Chapter 8 of 10
The little board comes away under Ray's pocketknife as the stories promised, the hollow behind it dry as a biscuit tin. On top, folded in oilcloth, the deed. Beneath it, something the stories never mentioned: a sealed envelope addressed to the bank, a stamp never cancelled, a corner note: paid in full, the postmark side blank. He carries both to the kitchen, where Ivy slits the envelope with the good knife. The last mortgage payment, receipted. A settlement letter in the old man's hand, asking the bank to confirm the land free and clear. Dated spring 1919, a year before he died with the errand still in his coat pocket. Grandmother touches the signature with one finger. Twelve years the farm has owed less than anyone living believed, the proof asleep under the deed, keeping its word.
Use the arrow keys to move between letters. Press Enter or Space on the first letter of a word, then again on the last letter. Press Escape to cancel.
armchairpuzzles.com · free large-print word searches
About this case
A chapter of The Cider Press, a mystery told in word searches. Each chapter leaves you one clue; the finale needs them all.
Prefer pen and paper?
Print The Cider Press as one large-print booklet: every chapter and its puzzle, a clue ledger, and the ending sealed on the last page.
How a mystery chapter works
- 1Read the scene first.Every chapter opens with a scene from the case. The word list is drawn from it, and so is the clue.
- 2Find the words.Tap a word's first letter, then tap along to its last, or press and drag. Found words color themselves in and cross off the list.
- 3One listed word is not in the grid.Find the other nine and the word left over is the chapter's clue. Note it down, or let the case page keep it for you.
- 4The finale needs every clue.The last puzzle's word list is the clues you collected, and once you find them all, the leftover letters spell out who did it, and why.