The Newspaper Code

Buried Treasure #3

by Lisa J. Lickel

Judy Wingate’s NOT-BFF, Olivia Hargrove of the Robertsville Reporter, discovers a Civil War-era secret newspaper code that may lead to a seven million dollar windfall.

Not long after Judy and Hart’s baby is born, Judy and Ardyth are embroiled in another murder. This time it’s 99-year-old Esme Espe, the queen of the Petunia Society, Robertsville’s Garden Club. Dead-heading petunias has become a serious undertaking in Robertsville.

Esme’s gruesome murder by garden claw soon catches the attention of the Robertsville Reporter’s chief editor and nosy correspondent, Olivia Hargrove. Clueless Olivia decides to befriend Judy and burrows into her life. Judy still holds a grudge but in order to learn more about Olivia’s secret project with the dead Esme, Judy reluctantly agrees to spend time with Olivia who is in desperate need of advice…and a makeover.

Circled letters of a Civil War era newspaper vex Olivia, and when she learns Esme found an historic discrepancy in the town treasury, she and Judy must solve the riddle in the newspaper and race for the treasure before the murderer gets to it first.

Judy’s best suspect is the new guy in town. But how can she tell Olivia her boyfriend might be a murderer?

281 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 12, 2013

About the author

Lisa Lickel is a writer and editor who lives with her husband in the rolling hills of western Wisconsin. A complete list of her novels: mysteries, award-winning romance and children’s books, and contemporary fiction can be found on her website. She writes newspaper features, short stories, magazine articles and radio theater. An avid book reviewer and blogger, freelance editor, and writing mentor, she loves to encourage new authors. She has two grown and married sons. Find more at LisaLickel.com.

Reviews

[Elaine Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her latest whodunnit, Lisa J. Lickel has, once again, written an entertaining and intriguing cozy murder mystery. This is the author's third book in the Buried Treasure Mystery series and it was every bit as fun as the first two ("The Last Bequest" and "The Map Quilt.") I especially love how Ms. Lickel blends in history with these contemporary mysteries.

She also has a recurring cast of amusing characters along with quirky newbies to bring added interest. I found myself wanting to take a flashlight to bed and read late into the night, much like I did with Nancy Drew mysteries when I was a pre-teen. It's like Nancy Drew for grownups.

This series of books is fun and intriguing and, try as I might, I never can figure out who the murderer is! You'll want to read them yourself to try your own hand at unraveling the plot. And you'll likely enjoy the process as well as the characters in these books.

Now, to wait for Book 4...

[Teena Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A part of the Buried Treasure Series, in this book we join school teacher Judy Wingate settling into motherhood following the birth of her new baby. When Esme an older lady who was a member of the local garden club turns up dead with a garden claw in the middle of her forehead at the base of a statue in the center of town, Judy is determined to find out more. What’s the connection between the newspaper code, a code found in an aged newspaper stuffed into a vintage quilt, the empty closed off vault below the town and the missing money from the town treasury that disappeared years before?

For the sake of convenience, Judy pairs up with Olivia, the “Miss Lonely Hearts” reporter of the local paper who could use a few lessons in grooming and who rubs Judy the wrong way. I especially liked the character of Olivia who desperately wants to have Judy as a friend. A good cozy mystery with a small town flavor. I give it 4 out of 5 stars

[Karen Robbins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lisa Lickel's The Newspaper Code makes for a great read if you enjoy your mysteries with a side of humor. Her characters are a bit quirky and certainly bring a smile if not a laugh as you get to know them. While the mystery--who-dun-it--keeps you page turning, the flavor of the little town of Robertsville adds color as you get to know Judy, Ardyth, Olivia and the others who make this a fun read. Oh, and let us not forget the cats and their little secret!

[Antje Hergt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great cozy mystery from Lisa J. Nickel. I enjoyed it as much as the first two.