Review: The Final Twist

A fair-play murder mystery that has been cleverly conceived and written according to the rules of the genre is a story that has already ticked the most important boxes for the puzzle-loving armchair detective. Martin Livings has taken the challenge of solving a puzzling murder one step further with The Final Twist, giving us the perfect setting - a Rubik's cube competition - and several layers of mystery to peel away. We have an intriguing cast of characters, including Western Australia's most brilliant cube experts, but first and foremost is our young and enigmatic protagonist Xavier Delajandro, but just call him X.

Recommended reading for the fan of the short, sharp mystery novel. Like a double espresso, Martin Livings' puzzle is to be enjoyed quickly, taking just a moment or two where needed to contemplate its intensity and complexity, and if you have a nose for mystery, you might just work out the who and the how before X exposes the solution.

What kind of puzzle will X solve next? Our thinking caps are on, Martin. Let the games begin! 

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