The Sudoku Puzzle Murders

An amusing diversion.
This is the first book by Hall which I have read. Nevertheless, it was obvious from the start that this was not the kind of mystery where the reader is challenged to solve it along with the detective. This book moves quickly to pack in more of Cora Felton's one-liners and witty obfuscations.
Includes 3 crossword puzzles & 4 sudokus and their solutions as part of the mystery.

In Hall’s mystery novel, Cora Felton, otherwise known as “The Puzzle Lady”, prefers numbers to just about everything else. But when bodies begin to pile up in her Connecticut hometown, things just don’t add up. There are the strangers from Japan who appear fascinated with her ability, and then her niece’s jealous and very intoxicated ex puts in an appearance as well. Topping off the list is the Sudoku and crossword that tags each dead body found. With no choice in the matter, Cora puts her gift for figuring out puzzles to work as she sets out to put an end to this nightmare.

As always, a unique and enjoyable mystery.

Too many puzzles and a fake ending to wrap it up. I will not read another book of this style.

Not much of a mystery nor really any need for the puzzles.

Cora Felton gripped the black marker firmly in her right hand and stepped up to the easel in the front of the Bakerhaven, Connecticut, town hall. ... Cora Felton, the much vaunted Puzzle Lady, who hawked breakfast cereal to children in TV ads, was merely figurehead, a kindly grandmotherly face to adorn the nationally syndicated puzzle column. Sherry actually created the puzzles. Cora could neither construct nor solve a crossword puzzle if her life depended on it. Only a handful of people knew the secret.