Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 13 Recap: “Murder Six Across” – Elsbeth Solves the Killer’s Puzzle
- Barbara
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
Puzzlers Party
A group of crossword puzzlers gathers at a lively party sponsored by the Metropolitan Tribune, enjoying conversations about challenging clues and patterns that have stumped them over the years. They are all in town for the National Crossword Tournament, and the excitement is clear. Simon Craigie arrives and immediately begins criticizing the group, claiming they are not keeping puzzles relevant. His puzzler friends quickly notice he seems different than usual. Awkwardly trying to impress Elaine McClusk, a fellow puzzler who has just arrived, Simon’s attraction to her becomes obvious. Elaine tells everyone it’s going to be a fun week before walking away, leaving Simon watching her across the room as she laughs with another puzzler, daydreaming about the two of them together.
Crossword Puzzling Tournament
The competitors move into another room where the tournament begins, complete with a live sportscaster giving commentary about the event. Simon finishes his puzzle first and raises his hand, drawing attention from the other competitors as the round comes to an end. During a coffee break, Elaine mentions that Morris Long, the tournament sponsor and crossword editor for the Metropolitan Tribune, asked her out to dinner. Simon immediately considers this an abuse of power, but Elaine says she doesn’t mind and would like to get to know Morris better.
Simon confronts Morris about the situation, accusing him of acting unethically by asking a competitor out while sponsoring the tournament. Morris dismisses the accusation and tells Simon it’s none of his business. He reminds Simon that there are rules about harassing judges and adds fifteen seconds to Simon’s puzzle time as a penalty. Furious, Simon demands that Morris stay away from Elaine, prompting Morris to remove Simon’s name tag, permanently disqualify him, and throw him out of the competition. In a moment of rage, Simon grabs a National Crossword Tournament swag bag and smothers Morris with it, committing the murder while the rest of the tournament continues just down the hall.
He quickly sends Marjorie a message from Morris’ tablet claiming Morris is ill, then leaves the suite and returns to the competition unnoticed. Later, Simon returns to Morris’ room, fills the bathtub with ice, and places Morris’ body inside.
Covering His Tracks
The tournament continues as if nothing has happened, and the semifinalists are announced for the following weekend, with both Simon and Elaine among them. Still daydreaming about a future with Elaine, Simon begins covering his tracks. He packs Morris’ body into a large trunk and drives to Stillford, New York, continuing to communicate with Marjorie using Morris’ devices, claiming Morris is recovering from an illness in the woods and will return the following week. Simon even edits the weekend crossword puzzle himself to maintain the illusion that Morris is still alive.
Body Discovered in the Woods
Late one night, a woman searching for her pet in the woods stumbles upon Morris’ body and screams. The case quickly lands at the NYPD, where Captain Wagner, Elsbeth, Detective Samantha Edwards, and a deputy from Stillford discuss the homicide. The Stillford Medical Examiner confirms that Morris died from asphyxiation approximately six days earlier, likely at the Pendleton Hotel, where he had been staying during the tournament. With no fingerprints or obvious evidence, Captain Wagner assigns the case to Detective Edwards and asks Elsbeth to assist.
Elsbeth hesitates when she learns the case involves crossword puzzles, admitting she once became so obsessed with them that she had to distance herself. These days, she says Wordle is enough for her. Wagner believes her knowledge could be useful and assures her she probably won’t even encounter a crossword puzzle, which puts Elsbeth somewhat at ease.
Puzzle Editor Murder Investigation Begins
The investigation begins at the hotel, which turns out to be a paradise for crossword fans. Everywhere Elsbeth and Detective Edwards look, they find displays celebrating crossword culture. They meet Marjorie Lee, chairman of the Metropolitan Tribune, who now oversees the tournament. She is shocked to learn that Morris was murdered. According to her, Morris had never missed a tournament in 27 years. Marjorie also finds it strange that Morris had been staying at a rental property upstate when he owns a place in the Poconos.
Elsbeth and Detective Edwards begin interviewing the top solvers. They learn that Morris had recently updated the crossword puzzles to include modern slang, internet language, and references to younger music. Some longtime puzzlers resented the changes and even sent Morris hate mail. Several competitors mention Simon Craigie, who had openly complained about the puzzle changes. Simon was once a concert pianist and now works as a piano tuner. When questioned, Simon cooperates but quickly excuses himself to prepare for the semifinals.
Elsbeth’s Puzzle Instincts Return
While searching Morris’ suite, Elsbeth begins noticing details that don’t quite add up. As she studies Morris’ recent crossword puzzles, her old puzzle-solving instincts resurface. Something about the latest weekend puzzle feels off; the style seems older and less modern than Morris’ recent work. Elsbeth and Detective Edwards conduct another round of interviews, showing the competitors the puzzle to gauge their reactions. Nearly everyone notices that it doesn’t match Morris’ recent style everyone except Simon.
Case Solving: Exact Change Clue
As the investigation continues, the clues begin fitting together like pieces of a puzzle. Trudy, one of the competitors, provides information that eliminates herself as a suspect while also raising more suspicion about Simon. Elsbeth and Detective Edwards review hotel security footage with the help of an officer and gather the final pieces of evidence.
The key clue comes from something Simon casually mentioned earlier—“exact change”—which suddenly triggers Elsbeth’s realization about how the murder was committed and how Simon carefully manipulated Morris’ messages and puzzles afterward. Just as Simon prepares to solve the final puzzle in the tournament, Elsbeth and Detective Edwards step in to confront him with the evidence they have pieced together. Simon is exposed, and Elaine replaces him in the final round, ultimately winning the tournament. She happily notes that the modern references in the puzzles helped her solve them with her kids.
A Different Kind of Puzzle
Later, Elsbeth meets Teddy, Roy, and Alec Bloom for dinner. The evening starts pleasantly, but something Alec says catches Elsbeth’s attention: an E.T. reference that doesn’t add up. Since Alec isn’t suffering from early onset dementia or Alzheimer’s, Elsbeth realizes the mistake must have been intentional, raising troubling questions about his honesty. Teddy still doesn’t understand what his mother sees in Alec, and Elsbeth advises him to always trust his instincts. It’s a sad moment for Elsbeth, who seemed to be falling for Alec.
“Murder Six Across” is a cleverly structured episode that mirrors the nature of a crossword puzzle itself, with carefully layered clues leading to a satisfying solution. Carrie Preston continues to shine as Elsbeth, and Steve Buscemi plays Simon to perfection. The episode also deepens the mystery surrounding Alec Bloom, suggesting that Elsbeth’s love story may not have the happy ending she hoped for. On a brighter note, Elsbeth’s colorful outfits remain a highlight, with her vibrant hats and bags continuing to stand out. This was a well-done, methodical episode that pieced together its clues beautifully.
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
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