A Real Simple Best Book of 2024
“A lovely read—warm, amusing and engaging. There is abundant pleasure on offer here.”
—Alexander McCall Smith, bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series
"Samuel Burr’s The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers takes readers along on Clayton’s quest to discover his roots, treating us to a literary mood boost about friendship and found family."
—Real Simple
"Truly heartwarming [...] the idea of puzzling as a way to make sense of the world and forge connections with others is celebrated with tenderness"
—The Times (UK)
"Rich with emotion and intrigue. If you enjoy mysteries and puzzles, this will keep you guessing and eagerly turning the pages until the very end"
—YOURS Magazine
"Just gorgeous: wholesome, heartwarming, funny, bittersweet and endearing"
—Belfast Telegraph
“I LOVE THIS BOOK! I knew I loved it in the first few pages, and stayed head over heels until the very end. Romance, puzzles, and cats? Yes, please!”
—Helen Ellis, author of Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge
“The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers is a big-hearted story of family, community and the joy of human connection. Following Clayton as he solves the clues – sometimes reaching dead ends, sometimes making valuable discoveries – we experience the delights to be found in a cleverly-constructed puzzle. The lessons Clayton learns along the way are ones we all could do with being reminded of from time to time. A story that pulled me along with its gusto while touching my heart. Lovely!”
—Sarah Haywood, bestselling author of The Cactus
“An utterly charming and thoroughly captivating read, and a stunningly assured debut. Prepare to fall in love with the enigma that is Clayton Stumper.”
— S.J. Watson, bestselling author of Before I Go To Sleep
“The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers is such an intriguing story of love and family, told beautifully through the medium of play and puzzle-solving. Samuel Burr has done the seemingly impossible and found a whole new way to be funny, wise and revealing about relationships and what a mystery they are.”
—Keith Stuart, author of A Boy Made of Blocks
“The book’s sweet-tempered storytelling and game-playing element are appealing and its characters good company.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“This story is a puzzle-lover's delight, from crossword clues and codes to the biggest puzzle of all: who we really are. It's infused with warmth and a sense of community. A joy.”
—S.J. Bennett, author of the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series
“The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers is such a warm hug! I loved the quirky characters, wit, and mystery all wrapped up in creative puzzles. Such a perfect blend of found family, messages of connection and how important it is not to overlook people. A gem of a book.”
——Kristen Perrin, author of How To Solve Your Own Murder
“A ripping yarn full of warmth and wonder, with a splendidly oddball cast, Samuel Burr has created a delightful conundrum that he unpicks with wit and empathy. A puzzle that’s a treat to complete!”
—Beth Morrey, author of Delphine Jones Takes a Chance
“Utterly beautiful, such a wonderful story told with kindness, elegance and understanding. I am genuinely devastated to leave Pip and the gang behind! An explorations of identity, belonging… and love. I absolutely adored it.”
—Joanna Cannon, author of Three Things about Elsie
“Warm and joyful, clever & layered, a secret that keeps you turning the pages, & most of all real, flawed characters.”
—Georgina Moore, author of The Garnett Girls
“Fiendishly clever, intricately plotted and beautifully written, The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers is a classic in the making. I fell in love with every member of The Fellowship. It’s also great fun. Samuel Burr is a genius!”
—Veronica Henry, author of How to Find Love in a Book Shop
“A dazzling and unique debut. This joyous, beautiful book about love and friendship contains a satisfying mystery and will lift your spirits.”
—Sarah J. Harris, author of The Color of Bee Larkham’s Murder
“Full of the most enchanting characters.”
—Anstey Harris, author of When I First Held You
“Bursting with love and hope. I laughed, cried, loved every single character and was just swept away into the most beautifully drawn world. This is the kind of book the world needs right now, it’s just gorgeous.”
—Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things
“Beautiful, uplifting and inspiring, this is a book that deserves to be read and then reread. I simply could not put this down. With this book, Burr establishes himself as one of the most important writers of his generation.”
—Awais Khan, author of Someone Like Her
“Very special. It’s original, quirky and adorable - and it has added puzzles!”
—Matt Cain, author of The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
“A real breath of fresh air, Samuel Burr’s debut novel is one of those rare books that seems to arrive just when it's needed the most. Hugely uplifting, The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers is a wonderful story full of kindness, intelligence and warmth.”
—AJ Pearce, author of Mrs. Porter Calling
“Richly detailed and beautifully imaginative, this charming debut will have readers sharpening their puzzling pencils.”
—Abbie Greaves, author of The Silent Treatment
“Irresistibly charming, devilishly inventive . . . a total treat.”
—Bobby Palmer, author of Isaac and the Egg
2024-01-05
Abandoned at birth and left in a hatbox on the doorstep of the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, Clayton Stumper is tasked with solving a puzzle his foster mother designed before her death to help him discover where he came from.
Now 25, Clay was lovingly raised by Fellowship founder Pippa Allsbrook, “pioneering cruciverbalist” and British queen of crosswords. The novel alternates between his pained efforts to complete her puzzle, which leads him, step by step, to significant people and places, and Pippa’s account of becoming Clay’s caregiver at 67 while running the Fellowship. Her challenges include overcoming the opposition of eccentric members shaken by the very idea of having a baby among them and turning a run-down hotel in Bedfordshire that was once her ancestral home into the group’s headquarters. As it turns out, this diverse community of “enigmatologists,” who attend seminars on topics like “the history of lipograms and univocalics,” helps raise Clay. So does Nancy Stone, a female cabbie who’s into TV game shows (she was a contestant on Brain of Britain) and becomes Pippa’s best friend and ally. Burr’s first novel doesn’t get much deeper than “it’s never too late…to find the missing pieces that make you feel complete” and “love is all that matters.” Pithier wisdom is provided by Nancy, who says that puzzling is “good for the old noggin” and “stops you going doolally when you’re old.” But the book’s sweet-tempered storytelling and game-playing element are appealing and its characters good company even when not much is happening.
A nice novel best enjoyed by crossword fans.
