I did enjoy this book, especially with the puzzles as they added a different element to reading the story. The parts I liked most of the book was the development of the Fellowship and its characters. I was less interested in Clayton's story as the mystery wasn't really that difficult to figure out.

A sweet and cozy read that focuses more on characters than plot. This feels like quite a stereotypical British exploration of friendship and aging.

loved this romance and how the characters were able to figure things out and find their way to love. Loved the friends .

What a fun, sweet story! It kept my attention throughout -- I didn’t want to put it down!

The book tells the story of a group of “puzzlemakers” (most over 60 years old) who live together in an English residence that they own. When someone leaves a baby on their doorstep, 66-year-old Pippa raises the baby, Clayton. When Clayton is in his early 20’s, Pippa dies. He has never known where he came from but now he would like to know. And (surprise, surprise!) Pippa, the puzzler, has left clues that will lead Clayton to his mother -- if he can solve puzzles!

This journey also pushes Clayton to get out into the world -- instead of staying in the “puzzlers’ residence” with all the older folks who live there, though he loves them. They are his family.

It is fun to try to solve the puzzles and clues along with Clayton as he follows Pippa’s instructions. And little does he know that love will also be one of the puzzle pieces!

I really liked this one, and I highly recommend it!

I’d like to thank NetGalley, Samuel Burr, and Doubleday for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

Clayton was adopted as a baby by the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers and raised by Pippa. Years later when Pippa dies, she leaves a final puzzle quest that will lead Clayton to solve the mystery of his birth parents. Clayton learns more about his origins but also about Pippa as he meets people from her past. Overall, a low stakes cozy read that is more about finding out about the past and Clayton branching out, than it is about solving puzzles. Told in dual POVs, one in the present with Clayton and one in the past with Pippa.

Clayton Stumper has always wondered where exactly he came from. Left on Pippa Allsbrook's doorstep as a baby, he was raised by the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, a commune of master puzzlers. After Pippa passes away, she leaves him a series of clues to follow, sharing the answers he has always searched for from beyond the grave.

Told in dual narratives of Pippa's youth and Clayton's present-day search, this charming novel will appeal to puzzle-solvers and casual readers alike. This book will pair perfectly with a hot cup of tea and a crossword puzzle.

As an infant, Clayton Stumper was left on the doorstep of a comune known as The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers. He grew up surrounded by older adults who created many different types of puzzles - crosswords, jigsaws, logic, sudoku, landscape labyrinths, and more. He often wondered about his parentage but when his primary caretaker, Pippa, passes away, he feels a stronger desire than ever to find out where he came from. Through a series of puzzles, Pippa sends him on a quest to find the answer to this lifelong question.

The story is told in dual timelines. Although I liked the book overall, it was a little slow and took some time to get into. The characters are likable, especially Clayton. If you enjoy stories with found families and coming-of-age books, give this one a try.

Thanks to Vintage Anchor, Doubleday, and NetGalley for a review copy of this title,

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters and their relationships had be invested from the early chapters. Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book.

The title and synopsis of this book caught my attention. I love all types of puzzles and I thought I would enjoy spending time buried in the pages of a book about puzzle makers. The characters are well developed and you appreciate the way each of them contribute to the “fellowship.” Beyond the myriad puzzles that the characters are gifted with creating, there is the puzzle of who are Clayton’s parents. As a dual timeline story, you get a picture of Clayton’s years growing up with the puzzlemakers and how they have adopted Clayton as their own. This was a touching tale of how family is created in a variety of ways ... not just with blood relatives. While it is a slow-paced read, there are unique characters that will entertain you and discovering that the “fellowship” is a group of lonely people who are struggling to find out where they belong.

Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage Anchor for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Clayton Stumper turned up on the steps of the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers as an infant. Raised by the elderly residents of the home, he struggles with his identity when Pippa Allsbrook, the only mother figure he's ever known and founder of the Fellowship, passes away without answering his questions about where he came from. But when Clayton discovers a series of clues Pippa left in the form of various word puzzles, he cautiously sets out on this quest.

'The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers' oscillates between the view of Clayton and Pippa as both characters experience a journey of self-discovery and family.

I love reading books that warm your heart like The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers!

Pippa is an intelligent woman who sets crossword puzzles, but has few friends. She decides to convene a group of like-minded puzzlers at a pub, and creates the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers.

Years later, the Fellowship has moved into a mansion she inherited, and someone leaves a baby on the front stoop. Clayton is raised by Pippa. Earl, and the other members, but never knows where he came from.

When Pippa passes away, she leaves him with puzzles to solve to lead him on the journey of discovering his heritage, and his future.

The story jumps back and forth in time, sharing the Fellowship's early days, and the present-day quest that Clayton is on. The mystery of who his parents are might surprise you, but even if you figure it out, you will be charmed by the puzzlers living in this communal space.

The book also contains several puzzles for you to solve along with Clayton. Being that I read this on my tablet, I didn't put too much effort into solving them myself, but it was fun nevertheless!

If you enjoy puzzles, cozy mysteries, and journeys of discovery, you'll love this book! Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

A moving and intricately plotted novel about the family you’re born with vs the family you choose, grieving, and finding your own path in life as a young adult.

This one was hard for me. I was so excited by the premise but it just drug and I really struggled to get into it. DNF 48%

This was such a different book to read. I love how unique it was, I’ve never read a book like it. Though you don’t necessarily need to love puzzles, it definitely is a plus if you do. There are puzzles throughout the book that you can actually complete, or skip if you prefer. The characters were diverse and quirky, I loved the bonding and connections made, and the idea of forming a fellowship based on something they all love. I was caught up in Clayton’s journey and quest and found the premise of him following clues as to where he came from to be fun yet a bit cruel if you think about it. This was a slow read but enjoyable.

#thefellowshipofpuzzlemakers #netgalley #bookreview

There were definitely formatting issues, but I'm assuming/hoping they're not a problem in the final published version of the e-book.

Formatting issues aside, this book was plenty enjoyable. Sure, some of it was predictable, but that's a big part of what made it an easy/cozy read. I didn't much mind the dual-POV/timeline switching, but do think I might have preferred a bit more focus on the present-day Clayton-focused storyline.

"The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers" is a heartwarming and humorous journey of self-discovery that follows a group of endearing characters on a quest to find their true paths in life. With a perfect balance of fun, camaraderie, and touching moments, the story's engaging writing style and unexpected twists make it a charming and uplifting read. Highly recommended for those seeking a feel-good and meaningful story.

The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr caught me by surprise in the best way. Clayton’s adventure of self-discovery during a time of grief was so unique - it felt simultaneously like a warm hug and a heart-breaking conversation with a best friend. Told in a parallel format with Pippa’s adventures to build/grow the fellowship, Clayton reminds us to enjoy the act of solving a puzzle rather than simply focusing on the finished product. Pippa, Earl, Hector, Nancy, and the rest of the fellowship rounded out a cast of characters that were each immensely talented, deeply-flawed, and a perfect found family. I will be thinking about this book for quite some time to come.

4 ⭐️

Received as an ARC from NetGalley! Very sweet story with a quirky cast of characters and dual timeline. Clayton is dropped off as a baby at the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, and is the one riddle they can’t seem to solve. Def recommend for a cute little read.

This sweet story combines found family with a scavenger hunt to facilitate self-discovery for the main character, Clayton Stumper. It alternates timelines between Clayton's present, beginning at the passing of his beloved adopted mother Pippa, and Pippa's past from the inaugural meeting of the Puzzlemakers up to Clayton appearing on their commune's doorstep. Burr does a nice job of dropping clues and weaving the two timelines together to give the reader enough to predict the ending in a satisfying way. The characters are all charming and flawed and loveable, as is the tradition of many British writers (which I adore).
I found this book to be a lovely, easy read that could have a broad appeal to many patrons/readers.
Thanks so much for the ARC!

I loved the game playing element in this novel, and how it fit into the plot. The different generations in the story contribute to its warmth and heart. It is a charming and emotionally honest tale of belonging and self discovery.
Many thanks to Vintage Anchor and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.