Dru’s Short Musing:
When her father is arrested and jailed for a murder, Katie and her puzzle crew sets out to find evidence needed to clear his name.
I love the premise of this well-executed whodunit that quicky became a page-turner as I could not put this book down. The sharp writing and comfortable tone made it easy to follow along with what the author intended. The mystery was nicely divided between two subplots, both keeping me intrigued and in suspense as to what was going on. The suspect pool was contained between the victim’s co-workers and her associates, but it was the team’s effort that put the pieces of the puzzle together by gathering clues to pinpoint the person responsible for the crime. The author did a great job in keeping me immersed in all that was happening with visually descriptive narrative, engaging dialogue, a great cast of characters who all had a pivotal role in how well this story was being told, and a small-town atmosphere that made the story come alive on the pages. Overall, this was delightfully charming and a welcome addition to the cozy genre, and I look forward to more exciting adventures with Katie and her puzzle crew.
Series Name: A Jigsaw Puzzle Mystery Book 1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: August 12, 2025
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link
Book Synopsis:
A dedicated group of jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts must put their problem-solving skills to the test when one of their own is murdered, for fans of Kate Young and Richard Osman.
After her mother’s passing, Katie Chambers returns to Cedar Bay, a serene enclave nestled in the southwest corner of Washington State’s Whidbey Island to support her newly widowed father, Jim Chambers. Stepping into her mother’s footsteps, Katie takes on the role of graphic designer at Cedar Bay Puzzles. With the help of her father, she resurrects her mom’s cherished initiative, the South Island Jigsaw crew, a group of puzzle enthusiasts who gather weekly at the library to test and tackle the latest Cedar Bay Puzzles creations. But when a member of their club is murdered and Jim is the last person to see her alive, resulting in his arrest, Katie and the rest of the gang must use all of their resources to obtain justice for both.
To prove her father’s innocence, Katie reaches out to Connor Crozier, a firefighter and her former flame who shattered her heart seven years ago. With problems piling up at work and a competitor outright accusing CBP of stealing his designs, it is up to Katie to puzzle out the mystery before it’s too late.
Perfect for fans of The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers and The Marlow Murder Club, this charming and fun mystery will have readers puzzling over the mystery until the last page.