What do you think?
Rate this book
Puzzle Lady #16
Puzzled Indemnity
It’s been a cold, lonely winter for Cora Felton. Long distance has cooled the Puzzle Lady’s on-again-off-again affair with Sergeant Crowley, and the only case Chief Harper has for her to investigate is a routine liquor store robbery. So when attorney friend Becky Baldwin asks her to check out whether Brittney Wells' philandering husband is planning to kill her to collect on a million dollar, double indemnity insurance policy, Cora jumps at the chance.
Cora has no problem tracking hubby to his love nest, but when Brittany refuses to believe he's cheating on her, Cora has to blackmail him to prove the affair. Before she can, a car bomb rocks the quiet streets of Bakerhaven, and the stakes escalate to murder.
To save Becky's clueless client from the clutches of the law, Cora will manipulate a TV reporter, cast suspicion on an innocent man, crack crossword and Sudoku clues, solve the liquor store robbery, and enlist the aid of both Sergeant Crowley and his girlfriend in Parnell Hall's Puzzled Indemnity, this outrageous new entry in the Puzzle Lady Mystery series featuring Sudoku by Will Shortz.
Cora has no problem tracking hubby to his love nest, but when Brittany refuses to believe he's cheating on her, Cora has to blackmail him to prove the affair. Before she can, a car bomb rocks the quiet streets of Bakerhaven, and the stakes escalate to murder.
To save Becky's clueless client from the clutches of the law, Cora will manipulate a TV reporter, cast suspicion on an innocent man, crack crossword and Sudoku clues, solve the liquor store robbery, and enlist the aid of both Sergeant Crowley and his girlfriend in Parnell Hall's Puzzled Indemnity, this outrageous new entry in the Puzzle Lady Mystery series featuring Sudoku by Will Shortz.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 20, 2015
5 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 20, 2021
A cosy mystery for a lazy afternoon read. It was not difficult to guess who the killer was. Yet it was fun. The part where Brittany finds the insurance policy was hilarious.
February 16, 2015
I had the hardest time figuring out if this was indeed the 16th entry in the series. In the book, they had forgotten to list The Sudoku Puzzle Murders, which may have just been a typo but could also be a sign that the series needs to end soon.
Don't get me wrong, I always make sure to read the next Puzzle Lady book. I enjoy the characters, their interactions, the wordplay, and, of course, the puzzles. But, the mysteries are becoming unnecessarily convoluted. And, having to incorporate a sudoku as well as a crossword in each book is becoming too forced.
I'm worried if the series continues any longer I won't like Cora Felton any longer because of the extremely questionable things she does.
Don't get me wrong, I always make sure to read the next Puzzle Lady book. I enjoy the characters, their interactions, the wordplay, and, of course, the puzzles. But, the mysteries are becoming unnecessarily convoluted. And, having to incorporate a sudoku as well as a crossword in each book is becoming too forced.
I'm worried if the series continues any longer I won't like Cora Felton any longer because of the extremely questionable things she does.
March 13, 2015
Becky’s latest client is worried that her husband is having an affair and plotting to kill her, so Becky hires Cora to learn if the client has reason to be worried. When Cora confirms the affair, the client hesitates long enough for things to really explode.
Series fans will love this latest case for Cora and company. The banter and word play is present, but it advances a story that has some nice twists and surprises. The characters could be better developed, but that’s long been an issue with the series. It’s a fun fast read, and that’s exactly what it sets out to be.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Series fans will love this latest case for Cora and company. The banter and word play is present, but it advances a story that has some nice twists and surprises. The characters could be better developed, but that’s long been an issue with the series. It’s a fun fast read, and that’s exactly what it sets out to be.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
January 25, 2016
The series is one that I enjoy reading. In fact I just took the day, sat back and read the book in the day. The characters are fun and the I enjoy the author's writing style. Now just have to wait another year for the next installment.
August 21, 2015
The Puzzle Lady Series usually is based on a convoluted plot, and this latest novel seems to embody the wackiest of them all. This is the 15th book since the author conceived the prototype, and the twists and turns in it make an Alpine road look like a straight superhighway. Of course, it gives Cora Felton, The Puzzle Lady who can’t solve crossword puzzles, free rein to propound all kinds of theories and barbs and amusing comments before the mystery is solved.
It all begins when a ditzy young woman retains Cora’s lawyer friend, Becky, because she fears her husband is having an affair and is planning to murder her. She says he took out a $1 million life insurance policy on her, with a double indemnity clause. Shades of the movie, Double Indemnity, which was serious. Not as amusing as “Puzzled Indemnity,” which is anything but. Cora is asked by Becky to investigate, and thus begins the strange journey.
Despite the levity and craziness throughout the novel (much less the series), it encompasses a first rate mystery, worthy of Alfred Hitchcock. All the novels, naturally, encompass crossword puzzle and sudokus containing clues to move the story forward. They are edited by Will Shortz, who performs a similar task for The New York Times. If you haven’t read any of this novel’s predecessors, this book is a good one to start with. Then go back and read the others.
Recommended.
It all begins when a ditzy young woman retains Cora’s lawyer friend, Becky, because she fears her husband is having an affair and is planning to murder her. She says he took out a $1 million life insurance policy on her, with a double indemnity clause. Shades of the movie, Double Indemnity, which was serious. Not as amusing as “Puzzled Indemnity,” which is anything but. Cora is asked by Becky to investigate, and thus begins the strange journey.
Despite the levity and craziness throughout the novel (much less the series), it encompasses a first rate mystery, worthy of Alfred Hitchcock. All the novels, naturally, encompass crossword puzzle and sudokus containing clues to move the story forward. They are edited by Will Shortz, who performs a similar task for The New York Times. If you haven’t read any of this novel’s predecessors, this book is a good one to start with. Then go back and read the others.
Recommended.
March 20, 2015
Could not get into.
November 1, 2015
Cora is too abrasive and takes away from the story
August 26, 2023
It's been a while since I last read a book in the series. It's a really fun summer read but nothing great. If you are new to the series, I wouldn't read this one first since you will miss out on a lot of nuance and backstory.
July 26, 2017
Puzzles were fun, but plot was not exciting.
October 22, 2017
A light read but you get a crosswords and a sudoku along with your cozy mystery .
November 23, 2018
A light read
Cora solves another crime with the help of a few new characters . This is a quick read, with only a few puzzles.
Cora solves another crime with the help of a few new characters . This is a quick read, with only a few puzzles.
May 26, 2019
Another good, funny murder mystery. Parnell Hall's books never disappoint.
July 28, 2019
An amusing new entry in this delightful series featuring crossword and sudoku puzzles.
August 21, 2019
This is one mystery that was a great read. Lots of mystery and humor
December 9, 2019
Am liking Cora less in this book. Accidentally framing an innocent man was disturbing for me. I am going to read the next in the series but am not sure I will be able to forgive her.
December 16, 2023
The mystery was good, but I didn't really like the characters, including the main character, which is what you really want to like in a cozy mystery.
August 19, 2025
The main character, Cora, the Puzzle Lady, reminded me of Lucy - fast talking, and quirky. A silly book that everyone needs to break up the seriousness of today's world.
March 16, 2016
Puzzled Indemnity is the sixteenth installment in the Puzzle Lady series. Main character Cora Felton, known as the Puzzle Lady resides in Bakerhaven, CT with her niece Sherry Carter, Sherry's husband Aaron and their adorable daughter Jennifer.
Cora is famous for constructing crosswords (although Sherry is really the cruciverbalist) and helping the local police solve crime. Cora is desperately trying to quit smoking and to fight off both temptation and boredom she asks local lawyer Becky Baldwin for a job. Fortunately or unfortunately depending upon how you look at the situation Becky hires her to investigate a client's claim that her husband is trying to murder her for insurance monies.
Brittany Wells is convinced that her husband Hank has taken out a double indemnity insurance policy in the amount of one million dollars and is now trying to kill her. Brittany is a complete airhead who annoys Cora to no end, but when Hank winds up dead in an apparent car bombing and Brittany becomes the prime suspect, Cora decides to work to clear the young woman's name.
The main cast of characters are back in this fast paced, tongue in cheek mystery including Bakerhaven Chief of Police Harper, Cora's ex husband Melvin, and her off and on boyfriend New York Homicide Sergeant Crowley. Regular readers of the series will be disappointed at the lack of crosswords and sudukos in the book, but Cora's usual crazy antics will make up for it.
Cora is famous for constructing crosswords (although Sherry is really the cruciverbalist) and helping the local police solve crime. Cora is desperately trying to quit smoking and to fight off both temptation and boredom she asks local lawyer Becky Baldwin for a job. Fortunately or unfortunately depending upon how you look at the situation Becky hires her to investigate a client's claim that her husband is trying to murder her for insurance monies.
Brittany Wells is convinced that her husband Hank has taken out a double indemnity insurance policy in the amount of one million dollars and is now trying to kill her. Brittany is a complete airhead who annoys Cora to no end, but when Hank winds up dead in an apparent car bombing and Brittany becomes the prime suspect, Cora decides to work to clear the young woman's name.
The main cast of characters are back in this fast paced, tongue in cheek mystery including Bakerhaven Chief of Police Harper, Cora's ex husband Melvin, and her off and on boyfriend New York Homicide Sergeant Crowley. Regular readers of the series will be disappointed at the lack of crosswords and sudukos in the book, but Cora's usual crazy antics will make up for it.
July 4, 2015
This was okay...I was looking for something quick and easy after all the Anne Boleyn, Thomas Cromwell stuff and this fit the bill. I think it is something like book 16 in the series, but I don't think you need to read them in order. The main character is something like a Jessica Fletcher who ends up solving crimes. It was cute and light...lots of dialogue that is clever but sometimes just too cute. The main character, Cora, also was terribly confusing to me. On the cover she looks quite old so I pictured her as kind of a Miss Marple/Jessica Fletcher, but the writing is quite different. Much of the book she is pining like a teenager over a man, and, generally, seems to make a lot of sketchy choices. Anyway, it fit the bill but I likely won't search out another one.
January 27, 2015
I generally rate the books I read on the genre of the book. The Puzzle Lady books are more in the cozy mystery type and I have not been disappointed with any in the series. The addition of the crosswords as part of the puzzle are not necessary to hook you into the story. The characters have remained fresh and funny throughout the series. This story takes off from the Double Indemnity clause in a will and the story reached a very good conclusion. In the past year I have drifted off of reading some of the long running series that I have been reading in favor for some new books. But will say that when a new puzzle lady book comes out, I would read it.
January 27, 2015
Cora Felton is once again a hoot. If you're old enough to have seen the movie "Double Indemnity" you'll love this take on the old movie,Cora style.
Cora is hired by lawyer Becky Baldwin to find out if a husband is cheating. There by hangs the tale. There are more twists in turns in this latest Puzzle Lady mystery to keep any mystery fan happy. Cora,drags in her former husband,Melvin,ex boyfriend Sgt Crowley and to mention the ditsy wife. While also driving Bakerhaven's chief of police,Chief Harper to the brink of madness,with her theories.
I never get tired of Parnell Halls,Puzzle Lady mysteries.
Cora is hired by lawyer Becky Baldwin to find out if a husband is cheating. There by hangs the tale. There are more twists in turns in this latest Puzzle Lady mystery to keep any mystery fan happy. Cora,drags in her former husband,Melvin,ex boyfriend Sgt Crowley and to mention the ditsy wife. While also driving Bakerhaven's chief of police,Chief Harper to the brink of madness,with her theories.
I never get tired of Parnell Halls,Puzzle Lady mysteries.
March 7, 2015
you can't help but love Cora Felton, the face of the PUzzle Lady, though she cannot solve a single clue.....at least in crossword puzzles. Though I always think of Murder, She Wrote when I read this series of novels, Cora Felton is much more sarcastic and witty than Jessica Fletcher ever could be. It amazes me the pickles Cora will find herself in, and she does it all with the energy and quick wit of a woman half her age, which only makes her more endearing. Though the series will never be called "great literature," I always know I'll be taken on a wild adventure full of quirky people and lots of laughs.
March 14, 2015
Cora the puzzle lady is bored. she tries to get some work - she does and it turns out to be more. Becky Baldwin, atty, has Cora working on a cheating husband. She is hired to find out for a young bride. The premise is that she will be killed for insurance money. This adventure takes Cora back to.NYC and Detevtive Crowley. Another issue for Cora. But when the husband winds up dead, there is alot more to follow up on. Cora enlists the help of an ex husband and crowley's current girlfriend. All this to the dismay of Chief Harper. Her investigation is full of surprises but in the end - she gets the answers.
October 5, 2014
This review is of the ARC - It's fabulous! Just as quirky and full of turns and reversals as any Puzzle Lady book. It was interesting how little the puzzles were fixated on in this one, maybe because Cora is trying to distance herself from that identity. Her natural skills as a detective shine through, the laughs are all there and P. Hall keeps you guessing about what's going on for quite a while. It's that combination of humor, and a mystery that is not readily transparent that keeps me coming back for my favorite belligerent old Auntie.
February 14, 2015
Cora has cabin fever, enough to ask for--and accept!--a job from local lawyer Becky Baldwin tracking a (possibly) erring husband for a ditzy young wife. When the case explodes into murder, Becky's client is a suspect. Cora would just as soon the woman were convicted, but a job's a job, right? There are New York connections to the case, enabling Cora to look up her old boyfriend and find a few unpleasant surprises.
May 14, 2015
I happened upon this book by accident. I have not read others in the series but that was of limited consequence. A few moments that refer to previous installments but my ignorance of those books did not hinder my reading enjoyment. A fun lunchtime read with quirky characters and several puzzles to slove. Biggest frustration was not being able to work the puzzles in the book, had to photocopy them so i did not destroy the library copy.
Read
September 3, 2015It's always terrible starting a series at book 16 or so; characters are established, back story has been told in previous books. This is a cute cozy about Cora Felton, the Puzzle Lady, who solves crimes. The plot is convoluted, but the dialogue is sharp and snappy.
There are also puzzles in the book to solve, crosswords. Why the heck random people would construct puzzles to help the detective is not something readers should consider too closely.
There are also puzzles in the book to solve, crosswords. Why the heck random people would construct puzzles to help the detective is not something readers should consider too closely.
February 21, 2015
Fast paced enjoyable read that was perfect for a lazy a Saturday. The mystery was a little convoluted and this was one of the first books I've read in the series so It took a bit to get caught up with all the players and past histories. Nothing bad but I think I would have gotten more from the second characters if I read the other books in the series.
April 3, 2015
This is the first book I have read by this author and enjoyed it so much that I went right down to the library to see if they had anymore of this series. I read the first and second "puzzle" book, which were just ok but want to read them all as the author is going to improve so much as proven in "Puzzled Indemnity". Boy, this one was good!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews