The Sudoku Murder (Katie McDonald Series #1) by Shelley Freydont

From the Publisher

Professor P.T. Avondale is found murdered at his desk at the Avondale Puzzle Museum. Katie McDonald, master puzzle-solver, has returned home to save her childhood mentor's museum from being auctioned off when she learns of the Professor's death. Now she finds herself curator of the museum and in charge of the Professor's newest mentee, a fourteen-year-old runaway. Katie is now faced with working to solve the puzzle of the Professor's murder before a ruthless killer applies his own deadly solution.

Publishers Weekly

This intriguing first in a new series from Freydont (A Merry Little Murderand four other mysteries featuring dancer Linda Haggerty) introduces mathematician and Sudoku whiz Katie McDonald. Katie, a self-professed geek who works for a hush-hush government think tank, returns to her hometown of Granville, N.H., at the behest of her former mentor, P.T. Avondale. Katie is shocked to find Avondale frail and preoccupied, his beloved puzzle museum in serious disrepair and dire financial straits. Before Katie can make sense of the situation, she discovers Avondale murdered in his office—slumped over an unfinished Sudoku puzzle that may provide a clue to the killer's identity. She tops the brash new police chief's suspect list and decides to solve the case on her own, not only to clear her name but to save the Avondale museum from the wrecking ball. Readers will want to see a lot more of the intelligent and endearing Katie. (May)

Sue O'Brien - Booklist

Entertaining fare for mystery-reading Sudoku addicts.

Stephanie B. - Fallen Angel Reviews

The Sudoku Murder is the first of this new mystery series by Shelley Freydont and I think it will become a favorite of mine. The heroine is spunky, brilliant, and even though she finds it difficult to fit in with her neighbors she still cares about them . . . And there are a slew of other interesting and humorous secondary characters to add charm to the story . . . even if you don't enjoy doing the puzzles yourself you will still enjoy the intriguing mystery. If you love Sudoku puzzles there are a number you can solve sprinkled throughout the book and of course part of the solution to the mystery comes from a Sudoku puzzle. I thoroughly enjoyed this charming new mystery series and can't wait to read the second book!

Kirkus Reviews

A think-tank mathematician proves you really can go home again, in this series-starter from the creator of dance detective Lindy Graham-Haggerty (Halloween Murder, 2002). Kate McDonald thought she'd left Granville, N.H., and all the taunts she'd suffered as a geeky schoolgirl far behind. But when a letter from her childhood mentor, Prof. P.T. Avondale, begs her for help, she takes a leave of absence from her job at The Institute for Practical Mathematics to return temporarily to her childhood home under the watchful eye of Aunt Pru, who thinks even girl geniuses ought to be married. The professor wants her to save the Avondale Puzzle Museum, where Kate passed the only happy hours of her youth, from developers who covet the land for an outlet mall and from greedy banker Darrell Donnelly, who wants to foreclose because of an overdue loan. Aunt Pru would like Kate to date grocer Louis Albioni, or bowler Norris Endelman, or just about any native son who might divert her growing interest in Boston-import police chief Brandon Mitchell. She and the chief are destined to mingle, though, because P.T. is found stabbed to death. Despite warnings, Kate makes it her mission not only to rescue the museum but to bring its founder's killer to justice. Not as bad as most defiant-damsel sagas. Still, the conundrum of whether Kate will live to sleuth another day is a no-brainer.

What People Are Saying

Cherokee
"The first book in this mystery series, The Sudoku Murder is a thrilling read . . . Shelley Freydont pens a magnificent tale that engages from the start . . . This charming read is wonderfully told, and intriguing, as the reader is caught up not only in the investigation of the murder but the detail of the puzzles woven in the storyline. This is one stupendous mystery not to be missed."--(Cherokee, Coffee Time Romance, Karen Find Out About New Books)

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