THE PUZZLE MASTER started off strong but lost me somewhere around the half way point. I kept on reading in hopes that the plot points that hooked me in to begin with would reappear (possessed dolls! paranormal activity! murder!) but alas…it was a bit of a slog to reach the end.

Or maybe I just didn’t “get” it because I’m not a PUZZLE MASTER? Maybe. Probably.

Thank you to @netgalley for my #gifted arc!

The Puzzle Master hooked me from the very beginning. Maybe it is because I am a puzzle person (Sudoku, Wordle, etc.). The challenge is that I started it right before going to bed while on vacation and did not want to put it down. I forced myself so that I could also enjoy my trip.

Due to a high school head injury, Mike Brink developed the ability to see patterns quickly and have 100% recall to writings or pictures that he has read or seen. This ability is the center of his career as a puzzle designer. It also is a detriment as he can be distracted when encountering a pattern when his focus should be elsewhere.

Brink has called to help break the design code from an ancient design from a Jewish mystic to help save the woman charged with a murder.

The author has a lot of twists and turns and keeps the reading pace vibrant. The only challenge I had was that I know next to nothing about the mystics of the Jewish faith. I probably missed or did not understand some of the religious nuances. This did not stop me from enjoying the book. There is definitely mysticism that my be far fetched for some. It was on the cusp for me.

I definitely would recommend this book.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy

I read early release and provided my feedback and not sure why it’s gone. Happens a lot with NetGalley.

Loved the book, page turner, and interesting twist using puzzles as the story thread. I am a big fan of her Angelology series (please finish!).. The author does her homework and story unfolds & the reader learns new things along the way. Big fan of the author! The Puzzle Master is another great feather in her cap of story telling. Buy the book!

THE PUZZLE MASTER is an excellent thriller incorporates the supernatural with reality by Danielle Trussoni. This is a page-turning mystery, thriller, paranormal-romance, science-fiction with a dash horror book that will suck you in and keep your interest. As a high school football player, Mike Brink suffered head trauma that resulted in “sudden acquired savant syndrome” and left him with some extraordinary talents, including an incredible memory and the ability to solve and construct tremendously difficult puzzles at almost light-speed.and prison psychologist Dr. Thessaly Moses has just such a puzzle. I highly recommend this book, particularly if you like puzzles and supernatural story telling.




Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.

I loved this book right from the opening line. I found it so intriguing and hard to put down. The writing was compelling and very well done.

This was 100% something unique that I hadn't read before and completely enjoyed it.

In high school. Mike experiences a traumatic injury on the football field that causes a very rare condition called savant syndrome. He is able to see patterns in puzzles and even day to day things to the nth degree. As an example, he can solve a Rubik's cube in a matter of seconds ( yeah I'll never figure one of those out). He uses this knowledge to his advantage by creating puzzles for multiple publications and becomes very well known for his skills.

Jess has been incarcerated for murder and has not spoken a word since, however in an attempt to communicate to her prison therapist she draws a very intricate puzzle that intrigues the therapist. Being familiar with Mike's work the therapist enlists his help in trying to determine what the puzzle means and how to communicate with Jess. It turns out this is not just an ordinary puzzle but one with great significance from centuries ago.

I was 100% hooked! This had everything: puzzles, murder, mystery....and dolls. Yes, dolls!!!!! Creepy, scary dolls! I absolutely could not put it down. It reminded me a bit of Indiana Jones meets the Davinci Code.

I was all set on giving 5 stars...but as I mentioned it has a bit of every genre in it and around 70% it delved very heavily into a religious aspect that completely lost me. I was very puzzled at this point and spent more time trying to understand, whereas up until that point I was fully engrossed. It just lost me for a minute. Then the ending kind of snuck up on me and I felt it was a bit too quick, but I still enjoyed it. It does appear that this could be setup for a sequel and I for sure would read it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Author Danielle Trussoni's latest was one hell of a journey. I read and reviewed her previous book, The Ancestor, and really enjoyed it. This one was no different.

I think the less the reader knows going into this, the wilder the ride will be. We know from the blurb that Mike Brink's brain injury has left him a highly sought after puzzle master. He is asked to try and speak to a prison inmate who hasn't spoken a word since her arrest, but drew a puzzle they think Brink can solve. Little does he know his life is about to change.

This story is told from several different perspectives and in several different timelines. I learned about religions, science, math... and it was fun! This is a thriller mixed with horror mixed with sci-fi, and it's amazing!

Trussoni is a master (see what I did there- wink wink) at story telling and does a phenomenal job intertwining facts and fiction to create a truly unique adventure. This is a very skilled, very talented author and I cannot wait for the next book.

This was a 5 star read for me. I enjoyed every single page.

The Puzzle Master is out now and ready to be read here in the U.S. so get your copy now!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for allowing me an advanced e-copy to read and give my honest review.

Happy Reading!

After a traumatic brain injury leaves him with acquired savant syndrome, Mike Brink finds himself able to solve any puzzle in a unique way. Putting his new talents to use, Brink creates puzzles for the New York Times and enjoys an average life with his dog Conundrum, but all of that is about to change. Enter Jess Price, a woman serving a prison sentence in upstate New York for the murder of her boyfriend. Jess has not uttered a word since her arrest, not even to speak in her own defense. However, she has drawn a complicated puzzle that her psychologist believes only Brink can solve. When Brink meets Jess, he discovers a deep urgency to the puzzle Jess has left him and an unexplainable draw to the woman herself.

This book is much more than a single genre, so I will do my best to avoid characterizing it. I will say, the pacing kept me engaged throughout the entire novel, reminiscent of my time reading The DaVinci Code. I like how actual puzzles were included throughout the novel, but I wish there would have been a few more to solve. Brink was relatable and a great protagonist.

And now for those dolls.

I was completely hooked for the first bit of The Puzzle Master. The pages could not turn fast enough. If there was one thing that would prevent me from reading this book at night, it was a creepy doll collection and they SHOWED UP! Maybe I am a massive chicken, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I recently finished The Puzzle Master and have so many thoughts. What an intricately plotted mystery that was filled with intrigue. Knowing little about Acquired Savant Syndrome, I was fascinated by what I read and how it led the main character, Mike Brink, to his role creating puzzles for The NY Times.

If I’m honest some parts of the God Puzzle were over my head but man did I enjoy trying to figure it out and understand. There was a mix of cerebral and action, setting a pace that had me flying through the book. What was a bit terrifying at the conclusion of the book was the connection with AI and the future.

I was lucky enough to join in an author chat. Thank you Random House and Thoughts From A Page for this opportunity. It was a wonderful hour listening to the author discuss the book and learn about her other works. I most certainly will be seeking out her backlist. To be surrounded by bookish people and hear an engaging author speak is joy!

If you like books Dan Browns the Davinci Code, or the likes of the New York Times challenge of the daily puzzle, then you will love Trussoni's Puzzle Master.

Introduce Mike Brink, who ends up being summoned to a women's prison to solve the mystery behind why Jess Price asks to speak to him. No one knows why Jess never defended herself, never spoke to anyone about what happened until now.

Along the way, Mike will be taken on a supernatural journey to find out what happened to Jess.

From Prague to New York, Trussoni will leave you absolutely "PUZZLED!"


Thank you, NetGalley\Danielle Trussoni\Random House Publishing Group-Random House Publishing.Random House\For this amazing eARC in advance for my honest review. My opinions are of my own volition.

What a wild ride!!! I feel like I don’t want to say too much because everyone needs to experience it for themselves. Danielle Trussoni is breaking all the rules with this book. Think - DaVinci Code + Silent Patient. I found myself super engrossed in this story that spans multiple genres as well as multiple decades within the story. The knowledge and research that Danielle did for this book is astounding and it’s felt in every page. The dedication to the characters and story is brilliant.

This book was a fast moving thriller with big ideas, somewhat like the Da Vinci code with the action and scope of huge ideas (and a bit of suspension of disbelief). I really liked the explorations of puzzles, and I loved how Mike Brinke's mind worked. And I liked the math and science worked into the plot.

There also is a supernatural/horror episode. And face it, even if nothing happened, a room full of porcelain dolls is creepy! The parts in Prague with the dollmaker and the rabbi gave the story a neat historical connection.

Danielle Trussoni's latest supernatural literary thriller draws on familiar religious themes as her earlier books, and excels with how she brings puzzles believably into the mystery. While I loved how the puzzles were expertly woven into the story, the main characters didn't come fully alive for me as much as I'd hoped. But the depth of the research shows through, and elevates the plot rather than slowing it down, making this a compelling read.

This book was truly a wild ride - I didn’t quite know what to expect with a book about a man with Acquired Savant Syndrome who embarks on solving a puzzle to save another human. Mike Brink is a very interesting and likeable character. This book twists and turns in unexpected ways and her thorough research into some religion and mysticism. I enjoyed this book quite a bit - although there were many times I felt like the book had too much in it.

A dizzying, genre-hopping puzzle of a thriller. I was surprised and delighted with each shift of the story, captivated by the mix of horror, sci-fi, and conspiracy fiction. A must read for fans of Dan Brown.

I finished The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni a few days ago but I needed time to ruminate and get my thoughts together. If you read any book this year, it should be this one. It is truly special and magical. The deep research is evident in every word, as is a true love for puzzles. What kept me reading compulsively was the mix of genres. There is so many different layers and each time a new one was revealed, I was amazed. There were a few parts that I read more than once and then sat back and thought, Ms. Trussoni has an incredible brain. I’ve never read anything like this before and not to be too forward but I’m ready for her next book!

3/5. Parts of this book were well researched and composed, while others left the storyline feeling flat or rushed. I agree it’s likely to appeal to folks who liked the Davinci Code, but I would urge readers to slightly temper any lofty expectations.

Thank you Netgalley for this e-ARC.

I'm not gonna lie, this was way over my head. There was too much talk of math, technology and religion that is beyond my comprehension.

I got the basic gist of the story, which is an interesting topic, but overall this book was an effort for me to finish.

The Puzzle Master is a wild blend of many genres: mystery/suspense/thriller/horror. When Mike Brink was younger he suffered a traumatic brain injury. It altered how he saw the world, allowing him to see patterns, solve puzzles. He’s intrigued when he receives a request from a psychiatrist asking him to look at a message from a woman serving a 30 year prison sentence. Intrigue turns to fixation and his search for the truth takes him on an adventure he could never have imagined. I have to admit this one hooked me early and I enjoyed the heck out of the wild ride author Danielle Trussoni took me on. I got a very strong Dan Brown vibe from the book, and I consider that to be a very good thing. If you’re looking for a unique thriller, you should really do yourself a favor and check this one out. I’d like to thank Random House Publishing Group - Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of The Puzzle Master.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2FRRBP4AXMVFJ/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

The Puzzle Master was a unique, mind-bending read that features Mike Brink, who has Acquired Savant Syndrome and is a genius at solving and creating puzzles. He is summoned to a prison to meet with an inmate who has not spoken since the horrific murder she was convicted of. He is thrown into this dangerous situation and does his best to survive and to figure out what is going on. First of all, Mike Brink, is a fantastic character and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about his medical condition. His dog, Connie (short for Conundrum), was a wonderful bonus. Second, the actual puzzles included a really nice visual aspect to the story. Third, the rich details about a wide range of topics, from porcelain to Jewish culture to puzzle creation were well done and some of my favorite portions to read. There were a few locations that were well drawn and really gave the reader a sense of the place—from creepy to awe-inspiring. There were a couple of plot points that were very strange and made me uneasy, but lent itself to a suspenseful read. Over all, this was an unpredictable and fascinating read. I truly look forward to reading more by this author.