ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Clayton Stumper was abandoned as a baby on the doorstop of a crumbling but grand mansion inhabited by a hodgepodge of eccentric people, who collectively raise him. He loves his family and is indispensable as they age and need a younger person to take on the practicalities of running everyday life for them. They have other things to do, being amongst the finest puzzle makers in Britain – renowned crossword compilers, jigsaw makers, maze creators, gadget creators – although the originator of the Fellowship, Pippa Allsbrook, is his adoptive mother, and the person he loves the most. Having grown up amongst such eccentrics, Clayton is himself a bit of an oddity, so when Pippa dies and leaves clues as to his real identity, he has to leave behind everything he is comfortable with and venture into the wider world… A charming book with split timelines, and if it's one of those comfortable reads that isn't as challenging as the puzzlers themselves, then it's also the perfect anecdote for a dull weekend! Lindy
Samuel Burr is a TV producer who has worked on popular factual shows including the BAFTA-nominated Secret Life of 4-Year-Olds. Samuel's writing was selected for Penguin's WriteNow scheme and in 2021 he graduated from the Faber Academy. He previously studied at Westminster Film School.
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Clayton Stumper was abandoned as a baby on the doorstop of a crumbling but grand mansion inhabited by a hodgepodge of eccentric people, who collectively raise him. He loves his family and is indispensable as they age and need a younger person to take on the practicalities of running everyday life for them. They have other things to do, being amongst the finest puzzle makers in Britain – renowned crossword compilers, jigsaw makers, maze creators, gadget creators – although the originator of the Fellowship, Pippa Allsbrook, is his adoptive mother, and the person he loves the most. Having grown up amongst such eccentrics, Clayton is himself a bit of an oddity, so when Pippa dies and leaves clues as to his real identity, he has to leave behind everything he is comfortable with and venture into the wider world… A charming book with split timelines, and if it's one of those comfortable reads that isn't as challenging as the puzzlers themselves, then it's also the perfect anecdote for a dull weekend! Lindy
Utterly beautiful, such a wonderful story told with kindness, elegance and understanding * JOANNA CANNON * A real breath of fresh air, one of those rare books that seems to arrive just when it's needed the most * A J PEARCE * A life-affirming gem * HEAT Magazine * Just gorgeous: wholesome, heartwarming, funny, bittersweet and endearing * Belfast Telegraph * Clever & layered, a secret that keeps you turning the pages, & most of all real, flawed characters * GEORGINA MOORE * Bursting with love and hope . . . the kind of book the world needs right now * JENNIE GODFREY * A gorgeously quirky read * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING * Infused with warmth and a sense of community. A joy * S. J. BENNETT * Fiendishly clever, intricately plotted and beautifully written. A classic in the making * VERONICA HENRY * A dazzling and unique debut * SARAH J. HARRIS * A delightful conundrum that he unpicks with wit and empathy. A puzzle that's a treat to complete * BETH MORREY * A gem of a book * KRISTEN PERRIN * Bursting with humour, humanity and wit. A delightful treat * JANICE HALLETT * Full of the most enchanting characters * ANSTEY HARRIS * Very special. It's original, quirky and adorable * MATT CAIN * A lovely read - warm, amusing and engaging. There is abundant pleasure on offer here * ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH * An intriguing story of love and family . . . Funny, wise and revealing * KEITH STUART * Brilliant, funny, clever, quirky * ERICKA WALLER * Rich with emotion and intrigue. If you enjoy mysteries and puzzles, this will keep you guessing and eagerly turning the pages until the very end * YOURS Magazine *