Katie McDonald is a brilliant mathematician who works for a secret government think tank until, the man who introduced Katie to the love of puzzles writes and ask for her help. Katie immediately heads back to her hometown to help the Professor with his problem. But before Katie can get a handle on how the Professor managed to lose his puzzle museum’s money, and the last three mortgage payments, he is murdered. Can Katie solve her friend’s murder and save the puzzle museum or will the new Chief of Police have her in jail for the murder or at least for interfering in his investigation?

The Sudoku Murder is the first of this new mystery series by Shelley Freydont and I think it will become a favorite of mine. The heroine is spunky, brilliant, and even though she finds it difficult to fit in with her neighbors she still cares about them. Her Aunt Pru on the other hand is interfering and annoying and I would move back to Washington, if I were Katie, just to stay away from her constant trying to set Katie up with men she deems as “stable.” And then don’t forget the hardnosed, stubborn new Police Chief, Brandon Mitchell, who seems determined to believe Katie is responsible for many of the problems in her little hometown and maybe even a murder. And there are a slew of other interesting and humorous secondary characters to add charm to the story. Katie doesn’t spend all of her time working Sudoku puzzles either and even if you don’t enjoy doing the puzzles yourself you will still enjoy the intriguing mystery. If you love Sudoku puzzles there are a number you can solve sprinkled throughout the book and of course part of the solution to the mystery comes from a Sudoku puzzle. I thoroughly enjoyed this charming new mystery series and can’t wait to read the second book!

Reviewed by: Stephanie B.