What do you think?
Rate this book
Sage Gardens #15
Puzzles Can Be Deadly
Sage Gardens comes with idyllic surroundings, unlikely friendships, and a dead body at the puzzle table…
Samantha, Jo, Eddy and Walt, are enjoying life in Sage Gardens, the seemingly idyllic retirement community. But it turns out that retirement never has a dull moment.
When quirky Walt finds a dead body, the four friends jump headfirst into the investigation. They soon discover that the victim has a checkered past and some shady acquaintances.
Walt becomes fixated on what he believes is vital evidence. Is he just being his usual obsessive self? Or has he discovered the clue that will crack the case?
Determined to find the murderer the ‘Sage Gardens Sleuths’ use their varied skills, so that Walt can put his mind to rest and the residents of Sage Gardens can rest easy once again. Will they manage to solve the puzzling murder before one of them becomes the next victim?
Puzzles Can Be Deadly is the fifteenth novel in the fast paced Sage Gardens Cozy Mystery Series by USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Cindy Bell. If you like astute amateur sleuths, strong friendships and quirky characters, you will love this page-turning cozy mystery that will keep you glued to the page.
Samantha, Jo, Eddy and Walt, are enjoying life in Sage Gardens, the seemingly idyllic retirement community. But it turns out that retirement never has a dull moment.
When quirky Walt finds a dead body, the four friends jump headfirst into the investigation. They soon discover that the victim has a checkered past and some shady acquaintances.
Walt becomes fixated on what he believes is vital evidence. Is he just being his usual obsessive self? Or has he discovered the clue that will crack the case?
Determined to find the murderer the ‘Sage Gardens Sleuths’ use their varied skills, so that Walt can put his mind to rest and the residents of Sage Gardens can rest easy once again. Will they manage to solve the puzzling murder before one of them becomes the next victim?
Puzzles Can Be Deadly is the fifteenth novel in the fast paced Sage Gardens Cozy Mystery Series by USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Cindy Bell. If you like astute amateur sleuths, strong friendships and quirky characters, you will love this page-turning cozy mystery that will keep you glued to the page.
157 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 24, 2022
103 people are currently reading
51 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 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 21, 2022
This is my favorite series by Cindy Bell, although I’ve read several of hers. This was the first series I ever read by her which made me interested in others of her series. I think the whole idea of these 4 seniors becoming friends and each possessing exceptional skills and talents to help solve mysteries is a genius one!
While I do not think that Samantha and Jo sound particularly “elderly”, I guess senior citizens can be as young as 55, so I tend to overlook that. The guys sound a little more like retirees. As a senior citizen myself (although I wasn’t when I started the series!), I like the premise of the major characters being senior citizens living in a retirement community.
As for this volume of the series, I thought the plot was up to Cindy Bell’s usual high standard set in the first 14 books. The victim was an awful human being, which set up the idea that there would be a lot of suspects, a lot of people wanting him dead. I always enjoy how each of the four friends has pretty much an equal share in gathering clues. I also like how they always have each others’ backs.
I know that there is some indication over at least the last several books in the series that the foursome is kind of being gradually shifted into two couples, the idea which I can take or leave. I think it works better as four friends, and I’m not sure if dividing them into two couples is a good idea as I would think the dynamics between all of them would have to change. After 15 books, I don’t think it is a very good idea to try to mess with that.
While I do not think that Samantha and Jo sound particularly “elderly”, I guess senior citizens can be as young as 55, so I tend to overlook that. The guys sound a little more like retirees. As a senior citizen myself (although I wasn’t when I started the series!), I like the premise of the major characters being senior citizens living in a retirement community.
As for this volume of the series, I thought the plot was up to Cindy Bell’s usual high standard set in the first 14 books. The victim was an awful human being, which set up the idea that there would be a lot of suspects, a lot of people wanting him dead. I always enjoy how each of the four friends has pretty much an equal share in gathering clues. I also like how they always have each others’ backs.
I know that there is some indication over at least the last several books in the series that the foursome is kind of being gradually shifted into two couples, the idea which I can take or leave. I think it works better as four friends, and I’m not sure if dividing them into two couples is a good idea as I would think the dynamics between all of them would have to change. After 15 books, I don’t think it is a very good idea to try to mess with that.
August 31, 2022
The Fab Four (Samantha, Jo, Eddie and Walt, ) are back in their element when a murder takes place in the retirement village where they reside. They come from different backgrounds and each of those backgrounds allows them to bring a special something to crime solving. They are incredibly loyal friends and always have each other's backs. While this is considered a cozy mystery, it seemed a little darker and more intense than a typical cozy, however, it's a fantastic read and a great addition to a fabulous series. I highly recommend this series as well as Cindy Bell's other series. Happy Reading!
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
September 6, 2022
This is the 15th book in the Sage Gardens Cozy Mystery series. When Walt Right finds the body of Jimmy Stemes in the Rec Center with a puzzle piece on his hand, he enlists his Sage Garden friends -- Samantha Smith, a retired crime journalist; Jo Baylor, a retired cat burgular and Eddy Edwards, a retired detective. Jimmy loved puzzles and no one was sad that he was dead. There are a number of suspects. Walt tries to convince his friends that the puzzle piece is a distinct clue.
This story has some great characters as well as a lot of twists.
I received an advance copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.
This story has some great characters as well as a lot of twists.
I received an advance copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.
August 24, 2025
One of the residents of Sage Gardens was found murdered over one of his puzzles. A single puzzle piece seems to be a major clue for Walt, but he just couldn’t figure out how. It was up to the dynamic senior gang to help him. It would seem that a lot of people were glad that the old man was dead. But who would’ve hated him enough to kill him? A good mystery!
November 7, 2022
What a puzzle!!
Once again it’s the four friends working together to solve the murder. I missed seeing the Sage Garden sleuths at work. I am impatiently waiting for the next book in this wonderful series.
Once again it’s the four friends working together to solve the murder. I missed seeing the Sage Garden sleuths at work. I am impatiently waiting for the next book in this wonderful series.
August 31, 2022
Who killed Jimmy Stemes and why??? Puzzles and poker and bikes??? I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.
December 4, 2022
The fab four are back! There's not much more I can say about this series. I just love it! Each book is unique and I'm enjoying how the characters are evolving. This is a must read series!
June 15, 2025
This is a very good story. Walt, saves Jo and Sam, but it’s so funny how he does it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews