Kaye Morgan, Death By Sudoku

Death By Sudoku

Kaye Morgan

Berkley, July 2007, $6.99, 240 pp.

ISBN: 0425216403

Hollywood publicist Liza Kelly is trying to ease out of her job catering to actors and actresses, and figure out what to do about her marriage to Michael, a freelance writer, so she moves back to her hometown of Maiden's Bay in Oregon. There she is establishing a reputation as a sudoku (number puzzle) master by creating puzzles for the Oregon Daily. Now she is back in Los Angeles for a sudoku tournament.

There she meets up with former TV. Star Derrick Robbins who wants Liza to be his publicist. When she sees Jenny, she persuades her partner to take him on and that she will represent her. Derrick, a sudoku expert, tells Liza that he is finding odd bible messages about things that will happen in the Seattle Prospect sudoku puzzles. At first Liza believes he is a conspiracy nut, but she changes her tune when he is killed. Back in Oregon, after decoding the messages and talking to the police, who don't believe her about an upcoming apocalypse, a picture of a kidnapped Megan leads Liza to try to stop a catastrophe; her husband and wannabe lover stay in Oregon looking for Megan.

This is the start of a great new amateur sleuth series, focusing on a mature protagonist who is tough when the situation calls for it and kind at other times. She can hold her own with the stars, the police and the men in her life, as well as with the tough as nails publicist who owns the publicity agency where she still works. Kaye Morgan is a talented storyteller who will go far in the mystery.