Wrapped Up In Crosswords

Crossword Mysteries #9

by Nero Blanc

The townsfolk of Newcastle, Massachusetts, are disturbed by the arrival of three Santas in their town, when they realize that the three men bear a striking resemblance to three escaped prisoners from a nearby jail, and crossword editor Belle Graham and her private detective partner, Rosco Polycrates, follow a trail of crossword clues to catch the costumed crooks red-handed. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery, Christmas, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Holiday

144 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 4, 2004

About the author

Joint pseudonym of Cordelia Frances Biddle and Steve Zettler.

Reviews

[Teresa mcgaha · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was published before in between novellas became popular with series, it is not needed, and I skimmed it to add to my read pile.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rosco Polycrates, private detective, is in search for the perfect Christmas present for his partner Belle. He stops, entranced, before a shop window and his canine companions are convinced that he's decided that what Belle needs is a pair of live lovebirds. The dogs are not in favor of avian competitors for their humans' affections (besides birds are prey...not housemates). So, they decide that the best way to show their displeasure is to shred feather pillows and destroy the crossword puzzle clues that Rosco is planning for the big Christmas present reveal.

Meanwhile, three escaped convicts have gotten their hands on Santa suits and have descended on Rosco and Belle's town of Newcastle Massachusetts. They hold up a gun shop owner--stealing weapons--and break into a local diner. Rosco and two of his pals from the police department (where he served before becoming a private eye) are also running around in Santa suits, collecting toys and other presents for needy children. Confusion ensues when State Troopers mistake our heroes for the bad guys. Of course, all's well that ends well and the costumed convicts will be back behind bars by the end of the story and our heroes will get the presents to the kids. But will Kit and Gabby (the dogs) have to make room in their inn for a couple of wandering lovebirds? We'll just have to see...

A very light piece of Christmas fluff with a hint of mystery thrown in--though there is very little detecting going on. Two of the crooks are caught off-stage by the "Staties" (State Troopers) and the third pretty much falls into NPD Detective Al Lever and Rosco Polycrates' laps. I'd just like to know what the escaped convict was doing in the greenhouse. Not exactly an ideal hideout in the middle of a Massachusetts winter. The book is very sweet and seems to be more focused on the relationships between all of the ongoing characters. I wasn't terribly keen on the talking dogs--that is, they talk to each other and other dogs and not to the humans (do they do this in all the stories? I don't remember animals having conversations in the others I've read in the series). But it was a pleasant day's read. ★★ and 1/2

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

You may wonder WHY I would download a book that contains real crossword puzzles. I downloaded a number of holiday themed books in December, because, well, I just needed some Christmas reading. I'm pretty sure I'd read a Nero Blanc Crossword Mystery before so I decided to try another one. I love crosswords and I love mysteries!! The crosswords are better than the mysteries, in my opinion. The puzzles are actually printable as pdfs and the URL for each puzzle is included. If you don't like doing the puzzles, the completed grids are provided--and two of them were essential for completing the story. The characters are interesting enough, the plot was simple, the humor wasn't outstanding but certainly sounded like the good-natured banter between long-time friends, the device of the dogs being able to talk to each other and understand all the human conversation added very little. This was more of a stocking stuffer than a real wrapped up gift.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story built around crossword puzzle solving, Santa Claus,and with dogs and cats adding their opinions; it is just an enjoyable quick read.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 The townsfolk of Newcastle, Massachusetts, are disturbed by the arrival of three Santas in their town, when they realize that the three men bear a striking resemblance to three escaped prisoners from a nearby jail, and crossword editor Belle Graham and her private detective partner, Rosco Polycrates, follow a trail of crossword clues to catch the costumed crooks red-handed. [Amazon synopsis]

Dogs don't talk to each other. Dumb

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely the best of the 4 books in the collection. The only reason to read the others is to learn who the main characters Belle and Roscoe are. Otherwise this is a standalone with interesting characters, a little mystery with a twist and crossword puzzles that add not take away from the story.

[SusanwithaGoodBook · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this for my mother for a stocking stuffer several years ago. It's cute enough for that, especially because it includes several crosswords she enjoyed working.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author, and even though it's #9 in the series, it was great as a stand alone. It was a fun Christmas cozy mystery, with lots of Christmas love and cheer thrown in.

[Kristie Kirkpatrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best part was the embedded crossword puzzles.

[Judy Laflin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

[Bill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wrapped Up In Crosswords is the ninth book in the Crossword mysteries by husband and wife team who go under the pseudonym of Nero Blanc. I've read one book in the series so far and found it light and a nice cozy mystery. This one was for the main part Christmas fluff, more concerned with the Xmas Secret Santa and with the various owners dogs discussing the bad qualities of buying birds for pets. Yes, the dogs talk.

As a minor side issue, three convicts have escaped from the State Pen and they look like the 3 main male characters in this story, Roscoe, Lt Al and Coroner Abe. So there you have the story in its simplest form. It was light and lightly humorous, a nice little Xmas fix. (2.5 stars)

[Kathy Penrod · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually like the Nero Bland mysteries and since it is Christmas decided to read this Christmas mystery. I am not a big fan of talking animals, in books, but if you are, you may well think this book deserves another star. That was my main complaint and I realize that is just a personal preference. You do have to complete the crossword puzzles to find out what Roscoe and Bell got each other for Christmas (unless you cheat and look at the answers like I did.) Still it's a cozy, short, holiday story that is a fun, uncomplicated, non violent mystery to enjoy for the holidays.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book for my mother's 86th birthday which is in two weeks. Yes, I sometimes read books before I give them away--please, don't spread that around. Anyway, while I didn't care for it, I'm sure that my mother will love this book. It's one of those odd mysteries where there is no murder plus there is lots about crossword puzzles and she is addicted to those. A pleasant little read about a group of friends in a small town in Massachusetts.

[Peggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a mystery, with crossword puzzles and a Christmas story.. I think it is a cute idea but didn't care much for the writing..
The family dogs have conversations about the surprise gifts in question and this adds some to the tale..

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet - just like me ,o)

[Mom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short story in novel form: light mystery with clever crosswords that are better than the mystery itself.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick read. The crossword puzzles are taking a little bit longer but are fun.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick fun holiday read. Wish they'd 'wrapped up' all the loose ends but I guess they did enough. Be warned you'll have to complete the crosswords to find out part of the story!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly and quick Christmas story filled with humorous dog conversations and antics.