If only puzzles became hunts for real treasure.
Author: Eric Berlin
Year: 2007
Page Count: 209
ISBN: 978-0-399-24693-7
Price: ~$8 in paperback
Synopsis
Winston Breen is a teenager who loves puzzles. When he inadvertently gives his sister a birthday gift containing a mysterious puzzle, Winston, his family, and his friends find themselves in the middle of a treasure hunt.
The Puzzling World of Winston Breen is written at a middle school reading level.
Puzzles
The Puzzling World of Winston Breen is full of puzzles. These are mostly word, number, or spatial puzzles. They are presented on paper and solvable without any additional tools. (At times, however, a writing implement is helpful.)
Some of the puzzles support the narrative. I could solve them alongside Winston and the other characters or continue reading to learn the solutions.
Other standalone puzzles are peppered throughout the book. I could stop and solve them if I felt inclined.
Standouts
Winston is a likable and relatable character. I was immediately drawn to this puzzle-loving kid. His adventure is fun and entertaining.
The main narrative revolves around solving a puzzle. This puzzle is challenging and engaging. I wanted to solve it almost as much as Winston and the other characters did. In the end, the solution was satisfying.
Berlin interjects standalone puzzles throughout the book. Because they are presented by Winston and the other characters to each other, they feel like they belong. These puzzles are strategically presented at breaks in the action. I never felt that I was creating my own cliff hanger by stopping to solve something,
Shortcomings
Some of the standalone puzzles feel like homework. Winston likes any sort of puzzle. I’m a bit more discerning. Sometimes I could see how to solve a puzzle, but I wasn’t interested in going through the motions.
Should I read The Puzzling World of Winston Breen?
The Puzzling World of Winston Breen is a fun read.
I particularly recommend it for preteens or teenagers who enjoy puzzles. They will enjoy Winston and solving along with him.
The puzzles can be easily enjoyed as a family. As they popped up, I would occasionally offer them to David too. He could engage in the puzzling with me even though he wasn’t reading the story.
If you just want to solve puzzles, this won’t be for you.
If you’re intrigued by puzzles, but you find that a book of them lacks the context and meaning you need to want to solve them, then The Puzzling World of Winston Breen might be just the story you need to get puzzling.
Order your copy of Eric Berlin’s The Puzzling World of Winston Breen from Amazon using this link, and a small percentage of your purchase will go towards supporting Room Escape Artist.
