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Mapleton Mystery #3
Deadly Puzzles
Solving a crime is like piecing together a puzzle. But what happens if the pieces don't fit?
When police chief Gordon Hepler's doctor orders him to cut down on the stress in his life or risk losing his vision, Gordon books a winter retreat at a remote bed and breakfast. Hours away from Mapleton, where nobody knows he's a cop, he plans to relax and try to forget about his eyes.
However, traveling "incognito" doesn't mean he's left his cop instincts behind. His curiosity is piqued when one of the other guests at the B&B doesn't appear to be who she claims. Before he can explore the puzzle she presents, a man shows up, pleading for help. His car's gone off the road, and his wife is inside.
Although a blizzard is approaching, Gordon can't refuse the frantic man's request and agrees to help him search. Fighting the storm, Gordon and the man struggle down a ravine to the car. What they find turns out to be one more puzzle, and it's not the last Gordon faces.
Are they unrelated coincidences? Or part of one bigger mystery? Or is he seeing a crime where none exists? Well outside his jurisdiction, with his health at stake, Gordon wonders whether he should follow his cop impulses, or remember he's on vacation and let the locals handle it. When it becomes personal, Gordon has no choice.
When police chief Gordon Hepler's doctor orders him to cut down on the stress in his life or risk losing his vision, Gordon books a winter retreat at a remote bed and breakfast. Hours away from Mapleton, where nobody knows he's a cop, he plans to relax and try to forget about his eyes.
However, traveling "incognito" doesn't mean he's left his cop instincts behind. His curiosity is piqued when one of the other guests at the B&B doesn't appear to be who she claims. Before he can explore the puzzle she presents, a man shows up, pleading for help. His car's gone off the road, and his wife is inside.
Although a blizzard is approaching, Gordon can't refuse the frantic man's request and agrees to help him search. Fighting the storm, Gordon and the man struggle down a ravine to the car. What they find turns out to be one more puzzle, and it's not the last Gordon faces.
Are they unrelated coincidences? Or part of one bigger mystery? Or is he seeing a crime where none exists? Well outside his jurisdiction, with his health at stake, Gordon wonders whether he should follow his cop impulses, or remember he's on vacation and let the locals handle it. When it becomes personal, Gordon has no choice.
- GenresMystery
Audible Audio
First published April 19, 2014
56 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Terry Odell
64 books224 followersTerry Odell was born in Los Angeles and after living several decades in Florida now makes her home in Colorado. An avid reader (her parents tell everyone they had to move from their first home because she finished the local library), she always wanted to "fix" stories so the characters did what she wanted, in books, television, and the movies. Once she began writing, she found this wasn't always possible, as evidenced when the mystery she intended to write rapidly became a romance.
However, her entry into the world of writing can be attributed to a "mistake" when her son mentioned the Highlander television series on a visit home. Being the "good mother" she began watching the show and soon connected with the world of fanfiction, first as a reader, then as a critique giver, and then, one brave weekend, she wrote her first short story.
Things snowballed (if one can use that analogy in central Florida!) and soon she was writing her first original novel. Much later, she mentioned something about a recent Highlander episode to her son, and he said, "Oh, I've never actually watched the show, I just thought the concept was cool." Little did he know what he'd started.
"
However, her entry into the world of writing can be attributed to a "mistake" when her son mentioned the Highlander television series on a visit home. Being the "good mother" she began watching the show and soon connected with the world of fanfiction, first as a reader, then as a critique giver, and then, one brave weekend, she wrote her first short story.
Things snowballed (if one can use that analogy in central Florida!) and soon she was writing her first original novel. Much later, she mentioned something about a recent Highlander episode to her son, and he said, "Oh, I've never actually watched the show, I just thought the concept was cool." Little did he know what he'd started.
"
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 29, 2017
Terry Odell sets up the perfect scene for a murder in Deadly Puzzles. Seven people are cooped up in a Bed and Breakfast during a severe snowstorm: an artist, a travel blogger, a nature guide, a stranded motorist, the two owners of the B&B, and a cop. The blizzard has taken out the power and the phones. And one of the people might be a murderer. A car accident near the B&B was caused by two gunshots, and two people have been injured and two more killed, including the driver, who was killed with a bullet to his head. The drama intensifies with the fact that when the vacationing police chief from Mapleton, CO, Gordon Hepler, and the stranded driver go to find the disabled car, the driver’s wife has disappeared from it.
Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation
Read the rest of this review, more reviews, and other wonderful, geeky articles on FangirlNation
September 19, 2017
Police Chief Gordon Hepler has been ordered by his doctor to reduce his stress that was endangering his eye sight. Hepler decided to heed doctor’s warning and take a vacation at a quiet bed and breakfast a few hours away from Mapleton where no one knows he is a policeman. Even though he is keeping his job a secret he can not turn his police instincts behind him. The other guests (a travel blogger, artist, outdoorsman, and a man that was in an auto accident which he claims his wife disappear from their car he left behind to find help) are each acting a little strange. Helpler tried to help the man locate his missing wife with no luck. As they return back to the B&B a snow storm hits insuring no one was leaving anytime soon. Hepler soon learns of another auto accident near by where the driver was shot and killed possible from a hunter’s stray bullet. Helpler keeps encountering more puzzles as he tries to secretly learn more about the B&B guest all the while trying to keep from losing his eyesight.
This book was a little bit different from the first two books in the series by still very enjoyable. Author Terry Odell knows how to include the right amount of red herrings to keep the mystery going through the climax of the story. I really enjoyed getting to know Chief Helper away from his small town of Mapleton although I did miss the other series characters which we find out were still quite active back in Mapleton. The risk of losing your eyesight can be very bad for anyone but for a police chief this could be the end of your job, this was a very unique storyline which I enjoyed seeing Hepler struggle to reduce his stress and still satisfy his suspicious nature.
I listened to the audio version of this book and Narrator Steve Marvel did a wonderful job bring Chief Hepler to life. Marvel diction, timing, and tone make you believe your are really hearing a Police Chief discuss his investigation.
I would recommend this book as well has the previous books in the series to mystery/police procedural fans.
**I voluntarily reviewed an Audio Copy of this book, above is my honest opinion.**
February 24, 2017
Police procedurals come in all styles. Almost any mystery that follows a police man or woman who solves a crime can fall into this category. But rare is the book in which the police behave like trained officers, follow protocol when crossing jurisdictional boundaries, and still act like human beings, and in this novel very likable humans at that.
Chief Gordon Hepler has been diagnosed with CSR, central serous retinopathy, and his doctor has ordered him to take a vacation. Stress is a factor in this eye disease, and Hepler lives with a lot of it as chief of police of Mapleton, Colorado. Hepler complies with doctor’s orders by heading off to the Tranquility Valley B and B.
Hepler is not the only guest. Sam Tyner is a landscape artist and photographer and Paula with no last name is a travel writer with no interest in getting to know her fellow guests. Hepler has left his office in Ed Solomon’s hands, an eager but reliable deputy who loves nothing more than tracking clues through the Internet. Hepler does a little Internet sleuthing of his own, to get to know the other guests better. In the morning, with a heavy snowstorm building, Orrin Wardell bursts in asking for help. His car went off the road and his wife is waiting for him to come back with help. Hepler offers, and the two men set out to bring back Mrs. Wardell, but when they reach the car, the woman is gone—along with the luggage.
Hepler knows he should be stepping back from this puzzle, to protect his eyesight, but he can’t keep from acting like a policeman. When he returns to Mapleton he also has to deal with his love Angie, who doesn’t yet know about his eye problems, and someone who seems to be stalking her. All in all, he seems to be dealing with at least four distinct situations. This is a page turner, with steady suspense and surprises at every turn, and attractive, interesting characters. The trail wends through several counties and states, before Hepler at last comes face to face with the killer. And the clue that tips him off is a good one.
Chief Gordon Hepler has been diagnosed with CSR, central serous retinopathy, and his doctor has ordered him to take a vacation. Stress is a factor in this eye disease, and Hepler lives with a lot of it as chief of police of Mapleton, Colorado. Hepler complies with doctor’s orders by heading off to the Tranquility Valley B and B.
Hepler is not the only guest. Sam Tyner is a landscape artist and photographer and Paula with no last name is a travel writer with no interest in getting to know her fellow guests. Hepler has left his office in Ed Solomon’s hands, an eager but reliable deputy who loves nothing more than tracking clues through the Internet. Hepler does a little Internet sleuthing of his own, to get to know the other guests better. In the morning, with a heavy snowstorm building, Orrin Wardell bursts in asking for help. His car went off the road and his wife is waiting for him to come back with help. Hepler offers, and the two men set out to bring back Mrs. Wardell, but when they reach the car, the woman is gone—along with the luggage.
Hepler knows he should be stepping back from this puzzle, to protect his eyesight, but he can’t keep from acting like a policeman. When he returns to Mapleton he also has to deal with his love Angie, who doesn’t yet know about his eye problems, and someone who seems to be stalking her. All in all, he seems to be dealing with at least four distinct situations. This is a page turner, with steady suspense and surprises at every turn, and attractive, interesting characters. The trail wends through several counties and states, before Hepler at last comes face to face with the killer. And the clue that tips him off is a good one.
April 23, 2014
A truly delightful police procedural, with trope within a trope. How cool is that! What the heck are you talking about, I hear you saying. OK, we have the stranded travelers at an inn in a raging snowstorm trope within the basic police procedural trope. What a clever book!
The book has some mighty fine characters, including an odd woman blogger, an obsessive outdoorsman, a really cool second to our Police Chief in Ed Solomon, and the sweet patooty of Chief Hepler. She has a restaurant and a catering business and they are not far enough along in their relationship to live in sin yet, so they each have their own place.
Cool convoluted interweaving of the people involved in all this, and the ending, while not jaw dropping, was nicely satisfactory.
It was a police procedural mystery the way they are SUPPOSED to be. We die hard mystery fans don't like our mysteries getting too far off track. There is a convention to these things, a certain pattern that comforts us. We don't like it when that gets messed with. .
The book has some mighty fine characters, including an odd woman blogger, an obsessive outdoorsman, a really cool second to our Police Chief in Ed Solomon, and the sweet patooty of Chief Hepler. She has a restaurant and a catering business and they are not far enough along in their relationship to live in sin yet, so they each have their own place.
Cool convoluted interweaving of the people involved in all this, and the ending, while not jaw dropping, was nicely satisfactory.
It was a police procedural mystery the way they are SUPPOSED to be. We die hard mystery fans don't like our mysteries getting too far off track. There is a convention to these things, a certain pattern that comforts us. We don't like it when that gets messed with. .
August 6, 2016
Deadly Puzzle is the third book in Terry Odell’s Mapleton
Mysteries. It can stand as a read alone if you haven’t
read the first two books.
Police Chief Gordon Hepler while taking time for a medical
rest finds himself involved one puzzling mystery after
another.
The plot is full of many interesting twists and turns that
keep you on the edge of your seat. It kept you suspecting
but not sure how it would end.
The characters behave like real people making you feel
connected to them whether their the good or bad guys.
They show real believable emotions from worry over
medical problems, being suspicious, the attitude of the
snotty “ blogger”, the generous treatment of the
Yardumian’s and their preparedness for the loss of
electricity.
Did it leave me wanting to read her next book….Sure did
especially with the character of Solomon and his research.
For a good mystery be sure to read Terry Odell’s Deadly
Puzzles!!
This book was an ebook from the author. My opinion is my own.
Mysteries. It can stand as a read alone if you haven’t
read the first two books.
Police Chief Gordon Hepler while taking time for a medical
rest finds himself involved one puzzling mystery after
another.
The plot is full of many interesting twists and turns that
keep you on the edge of your seat. It kept you suspecting
but not sure how it would end.
The characters behave like real people making you feel
connected to them whether their the good or bad guys.
They show real believable emotions from worry over
medical problems, being suspicious, the attitude of the
snotty “ blogger”, the generous treatment of the
Yardumian’s and their preparedness for the loss of
electricity.
Did it leave me wanting to read her next book….Sure did
especially with the character of Solomon and his research.
For a good mystery be sure to read Terry Odell’s Deadly
Puzzles!!
This book was an ebook from the author. My opinion is my own.
April 7, 2015
A scintillating tale of bluff and counter-bluff, mysteries within a mystery. Police Chief Hepler is off his patch when he books into a quiet B&B, stressed and ill, looking for a quiet vacation. But danger follows him and soon he is immersed in a deadly puzzle. Does he walk away? His police instincts click in and the riddles become increasingly bizarre. This is one of Odell's finest stories and a thundering good read. It keeps the reader guessing until the last page.
August 18, 2019
I am giving up at around the 60% mark. I tried to push through to learn the solution to the mystery, but I really don’t care.
The narration saves, what to me, is not a very entertaining mystery. I didn’t care for any of the characters, the mystery was unexciting and the investigation was beyond tedious. The story was often padded with unnecessary fillers; there was too much repetition of thoughts and information, and mundane details were included for no reason.
You know what else I didn’t like? The double standards; It’s noted that the female blogger is the type of woman to have a one night stand with a man she met at the B&B but nary a word is said about the man indulging in this behaviour. Puh-lease!
The narration saves, what to me, is not a very entertaining mystery. I didn’t care for any of the characters, the mystery was unexciting and the investigation was beyond tedious. The story was often padded with unnecessary fillers; there was too much repetition of thoughts and information, and mundane details were included for no reason.
You know what else I didn’t like? The double standards; It’s noted that the female blogger is the type of woman to have a one night stand with a man she met at the B&B but nary a word is said about the man indulging in this behaviour. Puh-lease!
April 30, 2019
Loads of Questions
This particular book was not as good, in my, opinion, as the 2 previous ones. Can’t put my finger on why, but I had no trouble putting it down and picking it up later. When the final results were revealed one of the mysteries was not solved. Perhaps because it was not part of the main plot.
I did not get a clear picture of a couple of the characters.
But I did enjoy the book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I don’t expect every book I read to be a Best Seller. But enjoyable will be just fine.
This particular book was not as good, in my, opinion, as the 2 previous ones. Can’t put my finger on why, but I had no trouble putting it down and picking it up later. When the final results were revealed one of the mysteries was not solved. Perhaps because it was not part of the main plot.
I did not get a clear picture of a couple of the characters.
But I did enjoy the book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I don’t expect every book I read to be a Best Seller. But enjoyable will be just fine.
September 20, 2024
I really enjoyed it up until the end, nothing was tied up, why Wardell killed his uncle, why he broke into Angie's place ,why Metcalf was at Gordon's house and held him up, what was in the back pack still too many loose ends, would really like to know what happened. I really disliked the ending.
October 17, 2025
Great character building, plot is sound, fun to follow the entire town, and it's a good cozy mystery. If you enjoy a series that you can follow all the small town characters, this one is for you.
December 24, 2021
Mapleton, CO, police chief Gordon Kepler is on a forced vacation for his health. You can take a cop away from the job, but you can't the job out of the cop.
When strange things start happening around the lodge Kepler is staying at, his cop senses emerge and he's driven to look for answers.
This third entry in this series is just as solid as the first two and gives Kepler the chance to shine strictly on his own.
I'll be back for more.
When strange things start happening around the lodge Kepler is staying at, his cop senses emerge and he's driven to look for answers.
This third entry in this series is just as solid as the first two and gives Kepler the chance to shine strictly on his own.
I'll be back for more.
April 29, 2014
Gordon Hepler opens and closes this fast-paced thriller as the action follows him from beginning to end of what is supposed to be a stress-free vacation. Once a cop, always a cop; and Chief Hepler can’t seem to separate himself from the sinister events surrounding the idyllic location where he’s been ordered to take a long overdue rest.
When a stranger pounds on the door of the remote bed and breakfast and begs for help to rescue his wife from their vehicle that spun out on an icy road, the vacationing chief offers to accompany the man to the scene despite the impending blizzard. After a harrowing descent to the car that has somehow slipped out of its precarious parking spot and down a steep hill, they discover the man’s wife has disappeared. The mounting snow, which has long since obscured any footprints that might give them a clue to the direction she went, threatens their return to Hepler’s car; and a freakish incident renders the chief helpless and puts his life on the line.
Choosing to pull into the B&B parking lot rather than investigate the flashing lights piercing the dense whiteness a short distance away, he phones the police to report the missing woman. A highway sniper, deadly fire, and an unidentified body add to the mix; and Hepler decides that home and his job as police chief are far less stressful (and much safer) than the so-called vacation that continues to catapult him into harm’s way. Once back in his office, he sorts through a maze of seemingly unconnected information that leaves him as puzzled when he finishes as he was when he began—and the next target for the elusive killer.
Deadly Puzzles is a page-turner from the first chapter to the last. If you like a thriller that you can’t put down, this is the read for you.
When a stranger pounds on the door of the remote bed and breakfast and begs for help to rescue his wife from their vehicle that spun out on an icy road, the vacationing chief offers to accompany the man to the scene despite the impending blizzard. After a harrowing descent to the car that has somehow slipped out of its precarious parking spot and down a steep hill, they discover the man’s wife has disappeared. The mounting snow, which has long since obscured any footprints that might give them a clue to the direction she went, threatens their return to Hepler’s car; and a freakish incident renders the chief helpless and puts his life on the line.
Choosing to pull into the B&B parking lot rather than investigate the flashing lights piercing the dense whiteness a short distance away, he phones the police to report the missing woman. A highway sniper, deadly fire, and an unidentified body add to the mix; and Hepler decides that home and his job as police chief are far less stressful (and much safer) than the so-called vacation that continues to catapult him into harm’s way. Once back in his office, he sorts through a maze of seemingly unconnected information that leaves him as puzzled when he finishes as he was when he began—and the next target for the elusive killer.
Deadly Puzzles is a page-turner from the first chapter to the last. If you like a thriller that you can’t put down, this is the read for you.
April 13, 2014
Deadly Puzzles is the third book in the Mapleton mystery series. Sheriff Gordon Hepler is back and better than ever. When his doctor advises him take a stress-free and relaxing vacation for his health. He goes to Tranquility Valley Bed and Breakfast. The name of the inn is the only tranquility he will find as he has his hands full with a missing woman and murder. It all starts when a man, Orrin Wardell, asks for help. He crashed his car and needs to rescue his wife. With a blizzard swirling around them they search for her, but she's gone. Gordon is uneasy. Something is off, but what. Now the wild ride begins. The action is non-stop with one mystery after another adding to the suspense, but Gordon is tenacious in his search for the truth. Each character has a secret but how do the pieces fit together. With the help of the local authorities and Ed Solomon from his local police force, Gordon keeps investigating. There are plenty of suspects and potential motives that will keep the reader guessing until the very end. Terry Odell does an excellent job creating a small town community that is filled with people you know and like. Terry brings her characters to life. I specially enjoyed the touch of romance. It blended well with the suspenseful mystery but never detracted. This book is well-plotted and filled with unexpected twists that I couldn't put the book down. Deadly Puzzles is the best mystery that I've read in a long time. I loved it!
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
May 29, 2014
Police Chief Gordon Stempler is hoping for a peaceful vacation when he checks into a B&B away from his hometown of Mapleton, CO. But his tranquility dissolves when a victim of a car accident bursts inside claiming his wife is missing. As Gordon joins the search, the puzzles deepen as someone steals the memory card from his cell phone. Then a shed near the inn erupts in flames, killing a vagrant inside. Was it arson or merely an unfortunate accident? And what about the possible serial killer out there targeting deadbeat dads? Is this murderer closer at hand than anyone realizes? Then Gordon becomes a target, especially when he starts putting the pieces together. Ms. Odell has created a doozy of a mystery with multiple threads to keep you guessing until the very end.
May 20, 2014
Another fine entry in Odell’s Mapleton Mystery Series.
Mapleton police chief Gordon Helpler’s wintertime vacation at a Colorado Bed and Breakfast gets off to a rocky start. Though he’s supposed to be relaxing and allowing an eye condition to heal, Gordon soon finds himself embroiled in a missing persons case.
Snow storms and secretive guests at the B&B lead to a fiery homicide. Gordon’s out of his jurisdiction, but his cop instincts kick in and the complex multi-jurisdictional puzzle starts coming together. The clever killer’s wise to Gordon’s every move, and he’s a step ahead of Gordon, tying up loose ends.
A well-researched novel with strongly drawn characters, rich with law enforcement details.
Mapleton police chief Gordon Helpler’s wintertime vacation at a Colorado Bed and Breakfast gets off to a rocky start. Though he’s supposed to be relaxing and allowing an eye condition to heal, Gordon soon finds himself embroiled in a missing persons case.
Snow storms and secretive guests at the B&B lead to a fiery homicide. Gordon’s out of his jurisdiction, but his cop instincts kick in and the complex multi-jurisdictional puzzle starts coming together. The clever killer’s wise to Gordon’s every move, and he’s a step ahead of Gordon, tying up loose ends.
A well-researched novel with strongly drawn characters, rich with law enforcement details.
May 29, 2014
This was a bit too convoluted for me. Why all the unnecessary characters? I did not need blog lady. Nick was a useless character and did we ever find out why he held the shotgun to Gordon face. Why was Jase Blackhawk in the cabin and did he set the fire? What about the Valentine gifts that were reclaimed? Is Gordon going to have 20/20 vision now? Why all the hub-bub at the diner? Why the trashing of Angie's apartment? Did I miss a lot? And finally did Officer Joust's wife have her baby?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews