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Periwinkle Point Word Search Mystery #1
Murder on the Menu
Not yet published
Expected 17 Nov 26Welcome to the oceanside town of Periwinkle Point, Maine! It’s where cozy mystery meets word search fun for the perfect killer combo. Written by the USA Today bestselling author of the Cranberry Creek series, Murder on the Menu has you puzzling along—and solving the case—with amateur sleuth Olivia Owens. This charming interactive whodunit combines a fun seaside mystery with 50 word searches to create the quintessential cozy activity!
Cozy mystery meets word search fun in the perfect killer combo! This interactive whodunit blends all the charm of a small-town mystery with fifty clever word searches to help you solve the case!
Olivia Owens loves living by the ocean in Periwinkle Point, Maine with its rugged coastline, smalltown charm, and mostly friendly neighbors. She has big dreams for her family’s local seafood spot and can’t wait to take over. But when a fancy new restaurant plans to open in town and the chef-owner winds up dead, it’s up to Olivia to solve the case and clear her mother’s name. Puzzle along and figure out whodunit in Murder on the Menu.
Cozy mystery meets word search fun in the perfect killer combo! This interactive whodunit blends all the charm of a small-town mystery with fifty clever word searches to help you solve the case!
Olivia Owens loves living by the ocean in Periwinkle Point, Maine with its rugged coastline, smalltown charm, and mostly friendly neighbors. She has big dreams for her family’s local seafood spot and can’t wait to take over. But when a fancy new restaurant plans to open in town and the chef-owner winds up dead, it’s up to Olivia to solve the case and clear her mother’s name. Puzzle along and figure out whodunit in Murder on the Menu.
128 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 17, 2026
About the author
Rosie A. Point
147 books692 followersRosie A. Point is a USA Today Bestselling cozy mystery author who loves writing about food, small towns, and cats. Her favorite books are ones you can snuggle up with under a cozy blanket on a winter's day. Born and raised in South Africa, her books are all set in small towns in the United States. She dreams of visiting the places she writes about in her books.
Rosie wants to hear from you. Whether it’s about a recipe or one of her books, you can contact her on her website. Join her reader club today!
https://www.rosiepointbooks.com/
Rosie wants to hear from you. Whether it’s about a recipe or one of her books, you can contact her on her website. Join her reader club today!
https://www.rosiepointbooks.com/
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While I appreciate the ARC, this one just didn’t do it for me. It wasn’t bad, but I think it should probably be marketed as a children’s book, YA at most. The “book” itself is actually a very short story, each chapter is a page or less, and after each chapter is a word search.
Personally, I’d have liked all of the word searches at the end, rather than every other page, and would’ve liked more meat to the story. It was quite choppy, and we didn’t get to know the characters at all. For this reason, I can’t rate it above three stars.
The saving grace is the clam chowder recipe at the end. That looks delicious.
Personally, I’d have liked all of the word searches at the end, rather than every other page, and would’ve liked more meat to the story. It was quite choppy, and we didn’t get to know the characters at all. For this reason, I can’t rate it above three stars.
The saving grace is the clam chowder recipe at the end. That looks delicious.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder on the Menu – 3.5★
This was such an interesting little cozy mystery.
The premise is genuinely charming: Olivia's mother is accused of murdering a rival restaurant owner, and the evidence keeps piling up a missing recipe book, a mysterious earring, a stranger in town and clues that seem to point at multiple members of the community. Olivia takes it upon herself to play detective, following the trail until she finally unmasks the killer.
What really makes this book stand out is the format. Every chapter ends with a themed word puzzle using clues and vocabulary from that chapter, and the pages are sprinkled with adorable illustrations. It's a creative touch, and honestly, I probably spent more time doing the puzzles than reading the actual story.
That said, I kept stopping to ask myself: Who is this book actually for? I even went back to check whether it was middle grade because it certainly reads that way. Nothing explicitly labels it as a children's book, but the writing feels very much geared toward younger readers. The chapters are incredibly short often just a single page on my Kindle, including the artwork and there's very little character development or descriptive detail. I'd easily hand this to my 12-year-old, which is probably the strongest clue to its intended audience.
I also read this as an ARC, and the Kindle formatting was unfortunately quite messy. Chapter breaks were inconsistent, illustrations appeared in odd places, and some of the artwork was clustered together at the end. That may simply be an ARC issue, but it's worth mentioning in case anyone else experiences it. This does read fine on Netgally's reader- Netgally Shelf.
Overall, this is a quick, lighthearted mystery with a lovable presentation. The illustrations, puzzles, and even the bonus recipe at the end give it a lot of personality. If you're looking for a cozy read for a younger audience or an extremely easy read it's a sweet little pick.
This was such an interesting little cozy mystery.
The premise is genuinely charming: Olivia's mother is accused of murdering a rival restaurant owner, and the evidence keeps piling up a missing recipe book, a mysterious earring, a stranger in town and clues that seem to point at multiple members of the community. Olivia takes it upon herself to play detective, following the trail until she finally unmasks the killer.
What really makes this book stand out is the format. Every chapter ends with a themed word puzzle using clues and vocabulary from that chapter, and the pages are sprinkled with adorable illustrations. It's a creative touch, and honestly, I probably spent more time doing the puzzles than reading the actual story.
That said, I kept stopping to ask myself: Who is this book actually for? I even went back to check whether it was middle grade because it certainly reads that way. Nothing explicitly labels it as a children's book, but the writing feels very much geared toward younger readers. The chapters are incredibly short often just a single page on my Kindle, including the artwork and there's very little character development or descriptive detail. I'd easily hand this to my 12-year-old, which is probably the strongest clue to its intended audience.
I also read this as an ARC, and the Kindle formatting was unfortunately quite messy. Chapter breaks were inconsistent, illustrations appeared in odd places, and some of the artwork was clustered together at the end. That may simply be an ARC issue, but it's worth mentioning in case anyone else experiences it. This does read fine on Netgally's reader- Netgally Shelf.
Overall, this is a quick, lighthearted mystery with a lovable presentation. The illustrations, puzzles, and even the bonus recipe at the end give it a lot of personality. If you're looking for a cozy read for a younger audience or an extremely easy read it's a sweet little pick.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Interactive. Stimulating. Adorable!
Murder on the Menu by Rosie Point is the first in her new Periwinkle Point Word Search Mystery Series! A queen of adorably thematic cozy mysteries and the Cranberry Creek Word Search Series, Rosie builds her universe with amateur sleuth Olivia Owens needing to solve a local murder to save her mom- and their family restaurant- from false accusations and lost revenue!
Read a chapter. Solve the 50 word searches. Track the clues. Can you figure out who the murderer is before the book finishes? With a slew of suspects, and authorities not sharing their clues, Olivia must start at the beginning and use every resource and community member she can to find the truth before her mom is arrested for a crime she didn't commit.
What a clever murder mystery! As someone who devours books, I loved the interactive aspect that tickled my brain in all the right places! It was so relaxing to slow down, read a page, grab my favorite highlighter, find the associated words, then turn to the next clue! The street, business names, and chapter titles? Too cute! Brilliant noun choices 👏🏻👏🏻 "No-Go Risotto" HILARIOUS
Murder on the Menu is perfect for all skill levels from beginner to proficient. I really admire that it is a clean, cozy mystery without gore or questionable inclusions. I plan on buying another one for my next flight, a second for my son who loves mysteries, and a third for my grandma 🥰 We can talk about the mystery and work at our own pace! Finding Helena's clam chowder at the end was a fabulous delight! I'm going to try to make it next week and pretend I'm dining at The Chowder House when I work on book 2! 💖 Or maybe I'll start at the beginning of her novel catalog- they are adorable! Rosie Point is my new favorite author!
Thank you to Adams Media and NetGalley for this ARC!
Murder on the Menu by Rosie Point is the first in her new Periwinkle Point Word Search Mystery Series! A queen of adorably thematic cozy mysteries and the Cranberry Creek Word Search Series, Rosie builds her universe with amateur sleuth Olivia Owens needing to solve a local murder to save her mom- and their family restaurant- from false accusations and lost revenue!
Read a chapter. Solve the 50 word searches. Track the clues. Can you figure out who the murderer is before the book finishes? With a slew of suspects, and authorities not sharing their clues, Olivia must start at the beginning and use every resource and community member she can to find the truth before her mom is arrested for a crime she didn't commit.
What a clever murder mystery! As someone who devours books, I loved the interactive aspect that tickled my brain in all the right places! It was so relaxing to slow down, read a page, grab my favorite highlighter, find the associated words, then turn to the next clue! The street, business names, and chapter titles? Too cute! Brilliant noun choices 👏🏻👏🏻 "No-Go Risotto" HILARIOUS
Murder on the Menu is perfect for all skill levels from beginner to proficient. I really admire that it is a clean, cozy mystery without gore or questionable inclusions. I plan on buying another one for my next flight, a second for my son who loves mysteries, and a third for my grandma 🥰 We can talk about the mystery and work at our own pace! Finding Helena's clam chowder at the end was a fabulous delight! I'm going to try to make it next week and pretend I'm dining at The Chowder House when I work on book 2! 💖 Or maybe I'll start at the beginning of her novel catalog- they are adorable! Rosie Point is my new favorite author!
Thank you to Adams Media and NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First off, two seconds into this and I would already die for Biggie Littles. And I absolutely loved all the kitty pictures.
Unfortunately, this didn't really work for me. The concept of this is good, but I wish there had been a little more to it. The writing itself was pretty juvenile--the mom's obsession with getting her daughter a man was particularly grating--and everything felt overly simple and one dimensional. I'm assuming this isn't for kids since it's not labeled as such, but it feels like it could be with just a few tweaks. Because as it is, it feels too young for adults and a few things feel too adult for children. I think it would have helped a bit if the chapters were two pages just so we could sit in them a little longer and go slightly more in depth into things. As it was, the “chapters” felt very choppy and even the mystery felt lackluster to me.
The word searches were fine (although I think it would have been better if the puzzles themselves held clues in some way beyond just the one) and Biggie Littles made me smile every time. Overall, it's just a word search book with a half-hearted story between the puzzles. Based on the description, I was expecting a little more to this.
Thank you NetGalley and Adams Media for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Unfortunately, this didn't really work for me. The concept of this is good, but I wish there had been a little more to it. The writing itself was pretty juvenile--the mom's obsession with getting her daughter a man was particularly grating--and everything felt overly simple and one dimensional. I'm assuming this isn't for kids since it's not labeled as such, but it feels like it could be with just a few tweaks. Because as it is, it feels too young for adults and a few things feel too adult for children. I think it would have helped a bit if the chapters were two pages just so we could sit in them a little longer and go slightly more in depth into things. As it was, the “chapters” felt very choppy and even the mystery felt lackluster to me.
The word searches were fine (although I think it would have been better if the puzzles themselves held clues in some way beyond just the one) and Biggie Littles made me smile every time. Overall, it's just a word search book with a half-hearted story between the puzzles. Based on the description, I was expecting a little more to this.
Thank you NetGalley and Adams Media for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy
'Murder on the Menu' offers a delightful combination of cozy mystery, seaside charm, and interactive puzzle-solving. Rosie A. Point introduces readers to Olivia Owens, an amateur sleuth whose peaceful life in Periwinkle Point takes an unexpected turn when a new restaurant owner is found murdered.
What makes this story particularly engaging is Olivia's determination to uncover the truth and clear her mother's name. The small-town setting, suspicious circumstances, and mystery surrounding the murder create an entertaining whodunit.
I especially appreciate the creative addition of 50 word-search puzzles and a recipe, which makes the reading experience more interactive and enjoyable. Rather than simply following the investigation, readers get an opportunity to participate in solving the mystery themselves.
With its charming coastal atmosphere, intriguing crime, and playful puzzles, *Murder on the Menu* is a lovely choice for cozy mystery fans and readers who enjoy combining entertainment with a little brain-teasing fun.
What makes this story particularly engaging is Olivia's determination to uncover the truth and clear her mother's name. The small-town setting, suspicious circumstances, and mystery surrounding the murder create an entertaining whodunit.
I especially appreciate the creative addition of 50 word-search puzzles and a recipe, which makes the reading experience more interactive and enjoyable. Rather than simply following the investigation, readers get an opportunity to participate in solving the mystery themselves.
With its charming coastal atmosphere, intriguing crime, and playful puzzles, *Murder on the Menu* is a lovely choice for cozy mystery fans and readers who enjoy combining entertainment with a little brain-teasing fun.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is such a beautiful little book. The illustrations are absolutely lovely, the colours are gorgeous, and I will always be a fan of a book that gives me a map of the town right at the front. Immediately yes.
What makes Murder on the Menu extra fun is the format: you read a page, then get a puzzle, and together those puzzles slowly lead you towards the mystery you need to solve. It keeps you engaged in a way that feels playful instead of forced, and honestly, that might be perfect for those wanting to pick up reading.
I’m especially thinking about my pupils here. For students who aren’t always willing to read, this could make the story feel less like “sit down and read” and more like “solve the case.” And that is a very sneaky little win.
What makes Murder on the Menu extra fun is the format: you read a page, then get a puzzle, and together those puzzles slowly lead you towards the mystery you need to solve. It keeps you engaged in a way that feels playful instead of forced, and honestly, that might be perfect for those wanting to pick up reading.
I’m especially thinking about my pupils here. For students who aren’t always willing to read, this could make the story feel less like “sit down and read” and more like “solve the case.” And that is a very sneaky little win.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review the ARC of this book.
3 stars, mostly for the word searches
This book is not the first one of these word search mystery books that I’ve read and reviewed; in fact, it is the third one, by the same author so I have a good comparison. This one (the story itself) does not hold up to the quality of the other books. They all have a bit of story and then a word search. To call the story pages “a bit of story” is honestly being generous. Sometimes the page wasn’t even a full page. The writing is always somewhat simple, but as others have said, this one could be a middle grade book with a few sentence subject matter tweaks. It’s just not good.
3 stars, mostly for the word searches
This book is not the first one of these word search mystery books that I’ve read and reviewed; in fact, it is the third one, by the same author so I have a good comparison. This one (the story itself) does not hold up to the quality of the other books. They all have a bit of story and then a word search. To call the story pages “a bit of story” is honestly being generous. Sometimes the page wasn’t even a full page. The writing is always somewhat simple, but as others have said, this one could be a middle grade book with a few sentence subject matter tweaks. It’s just not good.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Rosie A. Point for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Murder on the Menu coming out November 17, 2026. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love mysteries. This was a fun and short mystery. I thought the word searches would be fun, but it’s not really possible to mark them in the kindle version of an ARC. The mystery was pretty straightforward. I would check out other books by this author.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love mysteries. This was a fun and short mystery. I thought the word searches would be fun, but it’s not really possible to mark them in the kindle version of an ARC. The mystery was pretty straightforward. I would check out other books by this author.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In this cozy mystery we get to follow the main charachter investigating a murder in her town. In each chapter we get a page of a story followed by crossword related to what we had just read.
Although it's great written, the fact that each chapter has only one page, it doesn't allow the story to develop in more depth.
I would recommend to go for the book if you like crosswords, but don't expect to get a complex detective story.
I wish that crosswords would reveal clues about solving murder, not just the last one, because otherwise it can get a bit boring, altrough it's perfect for spending winter evenings under comfy blanket.
Although it's great written, the fact that each chapter has only one page, it doesn't allow the story to develop in more depth.
I would recommend to go for the book if you like crosswords, but don't expect to get a complex detective story.
I wish that crosswords would reveal clues about solving murder, not just the last one, because otherwise it can get a bit boring, altrough it's perfect for spending winter evenings under comfy blanket.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
-I received this book from NetGalley-
Very excited to see the new series in these puzzle books. We are now joining out amateur sleuth who works at a restaurant, but still has a love of puzzles and cats!
I like the page/puzzle combo and find it very enjoyable to read the story and do the corresponding puzzle.
Also an interesting mystery!
Very excited to see the new series in these puzzle books. We are now joining out amateur sleuth who works at a restaurant, but still has a love of puzzles and cats!
I like the page/puzzle combo and find it very enjoyable to read the story and do the corresponding puzzle.
Also an interesting mystery!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Puzzles are quick and fun. They are enjoyable and easy to complete. However this is not just a puzzle book but is also a story and a bigger mystery. You get to learn about a town, mystery and find the killer.
Free copy of the book was provided by NetGallery but review provided is of my free will.
Free copy of the book was provided by NetGallery but review provided is of my free will.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a very good story and the puzzles were so fun to do definitely worth reading and getting your hands on.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you're looking for a super quick read that doesn't require a lot of effort, this is a good option. The story is written simply and doesn't try to be more than what it is. 3.75 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When a new restaurant owner is found murdered in the seaside town of Periwinkle Point, Olivia Owens sets out to uncover the truth and clear her mother’s name. A cozy whodunit filled with word-search puzzles and seaside charm.
Murder on the Menu was a quick, fast-paced mystery that kept me guessing about who could be involved. I really enjoyed how the story kept me questioning the different possibilities and made me want to keep reading.
The riddles and word-search puzzles were my favorite part. They added a fun and interactive element to the story and made this feel a little different from a typical cozy mystery.
Overall, a fun and entertaining mystery with a quick pace, plenty of suspects, and an enjoyable puzzle element. 🦞🔎
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Murder on the Menu was a quick, fast-paced mystery that kept me guessing about who could be involved. I really enjoyed how the story kept me questioning the different possibilities and made me want to keep reading.
The riddles and word-search puzzles were my favorite part. They added a fun and interactive element to the story and made this feel a little different from a typical cozy mystery.
Overall, a fun and entertaining mystery with a quick pace, plenty of suspects, and an enjoyable puzzle element. 🦞🔎
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews