It's time to solve the murder of the century...
Forty years ago, Steven Smith found a copy of a famous children's book, its margins full of strange markings and annotations. He took it to his remedial English teacher, Miss Isles, who became convinced it was the key to solving a puzzle. That a message in secret code ran through all Edith Twyford's novels. Then Miss Isles disappeared on a class field trip, and Steven's memory won't allow him to remember what happened. Now, out of prison after a long stretch, Steven decides to investigate the mystery that has haunted him for decades. Was Miss Isles murdered? Was she deluded? Or was she right about the code? And is it still in use today? Desperate to recover his memories and find out what really happened to Miss Isles, Steven revisits the people and places of his childhood. But it soon becomes clear that Edith Twyford wasn't just a writer of forgotten children's stories. The Twyford Code has great power, and he isn't the only one trying to solve it... (Goodreads synopsis)
I have not read any of Janice Hallett’s novels prior to this one, but I will start.
I used the Goodreads synopsis because I did not feel that I could write much without spoilers. I will say that Janice Hallett deceived me. It is very rare to find a novel that I don’t see the outcome because I read these types of novels all the time. However, I did not see this outcome at all.
If you are like me, and reading a physical copy, please please keep going. I promise it is worth it. The writing is audio transcripts made on an old IPhone 4, so there were times that the grammar, punctuation, and simple phrases annoyed my OCD brain. I told my husband hundreds of times, “I wish I had this as an audiobook.” Now that I am finished, I’m glad I had an e-book, because I was flipping back and forth. A physical book would have made it easier (and trust me I am preordering it as we speak.)
The novel is a code within a puzzle within an enigma. I hated it and loved it at the same time. In the end, I was enthralled. I want to know more about the characters and where they are. I want to know more. More of what? Read it and find out.
Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.
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