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Getting away with murder is hard. It's inconceivable if you’re blind.

Agent Abby Kane heads to Yuba City, where six months out of the year, thick fog engulfs the town allowing a killer to operate freely in nature's camouflage. As Abby’s investigation progresses, she discovers something puzzling, perhaps even impossible. The killer might be blind.

How can a blind man kill so easily and get away with it? It’s not an easy question to answer. To complicate matters, the killer has a unique calling card. He meticulously removes the skin from the backs of his victims—no easy feat for someone with perfect vision—unbelievable for someone with a visual impairment.

Abby has six months before the fog lifts, and the killer heads back underground. Can she stop his murderous spree before fog season ends, or will the blind psycho leave behind a string of bodies right under her nose?

The Puzzle Maker is a gripping thriller that’ll have you looking over your shoulder as you turn the pages.

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 6, 2021

730 people are currently reading
914 people want to read

About the author

Ty Hutchinson

73 books661 followers
Ty Hutchinson is a USA Today bestselling author who writes dark, high-concept thrillers that punch hard and don't let up.

A full-time nomad since 2013, he blends real-world detail with twisted imagination to deliver binge-worthy stories—where the rules are bent, the stakes are high, and the exits are never marked.

Living everywhere and nowhere, he's drawn to strange things and peculiar people—almost always leading to one question: what if?

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5 stars
1,051 (52%)
4 stars
604 (30%)
3 stars
254 (12%)
2 stars
63 (3%)
1 star
24 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
122 reviews
August 22, 2021
Another great book from Ty. Abby and Kang are asked to help the police north of San Francisco where it is continually foggy, to help find a serial killer who removes the skin from the back of his victims.
I don’t want to give anything away, but suffice to say the team of Kang and Abby working alongside a very new young detective struggle to make the pieces fit.
I would definitely recommend reading this book, but in order to understand the whole context of the book (relationships between the main characters), I would start at the first book in the series. If you like FBI procedurals with a strong female protagonist I guarantee you won’t be disappointed with Ty Hutchinsons books.
486 reviews3 followers
March 31, 2022
When most stories end, this begins again. However, the second half is not part of this book. You must buy another book to follow the story to its end.

Pretty clever for the publisher and a pretty mean trick played on the reader.
I won’t be reading the next book and I won’t be reading this author again.
Profile Image for Veronica.
141 reviews4 followers
May 1, 2022
Very interesting take on a murder mystery. Has two stories going at once that ties together eventually. Did not see the twist coming and I was shocked. Very clean as far as cursing which is not common with mystery books. I plan on reading this series and more by this author.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews132 followers
Want to read
March 21, 2022
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/21/2022)! 🎁
4 reviews
February 19, 2024
I Really enjoyed reading the book, but when a book ends with an incomplete story, or rather a con into buying the sequel, then that too will try and force me into buying the next one! Each novel should be complete in it's own right.
Profile Image for Jodi Pomerleau.
629 reviews8 followers
March 28, 2022
UGH! I've just finished 16 books in a series that was unbelievable....all well written, suspenseful, great characters, great story lines.....and then this. I cannot tell you how much I HATE novels that are not complete....that finish on a cliffhanger. Instead of inspiring me to get the next novel, it has the absolute opposite effect....I have ZERO intentions of continuing the series. I guess it could generate sales, but I am sure there are many others that like me, would like to read a story to a satisfactory conclusion. That is what inspires me to read more from an author....not being strong armed into getting the next book to reach that ending. Other than that, the story itself was mundane, and connecting with the characters difficult. Oh how I hope I find another series like the one I just finished!
35 reviews
March 11, 2021
Slow down

Perhaps Mr. Hutchinson needs to slow down and spend more care on his publications. I mistakenly read one of the Mui series and questioned whether it should be characterized as a "Young Adult" novel. Turns out it was and perhaps I was asleep and bought it by mistake. I was looking forward to reading something he did not write for YA. This book isn't it. This reads with the same amount of development, pacing, and nuance as his YA work. His writing is becoming indistinguishable across platforms. Disappointing because he has demonstrated that he can write well. Even more disappointed because the ending doesn't just encourage the reader to purchase his next book (which they would do anyway if the work was "satisfying,") but instead demands it. Readers will only tolerate such ploys for a little while before moving to something better. It occurs to me that the only rookie trick the author hasn't pulled in his last few works is the setting in which the protagonist is in dire straits but inherits a piece of property in the nick of time and must try to make a go of it.
Profile Image for Jefrois.
481 reviews4 followers
June 25, 2022
.
.

MY OPINION:




Lots of mindless, “sipping,” and “sips,” and “sipped.”

OH…And some “munching,” which is what Munchkins do.

Lots of food.

“I’m good,” and “good to go,” and all that sort of mindless bllsht.

Even a “pinch” of “the nose,” which does NOTHING for the pincher or the nose.

“…‘What’s that?’ He motioned to the paper I had still clutched in my hand. ‘Some sort of drawing.’ I flattened the scrunched-up paper for a better look. ‘Looks like tribal art. Did you find it?’ ‘I bumped into this guy earlier. I thought he dropped this during our apologetic exchange. He disappeared before I could return it to him.’”

O!

M!

G!

How extremement FORTUITOUS !!

WHAT A COINCIDENCE !!

THE KILLER ACCIDENTALLY LEAVES AN INCRIMINATING DRAWING WITH THE CHIEF INVESTIGATOR !!!

OH…and this next part is sooooooo fokking significant to the story:

“…Just then, Oliver returned with a tray in one hand filled with containers and a bucket in his other hand. ‘Fried chicken, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and biscuits,’ he said. ‘Enjoy.’”

“…I took a bite from a crispy, golden thigh. ‘Oh. My. God. This is so good. Crunchy. Juicy. Yum.’ ‘I told ya,’ Oliver said. ‘Yeah, damn good chicken,’ Kang agreed between bites….”

These are all bllsht “literary” devices to make the story “move.”

“…made my mouth water….” Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever seen this happen?

Me neither.

“…The three of us spun around to find an elderly man aiming a shotgun at us….”

“…The man in blue denim overalls lowered the rifle, and…”

WHICH IS IT A “SHOTGUN,” OR A “RIFLE ?”

DOES THE AUTHOR EVEN KNOW?

This is a mediocre story.

Its painful to read…it hurts…it’s soooooo predictable and trite.

I hope this ends soon….

Please….

Make it stop ?

A bad sign: I have started skipping pages.

“… Take control of the gun, or release the clip….?”

IS IT A “clip” or a “magazine?????” You don’t actually know, do you?

I quit reading a page #191; I could not take it anymore.

I STOPPED READING AND TOSSED THE “BOOK.”

Besides, I already know how it turns out.
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Profile Image for Jacqui.
294 reviews6 followers
June 23, 2022
This is a crime thriller and the 13th (to my sorrow) in a series.

The fog is thick. Crazy thick. So for the fisherman to have found his body was luck. It looks like another victim who has been tortured, had the skin removed from their back, and been dumped. Well, if it’s the work of a serial killer, then the number one expert needs to be called in.

Cue Agent Kane, she who has solved similar odd mysteries. Agents Kane and Kang head off to Yuba City to assist the local police department with this new victim. And their enquiries will lead them to many dead ends that always land up in the fog. It seems the killer needs the skin from the victims’ backs for something, but with the number of possibilities out there, narrowing it down seems hopeless. Until hard work and intuition leads them to a possible suspect, who may be blind, which sets in motion a chain of events that could be the undoing of one of their finest. And bring home someone they thought dead…

So yes, it was to my sorrow that I found out this was in a series. Sorrow because I picked the book up on a giveaway and now, like Robert J. Crane’s books, I’m going to have to work the series into my budget to find out what happens next!

The book’s main section finished quite a bit before the end so I wondered if there was a section to the next book, only to find out the parallel story within the book led to a cliffhanger for the next one. The writing in the book was really easy and comfortable to read in that I could just get lost in the story and not be stopped by major proofing errors or story inconsistencies. The story itself is (unfortunately) not that far-fetched and people have killed for ideas like this. So it was one of those reminders to be careful and also thank the members of law enforcement for their skills.

While not on my list of best-sellers, this definitely made some reading time go by quickly, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Peni.
4,825 reviews1 follower
Want to read
March 24, 2022
Getting away with murder is hard. It's inconceivable if you’re blind.
Agent Abby Kane heads to Yuba City, where six months out of the year, thick fog engulfs the town allowing a killer to operate freely in nature's camouflage. As Abby’s investigation progresses, she discovers something puzzling, perhaps even impossible. The killer might be blind.

How can a blind man kill so easily and get away with it? It’s not an easy question to answer. To complicate matters, the killer has a unique calling card. He meticulously removes the skin from the backs of his victims—no easy feat for someone with perfect vision—unbelievable for someone with a visual impairment.

Abby has six months before the fog lifts, and the killer heads back underground. Can she stop his murderous spree before fog season ends, or will the blind psycho leave behind a string of bodies right under her nose?

The Puzzle Maker is a gripping thriller that’ll have you looking over your shoulder as you turn the pages.
Author 3 books6 followers
December 11, 2023
When will authors, and publishers, recognise the difference between a series and a serial? In a series, each episode is complete in itself; in a serial, each episode ends with a situation that requires one to watch/listen to/read the next one. This book is not part of a series, but of a serial!

The book is the first that I have read by this author. It may well be the last! I was a little confused when, in the middle of the book, a new storyline was introduced. Only at the very end is the reason made clear - but the reader is left with far too many questions.

The main character never, to me, comes across as a real person. However, that may be because I have not read any of the earlier episodes!

Two stars is in recognition of the fact that there was no blasphemous, or crude, language - something that other authors would do well to emulate! My few comments on the script are available for all to see.
279 reviews2 followers
May 27, 2022
Wow, it took a really creative mind to think of this story. I was hooked pretty much from the start. It seemed like there were 2 stories going on which I didn't like but figured there must be a reason. When I found out what it was my jaw dropped. Abby Kane is a Special agent with the FBI. She and her partner Agent Kang are called on to help the police depatment in Yuba City California to solve a murder case. Prettybsoon it becomes obvious that this may be a serial killer, which is very u usual for this small town. The odd thing about Yuba City is that during the fall and winter months, a dense fog falls over the city ( I googled it and it is true). This favt helps the killer to dump the bodies with a pretty good chance it won't be found for a while. I can't tell you much more but the story is facinating. The end will surprise you. Can't wait to read tge next book.
Profile Image for Alis Page.
334 reviews11 followers
April 4, 2023
I am a true lover of crime; police procedure thrillers and this book did not disappoint. This book is number 13 of 15 in a series – Abby Kane FBI thriller series and the first one I have read. I didn’t think that you needed to read each of them in turn as the plot was easy to follow. The book felt different to me than your normal run of the mill FBI thriller book. It swaps between the FBI and the killer’s perspective, so you know upfront ‘whodunnit’. But the book kept me enthralled all of the way through, the characters were believable although there was one element that was a little confusing during the middle and I wondered what it had to do with anything else, but it kept you guessing and there was a real twist.
A great book for lovers of crime thrillers.
Profile Image for Alyssa.
60 reviews
April 16, 2022
A serial killer that only hunts during fog season and then goes underground. Very weird MO, which initially drew me to this book. Kane and Kang are a pretty good duo and I though they were great characters! However, I think the book was spoiled by telling us the killer's full name from the get-go (dual pov). When the FBI went knocking on his door, well, you knew he was done for! It was just sort of set in stone at that point. Average read, but the killer's MO was very interesting (aside from the fog, the way he kills and why was uhhh definitely something). Sort of recommend. I'd say go for it.
Profile Image for Lisa.
536 reviews
February 18, 2024
The Puzzle Maker - Abby Kane FBI Thriller was thrilling as have been all the Abby Kane books by Mr. Hutchinson I've read thus far.

Ty Hutchinson has very well developed characters, from Abby Kane & Kyle Kang, both FBI agents and now permanent partners, but also in Po Po, Ryan, & Lucy, the latter three being Abby's step-family. Because Mr. Hutchinson's ability to flesh out definite personalities for Abby's step-family, he also develops well thought out the criminal of the story, maybe not as well as Abby's step-family, but still the criminal is not one-dimensional.

The ending of this book took me by surprise! It was an interesting twist.
Profile Image for whatemsreadingx.
313 reviews7 followers
March 28, 2024
What the fuck have I just WASTED MY TIME READING?!

I'm so disappointed, I stuck with this book even though the writing wasn't the best and the speed of the story was super patchy - mostly because I was expecting a wild ride, a blockbuster of a story...

But sadly that wasn't the case.

The author didn't make enough use of tools available to enhance the atmosphere of the book (it was literally sent in a town with such dense fog you couldn't see more than 3 cars in front of you!!!!)

And don't get me started on the way half way through the book we (what turned out to be) another story introduced.

I'm just so so so so disappointed that I spent my time consuming this book😩
Profile Image for Crystal  Kamada.
32 reviews1 follower
March 27, 2021
Another shocker

Book 13 in this series did not disappoint. Abby and Kyle are called in to help on a case near the Sacramento area during the foggy season. But this villain is a bit different from their usual. The story played out like a movie with vivid fight scenes and a gloomy setting as they learn things aren't what they seem. I couldn't put this book down and can't wait for what comes next!
Profile Image for Michele.
1,852 reviews63 followers
May 2, 2022
I may never look at tattoos again the same way!! You may not either after reading this one! Men keep being found in Yuba City. Every last one of them has a section of skin removed from their back. Abby is called in to help. The constant fog does not help! Although you will think you know who the killer is--ultimately you will be wrong--I was. There are twists and turns aplenty in this murder mystery. The ending will confound you--and then there is even a bigger twist!!
256 reviews
June 17, 2022
Good plot and not too good heroine

The plot is well structured. The Abby character is not well built. She is self-righteous, showy and attention seeker. It looks like that the author intentionally made other characters weak, foolishness and ugly so that Abby would be on top. Some of the details don’t make sense, e.g., when Abby was hold by skinner, Agent Kang’s action broke the rule and procedure.
Profile Image for Heidi.
4 reviews7 followers
September 29, 2024
Interesting Read…

This is a pretty interesting read, although the ending is a little abrupt, and the additional plot line that appears midway through the book seems weirdly like an afterthought. This book has loads of promise, but the structure needs reworking. No surprise it’s a self-published project. Still, this book is worthy of a good review. Some interesting, unexpected, and unresolved twists in this book…and also interesting social issues discussed.
Profile Image for Robin Mattei.
129 reviews6 followers
March 7, 2021
So nice to be back with Abby and Kyle. As usual they find themselves up to their necks in an exciting case. That the kids are so grown takes getting used to but Ryan is a great character. There is a bit of a back story and at the end some of the pieces come together and leave us with what I am sure is going to be another great story
Profile Image for Black Butterfly.
2,630 reviews39 followers
April 4, 2022
3 3/4*stars REALLY.
THIS WAS MY FIRST ABBY KANE I'VE READ; IT WAS SUSPENSENFUL AND INTERESTING. IT IS SORT OF A STANDALONE BECAUSE THE ENDING WORKS RIGHT INTO THE NEXT BOOK. I KNEW WHEN THE NEW CHARACTERS KEPT POPPING UP INTO THE STORYLINE NEAR THE END. I DIDN'T EVEN GET MAD BECAUSE IT WAS SO FLAWLESSLY DONE. PRETTY SMOOTH AND SLICK. ;D
3 reviews
April 21, 2022
Unique plot twist and writing

It’s not often you find a book that is good with a fairly predictable story line turn into a what is happening final chapters. This one did that. At about 80% read the plot twist comes in and you don’t get the tie in until the end that leaves you with questions…and the desire to buy the next book in the series! A very enjoyable read.
111 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2022
Excellent Read

This book is great! Definitely keeps you on your toes waiting to see what happens next. I think thriller readers will find this hard to put down! Plenty of information on procedures in law enforcement but not enough to make it tedious. Can't wait to read the next book!
Profile Image for Jane Myers.
677 reviews11 followers
July 5, 2022
Thought this was going .to be so much better than it was

Stupid cliff hanger ending
Did not like the main character, so conceited and full of her own importance. Badly written. Could easily have been a standalone story ..the New part with Ardal made no sense at all. Would not read any more in the series based on this one
Profile Image for Gail.
142 reviews4 followers
February 2, 2024
A thriller that pins you to the edge of your seat

FBI agent Abby Kane chases a serial killer at the request of a local police department. Just when you think the crime is solved and justice will be served, a twist in the story spins your head in a new direction.

The author effectively creates intense drama, believable characters and suspenseful events.
Profile Image for Jacky Hollis Was Blackwood.
9 reviews
February 15, 2024
intriguing storyline

The book without an ending. The puzzle gets stranger and stranger with the tale of a random person running alongside. How did the two pieces fit? The answer leads the reader to buy book two. I may or may not buy it but I think the next book may be as good as the first.
179 reviews1 follower
February 24, 2024
I might not be the smartest guy out there but I’m a prolific reader. After finishing this book, I’ve no idea what I just read? The ending? Someone needs to explain it to me, cause I can’t figure it out. If it’s the author intent to keep reading this series to find out answers, then it’s my mistake for picking this up. Good riddance.
5 reviews
February 11, 2025
Love for this series!

I didn’t get the insertion of the Ardel character at first. It does make for a good teaser for the next book in the series. We also have the cliffhanger of who the heck was the fake Leonard, or those who hired him. From the beginning of this series I’ve loved Abby Kane’s character and all those who are family and close to her. Bravo Ty Hutchinson!
78 reviews
April 21, 2025
I really enjoy the Abby Kane books, not in order but for the most part they stand on their own. This one however leads you into the next in the series and I'm not sure how I feel about that.
I do think this book would make a great movie the villain is creepy and pretty believable. The only other thing that kind of got to me, come on Abby abducted again?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews

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