‘The Puzzle Master’ by Danielle Trussoni. Random House, 384 pages, $27
Danielle Trussoni melds a heady brew of genres — mystery, horror, supernatural, magical realism, ancient history, mysticism and plain old puzzles — that works in the straightforward, though complicated “The Puzzle Master.” The packed plot could easily spin out of control with so many elements but Trussoni keeps a firm hand on her sixth novel.
The puzzle master is Mike Brink, whose promising athletic career ended after he suffered a brain injury during a high school football game. But the injury left him with sudden acquired savant syndrome, which gave him the ability to see patterns in everything and left him with synesthesia, which gives a person the ability to experience one of his senses through another sense. This eventually led to his career as a famous creator of puzzles.
Mike’s special talents are needed for Thessaly Moses, head psychologist at an upstate New York women’s prison where her patient, Jess Price, has spent the past five years after being convicted of murdering her wealthy boyfriend. Jess, once an emerging novelist, has not spoken or communicated in any way since her incarceration. But now Jess has drawn an elaborate puzzle with Mike’s name written on the back.
The flashy, at times brazen, investigation involves a deceased French doll maker, kabbalist concepts and porcelain, with kidnapping, myriad chases and Mike’s emotional support dachshund named Conundrum (don’t worry, the dog is fine). Throw in a billionaire who thinks mixing ancient beliefs with technology can create eternal life.
Trussoni frequently goes all “Da Vinci Code” in “The Puzzle Master.” Readers will need to pay close attention, as it’s easy to get lost in this dizzyingly elaborate plot that will appeal to puzzle lovers. Mike Brink’s skills pale next to Trussoni’s ability to create involving mazes.
Along for the ride
‘The Last Songbird’ by Daniel Weizmann. Melville House. 336 pages, $17.99
For creative people, writing, painting, dancing and acting are not what they do but who they are. Adam “Addy” Zantz makes his meager living as a Lyft driver, but is, in his heart, a songwriter, trying to revive his career after his modest success years before. Now Addy writes lyrics in his head as he cruises around Los Angeles and its environs in the moody, often poignant “The Last Songbird,” which launches Daniel Weizmann’s new Pacific Coast Highway series.
Failed dreams, unfulfilled ambition and past glory swirl through the character-driven “The Last Songbird.” Addy’s songwriting is encouraged by his regular client, music legend Annie Linden, who one characters calls “the greatest songbird of our time.” For the past three years, Addy has been Annie’s regular driver, having gone “off app.” She calls him when she wants to run errands, drop in at dive bars and hotels to people watch, or just ride. Annie’s peers, such as Carole King and Joni Mitchell, had better songs, Addy says. But Annie had “a certain brittle intensity. She was a songwriter’s songwriter, a taker of lyrical chances,” he says.
But soon after Annie calls Addy, her body is found on Hermosa Beach. While the police identify a likely suspect, they view Addy as an accessory. Trying to clear his name, Addy delves into Annie’s past, including former lovers, an ex-husband and old friends. Addy can’t believe this kind, supportive and talented woman whose career defined the 1960s and 1970s would have made a vengeful enemy.
Weizmann adds an intriguing look at the music industry and the personalities it attracts, showing both its past and current vibe.
Weizmann allows for much potential in further developing Addy. It is not the needed income that Annie brought, but it is her friendship and support that he really grieves. Addy has squandered just about every opportunity, but he is trying to do better. Songs constantly run through his mind, relaxing him while helping him think. He has what he calls “the jukebox id” with “little 45s collapsing onto the turntable of your soul.”
Readers will want to buckle up their seatbelts for Addy Zantz’s next drive on Pacific Coast Highway.
Oline H. Cogdill can be reached at .
