I stumbled upon this novel with high expectations, given the intriguing title and the NYT Crossword reference. It promised a blend of mystery and wit, but the experience was underwhelming. The plot meandered without clear direction, and the characters felt flat, lacking depth or growth. The so-called 'mystery' was more of a gimmick than a compelling narrative device. I kept hoping for a twist or revelation that would justify the time spent, but it never came. The writing style was decent, with occasional flashes of humor, but not enough to salvage the story. It’s one of those books that makes you question why you bothered to finish it, yet somehow, you do—perhaps out of sheer stubbornness or the faint hope it might improve. Sadly, it didn’t.