A Six Letter Word for Death

A killer of a crossword draws Inspector Tibbett into a mystery with "considerable charm, atmosphere (an Isle of Wight travelogue), and English geniality" ( Kirkus Reviews).
It's a slow day at Scotland Yard, so Inspector Henry Tibbett takes a busman's holiday, immersing himself in the world of puzzling puzzlers. The hijinks kick off with an amusing gift: Someone unnamed has sent Henry the beginnings of a crossword puzzle. Even more mysterious: The clues point to the group of mystery writers to whom Henry has pledged to give a presentation. Most mysterious of all: None of the writers are who they claim to be, and one is a murderer. Which one? For that you'll need to solve the puzzle. Six across and then down, down, down.
Praise for Patricia Moyes
"The author who put the 'who' back in whodunit." — Chicago Daily News
"A new queen of crime . . . her name can be mentioned in the same breath as Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh." — Daily Herald
"An excellent detective novel in the best British tradition. Superbly handled." — Columbus Dispatch
"Intricate plots, ingenious murders, and skillfully drawn, often hilarious, characters distinguish Patricia Moyes' writing." — Mystery Scene