Puzzled Pieces

PTO Murder Club Mystery #5

by Katie Graykowski

When Mustang Ridges finds her son’s school bus driver, Imogene Puzzle, dead, Mustang knows she must find the killer.

She and her best friends Haley and Monica are on the hunt for anyone who might want Ms. P. dead. According to the people they interview, Ms. P. was beloved by everyone. They can’t find one single person who has anything bad to say about her. In a small town, that’s impossible. But clearly someone hated her enough to cut her throat.

Mustang, Haley, and Monica have zero suspects. The only possible lead is Ms. P.’s true crime group, The Puzzlers. Currently, the group is investigating the Hill Country Strangler, a twenty-year-old cold case.

When two other bus drivers from surrounding school districts also end up with their throats cut, Mustang begins to think that the Hill Country Strangler might have decided that throat-cutting was a better way to kill.

How many more people will die before Mustang, Haley, and Monica find the killer?

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2023

About the author

Katie Graykowski is an internationally bestselling author of 25 novels.

Her latest release, Texas Rose Happily Ever-After, the 5th book in the Texas Rose Ranch series. It's out 4/11/2023.

Katie's hard at work on the 5th book in her PTO Murder Club mystery. It's called Puzzled Pieces and is out 5/30/2023.

For news about Katie, please visit www.katiegraykowski.com.

Reviews

[Heather Barksdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Puzzled Pieces: PTO Murder Club Mystery Book 5” is part of a series, but is reviewed here as an independent book. The story follows Mustang Ridges, a young mother and billing manager who finds her son’s school bus driver murdered.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. It’s written in an easy-to-read manor that’s pleasing and flows well. Told by the POV of the main protagonist, Mustang, the author does well in incorporating emotions and connections to ancillary characters including with her son, besties, and boyfriend Daman. Her interactions with “Evil Mags” also further enhance her character while providing background information without relying on over-done tropes like flashbacks. Mustang’s a likable, funny, flawed, and intelligent protagonist and I enjoyed following her along on this journey. Find the full blog review at heatherlbarksdale.com

I received a copy of this book in exchange of a fair and honest review.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full confession – I haven’t read the first four books of this series. But Katie Graykowski provides characters and a storyline that makes you feel as though you’ve been reading it forever. With back to school looming around the corner and the desperate need for bus drivers in our area, this was quite the read considering how it fit the circumstances. The small town atmosphere brings the suspect list in tight and causes you to question everyone. Mustang and her friends are relentless, leaving no person untouched in their investigation because of the minimal leads. I found myself pleasantly gripped by the mystery of who is involved and why. Now I need to go back and read the first books!

I received a complimentary copy for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

[Mindy Menotti bookishly_mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely adorable! This is the 5th book in A PTO Murder Club Mystery series. While I have not read books 1-4 yet, I did not feel lost by any means. And I feel like I will be reading the first 4 books soon because I loved each of the characters that much!

I feel like the development of the story was in point and really enjoy the authors writing style!

Thank you for this ARC copy in return for my honest review. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

[Stacie Moseley (Stacie.moreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book and I loved getting to know the PTO murder club mystery characters. This is the 5th book in the series and my first. I did not feel lost by not reading the first 4 books. However, because I enjoyed this book so much I will check out the others. I throughly enjoy Katie’s books because they are set in Texas (where I live) and are relatable.

[Cindy Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie Graykowski's knack for crafting witty, audacious characters is something I truly admire. However, this series, and particularly this recent addition, holds a special place in my heart. It offers a blend of humor that genuinely makes me laugh, while simultaneously warming my heart with displays of deep empathy. It's a must-read in my book.

[Jana Delli-Gatti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun series

I think that I have read all the books in this series. Each builds on the last. The characters are engaging and fun.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the characters in this book come right back to mind from the previous books in the series. I like how the events are timely - even the use of AI.

[Candace C PeTers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great books

The only thing I dislike about this series is that Ms. Graykowski doesn't write them fast enough. Please keep up the wonderful writing.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read a mystery that’s involved bus drivers being murdered so this was an exciting new genre.
I liked Mustang and her cadre of friends, or posse, who are working hard to discover what’s going on with the madness.
Of course, there is deception, lies, and much more than a declining population of drivers.
My favorite character was Big Roz. I shared certain characteristic traits with her and I liked her character development.
The end was pleasing since Mustang has a big surprise. I also liked what happened in the epilogue.
Thanks to the author and PR by the Book for the early copy.