Crosswords & Curses

Lena Hartwell survived a murder charge, a haunting, and an ancient god beneath the town square. But now she faces something even more terrifying. A book club. Divorced, menopausal, and still learning to control her wild magic, Lena accepts an invitation to the "Witches of a Certain Age" book club. She expects wine, gossip, and complaining about hot flashes. Instead, she gets a century-old curse, a cryptic crossword puzzle, and a warning: solve the clues in thirty days, or the infamous Crossword Killer returns. The first clue arrives in the mail. The second is carved into a friend's skin. Someone is murdering the members of the book club—one by one, clue by clue. Each victim has a crossword answer etched into their body. Each answer brings the killer one step closer to completing the curse. And the final clue? It has Lena's name written all over it. With her sharp-witted daughter Jade, her blue-flamed friend Sophie, and a coven of witches who are better at knitting than puzzle-solving, Lena must decipher riddles that span generations. The clues lead her to hidden diaries, forgotten graves, and a family secret she never wanted to know: the curse was created by her own great-great-grandmother. To break the curse, Lena must solve the final crossword—52 clues, 52 answers, one impossible truth. But the killer is always one step ahead. And the closer Lena gets to the last answer, the more she realizes: the curse isn't about revenge. It's about forgiveness. And forgiveness might cost her everything. Crosswords & Curses is the second book in The Crystal Hollow Series—a twenty-book journey perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Practical Magic, and anyone who believes that midlife is the perfect time to solve a mystery. What readers are saying about the series: "Finally, a fantasy heroine my age who solves puzzles instead of running from monsters." "Menopause has never been this mysterious." "I stayed up all night solving the clues alongside Lena. (I got three right. Don't judge me.)" Perfect for readers who love: Cozy paranormal mysteries with puzzles Witches over 40 Book club dramas with a supernatural twist Crossword puzzles (yes, really) Generational family secrets Found family and female friendship The clues are hidden. The killer is watching. And the final answer is closer than you think. Welcome back to Crystal Hollow. Bring a pencil.