The Purloined Puzzle by Parnell Hall

The Purloined Puzzle by Parnell Hall - 389 pages

When the obnoxious sixteen-year-old Peggy Dawson asks Cora Felton to solve a puzzle for her, Cora is delighted to find that the puzzle has been stolen. She is less delighted, however, when a blood-stained knife is found in its place.

Soon a body is discovered in the middle of Main Street, and Cora has a murder investigation on her hands. It does not help matters when she hears that her least favorite ex-husband, Melvin, is in town pulling a real estate scam, particularly when she discovers that Melvin may have purchased the knife. Now it’s up to the Puzzle Lady to figure out what really happened,

Rather amusing author.  Kept me entertained while still being a murder mystery.

A Cry from the Dust by Carrie Stuart Parks

A Cry from the Dust by Carrie Stuart Parks - 489 pages

In 1857, a wagon train in Utah was assaulted by a group of militant Mormons calling themselves the Avenging Angels. One hundred and forty people were murdered, including unarmed men, women, and children. The Mountain Meadows Massacre remains controversial to this day--but the truth may be written on the skulls of the victims. 
When renowned forensic artist Gwen Marcey is recruited to reconstruct the faces of recently unearthed victims at Mountain Meadows, she isn't expecting more than an interesting gig . . . and a break from her own hectic life. 

Loved this mystery....face paced and nicely written.

The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart

The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart - 394 pages

This is the story of how a middle-aged spinster lost her mind, deserted her domestic gods in the city, took a furnished house for the summer out of town, and found herself involved in one of those mysterious crimes that keep our newspapers and detective agencies happy and prosperous. . ."

And so begins The Circular Staircase, Mary Roberts Rinehart's classic mystery tale featuring a bank failure, a murder, mysterious intruders, a kidnapping, arson and a characteristically complex plot which twists and turns like the circular staircase that figures so prominently, and ominously, in setting the scene for a series of mysterious events.

A fun mystery book.

Down a Dark Road by Linda Castillo

Down a Dark Road by Linda Castillo - 431 pages

Two years ago, Joseph King was convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to life in prison. He was a “fallen” Amish man and a known drug user with a violent temper. Now King has escaped, and he’s headed for Painters Mill.

News of a murderer on the loose travels like wildfire, putting Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and her team of officers on edge. But this is personal for Kate. She grew up with Joseph King. As a thirteen year old Amish girl, she’d worshipped the ground he walked on. She never could have imagined the nightmare scenario that becomes reality when King shows up with a gun and takes his five children hostage at their Amish uncle’s farm. Armed and desperate, he has nothing left to lose.

Fearing for the safety of the children, Kate makes contact with King only to find herself trapped with a killer. Or is he? 

Enjoyed this book, mostly the first half.