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Duncan Ralston

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Puzzle House: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Duncan Ralston (Author), Wicked House Publishing (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition

1,090 ratings

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Six strangers arrive at the home of preeminent puzzle master Alexei Vasiliev for the reading of his will. Among them are the deceased's widow, who'd already begun divorce proceedings, a virologist troubled by actions in his past, and a convicted murderer on day release. The potential beneficiaries will split Vasiliev's $150M fortune if they participate in his last great work.

The choice is simple: leave the house with nothing or continue in the hope of solving the six interconnecting escape rooms within this house.

Once there, the participants soon discover Puzzle House is far deadlier than it appears, and that making their way through the rooms may be a matter of life and death. Someone is watching their every move, toying with them, turning them against each other. With their lives on the line, they are forced to wonder, is it all just a deadly game created by a gleeful sadist, or something far more sinister?

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CB9CB77X
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wicked House Publishing (September 15, 2023)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 15, 2023
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 4.3 MB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 225 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #71,305 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #228 in U.S. Horror Fiction
- #282 in Occult Horror
- #325 in Horror Suspense

Customer Reviews:
1,090 ratings

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Duncan Ralston
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**New standalone horror novel HELLOWEEN available now!**
**Sequel to the hit novel PUZZLE HOUSE coming Fall 2025**
Author of the cult smash-hit Woom and Ghostland and more than 15 other books that aren't the cult smash-hit Woom or Ghostland. His debut collection was blurbed positively by the legendary Jack Ketchum. His vampire novel, Pedo Island Bloodbath, was nominated for a 2024 Splatterpunk Award for Best Novel.
Photo © Josh Silver 2015
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Wicked House Publishing
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Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.
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Customer reviews

1,090 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging from the first page, with a fast-paced story and well-developed characters. The story quality receives positive feedback for its interesting twists and turns, while the writing style is praised for its well-crafted details. The puzzles receive mixed reactions - while customers find them cool, some find them hard to follow.

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Readability Story quality Writing style Pacing Character development Puzzles Interest Puzzle difficulty

72 customers mention "Readability"72 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and fun to read, with one describing it as "puzzlingly good."

"...Great read. One I would definitely give another read to in the future. Props to the author for doing such a great job with a complex concept...." Read more

"Another fantastic read from Mr. Ralston. Slightly reminiscent of SAW II, as the cast of characters are locked into a house that’s full of puzzles...." Read more

"Puzzle House" is an interesting and heartfelt story, but it suffers from pacing issues and a surprising twist that may leave some readers feeling..." Read more

"...All in all, PUZZLE HOUSE was a fun read, and left itself wide open for a sequel - which I hope is in the works, because it certainly deserves one...." Read more

53 customers mention "Story quality"44 positive9 negative

Customers enjoy the story's twists and turns, with one customer highlighting the amazing puzzles and death scenes, while others mention the mind-blowing ending.

"...Ralston's Puzzle House is a wonderful, very well thought out, and satisfying story...to someone who really loves puzzles and learning about specific..." Read more

"...It is involved. Very descriptive. And full or gore. The ending was great and not at all how I expected it to end. Not even close...." Read more

"Puzzle House" is an interesting and heartfelt story, but it suffers from pacing issues and a surprising twist that may leave some readers feeling..." Read more

"...'s writing and the puzzles themselves balance cleverness with gore in a satisfying way, and the tension just keeps ratcheting up the farther into..." Read more

40 customers mention "Writing style"36 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, with several noting it is well written, and one customer highlighting how the author ties together scenes and weaves character details throughout the narrative.

"...Ralston's Puzzle House is a wonderful, very well thought out, and satisfying story...to someone who really loves puzzles and learning about specific..." Read more

"...It is involved. Very descriptive. And full or gore. The ending was great and not at all how I expected it to end. Not even close...." Read more

"...Strengths: Unique Concept: The idea of a house built around puzzles and challenges is intriguing, and the premise holds promise for an..." Read more

"...The Good: Well, in a nutshell, Duncan's prose. His writing is very easy to read, and flows naturally - almost effortlessly...." Read more

25 customers mention "Pacing"19 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the pacing of the book, describing it as a fast-paced story with a roller coaster of action.

"This was a really fun, fast paced thrill ride! The narrator was good, and the story grabs and holds your attention from page one!..." Read more

"...Stories are magic, sometimes that magic lifts us from a dark place another times that magic let's us peek into the the darkness and play with the..." Read more

"...The pacing is merciless and fast. It's almost impossible to put down once the three characters arrive at the house...." Read more

"Puzzle House" is an interesting and heartfelt story, but it suffers from pacing issues and a surprising twist that may leave some readers feeling..." Read more

13 customers mention "Character development"13 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book, with one customer noting how easy it is to connect with them.

"This book is great. Saw and Jumanji, no joke. The character development is enough that you sort of care or don't care for them, but that would be..." Read more

"...Not only were the characters well planned out but I definitely have to hype about the dedication and the research that was put into this story!..." Read more

"...It had a lot of great characters. You either find yourself loving and rooting for their success or disliking some and rooting for their demise...." Read more

"Characters you love to love. Characters you love to hate..." Read more

9 customers mention "Puzzles"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the puzzles in the book, finding them cool and brilliant, with one customer noting that their imagination is firing on all cylinders.

"...Not because it is a bad story at all. Ralston's Puzzle House is a wonderful, very well thought out, and satisfying story...to someone who really..." Read more

"...The concept feels fresh, and at times, the puzzle-solving aspects provide some fun moments...." Read more

"...Puzzle House was brilliant. My love for puzzles is what made me stop mid story of the book I was previously reading to pick this one up. No regrets...." Read more

"I liked it ! It def kept me guessing until the end. The puzzles were interesting and I like how the author wove in mythology about gods" Read more

8 customers mention "Interest"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging throughout, with one mentioning it keeps readers on their toes from the first page.

"...I love a book that peaks my interest and keeps me interested...." Read more

"...It’s a super quick read and keeps your attention throughout. My only complaint (and it’s my typical complaint) is I wish it was longer...." Read more

"...The book kept me engaged and interested the whole time. Wasn't expecting the ending. Well worth the read." Read more

"...at first ngl but it picks up fast and omfg does it become an attention grabbing thrill. The twist was impeccable, surpring, and actually meshed well...." Read more

9 customers mention "Puzzle difficulty"0 positive9 negative

Customers find the puzzles in the book difficult to follow and confusing, with one customer specifically mentioning issues with understanding the demons and Gods.

"...Puzzle House" has potential, but its slow pacing and unexpected introduction of certain themes, particularly mental illness, hold it back from being..." Read more

"...It most certainly is. While the beginning is slightly confusing, Duncan manages to wrap everything up at the end - in an extremely..." Read more

"This book just isn’t good. It was hard to get through even with it being less than 200 pages. The issues: 1. It was a confusing read...." Read more

"Good creepy book about a puzzle house. Although it’s somewhat confusing about the demons and Gods it’s explained well and you’re able to follow along..." Read more

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Erica Kennedy
"Murder is back in fashion."
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2024
Verified Purchase

3.5/5 stars

How about I start with a quote from the biggest 🍑 of the story:
"The old rules don't apply anymore. Murder is back in fashion."

This story follows multiple people from all different walks of life who have been chosen by a man who has recently passed away to be beneficiaries of his riches. These people do not know each other or how they are connected, which to them seems completely random. Obviously, if you're anything like me and have watched 100s of horror movies, you probably guessed that it is anything but random.

While reading along, I had many thoughts of 2 of my favorite movies, Cabin in the Woods and the Saw franchise. The acts that take place in Cabin in the Woods are for way more than just a thrilling kill, but for a sacrifice to something or someone(s) much bigger than ourselves. The Saw franchise generally shows people having to work together to survive, but almost without a second of consideration for the others, these flawed humans do the opposite, in turn leading to their own demise.

So, I struggled through this book. Not because it is a bad story at all. Ralston's Puzzle House is a wonderful, very well thought out, and satisfying story...to someone who really loves puzzles and learning about specific types of history. I am not that person, but regardless of my personal likes/dislikes, no story is right for everyone. If you love this type of subject matter, multiple people being stuck in a room together and having to SACRIFICE all that they have to come out alive at the end of it, then this is the book for you.

Great read. One I would definitely give another read to in the future. Props to the author for doing such a great job with a complex concept. I'll most definitely be checking out more of his work.

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Andy DeVore
Some puzzles require a ton of flesh.
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2025
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Another fantastic read from Mr. Ralston. Slightly reminiscent of SAW II, as the cast of characters are locked into a house that’s full of puzzles. Puzzles that have to be solved in order to move forward. Puzzles that some will not survive.
But that’s where the similarities with SAW II end.
Duncan has created a far more violent world than that of the SAW franchise. I mean, it’s brutal. I hate giving stuff away. But there’s a scene where one of the characters essentially conducts surgery on themselves removing their bladder. It is involved. Very descriptive. And full or gore.
The ending was great and not at all how I expected it to end. Not even close. That’s always an awesome thing; when an author takes you down one road and you assume you’re going to stay on that road, then suddenly there’s a left turn you didn’t see. And it’s a sharp one!
An easy 5 outta 5.

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Stevie Hostetter
A Decent Read, But Slow with Unexpected Themes
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2024
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Puzzle House" is an interesting and heartfelt story, but it suffers from pacing issues and a surprising twist that may leave some readers feeling blindsided. While the book has its strengths, it doesn’t fully deliver on its promise of a captivating plot.

Strengths:

Unique Concept: The idea of a house built around puzzles and challenges is intriguing, and the premise holds promise for an engaging story. The concept feels fresh, and at times, the puzzle-solving aspects provide some fun moments.

Emotional Depth: There is an emotional core to the story that explores themes of hope and healing. The protagonist’s journey offers moments of reflection and growth, which adds depth to the narrative.

Areas for Improvement:

Slow Pacing: The book takes its time to get moving, and the pacing often feels sluggish. The buildup to key events is lengthy, and readers may find themselves waiting for the story to pick up. Some sections feel repetitive or drawn out, which detracts from the overall momentum.

Mental Illness Mentioned Unexpectedly: One of the more jarring aspects of the book is the sudden introduction of mental illness as part of the narrative. While the topic is important and can add depth, it wasn’t foreshadowed effectively, leaving readers feeling a bit blindsided by its inclusion. A more gradual or thoughtful exploration of this theme would have made the story feel more cohesive.

Final Thoughts:

"Puzzle House" has potential, but its slow pacing and unexpected introduction of certain themes, particularly mental illness, hold it back from being a truly engaging read. While there are moments of emotional depth and a unique concept, it may not fully satisfy readers looking for a more evenly paced and cohesive narrative. It’s a decent read for those interested in a heartfelt story but may fall short of expectations for others.

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Top reviews from other countries

Booklover
Such a brilliant read
Reviewed in India on October 2, 2023
Verified Purchase

Alexis Vasiliev is a world’s famous puzzle master and he has selected six beneficiaries for his estate. The puzzle house has a secret of it is own and a huge mystery including the mystery within it. They must solve the first of six puzzles to leave the house or continue solving the rest of the puzzles to win the estate worth $150M fortune. One of the puzzle is based on Egyptian belief. While solving the puzzles, the secrets also unveils with inevitable mystery and secrets of each character. The book was twisted and filled with terror, grief, secrets and the deadly game of solving six puzzles. The one who solves all of them will win the estate. From secrets and mystery, the game becomes of survival. It is such a brilliant and mind boggling book. It has alternating POV. It has vibes like The Cellar, Squad Game and The hunger games.

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Alexandra Nisneru
Escape room meets The Cube
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 27, 2023
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This reminded me of the Cube movies, from my teenage years. Yes, I'm that old 😅. Anyway, I really enjoyed Puzzle House, a complex story revealing the escape room concept, where a bunch of people are brought together by a madman, promising them "the world" if they solve and escape his very elaborate puzzles. And if they dont, gruesome death awaits them. But the story has some hidden twists as well, and I believe you'll agree with me when I say I would have liked a little bit more about the conspiracy revealed between the pages..also, the end was a bit too rushed, I would have loved to see an extended version of the events that transpired once the survivor left the house. Otherwise, a fast paced, gripping story that I really enjoyed reading.

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Katie Burgess
like a saw movie
Reviewed in Australia on November 30, 2024
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Such a quick paced horror story with intertwined characters and scenes that will make your tummy turn. Loved the mythology element that gave it that stronger storyline. Loved how the ending finished open rather than dragging on too long as we all know how it will end…..

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Danielle Yeager
Highly recommend!
Reviewed in Canada on September 19, 2023
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A handful of disparate people arrive at the Puzzle House to work together and successfully complete a series of escape rooms. Or die trying.

The prize to the survivor(s) is a significant portion of the sadistic puzzle master's hundreds of millions of dollars.

Duncan Ralston did so much research to expertly weave a tale that is intelligent, witty, cinematic, and suspenseful. I read it in one sitting! It has something--demons, creatures, body horror--for puzzle fans and aficionados of ritual magick and numerous polytheistic cultures' mythologies.

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Regalcanary
Fast-paced and horrible. It’s all good!
Reviewed in Canada on April 7, 2024
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I basically read the book in one sitting. I like the locked-room or -house stories where the characters are brought together seemingly at random, forced to either rely on or betray each other in order to survive and escape some madman’s fantasy. Add in some ancient civilizations and their mythological gods and demons, and you have a story that makes you read on.

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Puzzle House: A Novel Kindle Edition

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Duncan Ralston

Wicked House Publishing

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Smart and twisted!!

Top reviews from the United States

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4.0 out of 5 stars "Murder is back in fashion."

5.0 out of 5 stars Some puzzles require a ton of flesh.

3.0 out of 5 stars A Decent Read, But Slow with Unexpected Themes

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Such a brilliant read

4.0 out of 5 stars Escape room meets The Cube

5.0 out of 5 stars like a saw movie

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend!

4.0 out of 5 stars Fast-paced and horrible. It’s all good!

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"Murder is back in fashion."

Some puzzles require a ton of flesh.

A Decent Read, But Slow with Unexpected Themes

Such a brilliant read

Escape room meets The Cube

like a saw movie

Highly recommend!

Fast-paced and horrible. It’s all good!