Punning with Scissors

Crossword Puzzle Mystery #2

by Becky Clark

1 DOWN: A PERSON OF INTEREST

Quinn Carr has been quietly creating crosswords for the Chestnut Station Chronicle in her small Colorado town since she was in high school, but she has yet to solve the puzzle of how to make a living from her passion. So she lives with her parents and works at the local diner, catering to regulars like The Retireds, a charming if cantankerous crew of elderly men. The most recent member to join the group is a recently retired tailor, the unfortunately named Hugh Pugh.

4-LETTER WORD FOR “IMPALE”

But Hugh’s misfortune dramatically increases when he’s arrested for stabbing his husband with a pair of fabric shears. With a cryptic crossword clue left at the crime scene, Quinn seems tailor-made for solving this murder. The local police may be determined to pin the crime on the kindly tailor, but Quinn will use her penchant for puzzles and what her therapist calls her “obsessive coping mechanism” to get the clues to line up and catch the real culprit—before the killer boxes her in. . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 11, 2021

About the author

Becky Clark is the seventh of eight kids, which explains both her insatiable need for attention and her atrocious table manners. She likes to read funny books so it felt natural to write them too. She surrounds herself with quirky people and pets who end up as characters in her books. Her stout-hearted dog keeps her safe from menacing squirrels, leaves, and deer, but not plastic bags. Those things are terrifying.

Readers say her books are “fast and thoroughly entertaining” with “witty humor and tight writing” and “humor laced with engaging characters” so you should “grab a cocktail and enjoy the ride.” They also say “Warning: You will laugh out loud. I’m not kidding,” and “If you like Janet Evanovich, you will like Becky Clark.”

She writes the Dunne Diehl novels (with Ted Hardwick), the Mystery Writer's Mysteries, and the upcoming Crossword Puzzle Mysteries, as well as some low-calorie cookbooks, and a how-to book about writing a novel, "Eight Weeks to a Complete Novel: Write Faster, Write Better, Be More Organized."

Visit https://beckyclarkbooks.com/ for all kinds of fun. While you're there, be sure to subscribe to her "So Seldom It's Shameful" newsletter. http://beckyclarkbooks.com/subscribe

You'll hear about new releases, maybe win some prizes, find out about book promotions from her and others, read interviews from new-to-you authors, and more. (As you might have gleaned from the title, she won't inundate your inbox, either.)

Join Becky's private group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Becky... for even more shenanigans and at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/author/beckyclark).

If you enjoy her books, she’d swoon if you left a review. Yes, swoon.

Here's a 2014 Q&A interview of her from Pikes Peak Writers in case you haven't overdosed on All Things Becky ... http://pikespeakwriters.blogspot.com/...

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Punning with Scissors by Becky Clark is the secon book in the cozy Crossword Puzzle Mystery series. As with most cozy mysteries each book of the series will contain it’s own mystery that is solved within so it can be enjoyed as a standalone or in any order if choosing to do so. The character development that happens in each book however will carry over for those that continue to read the series.

The Crossword Puzzle Mystery series introduces readers to Quinn Carr who suffers from a mild case of OCD. Quinn’s original plans for her life didn’t quite work out so now she’s trying to get her life on the right track. Quinn has a day job working at the local diner for an eccentric boss and a side job of creating crosswords for the local paper.

Quinn has kept her job at the diner despite her having to search for a murderer to clear her boss’s name. Now she’s getting a little more comfortable in the day to day including getting to know her customers including a group of elderly men Quinn refers to as the retireds. When one of the retireds, Hugh Pugh, is arrested for murder Quinn is sure he can’t be the real killer so she again uses her time to search for more suspects and her crosswords to point the police in the right direction.

Being a huge fan of quirky and humorous cozies I was hooked when I read the first book of the Crossword Puzzle Mystery series and still felt the same after reading the second. Quinn definitely fits the mold of a quirky character with a naive charm about her and now this second book added my favorite of involving a cute critter with Quinn dog sitting. I also enjoy Quinn’s connection to a police officer in the stories to help her along the way. Definitely will continue on with the cute series in the future.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[3 no 7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Punning with Scissors” is a funny murder mystery – on purpose.

Quinn Carr pays intense attention to organization and detail. This is how she maintains her sanity and composure. She works at the Chestnut Station Diner in a small city on the Colorado plains where everyone knows everything and no one knows anything. The book is written as Quinn sees the world, and her conversations drive the plot. She is a perfectionist to the extreme, and has her own strategies for handling stress and irregularities of life. Her deep dark secret, and the key to her continuing sanity, is that she secretly constructs the daily crossword puzzles for the Chestnut Station Chronicle; she makes five dollars for every puzzle she publishes. Best of all, the clues in her puzzles are typical clues; they are riddles, puns jokes, and hilarious, knee-slapping plays-on-words. Even Chief of Police solves her crossword puzzles every day -- in ink.

The action unfolds in the humorous home-town exchanges, fun banter, and the casual conversations of the people Quinn knows including the jovial regulars at the diner known as the “Retired.” Everyone and everything happily exist day by day until the day Creighton McLellan is discovered quite dead with a pair of good scissors sticking out of his chest. Of course, Quinn is compelled to investigate the event and the past and present of all involved. The recipe to Kentucky Fried Chicken is not the only secret in town. She plants clues in her puzzles to help the chief solve the shocking murder.

“Punning with Scissors” is quick to read with a nice balance of light-hearted action and mystery as the complicated murder unfolds, and even the bananas might have clues. As a bonus, the crossword puzzles are included in the book, of course with the answers at the end for those who like to sneak a peek before they fill-in the answers -- in ink. I received a review copy of “Punning with Scissors” from Becky Clark, Lyrical Press Books, and Kensington Publishing Corp.

[Margo Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I hadn't read book one, but couldn't wait to catch up when I finished this one. Being a crossword enthusiast, the inclusion of clues was a bonus for me. Meeting the characters, the twists and turns, and the engaging dialogue kept me turning pages. Looking forward to more by Becky.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series. Quinn is quirky and loveable and the secondary characters are so much fun. The crossword puzzle angle adds to my enjoyment of the series and the mysteries are solid; there is the perfect ratio of community/world building and mystery. Looking forward to the next.

I received a copy from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#PunningwithScissors #NetGalley

[The Cozy Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

Punning with Scissors is the second book in the “A Crossword Puzzle Mystery” series. The story revolves around Quinn, who has OCD. She is a bit hard to take, falling apart most of the time, and drives people nuts with worry. Quinn works at a diner with a great boss who tolerates her imperfections, as do her friends and family. Quinn has a hard time coping with her OCD and a harder time admitting it when she needs help coping with it, but she never seems to have trouble asking for help when there is a murder to solve.

The characters in this series are, for the most part believable, unfortunately for me, Quinn isn’t one of them. I have no issue with her having OCD, but I have an issue with her being not very likable; she is beyond irritating. The crossword puzzles are just a crutch, not a solution, but she acts like they can fix everything. Her parents are a delight, and a series could be written about them without Quinn that would entertain fans. The settings of this book, and the last one, are mostly the diner where Quinn works and Hugh’s home.

When Hugh’s husband is killed with a pair of Hugh’s shears, everyone thinks he is to blame, and even though Quinn doesn’t even know him, she jumps in to find the real killer. The suspects throughout this latest book are few and far between, and the motives are hard to believe. The crossword puzzles Quinn designs have little chance of changing the mind of an investigator, yet this seems to be her entire basis for proving the main suspect innocent and the only way to get the police to look at other suspects. When the killer and mystery are unraveled, it comes as no surprise. There are a few twists and turns, even a couple of red herrings, but Quinn has more than a murder and OCD issue; she also looks for trouble and has denial issues. I found it hard to enjoy Punning with Scissors because Quinn isn’t growing and doesn’t seem to be trying all that hard to get her OCD and life under control.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becky Clark continues her new Crossword Puzzle Mystery series with Punning with Scissors. I really enjoyed this 2nd instalment and I am interested enough to pick up book 3 when it becomes available.

After bombing out of the police academy in Denver Quinn Carr has arrived back home in Chestnut, Colorado and is currently living with her folks. As well as devising crossword puzzles for her local rag, she is employed as a waitress in a diner.

When a customer, Hugh Pugh, a retired tailor is accused of killing his husband with a pair of eight-inch gold handled fabric shears, Quinn, although not faultless, keeps a sense of realism and humour as she is assisted by her police officer friend with the murder case and to try to prove that Hugh is innocent. Quinn is an OCD sufferer and I liked the sensitive way she was portrayed by the author. All in all, a great cozy mystery with some witty interludes and a fun bunch of characters. 😊

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this is my own unbiased opinion.

[Tammy “TCB” · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cozy with a Cerebral Personna
Punning With Scissors by Becky Clark is not your normal cozy. But more about that later.
The characters are not described per se. But with the names, the jobs they hold, and the personality traits revealed throughout the book, you get a good description of what the characters look like. Showcasing their emotions so the reader could feel them was fabulous. Each one is unique, there are no flat characters in this book. I love Quinn and her mother, fun gals. And Quinn makes a great amateur sleuth. Maybe it’s her OCD that keeps her sharp, maybe luck, maybe common sense. I bet the world will never know. The other main characters are growing nicely, including Rico, Dan, and the enemy, the sheriff. One character, the victim, we did not get to meet, but the story about him placed throughout the book gave me a good likeness. The Retireds are a quirky group that makes for good background. They were showcased more in the last book, and I hope they get involved in the investigations in the future, that would add some serious comedy.
I wish there were more setting descriptions in the book. I kind of know what the town is like, but it has not been shown really. I know this is hard, and many authors leave this up to your imagination. I wish there were more stores shown which would give you a better sense of what this small town is like.
The dialogue is quite snappy, funny, and works well with the story. There are many quips, double entendres, and conversations that keep the stories flowing. This is another way you get to know who the characters are. My favorite line in the book?
« Who wouldn’t want to snoop around a crime scene? »
The pacing is well done. There are a few subplots that give us breathers, and yet somehow, they all seem to tie into the main plot by the end. The action was a tad slow, at least in my reading, but the last few chapters showed a great climax with much pace and holding of the breath. What else can happen, I kept asking myself.
Now, back to the first sentence. A cozy is a mystery in the first place, but they are a lighter read, nothing like let’s say Edgar Allan Poe. They are a fun mystery with good puzzles with clues and red herrings sprinkled throughout, many easily noticed. That is where this story takes a rapid departure from the norm. I wrote down the clues and red herrings. But when I got to the end, I found out I was flat out wrong! All the things I thought were clues were red herrings, and vice versa. Ms. Clark turned this into a more traditional mystery, with a cerebral set of puzzles to solve to find out the killer. The clues and red herrings were very fun and helpful, but did not lead to the conclusions I thought. Not that this is a bad thing, it is actually a challenge. Just not the kind of flow I anticipated.
That is what makes this cozy mystery a stand out from much of its direct competition. Kudos! 4 stars!
In full disclosure, I received an advance copy, and am providing am unbiased review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd mystery in the Crossword Puzzle series. Quinn Carr is still working at the local diner while she is working to control her OCD and she does crossword puzzles for her local Chestnut Station newspaer. The “retireds” are a group of men who come in most days and keep Quinn on her toes and today there is a new addition in Hugh who is married to Creighton and are friends with her parents. Hugh is recently retired as a tailor but Creighton is still working. Quinn is friends with Rico who is a police officer and friend who believes she should try again at the police academy (she had an OCD melt down at the academy). Rico left his phone at the diner and she is returning it to Rico when she sees the Chief of Police (who does not like Quinn) bring in Hugh for the murder of his husband Creighton. Hugh is in total shock and asks Quinn to pick up his dog (Virginia the Woof aka Gin) from the groomers and take care of her. Quinn struggles with her fish so a dog is a big challenge for her. She is convinced that Hugh could not possibly have killed his husband and decides to do some investigation as well as planting clues for the Chief to uncover in her crossword puzzles. This was a good mystery and interesting to see how OCD impacts Quinn and how she handled Gin who was such a character and good dog. Quinn’s Mom is also a great character especially at the very end of the book (no spoilers her). Good Read.

[Mary Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis:

1 DOWN: A PERSON OF INTEREST

Quinn Carr has been quietly creating crosswords for the Chestnut Station Chronicle in her small Colorado town since she was in high school, but she has yet to solve the puzzle of how to make a living from her passion. So she lives with her parents and works at the local diner, catering to regulars like The Retireds, a charming if cantankerous crew of elderly men. The most recent member to join the group is a recently retired tailor, the unfortunately named Hugh Pugh.

4-LETTER WORD FOR “IMPALE”

But Hugh’s misfortune dramatically increases when he’s arrested for stabbing his husband with a pair of fabric shears. With a cryptic crossword clue left at the crime scene, Quinn seems tailor-made for solving this murder. The local police may be determined to pin the crime on the kindly tailor, but Quinn will use her penchant for puzzles and what her therapist calls her “obsessive coping mechanism” to get the clues to line up and catch the real culprit—before the killer boxes her in. . . . ( Goodreads)

Review:

This time around, one of the Retireds from the restaurant is accused of killing their spouse. Quinn does not know him well, but she can tell how much he loved his husband and feels that they have the wrong person. She is going to work very hard to prove this and see that justice is served. She will need the help of her friend, Rico, who happens to be a policeman, to get to the bottom of this.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions took me on an adventurous ride with Quinn and Rico. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am sure that Quinn and Rico will find another mystery to solve in the next book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

[Kristi | Hidden Staircase | · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

The Crossword Puzzle Mystery series fully embraces all my favorite elements of a cozy mystery: an amateur sleuth who isn’t perfect but tries to do her best, a couple of good friends to help when the going gets rough, and a small town setting with plenty of interesting characters. In Quinn’s case, she sees a lot of them while she works her shift at the diner.

In this particular mystery, Quinn is faced with a whodunit of epic proportion: Creighton McLellan is found dead at home, stabbed with a pair of his husband Hugh Pugh’s scissors. The police chief (always ready to close the case and get a murder off the books) thinks it’s an open and shut case. But Quinn is skeptical – she doesn’t think Hugh would hurt Creighton. She volunteers to watch Hugh’s dog Virginia Woof while Hugh is awaiting bail (conveniently giving her ample time to snoop for clues in their house). Quinn is on the case.

You may wonder where the crossword puzzle fits into everything. Quinn happens to be the anonymous author of crossword puzzles in the town’s paper, and has been for years. Chief Chestnut is an avid solver of said crosswords. And when the chief is determined to quickly close the investigation, Quinn uses her crossword puzzle skills to secretly send a few subliminal messages to him about the case. It’s fun to read Quinn’s thought process and how she designs the weekly puzzles.

Ms. Clark keeps the mystery moving, and it’s full of humor. I do wish we could have seen more of Jake at the diner and built upon his friendship with Quinn from the first book, but the story focus didn’t really allow for that.

Punning with Scissors is a light-hearted mystery that is full of chuckles (and maybe even a few pun-inducing groans), and is the perfect pick for your next cozy book.

Full review published on Hidden Staircase. Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book.

[Drebbles]

While it may not be the life she dreamed of, Quinn Carr stays busy working at the local diner, creating crosswords for the local paper, and occasionally helping the police solve crimes (sometimes through her crossword puzzles). When the husband of one of her customers is murdered, the chief of police doesn't hesitate to arrest her customer and considers the case closed but Quinn and her police friend Rico are not as convinced that Hugh is guilty and Quinn sets out to clear Hugh’s name but will doing so put her and those close to her in danger?

“Punning with Scissors” is a very nicely done mystery by Becky Clark. I have read a lot of mysteries and Quinn is one of the most interesting, if not THE most interesting main character, that I have ever read. She has OCD which is well done by Clark. At first Quinn’s need for everything to be in order was a bit annoying to read but you quickly realize that she can't help it - this is realistically done, especially the times Quinn falls victim to the “monster” as is her visit to the therapist. You cannot help but pull for Quinn as you read the book. Also well done is the mystery - it is a sad one for both the victim (his background story is quite interesting), his husband, and surprisingly enough the killer - again well done by Clark. Mixed in with the sadness is just the right amount of humor, especially towards the end - the combination makes this book an enjoyable read.

“Punning with Scissors” is a very nicely done mystery.

Thank you Becky Clark for the opportunity to read and review this book!

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm loving this series so much! Quinn's a normal, likable main character who happens to be battling OCD along the way, but sometimes it actually comes in a little handy when investigating a case with her pal Rico. I enjoyed the side mystery too that involved a girl named Eliza.

When a friend's husband was murdered in their house, Quinn took their dog to keep for awhile, because her friend Hugh was very despondent over the murder. Quinn's mom and dad loved having little Gin at the house, and I'm sure she was well-spoiled. Once again, Quinn's secret crossword weapon of getting the police chief to investigate in a different direction worked.

The showdown was pretty crazy, and I can say I've never read about one quite like it. Especially the part where someone came in drunk, lol, such a comedy of errors! It's the most fun you'll ever have reading and wondering if someone was going to get killed or not. Everything of course, ended well, and Hugh eventually got out of his slump. I'd sure love to see Rico get to be police chief eventually and have Chestnut retire somewhere that he can just fish all day, but maybe that'll happen next time.

[Judy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so much fun, and I need to tell you, this book was even better than the first! Never a spoiler in my review, here is REALLY what you need to know: Quinn a waitress at the local diner and her best friend Rico is the cop assigned to the case. One of the diner's patrons is accused of murder and suffice it to say, Quinn just can't help herself trying to help by dropping clues in a crossword puzzle to get the 'guy in charge' to pay attention! All in all, a well-written mystery with relatable characters, with a little education about OCD as a bonus! Twists and turns and laugh-out-loud moments guide you to a surprise ending, and best of all, this book can be read as a stand-alone, but the first book is a good read as well! I received an ARC of this book but that in no way influenced this review.

[Breezy Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Punning with Scissors by Becky Clark is book two in The Crossword Puzzle Mystery series.
The main character Quinn secretly writes crossword puzzles for the local paper and often uses these to nudge the police chief in the right direction during his investigations.
Quinn also suffers from OCD and much of the time we spend in Quinn's head is her attempts to both control and utilize her condition to investigate a recent murder.
The supporting characters feel fleshed out, I especially enjoyed Quinn's mother and honest Officer Rico.

I have rarely seen such a charming canine companion. A Husky Pomeranian mix that is frequently mistaken for a fox, Virginia "Gin" Woof is easily the scene stealer in this story.

This had all the elements of a cozy mystery, but had an extra layer of intensity due to Quinn's internal struggles.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for providing me with an ARC and the opportunity to give an opinion about this book.

[Carol DeBeradinis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Punning with Scissors by Becky Clark Review

I couldn’t put it down!!!!
Wonderful story filled with colorful but likable characters. Quinn Carr, who secretly creates crossword puzzles for the newspaper in her hometown of Chestnut Station, Colorado, works at the local diner, and occasionally helps her friend and local police officer Rico solve a murder.

Quinn meets Hugh Pugh, a new member of the “Retireds”, a group of retired men who hang out at the diner where she works. Hugh is a tailor and a kind man who Quinn takes a liking to immediately. Unfortunately, Hugh comes home to find that his husband Creighton has been murdered with a pair of Hugh’s own scissors, and finds himself the chief suspect.
A great plot with a few twists and surprises, a bit of humor that makes you want to keep reading right to the end.

I loved it, and can’t wait to read the next book!

Carol D

[Kelli Mahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retired tailor Hugh Pugh is accused of murdering his husband, Creigh, with a pair of shears - setting off a real hue and cry in Chestnut Station. Quinn jumps in to solve the puzzle, while dog-sitting Hugh's fur-baby, Virginia Woof and dealing with what her therapist calls her “obsessive coping mechanism.” Using strategic clues the local paper's crossword, Quinn attempts to steer the cantankerous chief of police toward finding the real killer - before she finds herself 6 down and 3 across.

What ensues is a wonderful through author Becky Clark's world of wit, red herrings, and whodunit. Come spend some time in Chestnut Station, and bring your pen, because only sissies work crossword puzzles in pencil!

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I would like to state that I received this book through the Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the author for giving me this opportunity and honor in being able to read this book. When I received this book I began reading it at once. I really enjoy the authors writing style, pulls you into the book from the very beginning and you don't want to put the book down. It kept me on the edge of my seat reading from cover to cover. All the characters are very well portrayed though out. When you are finished you wish you weren't. A most wonderful read and I highly recommend this book

[TheresaK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheaters don’t win

So sorry for Hugh, to truly love someone and lose them is devastating. But Quinn won’t rest until all the pieces fit together. I love Gin, Or Virginia Woof. Very loyal and considerate pup. Lola is a great character, so are the retirees and the diner owner. The more I read of these folks, the more I like them. And the transient student traveler was a nice touch. Can’t wait for Quinn’s next puzzle!

[Janet Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Makes No Sense
This is a fun cozy mystery. One of the co-stars is a delightful, fox-colored Pomeranian. The plot is pretty good. Our heroine is fighting a serious case of OCD but uses it to create anonymously published crossword puzzles. More than one of the characters loves puns, so expect quite a few of them. There are more than a few giggles and groans throughout the book. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quinn Carr is super smart (she's been writing the local newspaper's crossword puzzle since high school!) but her OCD has kept her from pursuing much of a career. So, she lives with her folks and works at the local diner. But she also refuses to let an injustice go unchallenged so when one of the diner's customers is accused of murder, she jumps in to 'help'.
The police chief has arrested a suspect and washed his hands of the investigation until Quinn places some clues in the crossword for him, then he assigns Quinn's friend (and best cop!) Rico to do some actual investigating. All the while, Quinn is dog-sitting and trying to help the man who was accused.
This is the 2nd Quinn Care Crossword mystery from Ms Clark, and I like that it can be read as a stand-alone. The story flows well and the descriptors of Quinn's OCD are terrifyingly real. For anyone who can't walk past a crooked picture without cringing (or fixing it!), that is so mild compared to what Quinn goes through. Ms Clark takes care to write up even the worst of the symptoms and treatments to help us understand.
AND, the book includes the 2 crosswords that Quinn uses to nudge the police chief. So much fun!

[oohlalabooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first introduction into the Crossworld Puzzle Mystery Series; I adored it and can be read as a stand-alone. It combines my love of cozies and crossworld puzzles. The main character, Quinn Carr, works at the town’s paper creating crossworld puzzles. She’s young, lives at home with her parents, and has another job working at the diner; Quinn is likable and relatable. There’s a murder to be solved and Quinn finds a way to get to the truth of the real suspect. The regulars at the diner are a hoot. Thank you to author, Becky Clark, for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find it absolutely delightful to read a smart, funny cozy. Quinn, our protagonist, is a waitress with OCD who just happens to secretly make crossword puzzles for the local paper. With a cast of great, quirky characters and a dog named Virginia Woof, this fast paced cozy is sure to please the readers. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I'm voluntarily providing an honest review.

[Valerie Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series. Quinn is back, still working at the diner, and dealing with the Retireds. One in particular, Hugh Pugh, is one Quinn has recently been getting to know. She likes Hugh, his character, and how smitten he is over his husband, Creighton.
All is well until Creighton is found murdered with Hugh's scissors sticking out of him. Now Quinn, with the help of her long time friend and cop, Rico, must do all they can to prove that Hugh is innocent.
Quinn is such a lovable character. Her OCD issues are really tough on her. Those parts in the book where she was struggling to keep it under control really pulled at my heart strings. I love that she secretly does the Crosswords for the local paper. One thing I admire most about Quinn is her loyalty to her friends and her tenacity to find the truth.
Becky Clark has written another great book for this series. I am so hooked, and I can't wait to read more and see what other shenanigans Quinn gets herself into.

[Barb Foerst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quinn returns and is still battling her OCD and creating crossword puzzle to lead the bumbling police chief to correctly solve the murder. Hugh Pugh, newly retired, has joined the retireds at the Diner. Unfortunately, his husband is murdered the same day and Hugh is the prime suspect according to the police chief. Fortunately, Quinn is ready to find the real murderer.

This is an enjoyable series and a little off beat. I like the characters and the crossword theme. I look forward to more.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quinn is back to solve another mystery. Her OCD and her crossword skills help her along the way. The mystery is engrossing and kept me guessing. The premise is engaging and the story has the right pace. I enjoy all the characters from the old grumpy men at the diner to her friends. Definitely pick up this read!

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quinn Carr loves creating crossword puzzles but can’t make a living doing it. So she’s still living at home and waitressing at the local diner. I enjoy this series, including it’s witty humor, the characters and the small town charm. But Quinn has her hands full when one of “The Retireds”, Hugh Pugh (yes, really!), is accused of murdering his husband. As Quinn puts her OCD to use to try and solve the murder, while leaving the police, who are content to arrest Hugh, crossword clues to point them in a different direction, she may be putting herself in danger! Will she be able to pull it off? I received an advance copy from the author and I am writing this review voluntarily.

[Barbara Sousa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Punning with Scissors, the second book in Becky Clark’s Crossword Puzzle Mystery series is a delight to read. Populated with quirky but lovable characters, this book combines the best of hometown charm and intriguing mystery.

Quinn Carr doesn’t let either her job at the Chestnut Station Diner or her OCD get her down. And secretly, she designs the crossword puzzles for her local paper. As if she doesn’t have enough on her plate, when her family friend, Hugh, is named the prime suspect in his spouse’s murder, Quinn decides to do a little investigation on her own. With the help of her friend, Rico, and some well-placed crossword puzzle clues to enlighten the Chief of Police, Quinn puts her life on the line to clear her friend’s name.

There’s so much to like about this book – and the series. Quinn is resourceful, smart, and dedicated. Her OCD makes her even more focused when solving a mystery. Her family is a hoot, and I particularly enjoyed the antics of Virginia Woof (or “Gin” for short) whom Quinn was dog-sitting while Hugh was in jail. The dog is utterly delightful and I hope Gin will make an appearance in future novels. The mystery here is wonderfully complex, with so many interesting and unique twists and turns. Even the clues are unconventional, with a bumper sticker figuring into the investigation. While the ending (for me) is a bit over-the-top and unbelievable, the resolution is ultimately satisfying. And the included (even in the Kindle book) crossword puzzles are an added – and much appreciated – bonus.

Punning with Scissors is an engaging cozy mystery filled with fun clues, red herrings, and a protagonist whose unique perspective really adds to the story. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this wonderful series.

Note: I received an ARC of Punning with Scissors from NetGalley and Kensington Books. The above is my honest review.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main protagonist, Quinn, is a unique character. Quinn has OCD, which she doesn't let hold her back in her job at the diner or with solving mysteries. She is resourceful with how she relays information to the unwilling Chief of Police. The mystery is full of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and active in guess whodunit. I look forward to seeing how the series develops over time.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.

[Tracy Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's fair to say Quinn Carr's life is not exactly as she envisioned. People worry about her when she would rather they didn't, she still lives at home in Chestnut Station when she would rather she didn't, and she works in the local diner when she would rather she didn't!

With her OCD on a lifetime quest to trap her in a spiral of unanswerable questions Quinn relies heavily on her parents, best friends and her secret part time job as a crossword creator to get her through the days and nights. Lately however, murder investigation has also become part of her daily existence and as a lover of clues and questions it is right up her alley.

When she accidentally witnesses the arrest of her new and poetically named friend Hugh Pugh for murder Quinn knows he is absolutely incapable of killing the husband he loved so much. Whatever their publicity hungry sheriff says to the contrary she knows a mistake has been made and begins her own investigation into clearing the name of the devastated widower while also looking after his equally bereft dog, Virginia Woof.

This is an easy read but that doesn't mean it is simplistic in any way. Quinn is a great main protagonist, obsessive, original, and laugh out loud funny at times. The friendships and family ties throughout are strong and her relationship with her OCD, which is vital to the storyline, defines Quinn in a way which makes her all the more likeable.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I enjoyed this and will absolutely be on the look out for more books by this author.

[L.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quinn, a former police academy hopeful and closet cruciverbalist, makes a new friend, Hugh, at the diner where she waitresses. Hugh soon returns home to find his husband stabbed to death in their home. Of course Hugh is the primary suspect and it’s up to Quinn to decipher the truth.

Though I didn’t read the first book in the series I didn’t find it hard to follow this one. Quinn makes a great main character, she’s smart and doesn’t take stupid risks, yet puts herself out there to help the people she cares about. I also really liked the supporting characters, Loma, Jake, Rico. Each had their own interesting quirks, though none quite as severe as Quinn’s OCD. The setting is also fun, Quinn has a nice family and circle of friends and Chestnut Station is an idyllic little town in a beautiful area.

The mystery was compelling, I didn’t know who the killer was until the very end and even then I wasn’t quite sure until the big reveal.

I am a fan of Clark’s other work as well and look forward to reading more of her books.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.