Two Down

Crossword Mysteries #2

by Nero Blanc

Crosswords get the Hollywood treatment in this mystery featuring PI Rosco Polycrates and master puzzle solver Belle Graham  Jamaica Nevisson—or Cassandra Lovett, as she’s known to the adoring fans of her daytime soap—has vanished without a trace. She and her pal Genie Pepper went pleasure yachting off Nantucket, only to end up lost at sea. So far, only the charred hull of the boat has turned up. Called in by Pepper’s husband, Massachusetts detective Rosco Polycrates and crossword editor Belle Graham uncover a list of potential evildoers that reads like a who’s who of Hollywood vipers, including paparazzi stalker Reggie Flack, Jamaica’s longtime nemesis. But when Belle starts receiving cryptic crosswords, she believes the women are alive and in grave danger. Now she’s up against the clock as she races to unravel the messages before someone completes an across-the-board coup. Because with two down, that leaves only one more to go. This ebook includes six crossword puzzles that can be downloaded as PDFs, with answers in the back of the book.Two Down is the 2nd book in the Crossword Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Ebooks, Cozy, Detective, Womens

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Joint pseudonym of Cordelia Frances Biddle and Steve Zettler.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun entry in the series. I like the characters and the crossword puzzles are a fun addition.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

"TWO DOWN . . . UNDER
"Up, down, or across, S.O.S. spells the same thing -- danger! When a famous Hollywood actress and her friend set sail off the coast of Nantucket Island -- and never return -- everyone assumes they were victims of an accident. But when their dinghy suspiciously washes up in a cove where the tide can't reach, it sounds more like foul play.

"P.I. Rosco Polycrates and his paramour/crossword editor Belle Graham are sharpening their pencils and their minds to solve this case. When Belle discovers anonymous puzzles with clues left on her doorstep, it looks like they're off to a good start. But the truth is not so easily spelled out, and it will take all their sleuthing skills to fill in the blanks."
~~back cover

A very clever mystery. I had guessed part of the answer but certainly not all of it. And what a surprise the answer was! Excellent characterization and a riveting plot = a very enjoyable little mystery.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Crossword Mysteries are just a damn good read! Creative and well plotted mysteries.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tired of the paparazzi that follow her every movement seeking a scandal and the acrimonious actors she toils with, renowned soap opera star Jamaica Nevisson leaves her TV show. Known for her role as Cassandra Lovett on Crescent Heights, Jamacia travels to Newcastle, Massachusetts to stay at the home of her best friend Genie Pepper. Genie and Jamaica goes sailing, but their boat catches fire. The two women are missing and presumed dead. [reader's synopsis]

Genie's husband hires Roscoe to investigate the disappearance. The anonymous crosswords that Belle receives give clues to what happened. Can't do the puzzles without reading the book. Enjoyable.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a standard issue cozy with a supposedly smart woman doing very dumb things. Luckily she had her PI boyfriend to save the day. I downloaded this book because I am a crossword fan, but the Kindle format takes all the fun away. Belle gives us the answers too readily and the whole concept makes no sense. What person in fear for one's life would take the time and effort to construct complicated puzzles when a simple note would suffice? I will solve my own crosswords and read a more fulfilling mystery next time.

[Fredell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in New England, crossword puzzles are included and become part of the story. A private detective, a former cop, is the protagonist who is contracted to solve the death of a prominent, and eccentric, puzzle-maker. He encounters twists and turns, a voluptuous rival to the deceased and a conniving dock master before he solves the crime.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roscoe and Belle solve the puzzle

A boating trip involving the disappearance of two women starts up the action. Roscoe is hired by the husband of one of the missing women. The search uncovers more and more intrique. Nice action. The characters are interesting. As is the solution.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh! A convoluted story line, characters that do unbelievable stupid things, I wi not be looking for more of Nero Blanc mysteries in the future.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a bit too contrived for me. An okay story, but I wouldn’t read another in this series.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing. A cozy mystery that wasn’t cozy, with cryptic crosswords that weren’t cryptic. The amateur sleuth’s PI boyfriend was more prominent than the crossword constructor sleuth.

[Paschalis]

elibrary

[Carolyn Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, lighthearted read with crossword puzzles embedded in the book as clues to help solve the murder.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nero Blanc is the pseudonym of the husband-and-wife team of STeve Zettler and Cordelia Frances Biddle. This is a Crossword Murder Mystery featuring private detective Rosco Polycrates and his girlfriend, Annabella (Belle) Graham, a crossword creator, who together manage to figure out what happened to two women, local society matron Genie Pepper and her friend, the actress Jamaica Nevisson, after they disappeared and their rented motor boat burned to a crisp in Buzzards Bay. When their inflatable escape craft returns to shore with a long knifed gash in its side, Rosco knows things aren't what they seem. With the help of Rosco's cop friend (and ex partner on the force) Al Lever, and the able assistance of Sara Cran Briephs, the grande dame of local WASP society, the sort things out just in time to save Belle from a nasty demise. Yummy!

[Gemma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two women go missing, a PI is called in to investigate, and his crossword-crazy girlfriend starts getting mysterious puzzles sent to her anonymously. It sounds good, but it's just...not. The crosswords felt too much like a gimmick to tie the whole thing together and the characters were a little too 2D for my tastes. There was no real depth of mystery, and it's a shame. This one sounded promising.

[Laurie (Kwiltreader) · Rating 2 out of 5]

So so mystery. Novelty is the crossword puzzles.

[Tig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #64 read in 2010

A little wordy and slow to start, but I ended up liking it. The crossword puzzle clues were fun.

[Monica Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the writing is a bit trite and seems forced, but the story line is good. I also like the PG relationship with Rosco and Belle. I will continue reading this series.

[Just · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just didn't care for the style of writing.

[Jean]

Good one.

[Leigh Burningham · Rating 3 out of 5]

No depth.

[Choopie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea.

[Dogsandbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not terrible. Twisty. DPL e book via Freading