Fatal Deduction - Gayle Roper

One across Three down The answer is in the puzzle. The danger is in not solving it before time's up.

Libby Burton longs to be close to her twin sister, Tori, but their lives have taken them in different directions. Forced to share Aunt Stella's old Philadelphia home in order to receive their inheritance, Libby hopes for a change, but it isn't looking good so far.

First, Tori tries to steal the affection and allegiance of Libby's thirteen-year-old daughter, Chloe. Then when a crossword puzzle with a hidden warning shows up on their doorstep, Tori refuses to take it seriously-in spite of the dead man who delivers it.

Libby finds comfort in neighbor Drew Canfield, but he hesitates to trust her after his disastrous marriage. As Libby struggles to act faithfully in the midst of these confusing relationships, she must also deal with a stolen diamond and a botched kidnapping. The answer to her problems lies in the riddles of the crosswords, if only she can solve the puzzle before it's too late.

Gayle Roper has been writing mystery and romantic suspense novels for more than thirty years and is the author of over forty-five books. She is a three-time Christy Award finalist, the winner of three Holt Medallions, and the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times magazine. Her novel Autumn Dreams won Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance. She and her husband, Chuck, divide their time between Pennsylvania and Ontario, Canada.

"Six-letter word for author Gayle Roper: adroit
Nine-letter word for the plot: intricate
Six-letter word for the heroine: plucky
Ten-letter word for the villain: determined
Eight-letter word for Fatal Deduction: riveting
Advice to the reader: Go get it!"
- Donita K. Paul, author of the best-selling DragonKeeper series

"In Fatal Deduction, Gayle Roper has expanded on her trademark style of honest characterization and intriguing plot twists. She creates characters with real human flaws and shows those characters learning to forgive, giving me hope that this might even happen outside the pages of a novel. An excellent read that I could not put down."
- Hannah Alexander, author of Double Blind and Hideaway Home

"A two-word phrase to describe Gayle Roper's latest book? Page-turning! Fatal Deduction had me from the opening line, to the clue-dropping crossword puzzles, straight through to the inspiring and breathtaking end."
- Tamara Leigh, author of Splitting Harriet and Faking Grace

"I've been a Gayle Roper fan for many years and this is her finest book. I was handcuffed to the characters, chained to the suspense and intrigue, and imprisoned in the plot."

- DiAnn Mills, author of When the Nile Runs Red and Awaken My Heart
"Gayle Roper unravels a mystery, filled with twists and surprises, in a Philly neighborhood populated by quirky, delightful characters. Libby's spiritual journey is evidence that God can redeem the past, keep regret from consuming us, and teach us to love difficult people. A charming Ben Franklin historian, crossword puzzles, and a peek into the world of antique dealing add elements of fun to this unique mystery."
- Sharon Dunn, author of the Bargain Hunters Mysteries

"Fatal Deduction is a poignant and madcap ride, Gayle Roper style. This romantic mystery is a captivating combination of an intricate plot and well-rounded characters facing extreme family issues. Roper crafts the multiple relationship layers with compassionate insight, even for characters you'd like to slap. And she never loses sight of the burning question: Who left the body and the crossword puzzle on the doorstep and why?"
- Jill Elizabeth Nelson, author of the To Catch a Thief series