Edie hates Christmas. With good reason. Christmas is when everyone she loves leaves her. On Christmas Day 1946 her mother died giving birth to her brother Anthony. On Christmas Eve 1988 Anthony died in a car crash after Edie and her partner Sky had a knock-down, drag-out fight, and he took to the icy roads to come get her. Two years later on Christmas Eve 1990 Anthony's son Duncan, daughter-in-law Melissa, and the older of their two children, William, died in another car crash, leaving Edie with nine-month-old great-nephew Sean to raise. She has so many dead bodies in her past, not all of them buried, that it's led her to build boundaries around her that puzzles others but has kept her safe. Cats, puzzles, and tea, they are Edie's triumvirate of solace as she casts her gimlet gaze on her neighbors putting up their holiday decorations. At least the curtains can shut out the world, like she shut Sky's memory up in the dining room. She hasn't opened that door in over twenty years. Not since Sky left. But the world seems determined to draw her out this holiday season when she finds a hand-delivered present on her doorstep on the first of December. Inside are six jigsaw pieces that form a part of a crime scene with an ominous message: 'Four, maybe more, people will be dead by midnight on Christmas Eve, unless you can put all the pieces together and stop me.' Signed Rest In Pieces. Edie is a puzzle setter, in fact she's developed quite a reputation, being dubbed the Pensioner Puzzler, and jigsaws are fascinating to her because it requires a mind that can hold the whole picture as well as the pieces. So a fan or anyone who read about her could have sent this, but it feels portentous. Which makes her call Sean, who's grown up to be a copper. She loves Sean, really she does, he's her person, she has room for no one else, not his husband Liam, or the rigmarole of their adoption saga. Sean doesn't think much of the puzzle and humors Edie's desire to be a recliner detective right up until a dead body is found with a jigsaw piece in their hand. And Sean shuts Edie out. But Rest in Pieces is still targeting Edie. And the subsequent pieces show that Sean might be in danger. They are both trying to protect the other and this puts them both in serious danger. It's time for Edie to exorcise her past and catch a killer or her person will be next.

Imagine, if you will, Ednia Monsoon, from the cult classic Absolutely Fabulous, with her Vivienne Westwood and Lacroix, aging and spending her golden years setting puzzles and being angry at the world and you've got The Christmas Jigsaw Murders. I kid you not. I mean, there's no way Edie is anyone other than Eddie! "It's Lacroix sweetie!" And that is just one of the reasons I love this book. Alexandra Benedict has had this interesting juxtaposition with her holiday oeuvre. People think they're going to be cozy, the covers give off that vibe, and then they're basically a trauma dump. And it's not like The Christmas Jigsaw Murders is without it's trauma. I mean, just look to Edie's backstory that's nothing but bodies. But here it's handled more deftly. There's almost a comedic slant. There's a high body count, but, like Midsomer Murders, it's done more tongue-in-cheek. When Edie's backstory is told it's almost humorous, the "but wait there's more" of it all. And the trauma is more removed, family members are just being killed off by automobiles in droves where previously it was all rape and pregnancy PTSD. The later you can't make light of but the former? Oh yes! And Alexandra Benedict goes there. In fact, when I saw that this book was getting a sequel, The Christmas Cracker Killer, out this November, I was really excited. Because the balance of dark to light is perfect in this book, she has nailed the perfect Christmas mystery here. Her crown as the 'Queen of the Christmas Mystery' has, in my mind, finally been earned. I enjoyed her first two tales, I loved this one and can't wait for the next. But there was also a depth here. It's not just all flash clothes, there's Edie learning to not wallow in her trauma. She starts to open up, and the doors to the dining room are just the first step. The thing is, if you aren't replacing bad memories with good memories then all you will have are the bad ones on a loop. Christmas will always be THAT Christmas of loss, that one in 1946 or 1988 or 1990 unless you rewrite it. Don't deny Sean Christmas, lean into it, make it special for him and it will be the happy memories you remember more than the sad ones. The sadness and the trauma never leaves, but they can coexist with happiness. Yes, it might occasionally veer into being wistful, but that's better than wallowing any day. As Ebenezer Scrooge showed us in a book Edie doesn't much like, put a little love in your heart!

This was a fun mystery with a unique twist. Edie, a puzzle expert, gets a creepy jigsaw with clues to a series of murders. As the body count rises, she teams up with her nephew, DI Sean, to figure out the puzzle and stop the killer. I liked the mystery and how the puzzle clues added to the suspense. The Christmas setting gave it a spooky vibe. It was a good read, but the pacing was a bit slow in parts. Overall, I enjoyed it, especially if you like a holiday mystery!

If you're a fan of cozy mysteries with a touch of intrigue and holiday spirit, The Christmas Jigsaw Murders will keep you turning the pages. This festive whodunit revolves around the irascible Edie O'Sullivan, a crossword creator who finds herself thrust into a chilling mystery as Christmas looms, making for an engaging, if at times frustrating, read.

Edie is a complicated character—curmudgeonly, independent, and determined to keep her past buried. When she receives a mysterious jigsaw puzzle in the mail from a person calling themselves "Rest in Pieces," she becomes embroiled in a deadly game. The puzzle, which hints at a series of murders to occur before Christmas Eve, sets the stage for a tense and gripping investigation. As the body count rises, Edie teams up with her great-nephew, DI Sean Brand-O'Sullivan, a patient and gentle detective who wishes to protect her but often finds himself at odds with her refusal to let go of old wounds.

While Edie’s refusal to confront her trauma makes her an infuriating character, it’s also what drives the heart of the mystery. The tension between Edie and Sean adds a compelling dynamic to the story, with their relationship evolving against the backdrop of a ticking clock and escalating danger. Sean’s frustration with Edie’s secrecy and stubbornness creates a tension that feels real and relatable, even if it leaves readers wanting to shake some sense into Edie.

One of the most delightful aspects of The Christmas Jigsaw Murders is the strong secondary characters, particularly Edie’s ninety-year-old neighbor, Riga Novak. Riga’s wit and wisdom bring warmth and humor to the otherwise tense atmosphere, and her partnership with Edie adds an extra layer of charm to the story.

The mystery itself is well-paced, with enough twists to keep the reader guessing. The puzzle pieces—both literal and metaphorical—lead Edie down a path that forces her to confront the dark corners of her past, making the plot not only a thrilling mystery but also a bit of a character study. The book shares a thematic nod to A Christmas Carol, with Edie undergoing a transformation as she comes to terms with her mistakes and makes amends.

Despite the occasional frustration with Edie’s actions, the story is engaging, and the mystery unfolds in a satisfying way. The suspense is high, the stakes are real, and by the end, readers will be left reflecting on the deeper themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the importance of facing one’s past.

Overall, The Christmas Jigsaw Murders is a cozy, well-crafted mystery that offers more than just a holiday thriller. With its intriguing characters, a gripping puzzle at its heart, and a transformation arc that mirrors the season’s spirit of change and reflection, it’s a perfect read for those looking for a holiday mystery with a bit more depth.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Press for my DRC

I have never read anything by this author, but I will be looking out for other books they write in the future. I really enjoyed the story as well as the pacing of the story.

I really wanted to be absolutely obsessed with this book, but it just felt too much cozy mystery for my taste however, that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t a great book. If you are into little old ladies solving murder mysteries, this book is 100% for you. I would definitely classify this book as a cozy murder mystery.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC of The Christmas Jigsaw Murders in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, this book has it's high points and low points for me, which led to some mixed feelings after I had finished. While I really enjoyed Edie, our unusual 80 year old FMC with unmatched wit, humor, and fashion sense, I found the pace of the book to be rather painful at certain points and other characters to be a bit lack-luster. It may sound silly, but due to the way conversations and dialogue was written, I sometimes found it incredibly hard to understand who was talking in that moment, so I found myself going back to the beginning of a conversation to reread it in order to better follow what was being said in that moment.

I did enjoy the shorter chapter lengths, and that could at times make the book flow a little more quickly and cultivate a sense of urgency to the situation. I thought the premise was very unique and I enjoyed that the author fit their own puzzle within the pages of the book for you to solve. I was able to solve the jigsaw puzzle at the start of each chapters but the other puzzles were most certainly over my head.

I will say, I honestly had no idea who the killer was going to be, right up until the very end. I had my speculations throughout the book, which were all wrong, as the author does a great job in intentionally leading the reader a bit astray to keep you guessing. I think the bones of the story were really well thought out, I think I was just looking for a bit more of a fast paced page turner to keep me on the edge of my seat, and I just didn't get that until the last third of the book. A solid read if you are into puzzle mysteries, just not a standout for me personally. 3.5/5 stars rounding down.

Irascible, curmudgeonly solver of puzzles and creator of crosswords, Edie O'Sullivan is hiding from Christmas, her least favourite time of the year. On December 1st, she receives a package from an unknown person, calling themselves Rest in Pieces. It's a jigsaw puzzle made of six pieces, and shows part of a crime scene. The enclosed message in the box tells Edie that there will be four or more murders by Christmas Eve, unless Edie can figure out the puzzle.

Edie contacts her great nephew and adopted son DI Sean Brand-O'Sullivan, and they work hard to solve the clues, But they're not fast enough, and a man is attacked and found near death with a jigsaw piece in his hand. Sean worries for Edie's safety, and the potential her questions and actions will have to muddle the investigation, so he shuts her out.

She decides to keep investigating on her own, as she receives more pieces, and more people are killed. With her ninety-year-old neighbour's help, Edie begins slowly piecing through the clues, which point unfortunately to her past, which she refuses to discuss or divulge till it's almost too late.

Edie is a totally frustrating person; she's the type of person who thinks that her bad memories and trauma are best left unexamined, and instead used them irritate and push everyone away from her.

Sean is a gentle, kind man, whose patience is frequently tried by Edie, who despite her deep love for him, refuses to accept his partner, and keeps critical information from his investigation, because she does not want to deal with her past and many bad decisions.

Much as I found Edie frustrating, I enjoyed the mystery and character interactions. The story moved along well, and there were sufficient twists to keep me entertained. I also liked how this was a little like Dickens' Christmas Carol, as Edie must undergo a transformation by confronting errors in her past. I loved Edie's elderly neighbour Riga Novak.

This isn't my first book by this author, and I hope to read more by her.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.

"The Christmas Jigsaw Murders" by Alexandra Benedict brings a festive twist to the murder mystery genre—think cozy Christmas vibes meets sinister puzzle games. When Edie O’Sullivan, a grumpy puzzle expert who’s totally over Christmas, receives a box of jigsaw pieces on her doorstep, things quickly take a dark turn. Each piece reveals clues to a series of murders that are about to unfold, and Edie, with her reclusive nature, must solve the puzzle before it’s too late. The only problem? Her nephew, Detective Sean, is on the case, but he might just be a target himself.

What really sets this book apart are the quirky extra challenges sprinkled throughout the pages—hidden Fleetwood Mac songs, Dickensian anagrams, and Christmas song puzzles. It’s like a book-within-a-book for those up for the extra challenge, and let me tell you, the murder mystery itself? It’s a pretty wild ride. The tension builds as Edie races to piece together the clues while dealing with her own complicated past, making this mystery more personal than your average holiday thriller.

I’m giving this one 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a solid, fun read, but it does get a little slow and puzzling (pun intended) at times. While I love the idea of solving puzzles along with the characters, it wasn’t quite the page-turner I hoped for. Still, if you’re looking for a holiday mystery with a touch of whimsy and a Christmas-loving detective, this one’s a good pick!

Thank you Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Alexandra Benedict for the eArc of The Christmas Jigsaw Murders.

This is a well pieced together murder mystery in which our MC, Edie has clues presented to her by an anonymous sender. These clues or jigsaw puzzles are to be put together to " prevent " a murder, This person also knows some secrets that Edy is keeping close to her chest. I found reading this was a great, quick, cosy read with a quick witted characters.

I found I was fully engaged with both the pacing of the book and the character building. Even though the character's are of the older generation, they were witty, clever and felt real. I can imagine them living down my street or speaking to them at the local shops! I wonderful cosy read for ages.
Sandra Duncan narrated the audiobook for The Christmas Jigsaw Murders and the pacing of her voice suited this book perfectly .

4 stars

Loved Edie and all her antics. She was a great narrator to tell the story, even though her view on things was skewed by her past. Overall an enjoyable read!

Thank you for allowing me to read this book as an ARC.
While it was an easy read, I overall was not a fan of the story. I was excited to be able to read this for the holidays, but unfortunately, it didn't spark my interest to want to just read so it did take me a long time to get through. I did not care for the characters in the story and the protagonist actually got on my nerves. The story itself seemed a little confusing and the reasons why certain people were selected to be killed was incomprehensible to me.
I think this book would maybe be a great quick read as a novella and cut some of it out but in its length, it was very hard for me to make it thru.

A fine cozy murder mystery but I didn’t connect strongly with the characters or feel very caught up in the mystery.

I'm a sucker for Christmas cozy mysteries but I've never read one that involved Jigsaw puzzles so that was a neat twist.

I liked individual elements of this read, but they didn't really come together for me in the end. Our MC is an unlikable, grumpy, abrasive woman who seems to push away just about everyone in her life. At the beginning, I thought this was going to mean that she was going to be isolated and would need to investigate on her own. However, she does have enough people in her life to assist her with the investigation which just meant that I was frustrated whenever she would keep something to herself out of nowhere. The actual investigation with the puzzle pieces was interesting, but the pacing was a little off. I liked the resolution to the mystery but the journey to get there was a bit rough for me.

I had a harder time with this one than I expected. I guess I just didn't love the characters enough to ever feel really invested in it. I love Christmas stories and I love the amateur sleuth cozy mystery genre, but this one was just missing something for me. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood when I tackled it, but I think it just didn't quite stand up to other similar mysteries. I love jigsaw puzzles too, so I really wanted to love this, but just didn't.

This was a different kind of crime solving book for me. I am into fantasy and thrillers and found this enjoyable. The character reminds me of my ex father in law grumpy and old but beyond that I found the story great and the twist had me saying WHAaaattt out loud.

This was an awesome holiday thriller! Some parts were slow but overall it was a good pace. I didn't see the twists and turns at all. I loved trying to solve it throughout the book like I was in the book myself. Can't wait to read more of her books!


Thank you netgalley for this arc!

Edie is a retired supply teacher. She hates Christmas and refuses to celebrate it in any way. It seems as a young child she got up Christmas to find her mother had passed away. Edie sets crossword puzzles for local and national newspapers to make a little extra money. To relax she likes to do jigsaw puzzles which she gets from the local thrift shop, hoping all the pieces are in the box. She has a friend who lives next door. They laugh, sing drink and eat together. Edie also has a nosy young neighbor across the street which becomes a plus unexpectedly. Shortly before Christmas a strange package is placed on her doorstep. Inside is a cryptic note and a piece of a puzzle. The note included challenges Edie to solve the puzzle.
Soon dead bodies show up and each one has jigsaw pieces on their bodies. In their hair, in their mouth and in their pocket. Edie doesn't know what to think so she contacts her nephew/adopted son for help. He is a police detective with the local constabulary. Of course he will help his aunt/mother. Sean is very busy because he and his husband are trying to adopt a little girl and possibly an unborn sibling. His husband is a popular florist who arrangements are much sought after. Who is behind the jigsaw murders? You will have to read the book to find out. At the end of the book is a twist I did not see coming.


Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, a part of Sourcebooks

Edie has suffered a lot of loss in her life and as a result has closed herself off to most people. When a murderer draws her into his plans she tries to protect her police inspector nephew and figure the puzzle out on her own. I enjoyed this quite a bit even though the MC is hard to like.

Thank you to the publisher and NG for the opportunity to read and review this book. My review can be found on Litsy and IG.

Edie O’Sullivan is a puzzle setter and can't stand Christmas. On December 1st she finds a hand-delivered present on her doorstep containing six jigsaw pieces showing parts of a crime scene. There is also a message to Edie saying: ‘Four, maybe more, people will be dead by midnight on Christmas Eve, unless you can put all the pieces together and stop me.’ It’s signed, Rest In Pieces. Edie works with her nephew Sean (a Detective Inspector), much to his dismay, to help solve the mystery.

This was an enjoyable mystery for Christmas. Thank you to #NetGalley and #PoisonedPenPress for a free copy of #TheChristmasJigsawMurders by Alexandra Benedict. All opinions are my own.