The Twyford Code
Winner of the Crime and Thriller British Book of the Year
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3.9 • 115 Ratings
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- £3.99
Publisher Description
** WINNER OF THE CRIME & THRILLER BRITISH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 **
* THE PHENOMENAL SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE QUEEN OF COSY CRIME *
* LONGLISTED FOR THE THEAKSTON OLD PECULIAR CRIME NOVEL AWARD *
A SUNDAY TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2022
A TELEGRAPH BEST BOOK OF 2022
A GUARDIAN BEST BOOK OF 2022
A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2022
'Every page is a joy. The queen of unreliable narrators' SUNDAY TIMES
'Brilliant - a mind-bending, heartwarming mystery not to be missed' OBSERVER
'She's an absolute master of what she does' RICHARD COLES
Can you crack the Twyford Code?
Edith Twyford was once a world-famous children's author, but now her only legacy is the rumoured existence of the Twyford Code: a series of clues hidden in her books leading to... what? No one knows - but that hasn't stopped the speculation.
Steve Smith can trace nearly all the bad things in his life back to Edith Twyford. As a child he found one of her books, covered in strange symbols. He showed it to his teacher, Miss Iles, who was convinced it held the key to the code. Within weeks Miss Iles had disappeared, and Steve has no idea if she is dead or alive - or if she was right. Now he's determined to find out.
But the Twyford Code hides secrets some would do anything to possess, and Steve isn't the only one on its trail. The race is on to solve the mystery of the century. Could you get there first?
The top ten bestselling cosy crime sensation of the summer from the author of The Appeal, perfect for fans of Richard Osman and S. J. Bennett.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Framed as transcripts of 200 audio files recorded on an iPhone, this ingenious novel from British author Hallett (The Appeal) consists of recovered memories (perhaps false) told in the voice (perhaps unreliable) of Steven "Smithy" Smith, a recently released, now missing ex-con. Forty years earlier, Smithy came across a book by WWII-era children's author Edith Twyford filled with handwritten notes. He showed the book to his remedial English teacher, Miss Alice Isles, who believed the notations were some sort of code. Indeed, Twyford may have hidden treasonous secrets in her books. Miss Isles (often transcribed as Missiles) subsequently disappeared on a school field trip to Bournemouth. Smithy tracks down a handful of other classmates to retrieve their "vanished youth" and solve more than one "explosive secret" from the past. Rumors of the audacious Operation Fish meant to move British gold bullion across the Atlantic during WWII blend with an account of one of Smithy's most daunting heists and converge on a mind-boggling resolution that contains several bombshell revelations. Filled with numerous clues, acrostics, and red herrings, this thrilling scavenger hunt for the truth is delightfully deceptive and thoroughly immersive.
Customer Reviews
What a ride!!!
I have read all three of the authors books but in no particular order. I found this the most difficult to follow but also extremely enjoyable and gripping.
I love the style in which the story is told in all of her books. Excellent writing and innovative delivery. Thank you
Another unique page-turner.
This book is so clever and unique. I devoured it! Janice Hallett is a one of a kind author who keeps you gripped from start to finish.
Too clever for me but a great idea
At times I found it hard to read the narrative, with changing characters, time periods of reflection etc and I needed the last few scenes to be able to understand what had happened. I might need to reread it but that would be fine.