This is wonderful. A book full of warmth, fun, and the power of love. An excellent read and I’m hoping for more!

The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers - Samuel Burr

A lovely uplifting tale I enjoyed this immensely.

A story told through the eyes of two people. Firstly Pippa who founded The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers and who gathered together an eclectic group of quizzers, puzzlers, jigsaw and maze makers most of whom live under the same roof as her in her crumbling ancestral home. Secondly Clayton (an old soul) who was found in a hatbox on the steps of Pippa's ancestral home and who was raised by Pippa and those who live with her. After Pippa dies Clayton is left a series of puzzles to help him solve the mystery of who he is.

I loved the quirky characters and the world they inhabited. I did feel the author could have developed Claytons character, story and reaction to who he was in more detail but apart from that it was a beautifully written and touching story.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy.

I enjoyed this story - sweet if lightweight, but was ultimately left a little disappointed by the puzzles themselves - they seemed incredibly easy.

When you're found, as a newborn, on a doorstep in a hat box things can only get better! Clayton Stumper was that baby and the doorstep belonged to Pippa Allsbrook and the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers and things absolutely did get better as he received all the love and care he needed to make his way in the world, albeit in a slightly eccentric way!

Now twenty-five, Clayton has just lost his mum and, he's sure, any chance to discover who he really is and where he came from. Pippa however, was the founder of the Puzzlemakers and had never lost her love of a clue or six! As Clayton begins his quest, leaving the cocoon of love and security the Fellowship has always provided, he goes where each clue leads and, as he knows Pippa had always intended, begins to discover so much more than the answers he thought he needed.

This is such a beautiful book and, as a debut novel, promises great things from this author in the future. Clayton Stumper is a main protagonist who grows throughout the storyline but never loses who he is. There are subtle ways this is done, from his choice of footwear to a naivety of everyday necessities which haven't yet reached his family home. Set in two time frames, the beginnings of the organisation which becomes the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, and Pippa's quest to set up a base for its continued success, runs alongside Clayton's present day dilemmas. This works incredibly well and I was sad this reading experience had to end.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Orion Publishing Group, but the opinions expressed are my own. A pleasure to read, this has a warmth which draws you in and a feel good factor you don't want to lose. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed this gentle story that was just a bit different. The puzzles element was fascinating as was the establishment of the fellowship - sounds like a rather lovely way to live! I enjoyed the unraveling of the mystery and found myself really rooting for Clayton. A lovely read.

This for me was a DNF. I so wanted to love the book after hearing so much about it but alas after 5 tries to continue the story I gave up. For me it was the pacing. The book was so slow and I really struggled making a connection with the characters. It maybe that it is the ebook. Sometimes with slower books I struggle to fully appreciate them in ebook format so when it is released I will grab a copy and try again as the premise of the book still intrigues me.

If Clayton Stumper is a 20-something who seems like an old soul, it's probably due to his rather unusual upbringing. Abandoned as a baby, and raised by some of the sharpest brains in the UK at the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, he knows a lot about solving intricate problems, but not so much about living life to the fullest.

And when a well-known crossword puzzlemaker dies, leaving him a very special puzzle that is meant to reveal the mystery of his origins (if he is able to solve it), Clayton knows that is a challenge he must not only take on, but successfully resolve. What he isn't expecting is that his efforts to discover his parentage may in fact reveal something of far greater dimensions...

This is a quirky read that effortlessly captures a reader's attention, as well as their heart. The characters are eccentric and unforgettable. Friendship, community and a place to belong are among its key themes. Recommended to those who enjoy charming stories about the things in life that may at first glance seem complicated, but can - once you know the fundamentals of who you are - turn out be surprisingly simple. It gets 3.5 stars.

Perfectly nice if you like that sort of thing. I expect it will be well marketed, as it’s quirky. Good luck and all.

The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers is a story first and foremost about family. Pippa has always longed for family so when a baby is left on the doorstep of the fellowship’s headquarters it seems her prayers have been answered.

Fast forwarded 23 years and Clayton (the baby) has questions about his birth family. Before Pippa dies she has one more puzzle in place to help Clayton find his answers which in turn tells us the history of the Fellowship and all the eccentric characters who have helped make it a success.

A well-paced enigma of a debut with a wonderful array of characters young and old.

An interesting story about the creation and running of a social group of puzzlemakers. While the concept of the Fellowship of puzzlemakers is intriguing and the characters are relateable and likable, the current day parts of the book lacked pace and I found myself losing interest and not wanting to continue.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Heart warming fiction. I hardly ever solve them, but I still like doing puzzles (read - trying to do and failing) and going ‘ahh’ as the solution is revealed. A group of fictional eclectic genius’ who come up with them are shown to us in this heart warming story. Revealed to us in flash backs and in Clayton Stumper’s search to find out about why he was abandoned at birth and who his parents are, as he follows the clues left by his guardian in her last, maybe greatest, but certainly most important puzzle. Here I found ‘ahh’ and ‘aw’. In equal measure. Thank you to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

This book will be hugely popular once it comes out in May. The book adopts a dual timeline which works really well. The premise of the story is that a young baby was left outside the doors of the 'fellowship of the puzzlemakers'. We learn that our female main character, Pip, has raised this young boy named Clayton until her death. One of the timelines follows Pip, the other Clayton. The timelines are well done and it wasn't confusing which they can be in other books. Clayton's timeline is modern day and following the death of his beloved caregiver, Pip, he is determined to find out the truth of who he really is and where he came from. Pip has left him a series of puzzles to assist with his task. Pip's timeline is in the past and shares her story of the formation of the fellowship and how the other members interlink. At first I wasn't as interested in this aspect, but as the story progresses, the characters and background story really grows and develops. If you're a puzzle fan, you can actually spend a bit of time trying to solve some of the puzzles along the way, even if you're not into puzzles, this is still a heartwarming, cosy read which keeps you guessing right up until the final chapters.
I found the first 40% to be quite slow moving, but once Clayton gets going with his task, I flew through the final section.
Overall a really enjoyable read, I think this will appeal to a wide audience and be hugely popular once released. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review!

The central character in this story is a young man named Clayton Stumper, as a baby he was left on the doorstep of the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, the story begins with the funeral of his foster mother, she leaves Clayton one last puzzle to solve - the mystery of who his parents are and how he came to be left on the Puzzlemakers doorstep. The story then splits into two timelines - one telling how the Fellowship came to be, and the second following Clayton as he tries to solve the clues and find out the truth about his parents. While the identity of Clayton's parents is fairly obvious it was still an enjoyable read.

The narrative commences with Clayton Stumper, who, having lost his adoptive mother Pippa, embarks on a quest to trace his origins. Left in a hat box on the steps of Pippa's home in Bedfordshire, Clayton's journey unfolds in two timelines, creating a compelling narrative.

In the present timeline, Clayton sets out on a journey of self-discovery, delving into the mystery of his origin. Meanwhile, the past timeline introduces us to Pippa's journey as she establishes a haven for the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, emphasizing mutual support and camaraderie.

Pippa emerges as a remarkable character, characterized by thoughtfulness, care, and unwavering support. The reader can't help but wish for someone like Pippa in their own life. Amidst the various puzzlemakers inhabiting the house, Hector and Nancy stand out as particularly intriguing characters, offering depth and richness to the unfolding story.

What a brilliant read. The book starts with a mystery a boy left on the steps of a society of puzzle makers and it's proprietor Pip taking this baby under her wing. Years later Clayton the baby in question decides to find out how he really is and it's a captivating read. I love how the story if interspersed with puzzles and learning all about the character of Pip you feel Clayton's loss when she goes. Overall brilliant book that I enjoyed and would happily read books by this author again

Clayton Stumper, Clay to his friends, is twenty five, but dresses like a grandad and doesn’t have any friends under the age of 70. He was abandoned at birth on the doorsteps of the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, an innovative organisation seated in a house filled by the sharpest minds in Britain. He finds himself lost in a house full of survivors of a fading institution, not knowing who he is and where he belongs in life. When his adopted mother Pippa Allsbrook passes away she leaves him a gift. She was the most esteemed crossword compiler, (and founder of the Fellowship) and she gifts him with her final puzzle, a promise to reveal the secrets of his background, where he came from, and the path to prepare him for his future. As Clay works to unravel Pippa's clues he finds something more than he ever expected.

This book was a joy to read. Clay is a simple but beautiful character, full of grief after losing the only mother he has known, but also at losing the only chance of finding his true family. His journey pulls you in, and you want to solve the clues with him to help him along the way. The Fellowship is full of amazing characters, and seems like a marvelous place to live! The dual timeline approach worked beautifully in telling the story, and unravels Pippa’s past, leaving you all the more sad for her passing, as you see what a wonderful woman she was. The use of puzzles in the book, and letting us see what Clay was seeing really brought his experience to life.

This was a really beautiful read, as a journey of self discovery, but also as a story of friendship, innovation and creation. Absolutely one to be read.

*I received this book from NetGalley for review, but all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book, more than I thought honestly and will definitely be reading more by the author! It is a book that you can't put down and makes you happy. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this title before publication. All opinions are my own, and I cannot wait to share the title with friends!

Book Review:
The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr
Published 9 May 2024, Orion

Synopsis:
Sometimes, finding your place in the world is the greatest puzzle of all.

Clayton Stumper is an enigma.
He might be twenty-five years old, but he dresses like your grandad and drinks sherry like your aunt.
Abandoned at birth on the steps of the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, he was raised by the sharpest minds in the British Isles and finds himself amongst the last survivors of a fading institution.

When the esteemed crossword compiler, Pippa Allsbrook, passes away, she bestows her final puzzle to him: a promise to reveal the mystery of his parentage and prepare him for his future.
Yet as Clay begins to unpick the clues, he uncovers something even the Fellowship have never been able to solve - and it's a secret that will change everything...

Review:
What an incredibly joyful and unique book! Prior to reading, I had seen this all over Twitter/X, and the hype didn't disappoint.
Bursting at the seams with wondrous characters, the Fellowship is truly an example of astonishing writing that pulls you in from the very first page. I longed to join the Fellowship, to meet the people, and to share in Clay's adventure.
A book to get lost in, to live in, and to take great delight in. Bravo Samuel Burr! 🙌
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*I received an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley. This is my unbiased review. Thanks to @samuelburr
@orionbooks @netgalley
#BookReview #Puzzlemakers #SamuelBurr #NetGalley

I completely fell in love with the characters in The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr.

The story begins with Clayton Stumper, who has lost his adoptive mother, Pippa. He had been left in a hat box on the steps to the house Pippa shared with her fellow puzzlemakers in Bedfordshire.

The story moves between two timelines. In the present Clayton begins his quest to discover where he came from and you really believe that he is on a journey of self-discovery.

In the timeline running in the past, you discover Pippa’s journey to establishing a place for the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers to live and support each other.

Pippa is a wonderful character and so thoughtful, caring and supportive. You sort of wish you are lucky enough to have someone like Pippa in your life. Whilst there are several puzzlemakers living in the house, you get to know Hector and Nancy really well who are both are really interesting characters.

I particularly loved the way in which actual puzzles were used in the book and how chapters began with crossword clues!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Orion Publishing Group, for the e-ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will definitely be looking out for future books by Samuel Barr.

This was a well written story, I enjoyed the narrative. Liked the characters and and how they develop throughout the story.