The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers: A novel

by Samuel Burr

A NATIONAL BESTSELLER • An extraordinary, gloriously uplifting novel about the power of friendship and the puzzling ties that bind us • "The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers takes readers along on Clayton [Stumper]'s quest to discover his roots, treating us to a literary mood boost about friendship and found family."—Real Simple
 
“A lovely read, warm, amusing and engaging.”—Alexander McCall Smith, bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Series

Clayton Stumper might be in his twenties, but he dresses like your grandpa and fusses like your aunt. Abandoned at birth on the steps of the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, he was raised by a group of eccentric enigmatologists and now finds himself among the last survivors of a fading institution.

When the esteemed crossword compiler and main maternal presence in Clayton’s life, Pippa Allsbrook, passes away, she bestows her final puzzle on him: a promise to reveal the mystery of his parentage and prepare him for life beyond the walls of the commune. So begins Clay’s quest to uncover the secrets surrounding his birth, secrets that will change Clay—and the Fellowship—forever.

The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers is pure joy, a story about love and family and what it means to find your people—no matter what age you are.

• ISBN10: 0593470095
• ISBN13: 9780593470091
• Publish Date: 9 April 2024
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Penguin Young Readers
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 368
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780593470091

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers is a quirky, uplifting debut mystery by Samuel Burr. Released 9th April 2024 by Knopf Doubleday, it's 368 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

This is a light character driven cozy with several entwined plot threads, cleverly wrought into an engaging whole. Main protagonist Clayton was a foundling, brought up by an eclectic collection of enigmatologists (puzzlemakers) in a nearly monastic setting. When he main benefactress passes away, he sets about following the clues left to him to unravel the ultimate puzzle of his life, how he came to be there and who he really is. 

There's an actual crostic style crossword and relevant clues in each of the chapters, which are solved through the course of the narrative. It's less of a mystery and more a character driven slice of life family history with a collection of intelligent oddly charismatic oddballs and their interactions with one another. It's written very visually, each scene precisely blocked out and described. It would take almost no work to transfer to the screen. Fans of oddly appealing dysfunctional shows with family themes (Arrested Development & Schitt's Creek for example) will likely enjoy this one.

Four stars. Appealing and offbeat (in a good way). 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.