Death on the Diagonal (A Crossword Mystery) [Kindle Edition]

Nero Blanc (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Rumor has it that the devastating fire at the Collins family stables may have been a torch job-and no wonder, with all the family feuds going on. Belle Graham guesses that someone in the quarrelsome clan already knows the answers.

About the Author

Nero Blanc is the pseudonym of Cordelia Frances Biddle and Steve Zettler, who are husband and wife and serious crossword buffs.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 959 KB
• Publisher: Berkley (July 3, 2007)
• Sold by: Penguin Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001EGQNGO
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #489,017 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nero Blanc Always Entertaining, May 6, 2007

By 

J. Stevenson (San Jose, Ca United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Death on the Diagonal (Mass Market Paperback)

I started purchasing the "Crossword Puzzle Mysteries" a few years back. I guess it was mostly because I am interested in crossword puzzels. I thought "What the heck." Much to my surprise the book was highly entertaining and kept you completely engrossed from beginning to end. Have purchased every one of the books and have never been disappointed. Always eagerly awaiting the next mystery to be unraveled by Roscoe and Belle.

J. Stevenson

San Jose, Ca

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Death on the Diagonal, March 9, 2007

By 

Mildred N. Williams (Lake Placid, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Death on the Diagonal (Mass Market Paperback)

Very good. Puzzles were fun and the mystery was, too.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars delightful puzzler, July 5, 2006

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Death on the Diagonal (Mass Market Paperback)

Times are tough for the show and breeding stable King Wenstarin Farms. A fire burns down of the stables, but the barn manager Orlando with the help of the owner Todd Collins free the horses. A beam hit Orlando on the head and when he awakens; he takes full responsibility for the accident claiming he was drunk and tripped over a space heater. The insurance company wants to check his story out so they send P.I. Roscoe Polycrates to investigate whether arson instead of an accident caused the fire.

A couple days after the barn fire, Todd's wife Ryan is murdered by a hoof pick jammed into her temple several times. Following Roscoe's questioning of the main suspects, the sleuth thinks that at least one of them lies in terms of knowing more about the fire and homicide. When another murder occurs, a puzzle is found on the victim similar to ones faxed to Belle, a puzzle constructor and Roscoe's wife. Roscoe Belle insinuates herself on the case, not realizing the peril she places herself in by someone who wants the across and down squares left blank.

Though similar in theme to the previous novels, DEATH ON THE DIAGONAL is one of the best of Nero Blanc's delightful puzzlers with the clues found as always in the puzzles. The insight into a horse farm operation anchors the fun story line as well as presents several viable suspects with means and opportunities. Roscoe and Belle look to the puzzles for motive. Readers will enjoy this fine treat as the whodunit is cleverly devised to make the crosswords even more enticing.

Harriet Klausner