Book Review: Some Puzzles Are Deadlier Than Others

The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni has an intriguing plot and an interesting protagonist, but it still fell short of being that impressive somehow.

Trussoni does bring up some fascinating aspects in her main character named Mike Brink. Brink was once a promising college football star when he suffered a head injury that did not cripple him physically, but he did not escape unscathed. There is a rare medical condition known as acquired savant syndrome. Brink woke up with a peculiar ability to see patterns and solve the most complex of puzzles. It took him a while to get the hang of controlling the sudden flood of information. His football career came to an end, but he found a new outlet with becoming a celebrated puzzle maker.

Brink is asked to meet with a woman in prison for murder after she constructs a strange puzzle that he recognizes. Jess Price has spoken very little, but Brink starts having strange dreams, and his investigation into the woman’s circumstances open the door for him to get a look at something called the God Puzzle. The plot behind the murder conviction of Jess Price turns into something stranger and more spiritual than he could anticipate.

This is another novel that ends up not being terrible but somehow still unsatisfying. The problem could be that the plot required quite a bit of technical exposition due to the nature of the complex puzzles introduced. The main character has a fascinating condition and is pretty likeable. Trussoni is likely going to revisit Mike Brink and his unique abilities, and I may not be too deterred from trying out a follow-up.

In spite of some of my dissatisfaction with this novel, I can understand why another reader would appreciate it more. The basic plot idea is pretty compelling, but I have issue with how it was written. There were times that the story sort of stalled.

There’s a chance I may enjoy this more if I give it a second read or I try another one of Trussoni’s works. It’s not like it was a torturous read, but I was hoping I found a surprise literary gem. Alas, my hopes were dashed, but I have read worse.

Next up, I will return to the forests of Wyoming and observe game warden Joe Pickett as he solves his own puzzle that is occurring In Plain Sight.