral character until revealed as the perpetrator. Well done
December 24, 2022
Easy read…
I like these short cozy mysteries because they are easy to read but still give a challenge to solve them with Sara and Jack. Good character development.
Would recommend and will continue to reading this series.
I like these short cozy mysteries because they are easy to read but still give a challenge to solve them with Sara and Jack. Good character development.
Would recommend and will continue to reading this series.
November 4, 2023
Natural Causes or Murder
Once again Sarah and Jack thinks there is something behind the death of Sarah's Father's friend. Could it me or was it a heart attack. Could one of the heirs have caused his death? Read this story, it is another quick page turner and INE you will enjoy.
Once again Sarah and Jack thinks there is something behind the death of Sarah's Father's friend. Could it me or was it a heart attack. Could one of the heirs have caused his death? Read this story, it is another quick page turner and INE you will enjoy.
August 23, 2017
I've read 15 others and finished this one two weeks ago, so this will be short and sweet. It was good as far as I can remember.
September 4, 2017
3.5 stars for 16-18
December 16, 2017
Eccentric millionaire, complex crosswords, strange will and testament. All adds up to a good mystery for Jack and Sarah to solve.
February 2, 2018
Light, easy listening. Enjoyed it, even if it was a bit twee at times.
July 2, 2018
Audiobook : Spotify.
Read by Neil Dudgeon.
Read by Neil Dudgeon.
July 27, 2018
Another great addition to this cosy mystery series. Set in the English countryside
September 26, 2018
#16 ♥️
November 12, 2018
Loved the puzzle element
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews