A Crossword Expert Uses Her Sharp Mind to Solve a Murder Mystery
2026
Crime, Drama
6 episodes
TheNextHint Score
8.0
8.0 / 10
Overview
The Puzzle Lady blends traditional murder mysteries, crossword puzzles, and a purposely unorthodox amateur sleuth. Phyllis Logan portrays Cora Felton, a sharp-tongued woman whose public image as the Puzzle Lady hides the reality that her niece Sherry is the true puzzle-solving expert. When the Bakerbury police face a murder they can't solve, Cora's unusual methods turn her into a surprising advantage. The series steadily grows from its initial murder into multiple cases involving old crimes, questionable deaths, family troubles, and a conspiracy concealed below the town's agreeable exterior. Drawn from Parnell Hall's Puzzle Lady novels, the series was penned by Dominique Moloney and helmed by director Tom Dalton. It first aired in the UK under the title Murder Most Puzzling before PBS brought it to the US as The Puzzle Lady.
Quick Verdict
The Puzzle Lady suits viewers who like cozy murder mysteries featuring quirky amateur sleuths and secrets in a small town. Phyllis Logan's Cora Felton supplies the show's character, and the crossword angle sets it apart from standard police procedurals. It is especially appealing to viewers who favor mysteries driven by characters rather than graphic crime drama.
The Puzzle Lady is a British cozy crime mystery series inspired by the bestselling Puzzle Lady novels written by American author Parnell Hall. The plot follows Cora Felton, an odd new Bakerbury resident whom the public knows as the brilliant “Puzzle Lady.” After a murder victim is found with a crossword clue pinned to the body, local DCI Derek Hooper hesitantly asks Cora for assistance. The inquiry quickly shows that Bakerbury holds far more secrets than its tranquil look would imply.
Yet another puzzle lies behind Cora herself. In reality, she is not the crossword expert that the public takes her for. The true puzzle genius is her niece, Sherry Carter, while Cora acts as the public face of the enterprise. Sherry relocated to Bakerbury while fleeing her abusive ex-husband, which adds a family storyline to the series alongside its murder investigations.
Phyllis Logan plays Cora in the series, with Charlotte Hope as Sherry and Adam Best as DCI Hooper. Helmed by director Tom Dalton and writer Dominique Moloney, the six-episode first season blends murder cases, crossword clues, family secrets, small-town tensions and dry humor. It was made by Factual Fiction and December Films, with Channel Zero and ZDF Studios taking part in the co-production.↻
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Puzzle Lady about?
It follows Cora Felton, a woman publicly known as the Puzzle Lady, who helps Bakerbury police investigate murders involving crossword clues and increasingly complicated secrets.
Is The Puzzle Lady based on a book?
Yes. The series is based on the bestselling Puzzle Lady novels by American author Parnell Hall.
What is the original title of The Puzzle Lady?
The series originally aired in the UK as Murder Most Puzzling. PBS uses The Puzzle Lady as its US title.
How many episodes are in Season 1?
Season 1 has six episodes in the PBS/US presentation.
Story — Spoiler Free
Cora Felton comes to Bakerbury known as the Puzzle Lady, yet behind her dazzling public persona lies a family secret. After a murder victim is found with a crossword clue, local detective Derek Hooper hesitantly asks Cora for assistance. Her unorthodox approach brings the killer to justice, though the case also reveals secrets about Cora and her niece Sherry. As more murders occur, Cora is compelled to look into cases involving past convictions, affluent residents, personal vendettas and a deepening conspiracy in Bakerbury.
8.0
TheNextHint Score
8.0 / 10
The Puzzle Lady suits viewers who like cozy murder mysteries featuring quirky amateur sleuths and secrets in a small town. Phyllis Logan's Cora Felton supplies the show's character, and the crossword angle sets it apart from standard police procedurals. It is especially appealing to viewers who favor mysteries driven by characters rather than graphic crime drama.
Rating breakdown
Story
8.0
Acting
8.0
Direction
8.0
Visuals
8.0
Sound
8.0
Entertainment
8.0
External Ratings
Scores from other sources, shown in their own scale. These are not TheNextHint's rating.
Strong central performance from Phyllis Logan, clever crossword-based mysteries, an unusual detective setup, engaging supporting characters and a good balance of crime and dry humor.
Cons
Some mysteries rely on familiar cozy-crime conventions, and viewers looking for a darker or more intense procedural may find its lighter tone less gripping.
Who Should Watch
Cozy Mystery Fans
Crime Drama Viewers
Whodunit Fans
Book Adaptation Fans
Who Should Skip
Action Fans
Dark Crime Fans
Release Date
2026-02-19
Runtime
48–51 minutes per episode
Director
Tom Dalton
Producer
Emily Dalton, Tom Dalton, Brett Wilson
Writer
Dominique Moloney
Cast
Phyllis Logan, Charlotte Hope, Adam Best, Alistair Brammer, Richard Croxford, Nick Danan, Jack Weise, Simon Haines, Yasmin Seky, Conor Sánchez, Amber Mendez-Martin, Fiona Browne, Trevor Kaneswaran, Ashionye Michelle Raccah, Ben Freeman, Kevin McNally
Music
Andrew Simon McAllister
Cinematography
Damien Elliott
Studio
PBS and Channel 5
Distributor
PBS Distribution (US); Channel 5 Television (UK); ZDF Studios internationally
Production Company
Factual Fiction, December Films, Channel Zero, Five Down Films, ZDF Studios
The woman publicly known as the Puzzle Lady and the show's central amateur sleuth.
Charlotte Hope
as
Sherry Carter
Cora's niece and the genuine puzzle expert behind the Puzzle Lady persona.
Adam Best
as
DCI Derek Hooper
Bakerbury's detective chief inspector who repeatedly finds himself working with Cora.
Alistair Brammer
as
Anton Grant
A journalist connected to the Bakerbury Gazette.
Richard Croxford
as
Mayor Firth
Bakerbury's politically powerful mayor.
Nick Danan
as
DS Sam Brody
A detective working alongside Hooper.
Jack Weise
as
PC Danny Finley
A member of the Bakerbury police team.
Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
6 episodes February 26, 2026Completed
Season 1 centers on Cora Felton, a crossword specialist publicly recognized as the Puzzle Lady, as she gets drawn into a string of murders in the peaceful town of Bakerbury. After a victim is discovered alongside a crossword clue, DCI Derek Hooper asks Cora to assist in cracking the case. With more deaths mounting, Cora's unconventional investigative approach reveals hidden connections, past crimes, questionable motives, and a widening conspiracy.↻ At the same time, her niece Sherry, the true crossword talent behind Cora's fame, wrestles with troubles dating back to her past. Over the course of six episodes, Cora and Hooper slowly bring to light secrets that endanger the town and the people living in it.↻
1Episode 1
48 min February 26, 2026
A crossword clue is discovered on a murder victim, leading DCI Hooper to seek Cora's help.
2Episode 2
50 min February 26, 2026
Cora investigates the Bakerbury Graveyard Killer while misleading clues complicate the case.
3Episode 3
49 min March 5, 2026
Cora's birthday takes a dangerous turn when she investigates an old murder conviction.
4Episode 4
50 min March 12, 2026
After another murder, Cora investigates a conspiracy hidden beneath Bakerbury's picturesque exterior.
5Episode 5
47 min March 19, 2026
Rock star Dennis Pride arrives in town, another murder occurs and Cora meets a mysterious suitor.
6Episode 6
51 min March 26, 2026
Cora risks everything to catch a killer while trying to save Hooper from Mayor Firth.
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