Bordergrams: 80 Secret Spy Connection Puzzles from the Bestselling Author of Murdle

by G.T. Karber, Daniel Donohue, Dani Messerschmidt

Find the common threads among a map of connected words in these addictive spy-themed puzzles from the bestselling creator of Murdle

Officially, you are a diplomat, working to carve up unstable regions into peaceful territories. Unofficially, you’re a secret agent working for the Division, and their ultimate mission is classified.

In each of these word puzzles, you're given a map filled with words, alongside a series of cryptic clues. To solve them, use the clues to divide the map into equally-sized territories with a common theme. It's easy at first, but like any spy mission, it always gets more complicated. Just when you think you've found what a group of words has in common, a shadow state will emerge to throw a wrench into the whole operation.

Do you have what it takes to divide the words and save the world? Or are you going to join the unification underground, and turn your back on the agency that made you?

Genres: Mystery, Nonfiction, Puzzles

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2025

About the author

G.T. Karber grew up in a small town in Arkansas, the son of a judge and a civil rights attorney. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas with a degree in mathematics and English literature. Then, he moved to Los Angeles, where he received a Masters in Fine Arts from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.

As the General Secretary of the Hollywood Mystery Society, a theater ensemble and cinematic social club, he has overseen the staging of more than 30 immersive whodunits in the LA area. His first feature film, Killer Party, a horror-comedy-musical-whodunit he co-wrote and directed, is currently in post-production with plans to premiere in festivals in 2023.

Reviews

[Anonymous · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a fun puzzle book, not too easy and not too hard. Only drawback is that it can be rather repetitive. Overall, it was a fun puzzle book to do and it was just right in terms of how challenging the puzzles were.

[Love_booksforlife Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great puzzle book! It’s very approachable but also challenging. I would highly recommend it!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy!

[Tomié · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway.

This was such a fun surprise. I wouldn't typically buy a book of puzzles but after completing this, I'm interested in trying others. I finished the puzzles in less than a week because I could not stop doing page after page once I got on a roll.

[Maggie Timlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spy stories meet the ‘Only Connect’ Wall.
The bonkers mind of J T Karber is back with a twisted tale of spy's and complicated missions. Solve the missions and then turn the page. This time, though, the puzzles take the form of groups of words that have something in common.
This is written with a British and American audience in mind. Whilst some of the clues felt very easy for those who are UK based, one or two had me thoroughly stumped. One about the gameshow Jeopardy felt as though it would be an easy win for a US readership. I'm sure there were some clues which cut the other way which I probably didn't notice, so in the end it all evened out. This book still gets five stars from me though because once I started the puzzles I couldn't stop.
I worked through the whole book in less than a week (fast for me with puzzle books) and had such a great time doing it. I am already looking forward to the next one.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this book.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really enjoy the murdle series so I was looking forwards to more logic puzzles linked by a story, but this was such a disappointment. The puzzles are an irritating mix of formulaic (once you get the pattern, like cryptic, there's not much of a challenge) and also requires a very American pop culture reference (there was often one clue that could not be solved without some cultural reference, such as knowing American air freshener brands).

[Karen Sumpter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Puzzles were fun, though most not very challenging. Difficulty didn't progress evenly but jumped around a lot: easy, harder. middling, easy, etc. Underlying story was abysmal. I've been a fan of Murdle and enjoy the characters, but this had only 4 named characters (if B and The Director are names) and all but one were horrible. Plot read like an incel's fever dream. Puzzles weren't good enough to make up for the ugliness of the story. Won't continue with this series.

[Linda (The Arizona Bookstagrammer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you SMPG Early Readers, St Martin’s Griffin @stmartinspress and G.T. Karber @gregkarber Daniel Donohue, xDani Messerschmidt, Amin Osman @murdlemysteries for this free book!
“Bordergrams: 80 Secret Spy Connection Puzzles” by G.T. Karber, Daniel Donohue, Dani Messerschmidt, Amin Osman⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Logic & Brain Teasers.

Author Karber and co-authors came up with a new idea in the Murders universe: a puzzle book featuring 80 spy-themed connection puzzles. It puts you in the shoes of a new secret agent helping a mysterious organization called “The Division” redraw the borders of the world. The story includes some shocking reveals and betrayals. Players use cryptic clues to divide a map of words into equally-sized territories with a common theme. Successfully completing the puzzles helps restore order to a dystopian world. The only thing more difficult than completing the mission is figuring out who can be trusted.

Similar to Murdle, Bordergrams involves finding common threads and connections. The puzzles are designed to be addictive and challenging. They’re full of espionage, intrigue, synonyms, double meanings, hidden connections. If you enjoy logic puzzles, clues, codes, and mysteries, this is your book! I’m doing a little at a time so I don’t strain my brain too much. Happy Bordergramming! It’s 5 stars from me 📚👩🏼‍🦳 #Bordergrams #gtgarber

[Pennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each puzzle invites you to solve a small mission before moving on, with this collection focusing on discovering the common thread between groups of words.

The variety of clues makes it clear the book was crafted for both British and American audiences. Some of the UK references felt approachable, while a few left me stumped. Conversely, a clue tied to Jeopardy! struck me as something U.S. readers would find effortless. I suspect there were instances leaning the other way as well, which created a well-balanced overall experience.

What truly stood out was how engaging and addictive the puzzles were. Once I began, I found it nearly impossible to stop. I completed the entire book in under a week—remarkably quick for me when it comes to puzzle collections—and thoroughly enjoyed the process. This is an easy five-star recommendation, and I’m already looking forward to the next release.

I won this is a Goodreads giveaway. This by no means reflects on my review.

[Lauren T · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting a puzzle book similar to Murdle, by the same author, and this just wasn’t as good. The puzzles were much more repetitive and lacked the charm and silliness that made me forgive the similar issue in Murdle. The characters were not engaging at all to me, and I mostly felt annoyed with them all. I felt like the plot couldn’t make up its mind if it wanted to be serious or silly, and never really hit the right balance.

Maybe I’m being unfair because of how much I enjoy the Murdle series, but those books are the reason I bought this one. I honestly wish I hadn’t, and would not recommend it.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like the NYT puzzles, especially Connections, you should not hesitate to purchase this unique book. The puzzles seem easy at first but then become more challenging. There is a clever storyline woven around the puzzles along with entertaining clues that will keep you thoroughly engaged as you are a secret agent working for the Division to solve the puzzles. Bordergrams is a must have book for any puzzle lover in your group. Challenge your brain, have fun at the same time and perhaps order a few books for gifts.

[Braydon Koss · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Murdle by the same author was very much a case of deduction and using a mixture of logic and given facts to work out the answer, Bordergrams is very much built on how your brain works. There were bits that clicked with me straight away, and other bits where I was pondering for many minutes trying to work out the words and the link among them.
A great puzzle book, taking something done before but having a unique take on it. Very well done and a great puzzle book!

[Andrew Deveau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun for anyone who likes puzzles or NYT daily games. Puzzles are a perfect difficulty. They're all satisfying once you figure them out and I was never rolling my eyes like I sometimes do with NYT Connections. They must have had great play-testers. Plus a fun theme!

[Thomas Langley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Categories in book form! With a neat meta narrative that pulls you through the book. Only issue is that a lot of the clues were too American based for my UK brain. Otherwise it was a delightful offering.

[Nona the First · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this advanced readers copy because I’m a Barnes and Noble employee, I just got my wisdom teeth removed and I literally finished this whole thing in a day. Will be my puzzle book recommendation for a long long time!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had so much fun doing all of the puzzles in this book! It’s better than Murdle actually !!!!!!!!!!!

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read.

[Brian D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great experience. Fun puzzles and a playful narrative.

[Megan Reece · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really different from Murdle and I liked it! But there were some errors that made it confusing to check if my answers were right, and there were a lot of references I didn’t get.

[PamMJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

People who like puzzles like NYT’s Connections will enjoy this.

[CB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun, and definitely great for fans of NYT Connections!