Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - The Twyford Code

I was skeptical at first given how much I didn't like The Appeal, but I'm so glad I read this. I had no idea what was gonna happen. I didn't see any of the plot twists coming. The unreliable narrator was so well done and the ending was so satisfying. This is in an insanely clever book and I could easily go back and read it all again to find the clues.

(it's not really a murder mystery tho)

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kimberlyswalters's review against another edition

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adventurous tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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felofhe's review

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adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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zosiablue's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Just a chef's kiss of a book. So clever, with code upon code upon code within it, and a poignant, satisfying ending that made me tear up. It's a game within a book, and love letter from a father to son. Really wonderful.

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beepbeep101's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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savvyrosereads's review

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challenging funny mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Out now! [Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!]

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Steve “Smithy” Smith has recently been released from prison and is hunting for a mysterious code in the children’s books of author Edith Twyford, which may be tied to the decades-old disappearance of his teacher.

I love a good mystery/puzzle and heard really great things about this one, which is told in a series of transcribed audio files, a truly unique format (I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like it). I was able to read this as part of a buddy read, which absolutely added to the fun, as we were able to put our detective hats on and discuss.

That said, while I was definitely intrigued the whole time, The Twyford Code ultimately didn’t land in quite the way I hoped—I found myself confused and a bit frustrated with the way the mystery played out, and while that may be the point, it isn’t my preferred style at all. I felt like I never knew what the actual questions were, so I couldn’t really focus on solving them, and it made the reveal(s) at the end feel a bit out of left field. I also felt like there were a bunch of unanswered questions in the end, and as someone who really likes closure in a book the lack of resolution wasn’t my favorite.

All of that said, I truly know people who ADORE this book, and if it sounds intriguing to you I would absolutely say to give it a shot! It will easily go down as the most original thing I’ve read this year (and maybe ever) and I think if you are the type of person who will enjoy this one you’ll REALLY enjoy it.

Recommended if you like: puzzle books; unconventional/epistolary(ish) formats; multiple plot threads

CW: Violence/injury/blood (all mild); death/loss of parents (off-page); mentions of domestic abuse

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