The Master Theorem - A Book of Puzzles, Intrigue and Wit

I was accidentally sent a used book, but the seller was prompt with responding to my inquiry about it and had great customer service with rectifying the situation! The book itself has been enjoyable with a variety of puzzles of varying difficulties. I haven’t finished the book yet, but of the ones I’ve done so far, some were pretty easy and some left me stumped for a while. All in all, I’m happy with my purchase.

If you care enough to read the reviews on a puzzle book then this book is for you. Very eclectic collection of puzzles that will make you have to reach into every part of your mind to figure them all out. It comes with coded progressive hints that can nudge you in the right direction without coming close to giving you the solution if you get stuck. The book is packed with full color puzzle pages that makes the price tag fully worth it. Each puzzle starts with a story or description that usually has some hints at where you should start on the puzzle. Using google is recommended and actually required now and then unless you are an encyclopedia. It's funny, exciting, and might even teach you a few things. You won't regret getting it.

I remember when I stumbled upon The Master Theorem site in 2011. I was late to the game, but TMT reminded me of the early days of the internet - when there was always something lurking & exciting (& *SECRET*). The Master Theorem or TMT was a *SECRET SOCIETY* of Solvers, with someone named M at the helm who claimed to be a Columbia University smartypants that helped the FBI solve crimes. M was alluring, smart & snarky - it was likely the intrigue of M that brought most of us back week after week, not *just* the puzzles. New theorems were released Midnight on Thursdays & I would stay up eagerly every Wednesday to try my best to solve quickly. On the website the puzzles would range from a Rebus style Picture Puzzle to more (annoyingly difficult) Riddles to interactive graphs, scavenger hunts, etc. Sometimes the theorems would be so simple I would assume it was a trick. Other times they were so maddening I would feel like tossing my computer out the window. I even was asked to be a "tester" for the Theorems - which was a shock to me because I was never at a top ranking. I was in the low 600s of the Solver Ranking list, but how exciting to be a part of a truly unique part of Internet Puzzling / Sleuthing! Needless to say, I was very sad when TMT came to an end. Until this book came out! I have quickly been reminded of how fun the Theorem Life is & how humbling. If you think you need to be a MENSA smarty pants for this, allow me to assuage that fear for you: I am not MENSA level solver, I went to Art School. If I get stumped, I use the clues in the back (as I did on the site) albeit sparingly, in hopes they will give my brain a little nudge to think of things in a different light. If you enjoy crosswords & wordplay, rebus puzzles, trivia, etc this is the book for you!

Bought this as a gift. Good for puzzler lovers.

Super fun to do these with my 10 year old daughter! She caught on to the " code" super quick

Every brain needs this book!

I got this book for my mom. She is a former computer programmer, loves puzzles and I had no idea what to get her for Christmas. I was worried the puzzles would be super easy and she would just fly through it, but some of the puzzles were really challenging! You can do them alone or work as a group. For reference, we had a 65 year old, 44 year old and 20 year old doing the puzzles together and everyone loved the book!

Bought this for my son. I glanced though it and he is going to love it.