Reviews with content warning for Injury/Injury detail - Le code Twyford

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

Content Warnings

loop_laurens's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

A unique, engaging mystery with a completely unexpected ending that would make a second read through an entirely different experience.

The main character was a highlight of the book; it was refreshing to read from the persepctive of the type of person who doesn't often get to be the main character - older, poor, dyslexic - and he truely felt like a real person. The current plot and past memories were well balanced, and the transcript format of the mystery made for a fun and different read.

I haven't decided if I liked the plot twist at the end, but it was incredibly clever and definitely unexpected, and does want to make me want to reread the book to see how knowing the twist changes the reading experience.

Overall, would highly recommend.

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