Nero Blanc Death on the Diagonal

Death on the Diagonal

Nero Blanc

Berkley, Jul 2006, $14.00

ISBN: 0425209989

Times are tough for the show and breeding stable King Wenstarin Farms. A fire burns down of the stables, but the barn manager Orlando with the help of the owner Todd Collins free the horses. A beam hit Orlando on the head and when he awakens; he takes full responsibility for the accident claiming he was drunk and tripped over a space heater. The insurance company wants to check his story out so they send P.I. Roscoe Polycrates to investigate whether arson instead of an accident caused the fire.

A couple days after the barn fire, Todd's wife Ryan is murdered by a hoof pick jammed into her temple several times. Following Roscoe's questioning of the main suspects, the sleuth thinks that at least one of them lies in terms of knowing more about the fire and homicide. When another murder occurs, a puzzle is found on the victim similar to ones faxed to Belle, a puzzle constructor and Roscoe's wife. Roscoe Belle insinuates herself on the case, not realizing the peril she places herself in by someone who wants the across and down squares left blank.

Though similar in theme to the previous novels, DEATH ON THE DIAGONAL is one of the best of Nero Blanc's delightful puzzlers with the clues found as always in the puzzles. The insight into a horse farm operation anchors the fun storyline as well as presents several viable suspects with means and opportunities. Roscoe and Belle look to the puzzles for motive. Readers will enjoy this fine treat as the whodunit is cleverly devised to make the crosswords even more enticing.

Harriet Klausner