Scan barcode
deaconist's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
I'm being very mean with my rating, but the book was full of anachronisms that really irritated me (e.g. sudokus, "bucket lists" and Gibsons jigsaws did not exist in the early '80s), the crossword clues were terrible, and the story was quite plodding and dull.
I loved the concept of a commune full of genius puzzlemakers who raise a child and create a large-scale scavenger hunt for him, but the execution was unambitious and the resolution made the whole thing a bit pointless.
I liked Pippa as a character, and might have enjoyed the book more had the whole story been about her. Clayton, on the other hand, spent far too long being a bit dim for plot reasons.For example, when he needs to talk to someone urgently, doesn't have their phone number, but happens to be a short walk from a mutual friend's house... Clayton's solution: Send a postcard. *facepalm*
On the whole, a disappointing read.
P.S. The author has characters sitting on a "stall" instead of a "stool" a couple of times, then credits their "eagle-eyed copy editor" in the acknowledgements. I don't know if I've gone mad or if they have.
I loved the concept of a commune full of genius puzzlemakers who raise a child and create a large-scale scavenger hunt for him, but the execution was unambitious and the resolution made the whole thing a bit pointless.
I liked Pippa as a character, and might have enjoyed the book more had the whole story been about her. Clayton, on the other hand, spent far too long being a bit dim for plot reasons.
On the whole, a disappointing read.
P.S. The author has characters sitting on a "stall" instead of a "stool" a couple of times, then credits their "eagle-eyed copy editor" in the acknowledgements. I don't know if I've gone mad or if they have.
hyperunfocus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
kyrabooo's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sarahsnacks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Love a book with elderly characters up front. This was tender and funny.
trak17's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
fabioethics's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jess_streets's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
alicereadsbookssometimes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The 0.5 is simply because I had really wanted to read this book. I think I enjoyed the story about the original fellowship house more than the main Clayton story. I could never place how old any of the fellowship members were meant to be. It was good, just a little predictable….. like ofc he fell in love with Neil. Also that wasn’t the biggest secret that the Fellowship could never solve, the book made the point repeatedly that they loved each other so none of them lacked love???? Also there were a few typos/errors. I think I liked the concept more than I liked the actual plot.
amysreading_nook's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Number: 59
Re-read: No
Rating: ***
Thoughts: I was drawn to this book purely by the hardback edition with the puzzle piece missing and also my love of puzzles. I would say for about 80% of this book I thought this was going to be a 5* review but then I got to that ending and just felt so let-down and disappointed. I hadn't really thought ahead about the ending but that one just did not work for me and I felt angry on Clayton's behalf and honestly the reasoning did not make any sense to me; Hector felt like it would hurt Pippa and Earl too much when they'd known baby Clayton for all of five minutes when he'd already tragically lost a son? It did not make sense to me and honestly felt like the author hadn't really thought through the ending and just rushed to cobble something together
The book was gripping enough that I did not want to put it down but I think the focus skewed too much in the direction of the past, I wanted to see more about Clayton and his life.
Bookshelf: off to kindle heaven
Re-read: No
Rating: ***
Thoughts: I was drawn to this book purely by the hardback edition with the puzzle piece missing and also my love of puzzles. I would say for about 80% of this book I thought this was going to be a 5* review but then I got to that ending and just felt so let-down and disappointed. I hadn't really thought ahead about the ending but that one just did not work for me and I felt angry on Clayton's behalf and honestly the reasoning did not make any sense to me; Hector felt like it would hurt Pippa and Earl too much when they'd known baby Clayton for all of five minutes when he'd already tragically lost a son? It did not make sense to me and honestly felt like the author hadn't really thought through the ending and just rushed to cobble something together
The book was gripping enough that I did not want to put it down but I think the focus skewed too much in the direction of the past, I wanted to see more about Clayton and his life.
Bookshelf: off to kindle heaven
chaosbooked's review against another edition
4.0
Hard to rate this one. I was given this book and had no idea what I was getting into and honestly didn't think I would read it through. What was it about ? Puzzles? Turns out a bunch of older adults started a commune and made puzzles and got a baby dropped at their door. And now the baby is an adult, Clayton, and wants to solve the puzzle of his life, literally. It's a cozy mystery with no murder. It had a feel good theme that was reminiscent of a 90's romantic comedy. Like one you watched 100 times and still enjoy. You could pick it apart or just enjoy it. The puzzles were sometimes easy and some I just let Nancy solve for me. It's a love story. It's about finding your people and finding yourself. I liked Clayton and wanted to see him through this book. Quick read with an ending you probably can see coming but "The pleasure is always in the solving never the solution."