In puzzle house by Duncan Ralston six strangers come together to solve puzzles in order to get the bequeathment from the grand puzzle master Alexia who has recently died from a heart attack. One is his ex-wife and the famous actress the other is a Doctor Who has cancer and thinks it may be terminal and the other is the next cop who’s serving life in prison for murder and the cop that’s guarding him on his day out. After they solve the first puzzle and have an opportunity to leave they all decide to stay even though some do it begrudgingly. This is when they meet the other contestants. One is only briefly because soon after seeing her she gets buried alive and sand and this is only after being bit by a king cobra and there’s also the professor of Samarian religions and woman named Aliana, Who helped the first woman who was the dean of admissions at Olympic University hasten to her death in the room full of sand. Sounds crazy yet you haven’t read anything even close to the craziness that is this book it seems the more puzzles they solve the more the comrades fall the more they fight in little did they know but they will only be one winner or should I call him the survivor. Not only that it is being funded by a secret company that is involved in everything the majority of the world never hears about let alone talks about let alone deals with. This book is a fabulous awesome read I loved it I wish I had pretty words to convince you to read it but if you love horror stories with great plot and puzzle solving then you definitely need to read The Puzzle House you never meet a group of people that deserve their fate more it will definitely reinforce your belief of secret societies and at the very least you will have read a fabulous fabulous fabulous book! Did I say I loved this book… So freaking good! I want to thank wicked house publishing and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Would you dare to pursue a puzzle for a piece of the multi-million dollar fortune? Is it worth you risking your life? These are the questions the attendees of the fateful reading of the will must decide and dare themselves to achieve when others will fail. This book is a compulsive read with some darker elements. Not for the faint of heart, but highly recommended for those who dare to read it!

Maybe it’s because I enjoyed the Escape Room and National Treasure movies, but I loved this book! ❤️ Which is probably the best way to describe this book - a mix between Escape Room, National Treasure, Saw, and Constantine 🔥

So if you’re a fan of those movies, you should enjoy this book! And Duncan definitely left it open for a sequel (please write a sequel!!!)! Highly recommend!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Note: if you are a fan of Duncan’s extreme horror, you might not enjoy it as much!

Thank you to @netgalley @wicked_house_publishing and @userbits for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!! ❤️

I’ll start by saying that this is the perfect book to read during spooky season! It is a dark twisted story about 6 people who have been called to a house for the reading a will and stand to inherit millions of dollars. Some of them have no idea why they were even chosen because they do not know the deceased. When they arrive, they are told that they will have to solve a series of puzzles in order to claim their inheritance. As they begin to navigate the puzzles, they begin to realize that this is a deadly game and they may not all make it out alive.

I found this book on NetGalley and I thought the premise of it sounded interesting. When I began reading it, I was really enjoying it. However, as they started to work through the puzzles, the book took a turn that I didn’t expect and I had a hard time getting through parts of it. It started out very strong, but I started losing interest when the puzzles continued to be centered around ancients religions. The ending had no closure for me and I wasn’t thrilled with the demons being released and the new world twist. I actually didn’t even realize that I had finished when I turned the last page.

All this being said, many rated this book 5 stars and loved it! If this sounds like your type of read, definitely give it a try!

Thank you to NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing for this ARC.

Six strangers, a chance to win $150M, a puzzle house. It sounded like a gripping horror/mystery book, but it left me not feeling much in general.

Now hear me out, it wasn't bad... However, the reason I picked it up is that I expected some "Squid Game"/"Hunger Games" so my expectations might have been very high.
I generally only love a book if I feel very close to the characters and perhaps 6 characters for such a short story were a bit too many for me to be rooting for someone.
There is definitely a shock value and a good story but I couldn't get into it.

Thank you to Wicked House Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is another classic from Ralston. I have read several of his books, and this one ranks among the best! The story is entertaining and the characters are as well. Highly recommend!

SUMMARY:
the world’s greatest puzzle master has died, and in his will, he has specified 6 people to receive his fortune, if they can escape his “puzzle house,” a set of 6 connected escape rooms. these 6 people aren’t connected in any obvious way. when they get to puzzle house, they realize the stakes might be higher than the $150M inheritance he left them.

WHAT I LIKED:
the concept of this book is so cool! it reminds me of the inheritance games (but super super high stakes), the saw movies, and a little cabin in the woods. the first 60ish percent of the book was soooooo good. i loved the concept of the escape rooms, and i think the writing was so well done! i felt like i was in there with them.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
the ending?? i’m not going to spoil it but those who have read it..DM me so we can chat about it pls 😂

TLDR:
overall i’m glad i read this. recommend to horror book lovers, who don’t mind super realistic descriptions of body horror.

I was looking for a quick and suspenseful read and this was a perfect pick! And just in time for Halloween! Our story begins with Henry, serving time in jail for a horrendous crime, a side of the table he's not used to being on as a former cop. A sense of freedom is offered when he's told he's in line to receive an estate if he can attend the reading of the details. Taken from his cell to a large house, he encounters others that have been promised the same. Soon the group finds out they are to solve a series of puzzles to be the sole owner of the estate. Each brings their own set of skills and quickly learns that they have a commonality, linking them to each other and the offered estate.

This was my kind of horror story, suspenseful and character driven, with a bit of gore (not terribly over the top) and a good storyline. It had remnants of classic Clive Barker and visionary scenes as if you were watching the latest James Wan movie in your head. I found the ending to be a bit abrupt but that was simply because I was so enthralled and didn't even realize I'd reached the end! I'm looking forward to more from this author - I think he's got a promising future in this genre and is an author to watch!

what if Jigsaw was into espace rooms 👀

I loved the concept and how it was executed, i loved being in the head of all the characters and how they really felt fleshed out and not just accessories to get rid of according to the plot. although I didn't like the supernatural aspect and the changes in povs were confusing, you can be in person A's head the 3 pages and then you hear what person B is thinking. if it was meant to be an omniscient narrator it should have been balanced

also, the only female characters are constantly pitted against each other and never support one another. men men men men men men men

[review posted on Goodreads]

I've read a few by this author, and as usual, this did not disappoint! His stories are always bizarre and such fun reads!

I received an advanced copy of this book from Wicked House Publishing via NetGalley.

Six strangers converge upon the enigmatic Puzzle Master Alexei Vasiliev's residence for the reading of his will, setting the stage for a captivating mystery in 'Puzzle House.' Among this eclectic group are Vasiliev's soon-to-be-ex-wife, a virologist haunted by his past actions, and a convicted murderer granted a day's reprieve. Their potential windfall: a share of Vasiliev's staggering $150 million fortune, provided they partake in his final enigma.

The choice is stark: depart the house empty-handed or accept the challenge of unraveling the interconnected escape rooms concealed within. Yet, beneath the surface of Puzzle House, a malevolent undercurrent surges. The seemingly innocuous puzzles turn perilous, and the participants realize that their journey through the rooms may be a life-and-death matter. Someone, somewhere, observes their every move, manipulating them, sowing discord. As their survival hangs in the balance, they grapple with a haunting question: is this a sadistic game orchestrated by a gleeful tormentor, or something far more sinister?

Initially, the book holds promise, sparking excitement as readers attempt to decipher the intricate puzzles alongside the contestants. However, the narrative takes a rapid and unexpected plunge into the bizarre. By the story's conclusion, words fail to convey the full scope of the surreal journey. This book emerges as one of the most peculiar books I've encountered in quite some time.

This book felt like watching a movie. The twist throughout the book had be wanting more. I couldn't put the book down, the writing was easy to follow. The descriptive writing of some scenes had me wanting to throw up, too realistic. I was honestly shocked at the ending not the direction I thought was going to happen but so happy it did. Definitely definitely want a second book, the world building and story left untold is just too good to pass up.

Puzzle House by Duncan Ralston #sixtyfourthbookof2023 #arc

CW: death, murder, incarceration, discussion of rape, dismemberment

I like the idea of this book a lot. Several people are summoned to the reading of a will of a mysterious rich stranger, which begins an ordeal to solve a series of puzzles to earn their inheritance. But as always, there’s more to the story that isn’t being told, the rich stranger may have ulterior motives, and the benefactors have things to hide as well.

I was okay with this book until the end. Even the weird occult knowledge the guests happened to have that helped them solve the puzzles was fine, even if it was far fetched. The writing was mostly…fine, but from the start I knew this was going to be a meh read. The puzzle rooms were kind of interesting at first. Most of the characters are shallowly written, with the exception of the main two. But that ending. What a clunker. I can’t even explain how out of nowhere the last few pages were. All of a sudden it’s a dystopian world with weird creatures and undead. I don’t know what this book wanted to be but it was too many things with no real reason or depth. If it was a sequel setup, I’m not interested.

Thank you to @netgalley and @wicked_house_publishing for the advance copy. (Pub date 9/15/23)

Alexis Vasiliev is a world’s famous puzzle master and he has selected six beneficiaries for his estate. The puzzle house has a secret of it is own and a huge mystery including the mystery of Cerberus. They must solve the first of six puzzles to leave the house or continue solving the rest of the puzzles to win the estate worth $150M fortune. One of the puzzle is based on Egyptian belief. While solving the puzzles, the secrets also unveils with inevitable mystery and secrets of each character. The book was twisted and filled with terror, grief, secrets and the deadly game of solving six puzzles. The one who solves all of them will win the estate. From secrets and mystery, the game becomes of survival. It is such a brilliant and mind boggling book. It has alternating POV. It has vibes like The Cellar, Squad Game and The hunger games.

I loved this book. The author is brilliant. Thank you Netgalley, Publisher, and Author.

What in the Saw and Stranger Things did I just read?!

Alexei Vasilliev, a well known puzzle master, who has crafted the most strategic puzzles throughout his life, has died. His will states that six complete strangers must complete six of his most dangerous puzzle games for a chance to win a portion of his inheritance. After the first few puzzles, these six strangers figure out that in order to solve these puzzles, they must sacrifice a life to move onto the next room.

6 complete strangers
6 puzzles
6 ways to die

I really enjoyed the intricate ways of solving the puzzles and how the characters worked together to try and solve them. This was a four star read until I reached the ending which felt strange and out of place. I was hoping for more explanation or maybe the promise of a second book, but I was left confused.

This an escape room mixed with some saw & national treasure parts. A puzzle master dies and invited his exwife & 5 total strangers to the reading of his will. Only problem is, his house is a giant series of escape rooms that they will have to complete for the $150million. I enjoyed it.

This book is Illuminati meets Saw vibes with a supernatural twist. Should I call it a slasher gone rogue? Mystical puzzle mayhem? Idk what to refer to this as, but it kept me wanting to turn those pages. It's so entertaining. 👏🏻

It all starts when multiple people are named in a famous puzzle maker's will, and are set to inherite a large sum of money. The beneficiaries do not know each other, and only one of them knew the recently deceased...his ex wife is among the strangers, and she is scared for their lives...As she should be.

The group is forced to participate in sadistic escape rooms and solve dark AF puzzles for their freedom and their opportunity to leave with millions of dollars. Also, of course everyone has shady secrets they would rather the others not be aware of...

This one was scary, and fun. It kept me on edge. Thank you @netgalley for this early copy. I haven't read anything quite like this before. I'll be looking forward to more books by Ralston and need to look into his backlist now. This was so creative and unhinged. It is perfect for horror/mystery fans.

4.5/5 stars rounded up

Thank you to Wicked House Publishing and NetGalley for providing a review copy.
I'm quite fond of the competition trope in horror, and Puzzle House delivers on many levels. There's a lot going on, but I was here for all of it. I could barely put it down and read it in two sittings. My only quibble is that it ended quite abruptly. I definitely feel there's room for a second book and I hope that comes to be. 4.5 stars, rounded up.

Schpiel time- thank you to NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing for an ARC of “Puzzle House.” This is from the same author as “WOOM,” you guys! Duncan Ralston is also a really sweet and genuine person, but in the case of my review that’s neither here nor there. Just wanted to mention it!

Fans of ‘Saw’ are going to absolutely love this, as will enthusiasts of the hyper creepy escape room experience. This reads like being in one of those rooms- the clock is running out, you’re scrambling for time, and there’s only so many options you have left before you’ve failed to solve the puzzles in front of you. But this takes that theme and puts it to an extreme- in this convoluted house, not only is a prize at risk, but your entire life is on the line as well. In typical Duncan Ralston fashion, there is some nasty yet well placed and purposeful gore, and there’s things about (nearly) every character that you’ll grow to like. This makes the deaths and tragedies that happen throughout the story all the more disturbing.

I loved Oscar, I grew to love Joy, I appreciated Rudy, and Henry was really the type of guy with a hard shell and a gentle core. Atkins and Illeana suck and can burn for all I care, but the rest of the ‘contestants’ held rather redeeming qualities. They are all in the late Alexei Vasiliev’s house, playing his masterfully designed puzzle games for a chance at obtaining his fortunes. Or so, that’s what they’ve been brought here to think…

There are certain puzzles that come designed with their corresponding characters in mind. You’ll begin to see this as the story progresses, and you’ll also take note of the foreshadowing present. This isn’t usually my type of book, as it does read like an action movie, and I’m not typically one for those. But I have to tell you, this was one of those “action/thriller/horror” type of stories that just keeps you so on the edge of your seat it’s hard to slow down. There’s more than just puzzle solving at play here- we get dramatic backstories, Mesopotamian gods, questionable sacrifices, and a whole lot of glimpses into morality. The dialogue felt natural, and the characters well shaped.

The only complaint I really have is the ending. It stops rather short, revealing two giant shockers and then… in my opinion, not nearly enough time is left to fully explore them. I’m hoping this means that Duncan has left the story open for a sequel- I think that could work really well here. But I do have unanswered questions and I want some more- I feel the ending was just incomplete when given the rest of the story and the sudden and dramatic twists that occur pages before the book is over.

Nonetheless, the goal here was met in stride. This book will be released on September 15th- that’s about a week away from the posting of this review. I believe it could be enjoyed by many different people who read across many different genres, so keep an eye out for it if you wanna be grossed out, entranced, and anticipating whatever is going to happen next throughout the entire duration of a story.

By the way, that temple scene…. With the gold bowls…. My most affectionate “yikes” to date. Morgue scene too!

I loved this book and enjoyed reading it so much! I love Duncan’s writing style, and just get so lost in his story telling that it becomes like a movie in my head and this book is no different. A bunch of strangers get an inheritance from a man they’ve never met. They discover there’s a little bit more to it and find themselves in an escape room/Saw type of game for the winnings. Definitely pick up a copy, and find out what happens!