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Crossword Puzzle Cozy Mystery #1
An Ex in the Puzzle
Welcome to Langsdale, Nevada where PI Tracy Belden and her circle of family and friends mix movie nights and game nights with a hint of murder.
I'm Tracy Belden. Creating crossword puzzles is my passion. But it doesn't pay the rent.
Being a part-time PI does.
My first solo case got a bit sticky when my ex-husband’s second wife, missing for three days, was found murdered. My investigation completely derailed when my eleven-year-old son and seventy-something landlady decided to solve the murder.
Now, they’re in over their heads and the police consider me a suspect. I have no choice but to find the killer before I end up in jail. The pressure is on but a PI investigation is another type of a puzzle. Ask the right questions. Find the answer.
What’s important is… solving the puzzle.
I’ve never left a crossword puzzle unfinished. I can’t fail now, not when it’s murder.
Five Star Revies for The Crossword Puzzle
++ “An Ex in the Puzzle” is a fun, action-adventure cozy mystery worthy of a family movie.”
++ “The great thing about these stories is that they were all unique, not following a particular formula. The plots were all varied, and the humor and suspense carried the stories.”
++ “Keeps me guessing! I love how this adopted family is so loyal to each other. Marcus is hilarious as well as whip smart. Can't wait for the next one!”
++ “Louise Foster… takes a motley crew of misfits and turns them into one strong family by circumstance. The story is so intriguing that you won't want to put the book (or your e reader) down.”
++ “Family is everything! Amazing characters and plot. A PI with instincts like Columbo. An unusual family that truly cares about the case and each other!”
++ “Louise Foster is tremendous! Her stories are just the right blend of action and comedy. This series is to die for as the storylines flow together in the best whodunit style.”
The Crossword Puzzle Cozy
#1 An Ex in the Puzzle
#2 Two Down in Tahoe
#3 Adventures in Vegas
#4 A Question of Murder
#5 Five Clues to a Killer
Novella Glue Guns for Christmas
Available in e-book, paperback, and on Kindle Unlimited. Buy now!
I'm Tracy Belden. Creating crossword puzzles is my passion. But it doesn't pay the rent.
Being a part-time PI does.
My first solo case got a bit sticky when my ex-husband’s second wife, missing for three days, was found murdered. My investigation completely derailed when my eleven-year-old son and seventy-something landlady decided to solve the murder.
Now, they’re in over their heads and the police consider me a suspect. I have no choice but to find the killer before I end up in jail. The pressure is on but a PI investigation is another type of a puzzle. Ask the right questions. Find the answer.
What’s important is… solving the puzzle.
I’ve never left a crossword puzzle unfinished. I can’t fail now, not when it’s murder.
Five Star Revies for The Crossword Puzzle
++ “An Ex in the Puzzle” is a fun, action-adventure cozy mystery worthy of a family movie.”
++ “The great thing about these stories is that they were all unique, not following a particular formula. The plots were all varied, and the humor and suspense carried the stories.”
++ “Keeps me guessing! I love how this adopted family is so loyal to each other. Marcus is hilarious as well as whip smart. Can't wait for the next one!”
++ “Louise Foster… takes a motley crew of misfits and turns them into one strong family by circumstance. The story is so intriguing that you won't want to put the book (or your e reader) down.”
++ “Family is everything! Amazing characters and plot. A PI with instincts like Columbo. An unusual family that truly cares about the case and each other!”
++ “Louise Foster is tremendous! Her stories are just the right blend of action and comedy. This series is to die for as the storylines flow together in the best whodunit style.”
The Crossword Puzzle Cozy
#1 An Ex in the Puzzle
#2 Two Down in Tahoe
#3 Adventures in Vegas
#4 A Question of Murder
#5 Five Clues to a Killer
Novella Glue Guns for Christmas
Available in e-book, paperback, and on Kindle Unlimited. Buy now!
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2021
1295 people are currently reading
663 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 2, 2022
I am very confused by all the "super positive" reviews. While this book wasn't one of the worst reads, it certainly wasn't nearly one of the best. The protagonist was weak in her detective skills, deductions, and problem-solving. It was the other characters that carried her through the development of the book and even they were not fully developed. Also, the storyline was so rambling, I found myself skipping chapters to find something of interest.
October 9, 2021
This fun first book of a series of four (soon to be five) books, introduces quirky, fun, fresh characters and witty banter as well as a complex mystery that will have you turning pages until all the pieces fall into place. Tracy Belden, an homage to Trixie of decades past, is the protagonist. Part-time detective, part-time composer of crossword puzzles, Tracy is surrounded by an array of family and friends who are as amusing as they are compelling. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next one in the series. Congratulations to Louise Foster on this premier publication!
September 21, 2022
Way too confusing
November 6, 2021
Get ready for an adventure with this cozy mystery!
This is a great action-packed cozy mystery that was hard to put down! The characters are likable and interesting and there is potential romance. Tracy Belden works 3 jobs including as a PI's assistant, a crossword puzzle creator and shipping product out to customers. She has an 11 year old Korean foster son, Marcus, who used to live on the street. Her best friend Kevin is a construction worker and is a steady presence in her and Marcus's lives. Tracy's ex-husband's second wife disappears and secrets and lies are revealed. Tracy needs to clear her name and Marcus and her friends are there to help. This is a quick paced enjoyable cozy mystery!
This is a great action-packed cozy mystery that was hard to put down! The characters are likable and interesting and there is potential romance. Tracy Belden works 3 jobs including as a PI's assistant, a crossword puzzle creator and shipping product out to customers. She has an 11 year old Korean foster son, Marcus, who used to live on the street. Her best friend Kevin is a construction worker and is a steady presence in her and Marcus's lives. Tracy's ex-husband's second wife disappears and secrets and lies are revealed. Tracy needs to clear her name and Marcus and her friends are there to help. This is a quick paced enjoyable cozy mystery!
September 14, 2021
Tracy Belden has all she can do to provide for herself and her foster son Marcus. She’s employed as a part-time private investigator, tailing deadbeat husbands. When she’s not doing that, she packages and ships items sold somewhere. And she creates crossword puzzles. When she’s hired to watch her ex-husband, things get dicey when his second wife is murdered. Tracy is a suspect, but she and her rag-tag team comprising of her eleven-year-old foster son, her British landlady, a handsome younger man who wants to be more than friends, and a few others are determined to find the true villain.
This was a well-written mystery with lots of action. I read the entire book in three days, and I can’t wait to read Book 2!
This was a well-written mystery with lots of action. I read the entire book in three days, and I can’t wait to read Book 2!
August 19, 2021
Hilarity!!😂
Warning: don't read this in bed at night next to a sleeping husband - I laughed out loud so much I finally had to leave the bedroom!! Seriously hilarious with zany unexpected characters. Very reminiscent of the Trixie Belden young mystery novels that sparked my love of reading mystery. Light hearted but enthralling definitely high on my favorites list!
Warning: don't read this in bed at night next to a sleeping husband - I laughed out loud so much I finally had to leave the bedroom!! Seriously hilarious with zany unexpected characters. Very reminiscent of the Trixie Belden young mystery novels that sparked my love of reading mystery. Light hearted but enthralling definitely high on my favorites list!
June 8, 2023
I’m not sure about this one. It wasn’t necessarily an easy read because of the style and sporadic errors/typos throughout, but I also got drawn in and couldn’t put it down. I might try the second book in the series.
August 7, 2022
Who killed wifey-number-two and why??? Thank goodness for Marcus and Mrs. C!!! They never change, unlike some others!!! I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
November 12, 2021
Great cozy mystery from a new author. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the plot.
December 10, 2022
More than a cozy, not quite a thriller
This story grabbed my attention and kept it as the action kept escalating. The characters are the best part - T.R. Beldon (main character), her son Marcus (who was a hoot!), her landlady, Mrs. C, her boyfriend Kevin, Rabi, and more - they all worked together to form a cohesive unit that takes on a whole bundle of trouble and even manages to come out on top. I loved that Tracy is someone who struggles to pay the bills, put food on the table, take care of her kid, etc. She’s a regular person, like the rest of us. She’s got problems and issues galore. In this story, one of those issues is her ex who entangles her in a nasty plot. But the gang all comes together to work things out and catch all the perps. One thing I really loved was her love of crossword puzzles.
So why only 4 stars? I’d have given it five except there were too many editorial mistakes for me to overlook. Missing words, especially. It needs a stronger editor to go over the story and fix things up. And yes, I know mistakes happen - even in very well edited books - but this one had too many for me to ignore.
Even so, I really do recommend the book. The story is worth the read.
This story grabbed my attention and kept it as the action kept escalating. The characters are the best part - T.R. Beldon (main character), her son Marcus (who was a hoot!), her landlady, Mrs. C, her boyfriend Kevin, Rabi, and more - they all worked together to form a cohesive unit that takes on a whole bundle of trouble and even manages to come out on top. I loved that Tracy is someone who struggles to pay the bills, put food on the table, take care of her kid, etc. She’s a regular person, like the rest of us. She’s got problems and issues galore. In this story, one of those issues is her ex who entangles her in a nasty plot. But the gang all comes together to work things out and catch all the perps. One thing I really loved was her love of crossword puzzles.
So why only 4 stars? I’d have given it five except there were too many editorial mistakes for me to overlook. Missing words, especially. It needs a stronger editor to go over the story and fix things up. And yes, I know mistakes happen - even in very well edited books - but this one had too many for me to ignore.
Even so, I really do recommend the book. The story is worth the read.
May 23, 2023
An exciting and totally enjoyable book!
Tracy Belden lives with her Korean foster-son, Marcus, a single mom in the process of adopting this whirlwind of an 11-year-old boy, and wannabe detective! They live in Langsdale, Nevada, where the second wife of Tracy’s Ex has disappeared. Tracy has a number of jobs trying to make ends meet, from packaging and sending out products, to writing crossword puzzles (mostly a hobby) to helping a PI do surveillance. She and a friend follow a tip to discover a body which leads them on an seemingly unending quest to find her killer. This was such a fun book to read, partly due to Tracy’s great group of friends, and partly due to the exuberance of Marcus, who is sure his mom is a great sleuth! I received a free ARC of this book and write this review voluntarily.
Tracy Belden lives with her Korean foster-son, Marcus, a single mom in the process of adopting this whirlwind of an 11-year-old boy, and wannabe detective! They live in Langsdale, Nevada, where the second wife of Tracy’s Ex has disappeared. Tracy has a number of jobs trying to make ends meet, from packaging and sending out products, to writing crossword puzzles (mostly a hobby) to helping a PI do surveillance. She and a friend follow a tip to discover a body which leads them on an seemingly unending quest to find her killer. This was such a fun book to read, partly due to Tracy’s great group of friends, and partly due to the exuberance of Marcus, who is sure his mom is a great sleuth! I received a free ARC of this book and write this review voluntarily.
August 12, 2025
Tracy Belden is doing everything she can to make ends meet for herself and her foster son, Marcus. She juggles part time work as a private investigator usually tracking unfaithful husbands with packaging and shipping items sold online, and even creating crossword puzzles. But things take a dangerous turn when she’s hired to tail her ex-husband, only for his second wife to end up murdered. Suddenly, Tracy finds herself a suspect.
With the help of her quirky, determined crew including her eleven year old foster son, her sharp witted British landlady, a charming younger man eager to be more than friends, and a few other allies she’s determined to uncover the real killer.
This is a fast paced, well written mystery packed with action. I devoured it in just three days and am already eager for Book 2!
With the help of her quirky, determined crew including her eleven year old foster son, her sharp witted British landlady, a charming younger man eager to be more than friends, and a few other allies she’s determined to uncover the real killer.
This is a fast paced, well written mystery packed with action. I devoured it in just three days and am already eager for Book 2!
August 14, 2022
Tracy is a single mom, a P.I, and a puzzle lover. Her case: searching for the ex’s second wife. All signs were pointing to her being dead, but Tracy might be the prime suspect with her ex naming her as the beneficiary of his estate. And, of course, she finds the dead body.
The voice had a clever and witty note. Tracy seems to have a good head on her shoulders. The pace was, in general, pretty slow.
A nice mystery and a decent read.
The voice had a clever and witty note. Tracy seems to have a good head on her shoulders. The pace was, in general, pretty slow.
A nice mystery and a decent read.
September 19, 2023
Marcus is a Marvel
The characters are compelling and the author has written a path for sequels. The crossword wouldn't load for me but may with better battery life and connectivity. Lots of twists and turns kept the narrative going and the crossword clues were fun and definitely a clever idea!
The characters are compelling and the author has written a path for sequels. The crossword wouldn't load for me but may with better battery life and connectivity. Lots of twists and turns kept the narrative going and the crossword clues were fun and definitely a clever idea!
January 24, 2025
Fast, fun mystery
Readers of a certain age may recall a young adult mystery series featuring teen sleuth Trixie Belden and friends. This series features adult sleuth Tracy Belden, who encouraged her son to read by claiming to be Trixie's cousin. Now the child is determined to prove that he can be a detective, too. Fun!
Readers of a certain age may recall a young adult mystery series featuring teen sleuth Trixie Belden and friends. This series features adult sleuth Tracy Belden, who encouraged her son to read by claiming to be Trixie's cousin. Now the child is determined to prove that he can be a detective, too. Fun!
September 23, 2022
A fun and exciting book
I am so glad I followed the Amazon recommendation for this book. Cozy mysteries are a weakness of mine and this one was a real pleasure. I would definitely recommend that you read this one , I will let you k ow about book two when I finish reading it.
I am so glad I followed the Amazon recommendation for this book. Cozy mysteries are a weakness of mine and this one was a real pleasure. I would definitely recommend that you read this one , I will let you k ow about book two when I finish reading it.
October 24, 2022
Action , mystery and danger laced with a bit of humor!
Really enjoyed this story. Love Mrs. C. The storyline keeps you on your toes all the way through the book. Already downloaded book two. If you like mysteries, give this series a try.
Really enjoyed this story. Love Mrs. C. The storyline keeps you on your toes all the way through the book. Already downloaded book two. If you like mysteries, give this series a try.
January 13, 2023
Awesome!
I loved the characters and action in "An Ex..." They are fun and funny. The crossword clues are very clever. There were a few typos and missing words which are the only things preventing me giving the book 5 stars. I recommend this series and look forward to reading more!
I loved the characters and action in "An Ex..." They are fun and funny. The crossword clues are very clever. There were a few typos and missing words which are the only things preventing me giving the book 5 stars. I recommend this series and look forward to reading more!
October 29, 2023
Cute story/Very poor editing
I almost quit reading within the first chapter because the editing is so poor, but I stuck it out. The editing is a real disservice to this writer as the story is quite cute. I hope you find another publisher Louise.
I almost quit reading within the first chapter because the editing is so poor, but I stuck it out. The editing is a real disservice to this writer as the story is quite cute. I hope you find another publisher Louise.
January 21, 2024
What a rush--action packed with Had to reread a few times to catch what I had missed. Loved the characters--Marcus was great, full of energy and confidence. The characters were all a bit quirky and I loved their conversations with each other. Good series start--recommend reading.
June 10, 2024
Interesting characters
A makeshift family has formed, and they solve a complicated murder mystery. There seems to be more backstory about some of them. I plan to read the rest of the series.
A makeshift family has formed, and they solve a complicated murder mystery. There seems to be more backstory about some of them. I plan to read the rest of the series.
September 23, 2021
The book had humor, action, suspense, and mystery. I laughed out loud so many times. The characters are terrific.
January 1, 2022
This was a fun read and would make a fun movie, all the interesting characters!!
February 11, 2022
Wow! This book is the first of a series. Very hard to put down. The characters are terrific, 11 year old Marcus is my favorite!
February 25, 2022
Fun mystery!
Fun mystery with cute crossword clues. I love the main character's relationship with her foster son and best friend\love interest.
Fun mystery with cute crossword clues. I love the main character's relationship with her foster son and best friend\love interest.
March 21, 2022
Cute and enjoyable read
Great story. Loved the characters. Laid out into a good mystery with lots of twists and turns. Enjoyed. Can’t wait to read next in series.
Great story. Loved the characters. Laid out into a good mystery with lots of twists and turns. Enjoyed. Can’t wait to read next in series.
June 14, 2022
Fun book. Love the twists
August 3, 2022
Aan Ex in the Puzzle is a fun action adventure cozy mystery worthy of a family movie.
August 9, 2022
Good read
Settle in with a good cup of coffee along with the main character in this book. Interesting twist and turns with some surprises waiting! Downloading next book to enjoy!
Settle in with a good cup of coffee along with the main character in this book. Interesting twist and turns with some surprises waiting! Downloading next book to enjoy!
October 30, 2022
An Ex In the Puzzle
I liked how the story hooked me in. An ex-husband, an adopted Korean boy, and a younger not a boy friend friend. Great story!
I liked how the story hooked me in. An ex-husband, an adopted Korean boy, and a younger not a boy friend friend. Great story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews