Staff Review – The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr

“The magic was always in the solving, never in the solution.”

A delightfully sweet and cozy mystery, a dive into the world of puzzle-making, and a quest to find where one came from. "The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers" follows two different storylines - Pippa (in the past) and Clayton (in the present). In the past, Pippa is beginning The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, a community of people who love to create and solve all types of puzzles: crosswords, jigsaws, and a few of their own creation. In the present, Clayton, who was left on the Fellowship's doorstep when he was a baby, is all grown up and searching to find where he came from now that Pippa, his main mother figure, has passed away. As Clayton works through the clues Pippa left behind for him, we learn how the Fellowship came to be, and try to solve the mystery for ourselves.

If you enjoy a good cozy mystery, this is definitely the book for you. Our two main characters, Pippa and Clayton, were both a joy to read about. Pippa was strong-willed, smart, and determined, but she also was headstrong and entirely believable as a woman who didn't want to let others down. Clayton was unsure of himself and hesitant, but came into his own and grew in confidence as he sorted through the clues left by Pippa. At a certain point in the book, each of Clayton's chapters began with a crossword clue, which I personally loved. Though I didn't always get them right, it was a nice little brainteaser in a book full of puzzles and games.

The supporting cast in the book were also marvelous - Nancy, Earl, Harold, Neil and others really shone through for me as perfectly imperfect people trying their best and doing what they can. Everyone had something they were struggling with, and everyone had something they were exceptionally good at, reminding the reader that even if they aren't a jigsaw-wiz, they can and do excel in another part of life. Full of heart and hope, this one should definitely be on your TBR list! Pick up The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr today!