Codebreaker by Jay Martel (2025)
Had a terrific time with this one, a super-fast YA mash-up of 'National Treasure' and '3 Days of the Condor'. That it zipped along like an action-rom-com thriller didn't surprise me, since the two authors writing under the name Jay Martel have theatrical writing backgrounds. And I've no doubt that soon two lucky teen actors will be cast as the leads when it reaches production as a series or film.
Living in a suburb near Washington D.C., 17 year old Mia Hayes sees her normal life turned upside down. Anonymous and brutal government operatives invade her house, seeking possible intel in the possession of her father, a CIA analyst and secret code specialist. The attack leaves her mother dead and her father escaped and in the wind. Only a few weeks later, Mia and quick witted hacker Logan are both on the run from the same shadowy, murderous agents. Before his own death, Mia's father reached out to her, sending her on perilous crack-the-secret-code mission to stop some possible catastrophic domestic terror event.
Whenever they can stop to take a breath (and dodge violent encounters with the relentless villains), Mia and Logan trade sharp quips, romantic sparks and solve staggeringly complex codes. (And the book extends an interactive invite for puzzle loving readers to join in themselves.....)
On top of all the chasing, fleeing, brawls, shootouts, smooches and secret messages, 'Codebreaker' throws in American History, famous historical sites along with a boiling-over pot of political turbulence. Quite a package for teen a thriller.
And that made for a book that took me less than a day and a half to finish. Enough said for a 5 star read?
Indeed it is.....5 stars (*****)
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