Puzzle House by Duncan Ralston is a thrilling horror novel that kept me on edge from start to finish. The story begins with six strangers arriving at the mansion of Alexei Vasiliev, a master puzzle maker, for the reading of his will. They are given a choice: leave with nothing or solve a series of deadly puzzles to claim a fortune. The suspense builds as the characters navigate life-threatening challenges within the house, revealing their darkest secrets and true natures.

Ralston’s writing excels in creating a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere. The puzzles are ingeniously crafted, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. The characters are well-developed, each with their own backstories that unfold as the plot progresses. The novel’s pacing is perfect, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that makes it hard to put the book down.

Overall, Puzzle House is a must-read for fans of horror and psychological thrillers. The blend of intense puzzles, character-driven drama, and a sinister atmosphere makes it a standout in the genre. If you enjoy books like Saw or Escape Room, this one is definitely for you.

thank you to netgalley, the publisher, and duncan ralston for the advanced readers copy of "puzzle house". the concept of this book was immensely intriguing!! i love stories that involve games and puzzles (especially in a survival/thriller/horror setting), so i scrambled to request an ARC copy of this book. the concept and synopsis reminded me a lot of if "squid game" and "escape room" had a love child. six strangers have the opportunity to win a grand prize of 150 million dollars if they successfully make it through the puzzle house. what they don't know going into the challenge is that their very lives are at stake. this book was in striking contrast to ralston's extreme horror novella "woom" (that i had to dnf), and so it was a surprise to discover they were written by the same author. in "puzzle house", there is literally no described gore or violence at all. i found it hard to connect with the characters, so when they would die, i wouldn't have much of a reaction because i could not grow an attachment to them.

Puzzle House started out very strong as an escape room horror. Six strangers are brought together by Alexei Vasiliev after his death to compete for the rights to a portion of his vast estate. Things aren't as they seem, and it quickly becomes apparent that this game is not intended for everyone to win....just one.

The idea itself of an escape room Murder Castle was definitely an interesting one, and the rooms themselves were really cool to read. Each seemed to be tailored to one of the beneficiaries, and as the book wore on, you get to know the dark things in their past. The characters themselves were kind of eh; I was truthfully only invested in two of them. They all seemed fairly shallow and cardboard cutout-y to me; almost like all the creativity and intrigue went into the scenes themselves with next to nothing left for the characters.

Then things started getting hokey. While I always appreciate demonology and ancient myth, I don't feel like it added to the plot at all. Really, it detracted for me as the book became less about cool murder escape rooms and more about completing a ritual without even trying to circumvent it. I also don't really understand how all of these characters got involved with Infiniti. I can sort of see Oscar and Rudy, but what about Ileana, Henry, Jessica, and Joy? Why were they chosen when Joy and Jessica have a surface-level connection (at best), and Ileana and Henry didn't seem to have a connection with Infiniti at all?

I wanted more out of this than what I got, truth be told. I was set up for harrowing escapes from near-death situations in booby-trapped rooms, but this just didn't quite get there for me.

Six strangers find themselves at the home of the renowned puzzle master, Alexei Vasiliev, for the reading of his will. Among the attendees are Vasiliev's estranged widow, a virologist haunted by his past, and a convicted murderer on day release. The potential beneficiaries are faced with a choice: either leave the house with nothing or embark on a perilous journey to solve the interconnected escape rooms within the mansion.
What initially seems like a straightforward challenge quickly turns into a deadly game of life and death. The participants soon realize that Puzzle House is far more sinister than it appears. Someone is watching their every move, manipulating them, and pitting them against each other. The author's ability to create tension and maintain a sense of unease throughout the story keeps you on the edge of your seat. The concept of interconnected escape rooms adds an intriguing layer to the story, as the characters must not only solve puzzles but also confront their own pasts and personal demons. Each character has their own motivations and secrets and as the story progresses, their relationships and trust in one another are tested, adding depth and complexity to the tale. Duncan Ralston's skillful storytelling and the intricate web of puzzles and danger make this book a must read!

What do you get when you cross Escape Room with Cabin in the Woods, and add in a heap of creativity? You get Puzzle House!

I thought that this was a ton of fun. Death games/the game horror subgenre is a personal favorite of mine, Duncan's reputation precedes him, and Wicked House Publishing has been absolutely killing it with all of their releases. All of that to say: I had very high hopes for this book.

The characters were all well-written. It took me a little bit to remember them all by name at first, but their personalities stood out and I got attached to some of them against my better judgement. The interactions, backstories, puzzles, and progression of the story was compelling. I had a hard time putting the book down once I started; ended up reading most of it in a day. The descriptions really brought the story to life and there was no shortage in violence. A very solid read.

I really enjoyed this book. I do wish the ending would have been a little longer. I am hoping there will be a second book. The characters were well thought out and the story kept me interested.

I went along for the ride, wanting to see who would survive and what would be left of them, but I was a bit frustrated when it went very ‘raising the dead’ and ‘the world you left isn’t the world you’ll return to.’ I was also expecting a solid, THE END, not a jarring finish with the dawning understanding that there would be another book.

This book was okay. I like the storyline and characters. I guessed a lot of what was going to happen, but I still enjoyed it.

I am a new reader of Duncan Ralston and as far as I can tell, Puzzle House is much different than some of his more splatter punk stuff. I love a good locked room mystery and this one didn't disappoint. There was plenty of action from the very beginning, making this a quick, fun read. The plot seemed similar to the horror movie Saw, with some supernatural elements added. If you like escape rooms and puzzles, this will also interest you. A group of strangers vie for a very large fortune by solving a series of puzzles in a big house. The only thing that irked me about the book was the abrupt ending, which probably means a second book is in the works. I'm not mad about it.

I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

There were so many unnecessary sentences and details and I wasn’t a fan of them. For me when writers use them they’re trying to show how good of a writer they are but it rarely works. I also didn’t like any of the characters, their personalities, their dialogue – all played a part in my reason to dnf.

Thank you Wicked House Publishing & Duncan Ralston for this read.

I am so glad I finally picked this up! All saw / escape horror movie fans will just eat this book up - as I sure did.

It was gory and nerve wracking while sad at times as the characters were written so well I became invested in their survival.

It was a super quick and fast paced read that ended in a total different direction than I thought it would. I did enjoy the connection to myths along the way and the fresh escape room theme horror this was.

Overall an excellent read!

This was a fun locked room horror. I got SAW vibes the whole time. Duncan Ralston is great at the horror scenes. It really felt like I was watching a horror movie the whole time. I enjoyed the writing, and the experience.

"Puzzle House" by Duncan Ralston is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that plunges readers into a deadly game of survival within the confines of a seemingly innocent mansion.

As six strangers gather for the reading of puzzle master Alexei Vasiliev's will, they soon realize they are pawns in a twisted game orchestrated by the deceased. In order to claim their share of Vasiliev's fortune, they must navigate through a series of interconnected escape rooms within the Puzzle House. But what starts as a simple challenge quickly escalates into a fight for survival as the participants realize that the stakes are far higher than they could have ever imagined.

Ralston skillfully weaves together a complex web of secrets, betrayals, and hidden motives, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each twist and turn. The tension mounts as the characters grapple with their own pasts while facing the deadly traps set by an unseen adversary. As suspicions rise and alliances fracture, the true nature of Puzzle House is gradually revealed, leading to a heart-pounding climax that will leave readers breathless.

With its compelling premise, well-drawn characters, and relentless pace, "Puzzle House" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and escape room mysteries. Ralston delivers a chilling and immersive tale that will haunt readers long after the final page is turned.

I wanted to like this better than I did because I LOVED Woom by this author, it was my first foray into extreme horror. Puzzle House felt a bit disjointed and I had a hard time visualizing some of the complicated sets. I wanted more extremism and horror effects. I did really like the overarching plot and the ending.

⭐⭐⭐

Thanks to Wicked House Publishing for an ARC!

First book by this author and was a little scared from all the comments about Woom. I enjoyed this book and look forward to checking out more of his work! Keeps you in suspense as you move along through the maze of the storyline.

PUZZLE HOUSE – by Duncan Ralston

I am a huge fan of books, movies, and games centered around escape rooms—the solving of complex puzzles used as a means to freedom—so when I saw the cover of Duncan Ralston’s PUZZLE HOUSE, I knew immediately I needed to partake in the horrifying fun, and he didn’t disappoint . . .

‘Six strangers. Six puzzles. Six ways to die.’

‘“Those who survive will be awarded not just my entire estate, including the house in which you stand, but anything your heart desires. I will give you the world."

‘“However . . . this is a game. It can be bested by using your intellects, your wits, and by working together. If you are at odds with each other, it isn't unlikely that none of you will survive the game. But if you do survive, know that you have bested me, Alexei Vasiliev, the world's foremost puzzle master. Good luck to you all.“‘

Recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of PUZZLE HOUSE at the request of an honest review.

I loved this book! Locked room thriller with twists and turns on every page. I was not expecting the ending but it couldn't have been better. There needs to be a sequel of this one. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

I can think of no better comparison than Saw meets Escape Room! Body horror and action-packed, anxiety-inducing, bloody good fun (for the reader anyway!) I'm a huge fan of Ralston and have read several of his other works. This one is one of my favorites! You can go in but you may not come back out!

I like this sort of thing. Ever since the movie Cube came out. Tricked out spaces with the timer ticking and strangers fighting to survive. The games can be a lot of fun. Wasn’t quite sure what to expect quality wise—I’ve read a bunch of Ralston, and for me, his books are all over the map rating-wise, though promisingly enough never below three stars.
This one actually was quite good. A very, very solid three stars. Possibly with point something but the rating system is inflexible. Also, it seems that outside of the prisoner character, no one really needed to go through with the challenge.
But aside from that, it was a fun read. The puzzles were decently constructed for the most part, the writing was pretty good (i.e. perfectly suitable for the type of story it told), and the pace and action to drama ratios were all done all right.
My favorite things about this book though were the underlying conspiracy and, especially, the incorporation of ancient mythology into the plot. Those elements definitely elevated the book above what could have been a mediocre survival slasher.
So yeah, plenty entertaining, and an enjoyable quick read. Recommended for genre fans. Thanks Netgalley.