It becomes quite obvious when reading Danielle Trussoni’s extremely clever new novel, THE PUZZLE BOX, that she was greatly influenced by Dan Brown. In fact, she counts him among her friends and thanks him in her Acknowledgements. She certainly learned fast because this story is infused with the same type of historically inspired and deadly games and puzzles that complement this unique and very popular genre.

Mike Brink, who we met in THE PUZZLE MASTER, is considered to be the world’s greatest puzzle master, but that’s not primarily why he’s such an interesting character. An accident caused Brink to suffer a brain injury that has given him acquired savant syndrome. Think Rain Man to the nth degree. There have been fewer than 50 documented cases of this condition that brings about superior cognitive abilities. This is what makes Brink second to none in creating and solving the most difficult puzzles on earth.

"The race to the finish and the hopeful final solution to the Dragon Box challenge keeps the pages moving as quickly as the frenetic pace.... THE PUZZLE BOX is a top-notch thriller that is so much fun to read."

This prowess has drawn the attention of Sakura Nakamoto, who, during the Year of the Dragon, has challenged Brink to come with her to Japan to attempt to open the legendary Dragon Box. It is still housed in the home of Emperor Meiji and is alleged to contain a priceless Imperial secret. Everyone who has tried to open it has been killed by one of the uniquely clever booby traps left by its creator, Ogawa Ryuichi. In fact, the person who most recently touched the box on the property was killed by a hidden poisoned blade.

Brink accepts the challenge and insists that he be accompanied by his dog, Conundrum (aka Connie), as well as his closest friend and confidante, Rachel Appel. He is quite eager to go, especially after Dr. Trevers, who knows him best and has been treating him since he acquired his unique condition, mysteriously and tragically passes away. Brink does not ask Sakura about Trevers, but he does have plenty of questions about the infamous Dragon Box, which has a familial connection to Sakura.

Brink anticipates as many as 72 moves required to figure out the mechanical conundrum that Ogawa created. He surprisingly gets through the first half fairly easily before they all realize that Ogawa was not going to make its secret contents that easy to find. Instead, the initial box merely provides a blueprint as to where to locate the treasure that is purported to be an immensely valuable jewel. All along the way, Trussoni includes terrific diagrams of all the different puzzles that Brink must decipher. You feel like you are right there with him, sweating out move after move of a puzzle that has left all previous solvers dead.

It turns out that Sakura and the Imperial family of Japan are not the only ones seeking the treasures of the Dragon Box. The late tech billionaire Jameson Sedge, who was Brink’s antagonist in the previous novel, has downloaded his consciousness into all of his devices. Essentially, Sedge has found a way to live on after his death and almost has complete control over all technical gadgets to keep him uber-present. One of his heads of security is also following Brink and Sakura closely, making the book that much more suspenseful with the added threat involved.

The race to the finish and the hopeful final solution to the Dragon Box challenge keeps the pages moving as quickly as the frenetic pace. There are pitfalls at nearly every wrong turn, and Brink finally may have met a puzzle he cannot master. THE PUZZLE BOX is a top-notch thriller that is so much fun to read.