Reader, I Murdered Him Podcast Book Club discussion

Welcome to our discussion of The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni! Below are some questions to get the discussion started, but feel free to bring up any topics you’d like to discuss.

1. "The Puzzle Master" deals with the theme of acquired savant syndrome. How does Mike Brink's unique condition shape his character and his approach to solving puzzles? What insights did you gain about acquired savant syndrome from the story?

2. The novel mentions the God Puzzle, a cryptic ancient prayer circle. How does this puzzle play a central role in the narrative, and what do you think it symbolizes in the story?

3. Discuss the significance of Jess Price's silence. Why do you think she chooses not to speak, and how does this choice affect the story's development and its characters?

4. The book's setting spans different time periods and locations, from a women's prison in upstate New York to nineteenth-century Prague. How does the author use these settings to enrich the narrative and create a sense of atmosphere and history?

5. Mike Brink's obsession with Jess Price becomes a driving force in the story. How does their relationship evolve throughout the novel, and what do you think it reveals about the characters?

6. The novel explores the idea of puzzles and patterns in the world. How does the concept of solving puzzles connect to larger themes in the book, such as the future of the universe and the role of technology in our lives?

7. Discuss the character of Abraham Abulafia, the thirteenth-century Jewish mystic, and his role in the story. How does his legacy and the God Puzzle impact the characters and plot?

8. Mike Brink's traumatic brain injury changed the trajectory of his life. How do the characters in the novel cope with adversity and transformation? What does the story convey about resilience and adaptation?

9. The book is described as an "addictive thriller." What elements of the plot and writing style make it a page-turner, and did you find the story's pacing engaging and satisfying? Or did you feel it didn’t quite meet the formula for a thriller?