Presumed Puzzled (2015) (Puzzle Lady #17) by Parnell Hall. Seventeen murders in the small town of Bakerhaven and all have crossword puzzles deeply involved. Really? Perhaps it is time for the author to rethink his choice of clues or perhaps move onto his other series. It beggars belief that something like this could happen so often in such a small location. Then again, that is the problem with almost all amateur sleuth stories.
Anyway, Cora (The Puzzle Lady) and the Chief of Police trip on over to Pam Martingale’s house because her missing husband is supposed to be heading home. When they get there Pam is standing over her dead husband, bloody knife in hand.
Complications ensue, twists that stretch the bounds of believability, and soon it is Cora who is the leading suspect.
The puzzles that are included are great, in fact, for me they were the most interesting part of the book. But the story is too contrived for my taste, the plot twists beyond belief, and the thought that people would actually behave in this fashion is beyond my comprehension. But if you like this series, you’ll like this one also. ( )

Miss Cora Felton is a seasoned and salty (hard-drinking, chain smoking) puzzle columnist turned amateur sleuth with her niece in the latest book from this modern, funny series.