Death by Sudoku

by: Kaye Morgan

Published by: Berkley Prime Crime

Reviewed by Andrea Sisco

I love Sudoku! I first took it up while waiting endless hours in airports across the United States and around the world. It kept me busy, entertained me and took my mind off post 9/11 travel in the world. It has become a favorite past time. So it was with a grin that I picked up Death by Sudoku by Kaye Morgan and hoped, really hoped, I was in for a fun ride. I wasn’t disappointed.

Liza Kelly left the bright lights of Hollywood and her husband for her hometown, Maiden’s Bay. It’s a lot different than the big city of Los Angeles. Located on the Oregon Coast, it’s scenic, which is great because she’s not working in PR and she’s ‘home.’

Since Liza is a Sudoku puzzle master, she takes a job with the Oregon Daily, as a Sudoku expert. Look out, Will Shortz (the real-life Sudoku expert, known to Sudoku players everywhere), your job and those numerous books might be in jeopardy.

Liza enters a Sudoku tournament (I didn’t realize they existed) and runs into an old friend, Derrick Robbins. He used to be a ‘biggy’ in television but he’s veered off the path into puzzles and conspiracy theories. When Derrick turns up dead after the tournament, it’s up to Liza to find the killer. Is Sudoku itself involved in the murder? Liza better find out before there are other deaths.

Death by Sudoku is unique, fun and a fast read. I love the concept (because I love the puzzles) and look forward to Kaye Morgan’s next Sudoku mystery.

Armchair Interviews says: Read Death by Sudoku. If you haven’t taken up the game, you might.