In The Christmas Jigsaw Murders by Alexandra Benedict, octogenarian Edie loves puzzles and hates Christmas. As the day approaches, someone calling themself Rest in Pieces is sending her jigsaw puzzles that she must solve to prevent a string of murders. This is a clever and fun mystery with plenty of twists and turns and clues buried in the text, interesting characters, a complex mystery, and a wave to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol especially in the ending. An entertaining Christmas mystery that kept me guessing throughout.

Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

Many thanks to Netgalley for this book. I received this book in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts are entirely my own.

Edie is an eighty year old woman who writes crosswords for a living and loves a good crossword. Edie doesn’t like Christmas because some of her family members died on Christmas. Edie is sent a jigsaw puzzle that she has to solve in order to stop murders. It takes a few days with Edie slowly figuring things out. Edie is able to save her adopted son/great-nephew that she has been taking care of since he was a baby. Edie finally realizes who loves her and decides to give Christmas a chance and to be a better person and to find love. This book also has a cross word element with the clues being songs that are throughout the book. I found it very interesting especially the reveal of the killer and their motives

This is another fun entry into Benedict's line of stand-alone Christmas stories that involve murders and puzzles. This is the perfect book to put in the hands of a reader who wants something just a shade outside of cozy and filled with clues to solve puzzles both in the story and in the text. I look forward to these books every year.

It has been a fantastic book and very fun with the puzzle, until the last four, five chapters. There the story has started to take too many twists and turns, when it could have been much simpler. This was the one I liked the least of the three. Still, I recommend it.

I always enjoy reading stories of fiesty old ladies, the only way to age! Edie is a hard to like kind of person but, as the reader we know that there's still some humanity deep down. After the death of her nephew, she took in his baby and raised him as her own, not a task for the faint of heart. Edie is known for her ability to solve crossword and jigsaw puzzles. When mysterious pieces of a puzzle show up in Edie's doorstep, it's a race against time to save lives, perhaps including her own.

Puzzle creator Edie O'Sullivan has led a life of which she is not proud. Her acerbic tone and attitude towards others has left her in her 80's with three cats, a 90-something neighbor and her nephew, DI Sean Brand-O'Sullivan as her only companions. When a puzzle box appears on her doorstep containing six pieces to a puzzle that appears to be a crime scene, it is up to Edie to solve the puzzle before four people die by Christmas.
As each murder is done, another set of puzzle pieces appear on her doorstep. "Rest in Pieces" has a bone to pick with Edie but it will take Edie's going over her past mistakes in order to prevent the final death--that of her beloved nephew.

Included throughout the book are various anagrams for readers to spot. Chapter headings give a single letter to the final anagram- the title of a popular Christmas song and it's well-known singer (according to the author). Having never been good at anagrams over a few letters long, I confess that I gave up trying to solve the final one. Disappointingly, the solution is not contained in the galley that I read, so I suppose I'll have to wait to find out what the final anagram spelled out.
Recommended for those with a passion for British murder mysteries and puzzles.

The Christmas Jigsaw Murders by Alexandra Benedict is a festive yet thrilling mystery perfect for fans of cozy crime novels with a holiday twist. Set in a small English village during the Christmas season, the story follows amateur sleuth Roz Parker, who is drawn into a murder investigation when a series of gruesome killings disrupts the holiday cheer. The plot centers around a puzzling jigsaw left at each crime scene, with clues that Roz must piece together to catch the killer before Christmas Day.

Benedict combines the warmth of holiday traditions with the chilling elements of a classic murder mystery, creating a story that’s both heartwarming and suspenseful. Each character in the village is well-drawn, with quirks and secrets that keep readers guessing about their motives. The festive setting, complete with snowy landscapes, twinkling lights, and Christmas carols, is balanced by a plot full of twists, red herrings, and clues, making it a page-turner from start to finish.

For fans of Benedict’s previous book, The Christmas Murder Game, or anyone who enjoys holiday mysteries, The Christmas Jigsaw Murders is a fun, atmospheric read. It’s the perfect mix of cozy and creepy, with a satisfying resolution that feels both festive and thrilling.

After reading multiple charming, romance heavy holiday stories, I was eager to immerse myself in a holiday mystery.

Edie is a complex character. Tragic events of her past have really shaped her into the divisive individual that she is in her eighties. She has a fierce loving side that is reserved for a select few and a no nonsense, cunning and crass side that is felt by all. To top it all off, she is a keen and formidable crossword puzzle creator and player. The killer knows this and calls on Edie to play...whether she likes it or not.

In my opinion, the puzzle angle was creative and cleverly woven into the entire story, even the acknowledgements. This plot kept me guessing and guessing again, just like any tricky crossword and jigsaw puzzle can. If you like the Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman, you might enjoy this one. They are similar in the sense that an older individual is trying to solve a crime. On the flip side, unfortunately for me, I struggled to connect with the characters (especially the main character) to the same extent and found parts of the story more of a distraction. However, you could see it as opportunities for red herring moments.

If you are a puzzle enthusiast, this is possibly a book for you during the holiday season. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story. All opinions are entirely my own.

The Christmas Jigsaw Murders* by Alexandra Benedict offers a delightful blend of cozy mystery and holiday cheer, with just enough intrigue to keep readers engaged without overwhelming them. Set against the festive backdrop of Christmas, this novel follows a group of characters caught up in a puzzling series of murders—each tied to a seemingly innocent holiday jigsaw puzzle. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries and enjoy stories with a hint of seasonal magic, this book will likely hit the mark.

The plot centers around a small town where a local Christmas tradition—an annual jigsaw puzzle competition—quickly turns dark when a series of murders occur, each victim somehow connected to the contest. As the murders escalate, the community’s holiday spirit begins to crumble, and amateur sleuths within the town’s tight-knit circle must work together to uncover the truth. The book masterfully balances the cozy elements with suspense, offering a puzzle of its own in terms of both the mystery at hand and the relationships between the characters.

One of the most notable aspects of *The Christmas Jigsaw Murders* is the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ friendly content, making it a refreshing and inclusive read in the cozy mystery genre. The characters' relationships are portrayed authentically, and there is a thoughtful emphasis on acceptance and diversity, which adds depth to the story without overshadowing the central mystery.

The writing is approachable and accessible, with a pace that matches the cozy mystery genre—slow-building tension with enough twists to keep readers hooked, but never too dark or heavy. The small-town setting adds to the charm, with plenty of familiar cozy elements like quaint cafes, festive decorations, and close-knit communities. Benedict's attention to detail in creating the atmosphere of a Christmas mystery makes the holiday setting feel immersive and warm, despite the darker events at its core.

What makes *The Christmas Jigsaw Murders* stand out from other cozy mysteries is the skill with which the author ties the mystery to the central theme of puzzles—both literal and metaphorical. The characters themselves are like pieces of a larger puzzle, and the unfolding of the plot reveals deeper connections between them, making the resolution both satisfying and heartwarming. The holiday theme ties everything together nicely, offering a touch of festive magic without losing sight of the mystery at its heart.

In terms of tone, this book might remind readers of the hallmark-style mystery movies—gentle, engaging, and filled with a sense of nostalgia for the holiday season. It has the same easygoing appeal as the classic Hallmark Mysteries but with a modern twist and a bit more emphasis on the importance of inclusivity and representation.

Overall, *The Christmas Jigsaw Murders* is an enjoyable and well-crafted cozy mystery that will delight fans of the genre, especially those looking for a light, festive read with LGBTQIA+ representation. The murder mystery is engaging, the characters are relatable, and the holiday setting is warm and inviting. Benedict has created a story that’s perfect for curling up with during the winter months, offering just the right amount of mystery, holiday spirit, and heart.

Most cozy mysteries feature lovely amateur detectives. Not this one. Eddie is more like Oscar the Grouch, or rather, in keeping with the holiday theme, The Grinch. I LOVED HER.

Edie made this story. She was gruff and persnickety and brilliant! It's not a spoiler to say she saves the day in the end.

I don't know how Benedict would do it, but Edie and her family need several sequels!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Alexandra Benedict for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC audiobook for The Christmas Jigsaw Murders coming out October 8, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I enjoy this author. I love murder mysteries and I think her books feel a lot like Agatha Christie novels. I enjoyed the narrator and I think she did a great job. Edie was a great character and I could relate to her homebody ways. She’s a little grumpy though. The mystery was good and I enjoyed the Christmas theme. There were a couple times the novel felt a little long. It could’ve been slightly tighter. I would check out other books by this author though.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys murder mysteries!

Challenge accepted. Edie must gather jigsaw puzzle pieces and assemble th epuzzle to solve a murder BEFORE it happens. But she's an expert on solving puzzles. With the help of her Christmas loving, outgoing nephew, who also happens to be a DI, the hunt is an enjoyable addition to the cozy. Alexander Benedict also adds several puzzles for the reader to solve while trying to keep up with Edie. A different kind of puzzle that was very enjoyable.

Edie finds a present in her doorstep. Inside, there is a jigsaw puzzle that represent a murder scene. A note says people will die if you don’t solve the puzzle. Edie convinces her nephew to help in the investigation until a person is found dead with a jigsaw piece. With or without Sean, Edie decides she is the one to solve the case.

This gave me Thursday Murder Club vibes. For a Christmas themed book, it wasn’t very heavy on the Christmas feel. The book starts a little slow, but the suspense continues to increase. The killer was a total surprise with a very satisfying conclusion to the story.

Thank you to Alexandra Benedict, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was thoroughly enjoyable our main character edi gets puzzle pieces to her house with a note to solve the murders they depict and we go on her journey with her as well as a very slight romantic story line and her healing journey and reconnecting with her family

I loved the Christmas Murder Game but did not love this one. It was fun and keeps you guessing… just not for me.

This is the perfect holiday murder mystery book! It’s full of puzzles and mystery. Eddie (the FMC), gets an jigsaw puzzle with a mysterious note. People will die if she doesn’t solve this mystery. Eddie reminded me of Scrooge and the side characters were enjoyable as well. This book read very well and I was kept guessing till the end.

Thank you to poisoned pen press and netgalley, and of course the author for this ARC!

This author, new to me, enjoys puzzles in her real life and has brought them into her new book. 80-year-old grump Edie receives pieces to an unknown jigsaw puzzle that seems connected to murders happening in her town. Her grand-nephew Sean is a cop who also gets caught up in the puzzle mysteries. Edie's attitude transformation, a la Scrooge, is a little hard to take but I love the puzzles! Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing an ARC.

An absolute delight. Inee if the most clever and intellectually stimulating thrillers read in a long time. When an author of crossword puzzles is sent a mysterious package of jigsaw pieces, the novel comes alive. She races around Weymouth and tries to solve the murders that are intertwined by the pictures on the pieces. She seems to always be one step ahead of her police dectective nephew, Sean. An absolutely creative wonderful take on the holiday thriller.

Cantankerous Edie works as a crossword puzzle setter and is a big fan of puzzles of all sorts. That's good because her prickly nature has pushed away everyone except her adopted great nephew Sean and her next-door neighbor Riga. When a set of puzzle pieces and a mysterious note arrive, Edie isn't sure what to make of it. Then bodies start piling up and she's worried that if she doesn't figure out the mystery soon, someone close to her will be one of the victims.

I liked the concept of the jigsaw puzzle needing to be solved to figure out the mystery, but I was confused by a lot of the story. I know there are certain conventions related to crosswords and puzzles of that type, but what's to say the person who set all this up is following the rules ("playing fair" is mentioned a few times). Edie is also very unlikeable as a person, even after all her trauma is explained, so it's hard to root for her. It was also confusing as to how the puzzle pieces were being distributed. Edie was getting some delivered and was told "not to tell the police" yet there were also the same (?) puzzle pieces left with bodies for the police to recover. The explanation of the puzzle pieces, how they fit together, and what was shown on them also didn't paint a very clear picture of what was going on. Some illustrations would have helped immensely! There was also the strange explanatory chapter where the killer was goading Edie to solve the mystery, then revealing all the details before she had a chance. Also, other than the fact that the story unfolds on the days surrounding Christmas and Edie hates Christmas, the holidays didn't seem to play much of a part in the events. While I liked the concept, I had a hard time putting the pieces together!

Wow….. A complex but easy to follow story. Compulsive puzzler Edie O’Sullivan teams up with her nephew D.I Sean Brand-O’Sullivan to try to solve murders with only jigsaw pieces and riddles as clues. Didn’t have any idea who the murderer was until the very end. A very enjoyable book.