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A Jigsaw Puzzle Mystery #1
Picking Up the Pieces
A dedicated group of jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts must put their problem-solving skills to the test when one of their own is murdered, for fans of Kate Young and Richard Osman.
After her mother’s passing, Katie Chambers returns to Cedar Bay, a serene enclave nestled in the southwest corner of Washington State’s Whidbey Island to support her newly widowed father, Jim Chambers. Stepping into her mother’s footsteps, Katie takes on the role of graphic designer at Cedar Bay Puzzles. With the help of her father, she resurrects her mom’s cherished initiative, the South Island Jigsaw crew, a group of puzzle enthusiasts who gather weekly at the library to test and tackle the latest Cedar Bay Puzzles creations. But when a member of their club is murdered and Jim is the last person to see her alive, resulting in his arrest, Katie and the rest of the gang must use all of their resources to obtain justice for both.
To prove her father’s innocence, Katie reaches out to Connor Crozier, a firefighter and her former flame who shattered her heart seven years ago. With problems piling up at work and a competitor outright accusing CBP of stealing his designs, it is up to Katie to puzzle out the mystery before it’s too late.
Perfect for fans of The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers and The Marlow Murder Club, this charming and fun mystery will have readers puzzling over the mystery until the last page.
After her mother’s passing, Katie Chambers returns to Cedar Bay, a serene enclave nestled in the southwest corner of Washington State’s Whidbey Island to support her newly widowed father, Jim Chambers. Stepping into her mother’s footsteps, Katie takes on the role of graphic designer at Cedar Bay Puzzles. With the help of her father, she resurrects her mom’s cherished initiative, the South Island Jigsaw crew, a group of puzzle enthusiasts who gather weekly at the library to test and tackle the latest Cedar Bay Puzzles creations. But when a member of their club is murdered and Jim is the last person to see her alive, resulting in his arrest, Katie and the rest of the gang must use all of their resources to obtain justice for both.
To prove her father’s innocence, Katie reaches out to Connor Crozier, a firefighter and her former flame who shattered her heart seven years ago. With problems piling up at work and a competitor outright accusing CBP of stealing his designs, it is up to Katie to puzzle out the mystery before it’s too late.
Perfect for fans of The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers and The Marlow Murder Club, this charming and fun mystery will have readers puzzling over the mystery until the last page.
304 pages, Paperback
Published August 12, 2025
15 people are currently reading
4013 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Abbott
1 book34 followersJ.B. Abbott is the pen name for the mystery writing team of Brian Tracey and Jeff Ayers.
Brian Tracey is the past Chairman of DFWCon, Texas's premier multi-genre writing conference. He's an active member and long-serving officer of the DFW Writers’ Workshop and a member of International Thriller Writers, serving as a volunteer in several capacities for ITW's annual conference, ThrillerFest. He's published business articles and white papers, and his short stories have appeared in Suspense Magazine (written as Patrick J. McKnight). In addition to his thrillers, he also writes cozy mysteries with Jeff Ayers. He lives in Texas with his wife, two children, two cats and many rabbits who've claimed his yard as their own.
Jeff Ayers first book was a guide to the world of Star Trek novels for Simon and Schuster, Voyages of Imagination. He read over 550 books for that project and interviewed over 350 people, including William Shatner and John DeLancie. He has been a book reviewer for The Associated Press and Booklist and is currently reviewing for Criminal Element, Library Journal, and firstCLUE. Jeff has interviewed hundreds of authors in newspapers, podcasts, and magazines. He is a retired public librarian and a former Co-Executive Director of Thrillerfest for International Thriller Writers. He co-writes thrillers about National Parks under the name A. J. Landau.
Brian Tracey is the past Chairman of DFWCon, Texas's premier multi-genre writing conference. He's an active member and long-serving officer of the DFW Writers’ Workshop and a member of International Thriller Writers, serving as a volunteer in several capacities for ITW's annual conference, ThrillerFest. He's published business articles and white papers, and his short stories have appeared in Suspense Magazine (written as Patrick J. McKnight). In addition to his thrillers, he also writes cozy mysteries with Jeff Ayers. He lives in Texas with his wife, two children, two cats and many rabbits who've claimed his yard as their own.
Jeff Ayers first book was a guide to the world of Star Trek novels for Simon and Schuster, Voyages of Imagination. He read over 550 books for that project and interviewed over 350 people, including William Shatner and John DeLancie. He has been a book reviewer for The Associated Press and Booklist and is currently reviewing for Criminal Element, Library Journal, and firstCLUE. Jeff has interviewed hundreds of authors in newspapers, podcasts, and magazines. He is a retired public librarian and a former Co-Executive Director of Thrillerfest for International Thriller Writers. He co-writes thrillers about National Parks under the name A. J. Landau.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
August 14, 2025
The first book in a new series called A Jigsaw Puzzle Mystery.
Katie Chambers returns to Cedar Bay to support her father after her mother's death. Her job is Graphic Designer for Cedar Bay Puzzles and she is a member of the South Island Jigsaw Crew - a group of puzzle enthusiasts. When her father is arrested for murder Katie vows to clear his name and her friends help as does Connor Crozier, ex boyfriend from the past.
I liked the Puzzle Company and Club as the theme for this series. It made a nice change from bookshops and bakeries. Katie is an entertaining main character. Occasionally her reactions are a bit immature but she is determined and smart. Whimsy the cat is smart too and very cute. I will be looking out for book 2 to find out what happens between Katie and Connor.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Katie Chambers returns to Cedar Bay to support her father after her mother's death. Her job is Graphic Designer for Cedar Bay Puzzles and she is a member of the South Island Jigsaw Crew - a group of puzzle enthusiasts. When her father is arrested for murder Katie vows to clear his name and her friends help as does Connor Crozier, ex boyfriend from the past.
I liked the Puzzle Company and Club as the theme for this series. It made a nice change from bookshops and bakeries. Katie is an entertaining main character. Occasionally her reactions are a bit immature but she is determined and smart. Whimsy the cat is smart too and very cute. I will be looking out for book 2 to find out what happens between Katie and Connor.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 30, 2025
3.5 stars. The plot line was sweet and unique. Katie and her Crew set out to solve a murder. The Crew are puzzle enthusiasts and quite diversified. My favorite character was Connor, the fireman, former boyfriend of Katie’s. I was surprised by whom the killer was. I do recommend this book if you enjoy cozies. I also plan to read anymore published in this series.
I was blessed with an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased. Thank you NetGalley.
I was blessed with an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased. Thank you NetGalley.
August 16, 2025
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Katie Chambers has come home to Cedar Bay following her mother’s death to not only to be close to her father, but she also fills the vacancy left by her mother’s death at Cedar Bay Puzzles. She even restarts a group her mother started, the South Island Jigsaw crew —a group of puzzle masters who meet at the library to try out prospective puzzles coming out from the company.
When a puzzle creator who is also a member of the South Island Jigsaw crew is killed, Katie’s father Jim appears to be the last person to see her alive, making him the prime suspect in her murder. Katie gathers the crew together, along with firefighter and her ex, Connor Crozier, to help her pull all the pieces of this murder puzzle together to find the real killer and set her father free.
I found the characters in this first Jigsaw Puzzle Mystery very authentic. Katie’s mother was a beloved member of the community. Her father, Jim, is mourning the loss of his wife while trying to move forward. Katie is trying to honor her by continuing the job she loved. The members of the South Island Jigsaw crew include: Ken Gorman, “a sixty-ish Santa Claus of a man,” who is a retired attorney fills his time volunteering. Hannah Jackson is a high schooler and the “reigning two-time Whidbey Island Puzzle Teen Champion and dead ringer for musician Alicia Keys.” Mildred Wilson, “who had to be pushing ninety,” speaks her mind and rolls her eyes as only a woman her age can. Tony Foligno, a former Navy man and the owner of the only Subaru dealership on the island. This group is tight, and each brings their own talents to the group. Connor Crozier is a firefighter, Katie’s ex, and the son of Police Lieutenant Daniel Crozier. I enjoyed meeting them and look forward to getting to know them better as the series progresses.
Elena Larsson was also a member of the group, “an up-and-coming artist at Cedar Bay Puzzles,” who reminded Katie of Selena Gomez, and sadly, our victim. The crew of puzzlers not only wanted to clear Jim of her murder, they wanted justice for their friend. It was frustrating that the police felt they had arrested the right man when everyone knew Jim had to be innocent. The crew focused on a few suspects at first, with different theories on motive. Some had alibis, some needed further investigation. A threat against Katie shook up all the theories, but the pieces of the puzzle just wouldn’t come together. Katie had a mantra, “focus on the whole puzzle”. After trying so hard to find the missing piece, she finally had her A-ha moment. She needed the crew to help her prove it. I was entertained by their plan and the way they worked together, especially when everything didn’t go as planned, which led to an exciting takedown.
Connor Crozier deserves special mention. He had Katie’s back the entire time and went above and beyond what was expected, even going against his father. Katie was cool to him the entire time, but he didn’t back away. Later, a secret is revealed that gives the relationship an entirely new perspective in Katie’s eyes. Being a mom, I understood. It also gives the involved characters more depth and makes them even more genuine in my eyes.
Lines that made me laugh out loud – Mildred to Lt. Crozier – “Here’s a mint. Your breath could drop a dinosaur.”
Picking Up the Pieces is set in an appealing small town and filled with lovable characters whose lives you want to be invested in. Those characters are boxed in a puzzling mystery that tests them and the readers of the book. I love doing jigsaw puzzles, so the jigsaw puzzle theme was a perfect fit. The authors have set this series off to a notable start. I am looking forward to book two!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Katie Chambers has come home to Cedar Bay following her mother’s death to not only to be close to her father, but she also fills the vacancy left by her mother’s death at Cedar Bay Puzzles. She even restarts a group her mother started, the South Island Jigsaw crew —a group of puzzle masters who meet at the library to try out prospective puzzles coming out from the company.
When a puzzle creator who is also a member of the South Island Jigsaw crew is killed, Katie’s father Jim appears to be the last person to see her alive, making him the prime suspect in her murder. Katie gathers the crew together, along with firefighter and her ex, Connor Crozier, to help her pull all the pieces of this murder puzzle together to find the real killer and set her father free.
I found the characters in this first Jigsaw Puzzle Mystery very authentic. Katie’s mother was a beloved member of the community. Her father, Jim, is mourning the loss of his wife while trying to move forward. Katie is trying to honor her by continuing the job she loved. The members of the South Island Jigsaw crew include: Ken Gorman, “a sixty-ish Santa Claus of a man,” who is a retired attorney fills his time volunteering. Hannah Jackson is a high schooler and the “reigning two-time Whidbey Island Puzzle Teen Champion and dead ringer for musician Alicia Keys.” Mildred Wilson, “who had to be pushing ninety,” speaks her mind and rolls her eyes as only a woman her age can. Tony Foligno, a former Navy man and the owner of the only Subaru dealership on the island. This group is tight, and each brings their own talents to the group. Connor Crozier is a firefighter, Katie’s ex, and the son of Police Lieutenant Daniel Crozier. I enjoyed meeting them and look forward to getting to know them better as the series progresses.
Elena Larsson was also a member of the group, “an up-and-coming artist at Cedar Bay Puzzles,” who reminded Katie of Selena Gomez, and sadly, our victim. The crew of puzzlers not only wanted to clear Jim of her murder, they wanted justice for their friend. It was frustrating that the police felt they had arrested the right man when everyone knew Jim had to be innocent. The crew focused on a few suspects at first, with different theories on motive. Some had alibis, some needed further investigation. A threat against Katie shook up all the theories, but the pieces of the puzzle just wouldn’t come together. Katie had a mantra, “focus on the whole puzzle”. After trying so hard to find the missing piece, she finally had her A-ha moment. She needed the crew to help her prove it. I was entertained by their plan and the way they worked together, especially when everything didn’t go as planned, which led to an exciting takedown.
Connor Crozier deserves special mention. He had Katie’s back the entire time and went above and beyond what was expected, even going against his father. Katie was cool to him the entire time, but he didn’t back away. Later, a secret is revealed that gives the relationship an entirely new perspective in Katie’s eyes. Being a mom, I understood. It also gives the involved characters more depth and makes them even more genuine in my eyes.
Lines that made me laugh out loud – Mildred to Lt. Crozier – “Here’s a mint. Your breath could drop a dinosaur.”
Picking Up the Pieces is set in an appealing small town and filled with lovable characters whose lives you want to be invested in. Those characters are boxed in a puzzling mystery that tests them and the readers of the book. I love doing jigsaw puzzles, so the jigsaw puzzle theme was a perfect fit. The authors have set this series off to a notable start. I am looking forward to book two!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
June 15, 2025
This book kicks off a new cosy mystery series with a fun and original setting, a jigsaw puzzle club. The puzzle angle is charming, and the cast of club members brings some nice variety to the story. A range of ages and occupations, even a high school student. I like that this book places puzzles as a hobby for people from different walks of life.
The mystery is intriguing, even though it felt a bit underbaked. The protagonist’s father is arrested rather hastily, driving up the personal stakes for Katie. Under pressure, she throws around a lot of direct accusations. It made the mystery feel a little clumsy, but it did present the emotions of he story well. And that was a bonus, especially as Katie is battling for people to believe her.
The small-town feel is there in the way everyone seems to know everyone’s business, though the sense of place wasn’t particularly vivid. The writing flows well, which is important for a cosy mystery.
Overall, it’s a light, easy read with a unique hook. Cosy fans might enjoy it as a comfort read, something to immerse yourself into for a quick escape.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy of the book for an honest review.
The mystery is intriguing, even though it felt a bit underbaked. The protagonist’s father is arrested rather hastily, driving up the personal stakes for Katie. Under pressure, she throws around a lot of direct accusations. It made the mystery feel a little clumsy, but it did present the emotions of he story well. And that was a bonus, especially as Katie is battling for people to believe her.
The small-town feel is there in the way everyone seems to know everyone’s business, though the sense of place wasn’t particularly vivid. The writing flows well, which is important for a cosy mystery.
Overall, it’s a light, easy read with a unique hook. Cosy fans might enjoy it as a comfort read, something to immerse yourself into for a quick escape.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy of the book for an honest review.
April 11, 2025
Katie Chambers loves a good puzzle, which is just as well because soon after she returns to her hometown of Cedar Bay, after seven years away, she finds herself slap bang in the middle of one! Working at Cedar Bay Puzzles in a job held by her late mother and restarting the South Island Jigsaw Crew seemed the right thing to do but when tragedy strikes and her dad is accused of murder that becomes her main focus. With the police determined to charge her dad, she and the eclectic members of her crew band together with Katie's ex, Connor, to find out who is responsible. She is absolutely sure her dad is innocent, but can she find the truth before someone out there makes her the second victim?
J B Abbott's first novel is a good read with a main protagonist who is instantly likeable and easy to cheer for. There are a lot of characters in this book, but it wasn't confusing as they were all easily recognisable. The will they/won't they romance is a fun addition to the storyline with an original reason for their break-up and the identity of the killer was well hidden until the big reveal.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I enjoyed this and will definitely be on the lookout for book two.
J B Abbott's first novel is a good read with a main protagonist who is instantly likeable and easy to cheer for. There are a lot of characters in this book, but it wasn't confusing as they were all easily recognisable. The will they/won't they romance is a fun addition to the storyline with an original reason for their break-up and the identity of the killer was well hidden until the big reveal.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I enjoyed this and will definitely be on the lookout for book two.
February 18, 2025
[NetGalley Read #25]
3.75 ⭐️
'The other crew members pretended to be eating their meals and let's just say, no Academy Awards were going to be doled out tonight.'
- Good. Charming. Short and easy to read. A good mix of light and dark. Funny and sad. This needed to be longer. I would've liked spending more time with these characters.
- Very Christie-esque. Plenty of colorful characters. Old. Young. Good banter. Small town. Word travels fast. Amateur detectives. A little romantic arc going on. That being said, it does create its own identity with the puzzle theme.
- As for the mystery itself, it was pretty good. Could've been tighter. But I did like that they (Kaite and her Crew) are shown to be inexperienced. And it affects the characters. Most mysteries I read have these characters finding clue after clue (not that that doesn't happen here), and here the characters actually go: 'I've no idea what I'm doing. But I'm going to keep at it and keep doing it anyway.' It really drives home the point that they are amateurs and they are going to make mistakes.
Recommended. 👍
3.75 ⭐️
'The other crew members pretended to be eating their meals and let's just say, no Academy Awards were going to be doled out tonight.'
- Good. Charming. Short and easy to read. A good mix of light and dark. Funny and sad. This needed to be longer. I would've liked spending more time with these characters.
- Very Christie-esque. Plenty of colorful characters. Old. Young. Good banter. Small town. Word travels fast. Amateur detectives. A little romantic arc going on. That being said, it does create its own identity with the puzzle theme.
- As for the mystery itself, it was pretty good. Could've been tighter. But I did like that they (Kaite and her Crew) are shown to be inexperienced. And it affects the characters. Most mysteries I read have these characters finding clue after clue (not that that doesn't happen here), and here the characters actually go: 'I've no idea what I'm doing. But I'm going to keep at it and keep doing it anyway.' It really drives home the point that they are amateurs and they are going to make mistakes.
Recommended. 👍
July 24, 2025
This wasn’t for me. I loved the setting and the premise of the series but Katie was so immature and unlikeable that I had difficulty getting through this. The book was filled with repetitive description and filler, none of which really move the story along, and tons of angst about her former relationship with Connor. I will probably not continue with the series.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
February 19, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this charming, twisty cozy. Picking Up the Pieces features a main character who's just resettled in the small town where she grew up, and where she works for the Cedar Bay Puzzles. There's a quirky crew of locals who test new puzzle designs with her, which provides for plenty of interesting group dynamics, and the town itself is super charming (a small town on Whidbey Island in WA). After the first body drops, the group must solve a murder that has unfortunately implicated the main character's father as a suspect. The dialogue is witty and face paced, and I have to admit I have a weakness for stories that have an old flame as part of the romantic B story. Readers will love all the quaint small town vibes, and the twists will have you guessing until the end. Highly recommend.
August 10, 2025
The South Island Jigsaw crew gathers weekly at the library in Cedar Bay, Washington where they test and tackle the latest Cedar Bay Puzzles creations. Katie Chambers has returned home after her mother's passing and steps in to take over her mother's role on the crew. When a member of the club is murdered her father becomes a suspect. At the same time a competitor is accusing CBP of stealing designs. Can Katie solve the biggest puzzle of all?
A puzzle club crew makes a natural fit to solve murders. I like how supportive they are. It took me a while to get the characters straight though. The introduction might have been too brief because I felt lost for a while.
It also took me a while to warm up to Katie. She's a little high strung and I didn't always approve of her actions. Some decisions other characters made aren't very believable either.
I was hoping for a little more excitement with the mystery and the romance. Overall, Picking Up the Pieces was just okay for me.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for the ARC. #partner
A puzzle club crew makes a natural fit to solve murders. I like how supportive they are. It took me a while to get the characters straight though. The introduction might have been too brief because I felt lost for a while.
It also took me a while to warm up to Katie. She's a little high strung and I didn't always approve of her actions. Some decisions other characters made aren't very believable either.
I was hoping for a little more excitement with the mystery and the romance. Overall, Picking Up the Pieces was just okay for me.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for the ARC. #partner
August 21, 2025
Jigsaw puzzles are supposed to be relaxing—unless, of course, they come with a side of murder. When puzzle designer Katie Chambers's librarian dad is accused of murder and refuses to clear his name, she and her crew of jigsaw puzzle testers have to figure out how to place the pieces to solve the crime.
Between dodging trouble in the misty Puget Sound, navigating the awkward presence of her firefighter ex-boyfriend, and learning what every dog knows about cats, Katie has her hands full. But cozy mystery fans, fear not—this puzzle-loving squad might apply all their puzzle-building prowess to figure out this delightful whodunit.
If you love quirky crime-solvers, charming small-town drama, and the kind of twisty mystery that keeps you guessing and giggling, this book might be your next favorite read. Can a book change a life? You bet. After reading about the dynamics of what goes into puzzle designing, there may be a new career on the horizon. Reading is my passion, but I could be gently coerced into building puzzles for pay, or at least setting up a puzzle group.
While J.B. Abbott is the pen name of authors Jeff Ayers and Brian Tracey, I hope the two continue writing together for a long, long time. Further, I can't wait to see the next in this series.
By the way, thanks to Crooked Lane Books for providing a copy of this book.
Between dodging trouble in the misty Puget Sound, navigating the awkward presence of her firefighter ex-boyfriend, and learning what every dog knows about cats, Katie has her hands full. But cozy mystery fans, fear not—this puzzle-loving squad might apply all their puzzle-building prowess to figure out this delightful whodunit.
If you love quirky crime-solvers, charming small-town drama, and the kind of twisty mystery that keeps you guessing and giggling, this book might be your next favorite read. Can a book change a life? You bet. After reading about the dynamics of what goes into puzzle designing, there may be a new career on the horizon. Reading is my passion, but I could be gently coerced into building puzzles for pay, or at least setting up a puzzle group.
While J.B. Abbott is the pen name of authors Jeff Ayers and Brian Tracey, I hope the two continue writing together for a long, long time. Further, I can't wait to see the next in this series.
By the way, thanks to Crooked Lane Books for providing a copy of this book.
February 12, 2025
This was painful to read, too much info dumping and awkward long sentences not to mention the bad grammar. I don't usually comment about English grammar, because it’s not my first language, but this was seriously hard to read (They also kept saying her father had an affair with the victim, but he’s a widower so he shouldn’t count as still married). Didn’t like how her father pushed her to marry just because she’s almost 30, the thing with her ex filled half the book.
I actually powered through to the end, I shouldn't have bothered because reading just the beginning and ending gives the same result. The middle is filled with scenery descriptions, the police not believing anyone, them struggling to fill a suspect list and her relationship with the ex.
I actually powered through to the end, I shouldn't have bothered because reading just the beginning and ending gives the same result. The middle is filled with scenery descriptions, the police not believing anyone, them struggling to fill a suspect list and her relationship with the ex.
August 11, 2025
I'm giving this 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
This is a good start to a new cozy mystery series. Katie Chambers moves back to Cedar Bay, Washington, after her mom dies. She works for a puzzle company and joins a jigsaw puzzle club with her mom's friends. I enjoyed the puzzle aspect. The puzzles and the group were cute and charming.
When her dad gets blamed for murder, Katie and the puzzle crew try to find the real killer. The mystery itself is interesting. I was actually surprised by who did it, even if the reason was a little weak. There's also a potential romance with a bit of back-and-forth. I'm definitely curious to see what happens next in the series.
If you're looking for a small-town cozy mystery with puzzles and some amateur detectives, you should check this one out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is a good start to a new cozy mystery series. Katie Chambers moves back to Cedar Bay, Washington, after her mom dies. She works for a puzzle company and joins a jigsaw puzzle club with her mom's friends. I enjoyed the puzzle aspect. The puzzles and the group were cute and charming.
When her dad gets blamed for murder, Katie and the puzzle crew try to find the real killer. The mystery itself is interesting. I was actually surprised by who did it, even if the reason was a little weak. There's also a potential romance with a bit of back-and-forth. I'm definitely curious to see what happens next in the series.
If you're looking for a small-town cozy mystery with puzzles and some amateur detectives, you should check this one out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
August 12, 2025
Picking Up the Pieces was such a great story with interesting characters and a strong mystery. I truly didn't know who the murderer was until main character Katie had her lightbulb moment. The small town setting was unique, being an island in the PNW. The weather was described frequently and thoroughly and it always added to the setting of story. Katie's dad kept some secrets and that didn't always sit well with me but new plot points came up over and over to keep me turning the pages. I hope there are more books in this series to explore Katie's relationship with Connor more in the future! I'd love to read more mysteries by this author team!
Picking Up the Pieces releases today, August 12! Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane for my advanced e-arc!
Picking Up the Pieces releases today, August 12! Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane for my advanced e-arc!
January 12, 2026
This was a book club read that I really enjoyed. The story was well written, with a town and characters I liked and want to know more about. I did not figure out "the who don it" and was surprised when all was revealed.
August 10, 2025
Thankyou to netgallery for this ARC
A cosy small town mystery, a crew of jigsaw fans try and solve a different kind of puzzle.
Nice easy read 4 stars for me
A cosy small town mystery, a crew of jigsaw fans try and solve a different kind of puzzle.
Nice easy read 4 stars for me
June 30, 2025
There are some inconsistencies with dates/timing of events that threw me off. I would catch myself going back to double check that I had read it right. Hoping those are caught and corrected before it’s published and released. I was able to solve the “whodunit” before the main character and crew. Sometimes too much detail was paid to things and some things not enough.
The idea is there and I like it. Just needs polishing.
The idea is there and I like it. Just needs polishing.
November 13, 2025
A new series? Not a bad story, but the main character is very annoying.
June 1, 2025
★★★.5
Katie Chambers’ life is in pieces—quite literally. After the sudden and unexpected passing of her mom, she moves back to Cedar Bay to be closer to her dad and takes over her mother’s old role at Cedar Bay Puzzles. As she slowly rebuilds her life (carefully avoiding her ex-boyfriend), one of the members of her mother’s beloved puzzle club, the South Island Jigsaw Crew, is murdered and Katie’s dad becomes the prime suspect. She knows he couldn’t have done it, but the evidence against him is overwhelming.
With the help of her friends from the puzzle club and some unexpected allies, Katie is determined to prove her dad’s innocence. After all, isn’t a murder case just another messy pile of puzzle pieces waiting to be solved?
Who knew the puzzle industry could be so competitive? I loved this charming cozy mystery, perfectly set in the atmospheric Pacific Northwest during the cold season. J.B. Abbott has crafted a memorable cast of characters, a touch of romance, a surprisingly dark crime, and a fun group of amateur sleuths who provide just the right amount of humor to lighten the story. All the elements the Queen of Crime would surely approve of! A few plot points felt a bit predictable, but that’s part of what makes a cozy mystery so comforting.
Katie is a likable and relatable protagonist; you can’t help but root for her, even though it’s clear she’s in over her head and unaware of the real danger she’s facing. Each puzzle club member is well-written, distinct, and wonderfully quirky. I can’t wait to see what the crew tackles next!
I highly recommend this to fans of cozy, atmospheric mysteries!
Thank you NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and J.B. Abbott for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Katie Chambers’ life is in pieces—quite literally. After the sudden and unexpected passing of her mom, she moves back to Cedar Bay to be closer to her dad and takes over her mother’s old role at Cedar Bay Puzzles. As she slowly rebuilds her life (carefully avoiding her ex-boyfriend), one of the members of her mother’s beloved puzzle club, the South Island Jigsaw Crew, is murdered and Katie’s dad becomes the prime suspect. She knows he couldn’t have done it, but the evidence against him is overwhelming.
With the help of her friends from the puzzle club and some unexpected allies, Katie is determined to prove her dad’s innocence. After all, isn’t a murder case just another messy pile of puzzle pieces waiting to be solved?
Who knew the puzzle industry could be so competitive? I loved this charming cozy mystery, perfectly set in the atmospheric Pacific Northwest during the cold season. J.B. Abbott has crafted a memorable cast of characters, a touch of romance, a surprisingly dark crime, and a fun group of amateur sleuths who provide just the right amount of humor to lighten the story. All the elements the Queen of Crime would surely approve of! A few plot points felt a bit predictable, but that’s part of what makes a cozy mystery so comforting.
Katie is a likable and relatable protagonist; you can’t help but root for her, even though it’s clear she’s in over her head and unaware of the real danger she’s facing. Each puzzle club member is well-written, distinct, and wonderfully quirky. I can’t wait to see what the crew tackles next!
I highly recommend this to fans of cozy, atmospheric mysteries!
Thank you NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and J.B. Abbott for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
June 15, 2025
3.5 stars
Katie Chambers has returned home to the Pacific Northwest and Whidbey Island where her newly widowed father still lives. She takes over her late mother's job as jigsaw puzzle graphic designer and is a member of an eclectic puzzle solving and rating group.
So when a co-worker is murdered and Katie's dad is the main suspect, the group decides to use their skills to solve the crime. The local police chief doesn't appreciate their help. He also happens to be the father of Connor who was Katie's long time high school boyfriend who broke her heart after graduation.
I thought Katie overdramatized the importance of the breakup since she's now in her mid 20s, but this was a pleasant debut. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Katie Chambers has returned home to the Pacific Northwest and Whidbey Island where her newly widowed father still lives. She takes over her late mother's job as jigsaw puzzle graphic designer and is a member of an eclectic puzzle solving and rating group.
So when a co-worker is murdered and Katie's dad is the main suspect, the group decides to use their skills to solve the crime. The local police chief doesn't appreciate their help. He also happens to be the father of Connor who was Katie's long time high school boyfriend who broke her heart after graduation.
I thought Katie overdramatized the importance of the breakup since she's now in her mid 20s, but this was a pleasant debut. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 2, 2025
Picking up the pieces had an intriguing blurb with a quirky feature: the jigsaw community. I found the lead character nice enough, and her relation with her dad endearing. Even though it was a fast, easy read, I didn't find the plot all that riveting. The ending was even a bit underwhelming. Maybe the next installment will be more compelling.
March 19, 2025
Picking Up the Pieces is the first book in a new cozy mystery series that follows Katie Chambers after returned to her hometown of Cedar Bay, an island in Puget Sound, after the death of her mother. Taking over her mother's job at a jigsaw puzzle manufacturer keeps her busy as well as supporting her librarian father Jim and taking part in a weekly puzzle testing club.
Unfortunately, a co-worker and fellow member of the club is murdered, so Katie and the crew step in to investigate once her father is dragged in a suspect number one. Katie is also pulled back into the orbit of her high school sweetheart becuse his father is the one investigating Katie's dad.
Lots of side characters with interesting backstories and various lifestyles/ages to keep a wide number of readers engaged. This series has potential. I did find the killer a little too predictable and was frustrated with Katie's poor decision making during the big reveal at the end of the story, hence the lower rating, but I would be curious to read more.
Unfortunately, a co-worker and fellow member of the club is murdered, so Katie and the crew step in to investigate once her father is dragged in a suspect number one. Katie is also pulled back into the orbit of her high school sweetheart becuse his father is the one investigating Katie's dad.
Lots of side characters with interesting backstories and various lifestyles/ages to keep a wide number of readers engaged. This series has potential. I did find the killer a little too predictable and was frustrated with Katie's poor decision making during the big reveal at the end of the story, hence the lower rating, but I would be curious to read more.
May 16, 2025
This was an interesting start to a new series. Katie Chambers has returned to her hometown on Cedar Bay, Washington, upon her mother's death. She is glad to be home for her dad and enjoys her job as a graphic designer at Cedar Bay Puzzles. Katie uses a group of her mom'sr friends to test puzzles designs and prototypes. Things are slowly getting in a rhythm when one of her co-workers is murdered and her dad becomes the main suspect! To complicate matters further, the chief of police is the father of the boy who broke Katie's heart before she left for college in Colorado. Though the chief is convinced her dad is guilty, Katie and her group of puzzle solvers are determined to prove his innocence. While I loved the group and the idea of puzzle experts actually solving a real puzzle, I did find Katie over the top of a lot of situations. Hopefully, she can calm down a little as I felt this series had promise. Thanks to #Netgalley, #CrookedLaneBooks, and the author for the introduction! #PickingUpThePieces #AJigsawPuzzleMystery #JBAbbott #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
February 2, 2025
Picking Up the Pieces by J.B. Abbott is a quick and enjoyable cozy mystery, but it feels a bit rushed. The story follows Katie Chambers, who returns to her hometown to help her dad after her mom’s death, only to get pulled into solving a murder. The premise is fun, especially if you’re into jigsaw puzzles and small-town mysteries but I felt like the plot needed more development.
The characters, particularly Katie and her former love interest, Connor, could have used more depth and some of the twists were wrapped up a bit too quickly. It’s a solid, light read but the short length and lack of deeper exploration into the mystery or relationships left me wanting more. Overall, it was good, but I gave it 3 stars—entertaining, but not as detailed as it could have been.
The characters, particularly Katie and her former love interest, Connor, could have used more depth and some of the twists were wrapped up a bit too quickly. It’s a solid, light read but the short length and lack of deeper exploration into the mystery or relationships left me wanting more. Overall, it was good, but I gave it 3 stars—entertaining, but not as detailed as it could have been.
March 19, 2025
Picking up the pieces is a cozy murder mystery based around a jigsaw puzzle testing group who attempt to solve a murder.
This was a fun read with lots of characters, which at times could make it hard to keep track of who was who. Although the book got in to the story quite quickly, some places felt as though the plot was being dragged out. There was a romance angle between the main character and another that played out throughout, which I look forward to seeing progress in future books.
Overall it was an enjoyable cozy mystery, I really liked the puzzle aspect of it. I would read future books in the serious as it was fun and a light read.
3.25 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for this ebook ARC.
This was a fun read with lots of characters, which at times could make it hard to keep track of who was who. Although the book got in to the story quite quickly, some places felt as though the plot was being dragged out. There was a romance angle between the main character and another that played out throughout, which I look forward to seeing progress in future books.
Overall it was an enjoyable cozy mystery, I really liked the puzzle aspect of it. I would read future books in the serious as it was fun and a light read.
3.25 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for this ebook ARC.
February 9, 2025
This book was silly, charming and so very, very cute. While the plot was a bit predictable, I did have to say I enjoyed reading it! It was an easy read and very easy to follow.
However, there were some small spelling mistakes and words that didn’t seem to fit ( wrong word used I’d say) or words missing, but it didn’t take away from the actual story.
I would definitely recommend this book to readers who love cozy mysteries!
However, there were some small spelling mistakes and words that didn’t seem to fit ( wrong word used I’d say) or words missing, but it didn’t take away from the actual story.
I would definitely recommend this book to readers who love cozy mysteries!
February 20, 2025
This book is an okay read. It’s about a murder in small town and a puzzle crew is determind to solve this case because one of the crew’s father is prime suspect.
I think it’s really fast paced without some depth about the plot, characters and backstory.
I also wanted to know more about the relationship between Katie and Connor.
Also, I knew who the murder was right away.
Thanks to NetGalley for this eARC.
I think it’s really fast paced without some depth about the plot, characters and backstory.
I also wanted to know more about the relationship between Katie and Connor.
Also, I knew who the murder was right away.
Thanks to NetGalley for this eARC.
March 11, 2025
This is a charming, lightweight mystery. It's a quick read, and as someone who likes both mysteries and jigsaw puzzles, the premise holds lots of appeal for me. I could do with less of the romance subplot, and the characters don't seem to have a whole lot of depth. But it's a fun, easy-to-read escape story.
Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2025
This appropriately titled series starter had me hooked after the first chapter. Katie Chambers, our easy to like amateur sleuth, is working with literal and figurative puzzle pieces and not all of them have to do with the mystery. Fortunately, she has a great group of friends who are willing and ready to help her. I am a fan of this kind of cozy which incorporates a cast of variously aged characters who are the support system to assist the sleuth. Katie returns home after six years from Denver, Colorado to cozy Cedar Bay, Washington where not only does everyone know your name, they also know your business too. I instantly took a liking to Katie, after all, she left a career to move back home after her mom died, so she can be close to her dad. This backstory instantly humanizes her, plus I would do the same thing in a heartbeat for my Dad. Speaking of dads, I found it refreshing that Katie’s dad is the head librarian, that is a new one for me as most librarians in books are women. As with most cozies, the librarians are fonts of knowledge. Katie’s dad could be quite helpful in the future stories. In this first story though, Jim is not helpful…at…all. With the police thinking they got their guy and Jim’s refusal to tell Katie anything helpful, it is up to Katie and the puzzle crew to solve their toughest puzzle yet.
A puzzle critiquing group originally started by Katie’s mom, the South Island Jigsaw Crew is back in business thanks to Katie. Not only are they passionate about puzzles but they are also extremely helpful when it comes to evaluating the next potential puzzle for the Cedar Bay Puzzle Company, where Katie works as the vp of product design and development. Actually it was the same company and position that her mom worked for prior to her health problems and death. The ages of the members are from “almost 80” to 17, and each personality is just as different as the ages. A great group of people to help Katie solve the crime that claimed one of their own and to get her dad out of the hoosegow. Hannah, Todd, Kevin, and Mildred are such good friends to Katie that I didn’t even realize that she doesn’t have a bff like most cozy protagonists.
The plot is well planned with a variety of motives and misdirects.The story does a great job of eliciting emotional responses and I actually felt insulted on Katie’s behalf from the treatment she and her dad received from Lieutenant Crozier. Then there is the frustration when Katie’s dad refused to cooperate or share anything with Katie, or the bomb he dropped about her ex-boyfriend Connor. Lastly, I am hopeful for the continuation of this series and the development of the overall story arc as Katie continues to fill in the puzzle pieces of her life.
A puzzle critiquing group originally started by Katie’s mom, the South Island Jigsaw Crew is back in business thanks to Katie. Not only are they passionate about puzzles but they are also extremely helpful when it comes to evaluating the next potential puzzle for the Cedar Bay Puzzle Company, where Katie works as the vp of product design and development. Actually it was the same company and position that her mom worked for prior to her health problems and death. The ages of the members are from “almost 80” to 17, and each personality is just as different as the ages. A great group of people to help Katie solve the crime that claimed one of their own and to get her dad out of the hoosegow. Hannah, Todd, Kevin, and Mildred are such good friends to Katie that I didn’t even realize that she doesn’t have a bff like most cozy protagonists.
The plot is well planned with a variety of motives and misdirects.The story does a great job of eliciting emotional responses and I actually felt insulted on Katie’s behalf from the treatment she and her dad received from Lieutenant Crozier. Then there is the frustration when Katie’s dad refused to cooperate or share anything with Katie, or the bomb he dropped about her ex-boyfriend Connor. Lastly, I am hopeful for the continuation of this series and the development of the overall story arc as Katie continues to fill in the puzzle pieces of her life.
August 10, 2025
a generous three stars
Katie returns to her hometown of Cedar Bay to help her father adjust to life without her mother. She also steps into her mother’s shoes as graphic designer at Cedar Bay Puzzles, and reactivates a group of puzzle enthusiasts who test the latest puzzle creations. When a member of this club is murdered and Katie’s father is the last person to see her alive, he is arrested for the crime – and Katie and the other club members are determined to clear his name.
According to Goodreads, this is the author’s first book and in my opinion, it shows. The reader definitely gets the small town feel, with everyone knowing everyone else’s business all the time, which I would find incredibly annoying. Also annoying was Katie, the MC. The way she treated her father irritated me right from the start. Yes, he’s a recent widower and still adjusting to living on his own, but she acted as if he was considerably older than I guessed him to be. Katie isn’t yet 30 year old, so I’m guessing her father is (maybe) in his early 60s, certainly not old enough to warrant the worry she shows on multiple occasions in the story.
And then there’s her investigation. Yes, the arrest happens very quickly and seemingly without much evidence, but Katie panicked and went around town hurling accusations at anyone and everyone she considered a possible suspect. Especially given her fractious relationship with the police chief, I’m amazed that she wasn’t charged with interfering with a police investigation! She and her friends did eventually figure out whodunnit, but I had reached that conclusion much earlier in the book… and I even nailed the motive :)
There was a lot of repetition in this book, and a lot of filler too. Do we really need to know how she rated each of her Uber drivers? Either Uber is much more expensive in Washington state than it is here in central Pennsylvania or sandwiches from her favorite shop are incredibly cheap, because we are told she spent enough on Uber in the three or four days she was without her car to buy a year’s worth of sandwiches! Even some of the dialogue was repetitive – I lost count of how many times someone pleaded in threes – “no, no, no!” and “please, please, please” are just two examples.
Although there is nothing to indicate that this is the beginning of a new series, the book reads as if it is. I rarely write off a series after just one book, but I will probably make an exception here. I love the jigsaw ‘theme’ of the story, but that’s not enough to entice me to want to read more.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Katie returns to her hometown of Cedar Bay to help her father adjust to life without her mother. She also steps into her mother’s shoes as graphic designer at Cedar Bay Puzzles, and reactivates a group of puzzle enthusiasts who test the latest puzzle creations. When a member of this club is murdered and Katie’s father is the last person to see her alive, he is arrested for the crime – and Katie and the other club members are determined to clear his name.
According to Goodreads, this is the author’s first book and in my opinion, it shows. The reader definitely gets the small town feel, with everyone knowing everyone else’s business all the time, which I would find incredibly annoying. Also annoying was Katie, the MC. The way she treated her father irritated me right from the start. Yes, he’s a recent widower and still adjusting to living on his own, but she acted as if he was considerably older than I guessed him to be. Katie isn’t yet 30 year old, so I’m guessing her father is (maybe) in his early 60s, certainly not old enough to warrant the worry she shows on multiple occasions in the story.
And then there’s her investigation. Yes, the arrest happens very quickly and seemingly without much evidence, but Katie panicked and went around town hurling accusations at anyone and everyone she considered a possible suspect. Especially given her fractious relationship with the police chief, I’m amazed that she wasn’t charged with interfering with a police investigation! She and her friends did eventually figure out whodunnit, but I had reached that conclusion much earlier in the book… and I even nailed the motive :)
There was a lot of repetition in this book, and a lot of filler too. Do we really need to know how she rated each of her Uber drivers? Either Uber is much more expensive in Washington state than it is here in central Pennsylvania or sandwiches from her favorite shop are incredibly cheap, because we are told she spent enough on Uber in the three or four days she was without her car to buy a year’s worth of sandwiches! Even some of the dialogue was repetitive – I lost count of how many times someone pleaded in threes – “no, no, no!” and “please, please, please” are just two examples.
Although there is nothing to indicate that this is the beginning of a new series, the book reads as if it is. I rarely write off a series after just one book, but I will probably make an exception here. I love the jigsaw ‘theme’ of the story, but that’s not enough to entice me to want to read more.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 15, 2025
J.B. Abbott's "Picking Up The Pieces" kept me turning pages well into the night, though my relationship with protagonist Katie Chambers proved as complicated as her murder investigation. What makes this cozy mystery simultaneously engaging and exasperating is how Abbott captures the amateur detective's enthusiasm while revealing her flawed methodology—less Miss Marple, more loose cannon with a grudge. When Katie confronted the puzzle company's competitor with barely a shred of evidence, I found myself mentally pleading with her to gather more information first—a testament to how invested I'd become despite my frustrations.
The ultimate reveal of the killer's motives feels disappointingly thin after such meticulous groundwork. Abbott constructs an intricate investigative jigsaw only to place a center piece that doesn't quite lock everything together, creating a narrative dissonance that undermines the careful tension built throughout the preceding chapters.
Where the novel truly shines is in creating Cedar Bay's vibrant supporting cast. The South Island Jigsaw crew brings unexpected depth to what could have been stock characters. Their weekly gatherings became scenes I eagerly anticipated, offering both comic relief and genuine emotional resonance.
Cedar Bay itself emerges as a character, with its persistent mist and tight-knit community where news travels faster than the ferry to the mainland. Abbott's atmospheric prose makes you feel the damp coastal air seeping into your bones while perfectly capturing that distinct Pacific Northwest insularity—creating the perfect pressure cooker for secrets and lies to simmer beneath polite small-town facades.
Despite my complicated feelings about Katie's investigative methods, this whodunit successfully wrapped me in its small-town charm while keeping me guessing until the final pieces fell into place. If you crave mysteries where setting and community matter as much as the central crime, "Picking Up The Pieces" will satisfy—even as Katie's impulsive sleuthing has you occasionally talking back to the page.
Special thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the advance copy. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
The ultimate reveal of the killer's motives feels disappointingly thin after such meticulous groundwork. Abbott constructs an intricate investigative jigsaw only to place a center piece that doesn't quite lock everything together, creating a narrative dissonance that undermines the careful tension built throughout the preceding chapters.
Where the novel truly shines is in creating Cedar Bay's vibrant supporting cast. The South Island Jigsaw crew brings unexpected depth to what could have been stock characters. Their weekly gatherings became scenes I eagerly anticipated, offering both comic relief and genuine emotional resonance.
Cedar Bay itself emerges as a character, with its persistent mist and tight-knit community where news travels faster than the ferry to the mainland. Abbott's atmospheric prose makes you feel the damp coastal air seeping into your bones while perfectly capturing that distinct Pacific Northwest insularity—creating the perfect pressure cooker for secrets and lies to simmer beneath polite small-town facades.
Despite my complicated feelings about Katie's investigative methods, this whodunit successfully wrapped me in its small-town charm while keeping me guessing until the final pieces fell into place. If you crave mysteries where setting and community matter as much as the central crime, "Picking Up The Pieces" will satisfy—even as Katie's impulsive sleuthing has you occasionally talking back to the page.
Special thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the advance copy. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
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