Reviews of The Deadly Puzzle, by D.B. Silvis.
Reviewed by: Kirkus Reviews
In Silvis’ novel, a scavenger hunt for $10 million escalates into an international conspiracy that turns lethal as contestants murder one another for puzzle pieces.
When brilliant American chemist Frederick Rhineman dies of a heart attack, his secretary follows his final instructions to mail envelopes to a series of people he despised. Each contains a cryptic letter and a piece of red paper cut into the shape of a jigsaw puzzle piece. Assembled correctly, the completed puzzle will reveal the location of $10 million in cash—and, potentially, a devastating chemical formula. As bodies begin to pile up, it becomes clear that assembling the complete puzzle will require deadly competition. Private detective Jake Wayde, whom Rhineman once hired, receives one of the pieces, making him both hunter and hunted. When another desperate recipient attacks him, Wayde kills him in self-defense; soon afterward, the man’s widow hires the gumshoe to investigate her husband’s murder. Puzzle-piece
recipients turn up dead in such locales as Fort Lauderdale, Nassau, and Detroit as Wayde navigates a treacherous landscape of double-crosses, where lovers become killers and allies harbor deadly secrets. Silvis has crafted an intricate thriller that lives up to its title. The plot mechanics are impressive, with each murder methodically eliminating puzzle-piece holders while advancing the central mystery. The prose moves swiftly as well, although the story sometimes substitutes violence for character development. Wayde proves to be a resourceful, if thinly developed, protagonist, while his assistant, Tiny Barnes, provides welcome comic relief. A fine supporting cast—particularly one mysterious woman with a connection to Rhineman—adds dimension to what could have been a cast of stock thriller characters. The novel’s greatest strength lies in its ruthless examination of human greed. Rhineman’s posthumous revenge succeeds because he understood his victims’ fundamental natures. The chemical formula subplot adds geopolitical stakes, although it occasionally feels disconnected from the central treasure hunt. Some sequences strain credibility, and the resolution ties things up a bit too neatly, yet for readers who enjoy elaborate puzzle-box plotting, this novel will deliver satisfying thrills.
A high-stakes thriller with an ingenious premise that keeps the pages turning.
Reviewed by: Connor Parkinson
A must-read
One of the best books I’ve ever read. A deadly game for survival, you must read.
“The Deadly Puzzle” by Donahue Silvis is a gripping thriller that
plunges readers into a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse. The
narrative centers around Jack Wayde, a private detective and former
Marine who becomes an unwitting participant in a deadly competition
orchestrated by the late Dr. Frederick Rhineman.
Dr. Rhineman, a brilliant chemist with a penchant for genetics and
revenge, has devised a formula capable of targeting and eliminating
specific nationalities.
Following Rhineman’s sudden death, sixteen letters containing clues
and puzzle pieces are mailed out, promising a secret cache of ten
million dollars and the lethal formula. Wayde, one of the recipients,
finds himself embroiled in a frantic race against time to prevent the
formula from falling into the wrong hands.
Silvis masterfully weaves a complex web of intrigue, suspicion, and
danger. The characters are well-developed, each with their own motives
and secrets. As Wayde navigates the treacherous landscape, he must
contend with foreign dignitaries and individuals from Rhineman’s past,
including three mysterious women who may hold the key to unlocking the
puzzle.
The tension escalates as the body count rises, and Wayde must use all
his skills to outwit his adversaries and uncover the truth before it’s
too late. “The Deadly Puzzle” is a thrilling read that will keep you
on the edge of your seat until the very end.
I am a big fan of puzzle mysteries; they are quickly becoming my
favorite genre to read, and Silva’s new story is definitely up there
among my favorites.
I had an amazing time with this book. It took me a while to read
because the book had heavy themes, but despite this, the story never
failed to keep me hooked, and I had the best time.
Reviewed by: Ashley McCown
Wow! What a fantastic book! I could not put it down. There were so
many twists and turns. It was a very different and unique book!
Reviewed by: Musiclover
I don’t usually review books, though I am an avid reader. However,
this book is simply enthralling. There are no words to describe how it
draws you in and keeps you wanting more right up to the very end. It
is an excellent read.