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Murder Most Cryptic

A gripping murder mystery blending cosy crime and puzzles

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Murder Most Cryptic

By: Alys Cummings
Narrated by: Clare Corbett
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A PUZZLING NEW MURDER MYSTERY WHERE CRIME AND CROSSWORDS COLLIDE, FOR FANS OF JANICE HALLETT AND LUDWIG

The dead body is their first clue - and the answer is murder...but can they solve the crossword, and find a killer too?

Nina is a promising young journalist. She’s also an alcoholic.

Once a week, she attends a recovery group in the local church hall. When a stranger walks in one night, the group think they might have a new member. Until he promptly drops dead.

The police believe it’s nothing more than an accident. But the group soon realise there’s more to this mystery than meets the eye, when they discover a cryptic crossword clue hidden in the dead man’s pocket – the answer to which is Murder.

As more mysterious and threatening clues start appearing in a newspaper crossword, Nina and team must work to crack this cryptic case. Can they solve the clues, and catch a killer?

Or will the next crosssword spell death for one of them…

© Alys Cummings 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

 Amateur Sleuths Cosy Crime Crime Fiction Murder Mystery Women Sleuths Fiction
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Critic reviews

If this isn't a book of the year, I'll be very surprised. It's where crime and crosswords collide (Janice Hallett)
Intriguing and ingenious, Cummings has cracked the code of setting the reader a thrilling mystery with a cryptic edge (Harriet Tyce)
Murder Most Cryptic had me gripped from the first chapter, zipped along from there and didn't let go! Pacy and suspenseful, but also very human and insightful (Tanya Sweeney)
Puzzles are weaved skilfully into a narrative that sees an odd couple of cops trying to find the killer among a cast of rogue crossword setter
Fiendish
Brilliant and bold, full of twists and headscratching puzzles that leave you wanting more. Crime fiction at its very, very best! A real treat of a mystery (Jonathan Whitelaw)
Clever clues, warm humour, and a delightful puzzle. The very quintessence of murder mystery fun (Kelly Mullen)
This original and ingenious cosy crime had me hooked from the first page. Cummings writes so well; every character is well drawn and compelling, the mystery is packed with twists, and the cryptic clues only add to the fun. If you love a cosy mystery with warmth, depth, and a really good puzzle, this is absolutely the book for you (Nicola Whyte)
If you love a good puzzle, Alys Cummings' (crossword) cracking debut will blow your twisted mind. As a host of colourful characters...look for answers, so do readers as they try to tackle the cryptic puzzles scattered throughout the book. The one thing that no one is short of is clues! Hugely recommended but make sure you've got a pen handy when you're reading it! (Trevor Wood)
Relentlessly gripping and the puzzling is pristine. When’s the next one? (Alan Connor)
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