Step into the quirky, puzzle-packed world of the Puzzle Lady Mystery series, where crosswords and crime collide in the charming town of Bakerhaven, Connecticut! Created by Parnell Hall, this cozy mystery series follows Cora Felton, the eccentric 'Puzzle Lady,' whose knack for meddling and love for wordplay land her in the heart of murder mysteries. With her clever niece Sherry Carter secretly crafting the puzzles, Cora’s adventures are a delightful blend of humor, suspense, and brain-teasing fun.
Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries and cruciverbalists alike, the series offers a lighthearted escape into a small-town setting where every clue counts. Whether you’re unraveling a crossword or chasing a killer, the Puzzle Lady Mystery books promise a rollicking good time!
How Puzzle Lady Mystery Began
Parnell Hall, a Shamus Award-winning author known for his Stanley Hastings and Steve Winslow series, launched the Puzzle Lady Mystery series in 1999 with A Clue for the Puzzle Lady. Inspired by his love for wordplay and classic cozy mysteries, Hall crafted Cora Felton as a unique sleuth—a chain-smoking, wisecracking grandmother who’s more Miss Marple on steroids than a typical cozy heroine. The series’ blend of puzzles and murder was a fresh take, appealing to readers who crave both intellectual and suspenseful challenges.
Hall’s background in screenwriting and his playful approach to dialogue shaped the series’ snappy banter and fast-paced plots. Over two decades, he penned 20 books, each weaving crosswords, sudoku, or cryptograms into the narrative, making the series a haven for puzzle enthusiasts.
The Heart of Puzzle Lady Mystery
The series kicks off with A Clue for the Puzzle Lady (1999), where Cora stumbles into a murder investigation after a cryptic crossword clue is found on a victim’s body. In Last Puzzle & Testament (2000), Cora referees a puzzle-based inheritance contest that turns deadly. Stalking the Puzzle Lady (2005) sees Cora facing a publicity tour gone wrong with a killer on the loose, while The Purloined Puzzle (2018) tangles her in a stolen puzzle and a murder tied to her ex-husband.
Themes of deception, family, and intellectual rivalry run deep. Cora’s public persona as a puzzle genius hides Sherry’s role as the true cruciverbalist, creating a dynamic of trust and secrecy. The small-town setting of Bakerhaven grounds the stories in cozy familiarity, but Hall’s sharp wit and intricate plotting elevate them with a modern edge. Puzzles aren’t just props—they’re woven into the mysteries, challenging readers to think like detectives.
The series’ style is breezy yet suspenseful, with slapstick humor and quirky characters like Chief Harper and attorney Becky Baldwin. Whether it’s a crossword clue pointing to a suspect or a sudoku revealing a motive, the puzzles add a layer of interactive fun that sets the series apart.
Why Puzzle Lady Mystery Resonates
The Puzzle Lady Mystery series has carved a niche in the cozy mystery genre by blending intellectual stimulation with laugh-out-loud antics. Fans praise Cora’s irreverent charm and the series’ ability to keep them guessing until the final page. Its appeal lies in its accessibility—readers don’t need to be puzzle experts to enjoy the ride, but those who are will love the extra challenge.
Hall’s legacy endures through the series’ loyal following and its influence on puzzle-themed mysteries. The announcement of a potential TV adaptation by ZDF Enterprises in 2020 highlights its lasting cultural impact. For cozy mystery readers, the Puzzle Lady remains a beloved guide through a world where wit and wisdom solve even the deadliest riddles.
- First published: 1999
- Total books: 20
- Author: Parnell Hall (1944–2020)
- Setting: Bakerhaven, Connecticut
- Notable recognition: Shamus Award winner (Parnell Hall)
Grab A Clue for the Puzzle Lady and dive into the Puzzle Lady Mystery’s delightful world of crosswords and crime! Whether you’re a cozy mystery fan or a puzzle lover, Cora Felton’s adventures will keep you hooked.