Puzzles, Paws & Peril
A Maggie Nelson Cozy Mystery
by Bonnie Reed
Published: July 15, 2026
Publisher: Bonnie Reed Publishing
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Short Reads
Blurb:
When eccentric puzzle author Desmond Cresswell bursts into the Wheatfield Public Library with a cryptic crossword and a town-wide scavenger hunt, librarian Maggie Nelson expects a little harmless excitement. What she doesn't expect is a dead body, a fifty-year-old cover-up, and a killer who has been hiding in plain sight all along.
With her loyal terrier Watson at her heels, her best friend Lucy armed with baked goods, and reporter Brett filling notebooks as fast as events unfold, Maggie follows a trail of puzzles, property records, and buried secrets that reaches back to Wheatfield's darkest chapter.
But someone knows how close she's getting. And with threatening texts, shadowy figures, and her best friend held captive, Maggie is learning that some secrets fight back.
Some puzzles are meant to stay unsolved. But with the threats hitting closer to home, Maggie has no choice but to keep pushing — and solve it before whoever buried the truth decides to bury her with it.
My Review:
Puzzles, Paws & Peril is an exhilarating, gripping, and delightful addition to Bonnie Reed's Maggie Nelson Cozy Mystery series. From the very first page, it captivated my interest and maintained it until the conclusion.
The story immerses readers in its world through a scavenger hunt. Puzzles are being scattered throughout the town for Maggie to discover. At the end of one of these puzzles, a body is uncovered. Now, Maggie faces the challenge of solving a puzzle that has remained unsolved for fifty years.
Maggie's investigation reveals numerous clues and enigmatic twists that effectively keep the reader engaged as the suspense escalates with each page. Not only does her inquiry uncover perplexing twists and hints, but it also places her life at risk as she inches closer to the solution.
However, there is no need for concern; with the assistance of her devoted terrier, Watson, and her best friend, Lucy, Maggie is determined to crack the case just in time. She possesses a unique ability to perceive details that others overlook, and once she commits to a task, she perseveres until it is accomplished.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Puzzles, Paws & Peril. Following the clues in the scavenger hunt alongside Maggie was a delightful experience as I tried to help her solve the mystery.
This book was a thrilling and enjoyable read that kept me engaged right up to the final page. I eagerly anticipate the next adventures awaiting Maggie, Watson, and Lucy in the upcoming installment of the Maggie Nelson Cozy Mystery series.
I wholeheartedly recommend Puzzles, Paws & Peril to all fans of puzzle-solving mysteries! Be sure to get your copy today!
Check out all the books in the Maggie Nelson Cozy Mystery series I’ve read.
Running into Murder
Secrets in the Soil
A Hot Cider Homicide
Puzzles, Paws & Peril
