A Fresh Mix of Puzzles
January Newsletter | Pages from Keep Calm and Puzzle On, Volume 1
It is a new year, and this newsletter looks a little different. Instead of a cozy mystery puzzle set, I am sharing puzzle pages from an upcoming large print book called Keep Calm and Puzzle On, a mixed puzzle book for adults. It is super cute if I do say so myself.
This is what I have been working on this month, and I wanted to give you an early look. Here are a few sample puzzle pages from the book, which features a wide mix of puzzle types such as word searches, kriss krosses, mazes, sudoku, double puzzles, cryptograms, and a few riddles.
Ready to Solve! Open Sample Puzzle Pages PDF Show me the Answers. View the Solutions
If you are not familiar with them, kriss krosses are similar to crosswords, but without clues. You are given a list of words to fit into a crossword-style grid. I enjoy this format because traditional crosswords often rely on very specific trivia, which can feel excluding. I like puzzles that invite you in and let you practice focus and thinking without needing to know anything in advance.
Why Cozy Mystery Puzzles Matter to Me
I love the idea of solving puzzles as part of a mystery story. For me, combining puzzles with narrative creates a deeper level of engagement. It asks you to actively participate, which feels especially refreshing. I love reading too, but puzzles invite a different kind of focus that feels more restorative.
Over the past seven months, I have really enjoyed creating the cozy mystery puzzle sets I’ve shared with you, especially having you help choose what I create each month. They are also time-intensive to make, and I have found it hard to keep them up on a monthly schedule alongside regular life. For now, I am taking a pause from new cozy mystery puzzle sets while I figure out a more sustainable way to create them.
In the meantime, I will continue sending out large print puzzles each month and asking what you would like to solve next. You can also access the full Lantern and Lens Society puzzle archive and see how these puzzle sets have evolved over time. A ❤️ on your favorites helps guide my future decisions.
Lantern & Lens Society Puzzle Archive
1: The Lantern & Lens Society Invitation
2: The Secret Meeting
3: The Village with Two of Everything
4: An Afternoon of Storms
5: The Haunting of the Black Hart Inn
6: The Winter King and the Crone
7: The Toymaker's Riddles
One Last Note
I am currently pausing paid subscriptions while I work toward a more sustainable rhythm for this newsletter.
If you are currently a paid subscriber, thank you. Your support has meant a great deal to me, and you are always welcome to stay subscribed or switch to a free subscription at any time.
Whether you are a free subscriber, a paid subscriber, or simply puzzling along when you can, I am grateful to have you here.