The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers: A novel
A NATIONAL BESTSELLER • An extraordinary, gloriously uplifting novel about the power of friendship and the puzzling ties that bind us • "The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers takes readers along on Clayton [Stumper]'s quest to discover his roots, treating us to a literary mood boost about friendship and found family."—Real Simple
“A lovely read, warm, amusing and engaging.”—Alexander McCall Smith, bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Series
Clayton Stumper might be in his twenties, but he dresses like your grandpa and fusses like your aunt. Abandoned at birth on the steps of the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, he was raised by a group of eccentric enigmatologists and now finds himself among the last survivors of a fading institution.
When the esteemed crossword compiler and main maternal presence in Clayton’s life, Pippa Allsbrook, passes away, she bestows her final puzzle on him: a promise to reveal the mystery of his parentage and prepare him for life beyond the walls of the commune. So begins Clay’s quest to uncover the secrets surrounding his birth, secrets that will change Clay—and the Fellowship—forever.
The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers is pure joy, a story about love and family and what it means to find your people—no matter what age you are.
“A lovely read, warm, amusing and engaging.”—Alexander McCall Smith, bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Series
Clayton Stumper might be in his twenties, but he dresses like your grandpa and fusses like your aunt. Abandoned at birth on the steps of the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, he was raised by a group of eccentric enigmatologists and now finds himself among the last survivors of a fading institution.
When the esteemed crossword compiler and main maternal presence in Clayton’s life, Pippa Allsbrook, passes away, she bestows her final puzzle on him: a promise to reveal the mystery of his parentage and prepare him for life beyond the walls of the commune. So begins Clay’s quest to uncover the secrets surrounding his birth, secrets that will change Clay—and the Fellowship—forever.
The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers is pure joy, a story about love and family and what it means to find your people—no matter what age you are.
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Community Reviews
This book is everything it promised to be and more. Cozy, sweet, and melancholy, and most of all love and chosen family. Itâs beautifully crafted with the puzzles and word games throughout that you can solve along with Clayton, and that just adds to the feeling that you are a member of their little family.
As we begin our novel, we meet Pippa Allsbrook, a true pioneer and feminist because she started this club called the "Fellowship of Puzzle Makers." It was like a safe space for people who loved puzzles and all that brainy stuff.
As the Fellowship is fully and formally established, one day, Pippa unexpectedly finds this hat box with a baby. She christens the baby to be Clayton Stumper. With the help of the Fellowship, Clayton grows up with a bunch of eclectic people teaching him all sorts of stuff, from shaving to riding a bike.
Sadly within the first few chapters, Pippa passes away. While Clayton lives amongst the Fellowship, he misses her presence greatly. Never one to not foreshadow things, Pippa leaves behind some puzzles for Clayton to solve. These puzzles lead him on an adventure from his cozy home to the crazy streets of London, where he makes new friends and figures out where he comes from.
The story goes back and forth between the past and present between Pippa and Clayton. While not all the characters' developments may not be as fleshed out as I prefer, it suffices. Readers who favor fast-paced narratives may find the pace of this story to be leisurely.
As the Fellowship is fully and formally established, one day, Pippa unexpectedly finds this hat box with a baby. She christens the baby to be Clayton Stumper. With the help of the Fellowship, Clayton grows up with a bunch of eclectic people teaching him all sorts of stuff, from shaving to riding a bike.
Sadly within the first few chapters, Pippa passes away. While Clayton lives amongst the Fellowship, he misses her presence greatly. Never one to not foreshadow things, Pippa leaves behind some puzzles for Clayton to solve. These puzzles lead him on an adventure from his cozy home to the crazy streets of London, where he makes new friends and figures out where he comes from.
The story goes back and forth between the past and present between Pippa and Clayton. While not all the characters' developments may not be as fleshed out as I prefer, it suffices. Readers who favor fast-paced narratives may find the pace of this story to be leisurely.
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