Fowl Play: Ask the Chicken, Road Crossing, Feather Plucking, Hunt and Peck, and Other Chicken Challenges »

Patrick Merrell is a cartoonist, puzzle maker, and author whose work has appeared in hundreds of publications. He is a regular contributor to The New York Times crossword, the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, and the World Puzzle Championship. His other books include Bird Brainteasers and Coffee Time (with Helene Hovanec).

America's favorite bird and America's favorite diversion have come together at last! Chickens meet puzzles in Fowl Play, a fresh collection of brain-teasers by noted puzzle creator Patrick Merrell.

Americans are increasingly besotted with their backyard hens, boosting the popularity of the country’s most beloved bird. Meanwhile, today's crossword-playing audience is 50 million strong, and a Philadelphia Inquirer survey showed that 167 million Americans — more than half the population — have played sudoku. By combining puzzles and poultry, Fowl Play promises to be an irresistible buy.

Fowl Play offers an array of chicken-themed puzzles and games, all packaged into a plucky little volume that is easy to take along. The book is packed with logic puzzles, crosswords, math challenges, word searches, mazes, cryptograms, and other amusements. These games are interspersed with fun facts, clever illustrations, and trivia about America's favorite bird. The book's small size makes it easy to tuck in a bag, promising fun for the whole family whether they’re on the road . . . or merely crossing it.

With playful illustrations, an array of challenges, and clever mind games that won’t ruffle any feathers, Fowl Play challenges chicken puzzlers of every level.

Eggs-straordinary Advance Praise:
"I have been assured that no chickens were harmed in the creation of this book. If you have any information to the contrary, please contact me at once." -- John Ficarra, editor, Mad Magazine

"Patrick Merrell has a gift for making you think and laugh at the same time." -- Will Shortz,crossword editor, The New York Times; puzzlemaster, National Public Radio

"A noteworthy follow-up to Shakespeare's Omelet." -- John Ficarra...again