Puzzle Sleuth: Mindbending Murder Puzzle Mysteries [An Interactive Book]

by Paul Westmoreland

Overview

Choose your path, solve the puzzles, and catch the killer in Puzzle Sleuth, a collection of three ingenious fictional murder mysteries that challenge young readers with logic problems, visual games, and dangerous decisions at every turn.

Meet Arlo Banks. When Arlo solves a difficult puzzle in The Times, devised by an elderly Oxford professor, he wins a vast fortune. There's just one catch: he has to travel the world and write to the professor about his adventures. But enemies and killers lurk at every turn. From the Orient Express to the Nile River to British spy headquarters, join Arlo as he fights to find answers—and fights for his life!

As Arlo Banks, you choose what path to take and what puzzles to answer as you follow along with each mystery. On the trail of a ruthless mafia godfather determined to evade capture...on a pleasure cruise where a passenger's death has a killing effect on the others on board...behind the scenes at British intelligence, where a dangerous traitor is stealing government secrets.

From breaking codes to defusing bombs, navigating mazes to sifting through evidence, Puzzle Sleuth is an addictive brain-teasing mix of story, game, and adventure. Just remember to choose wisely. With Puzzle Sleuth, your next move could catch the killer—or be your last!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593837962
Publisher:	Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed
Publication date:	05/06/2025
Sold by:	Random House
Format:	eBook
Pages:	368
File size:	10 MB
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Paul Westmoreland has been a professional writer for over twenty-five years, creating award-winning advertising for TV, film, radio, and digital campaigns. He is now a full-time author, and as well as coming up with brain-teasing puzzle and mystery books, he is the writer behind the werewolf middle-grade series Rudy, which published in 2023. He lives in the UK.

Read an Excerpt

1

The Dining Car

With a loud blast of the whistle, the train sets off. Deep, puffing breaths rise from the funnel, blowing out billowing clouds of steam, and the train’s steel wheels roll out of the station. As the train rattles down the tracks, you settle into the luxurious comfort of your cabin and watch the towering buildings glide past outside until the train announcer calls you to the dining car for breakfast.

With your detective’s satchel hanging over your shoulder, you make your way along the train’s narrow passageways. From the lace curtains framing every window, to the brass lamps that light the carriages, every inch of it feels as grand as a palace. You might be traveling the world, but this feels like a journey back through time.

The dining car is just as elegant. Every table has a starched white cloth, gleaming silver cutlery, and an ornate reading lamp. It’s bustling with passengers. One lady looks like she’s been on board for some time because she arrives carrying a teapot, while another man appears still wearing his raincoat.

You’re greeted by a smiling waiter, who checks you off the passenger list. “This way, please,” he says, and shows you to an empty seat at one of the tables. Another boy is sitting opposite. He looks about two years younger than you.

“Hello, I’m Arlo Banks,” you say, sitting down.

The boy smiles. “I’m Jamie Madden. I’m nine.”

“Keep it down,” barks a stern voice from across the carriage.

You look around and see the owner is a barrelchested, red-faced man. You can’t help but wonder, How can anyone be this angry so early in the morning, and in a wonderful place like this . . . ?

As you start reading the menu, Jamie leans over and whispers, “Ignore my uncle. He’s really stressed.”

Your eyes study Jamie and you can see a family resemblance. “Why’s he stressed? We’re only ordering breakfast.”

Jamie laughs. “It’s not that. He’s the chief of police. He’s about to close a really big case.”

“Oh, really?” you ask, immediately intrigued.

“He’s got Luigi Cabrini locked in one of the cabins. He’s quite old, but he’s a big-time mafia godfather. We’re transporting him for trial in Milan.”

You can’t help shaking your head in disbelief. “The mafia? They’re seriously organized criminals,” you say.

“Yeah, it’s true,” Jamie says. “The whole train is full of Italian police in case he, or a member of his gang, tries anything.” As you look around the dining car, you realize that most of the people here are either in uniform or look like plainclothes detectives. Jamie points to the man sitting behind you and says, “That’s Inspector Funaro. My uncle brought him along for his protection because he thinks someone is trying to kill him!”

“Really?” you ask as a sudden wave of nervousness courses through you. “Why would anyone want to do that?”

Jamie whispers under his hand, “So they can help Luigi Cabrini escape trial and spending the rest of his days in jail.”

This sounds like an extremely tall story, but Jamie is so convinced you can only believe it.

Chief Madden interrupts your thoughts with a snap of his fingers to get the smiling waiter’s attention. “Get me a Full English,” he demands. “I can’t start the day without one.”

The waiter nods and makes a note of it, then turns to take your order.

If you order:

• Tea and toast, turn to chapter 3.
• Alpine porridge, turn to chapter 5.
• A full English breakfast, turn to chapter 2.