The Serpent Code

by A.R. Stevens

Based on a real-life artifact, found in the desolate expanse near Haskell, Texas, this adrenaline-fuelled adventure, in the tradition of Dan Brown and Steve Berry, promises a riveting ride from an exciting new voice in the genre.

The Serpent Code is a heart-pounding international thriller.

Dr. Briel Payce is thrust into a perilous quest to uncover the unsettling secrets that connect Mexico’s Feathered Serpent God, Quetzalcoatl, with Texas’s Spider Rock.

When the Spider Rock vanished under mysterious circumstances in 1909, it left behind a legacy of intrigue and legend. With its weblike pattern and puzzling glyphs, it ensnares treasure hunters to this day.

Five years after her best friend Percy Gilbert’s disappearance in Mexico, Briel Payce receives a cryptic video, igniting her conviction that Percy dug up something far more perilous than the Spider Rock.

Teaming up with the intrepid Dean Leggatt, they trace a series of puzzles Percy left them through Mexico City, only to discover they’re not alone.

As the stakes escalate, Briel races against time to unveil the truth concealed within the Spider Rock, knowing that her very survival hinges on her success. In a relentless chase, alliances blur, and adversaries masquerade as allies, leaving Briel in a treacherous maze, where trust is a fleeting illusion. Will she expose the elusive secret or be consumed by the shadows that guard it?

The Serpent Code is a mind-bending odyssey where every step brings Briel closer to revelation, and nearer to the abyss.

474 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 6, 2023

About the author

AR Stevens was born and raised in Toronto. Growing up, the chilly waters of Lake Ontario held a special place in her heart, but she longed to spread her wings and explore the globe.

Years spent conducting and presenting clinical research whisked her to almost every continent, and fed her need to write. Thirteen of those years were spent in the great state of Texas in the USA.

Now, AR lives in the tranquil embrace of Lake Simcoe’s shores, in Orillia, Ontario, with her husband and their remarkably articulate poodle. She’s turned her full-time attention to crafting international, puzzle-thriller fiction.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast paced, fun read! It was set in Mexico and involved the cartels and all kinds of nefarious characters. There were so many twists and turns, I was always second guessing who I could trust. Part of me wants to go to Mexico to visit the historic sites that were part of the story and the other part of me is terrified of being abducted. lol. Overall this was a great book!

Thank you to Pigeon Hole for the complementary copy.

[Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

** 4 stars **

I read, many years ago, Simon Levack's books 'Demon of the Air' and 'Shadow of the Lords'. These whetted my appetite for story around Mexico-Tenochtitlán and the Aztec society, particularly the importance of pure body sacrifice.

The Serpent Code's Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent, was indeed one of the deities of the ancient world. The book also allowed readers to reimagine Teotihuacanas a once thriving economy through its trade in obsidian among others.

It was fascinating to inject & weave into the story real historic events such as the hunter who arrived in Texas with the mysterious sheepskin map that led to the discovery of the original Spider Rock. References to rock climbing, underground caves, volcanic rabbits made the story come alive.

Incorporating actual volcanic activities, such as the Popocatepetl's May 2023 eruption, into the story was a clever way to make story seemed real.

I also found the reference to Johannes Trithemius Polygraphia's Ave Maria Code intriguing. Thanks to Pigeonhole Book Club and to the author for allow me the opportunity to read this book.

I have never been to Mexico City but I have visited it vicariously through the eyes of the characters of the book. Thanks to the author for the great introduction to Mexico's Pueblo Magicos and for the allowing us to enjoy the richness of history, geography and geology of this region through the story.

[Roslyn Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced story with a good mixture of characters.
When Bryce and Dale travel to Mexico, in the hope of finding some clues as to the disappearance of their friend, Percy, they find themselves caught up in a web of deceit. They try to locate the Spider Rock which Percy had been searching for but they don't know who to trust and find themselves dodging bullets from cartels to crooked cops.
Brilliant story and I look forward to reading more by this author.
Thanks to @Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read it.

[Pheadra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this through my online bookclub, Pigeonhole. This book is a rollicking ride with bullet-speed pace. There were convenient far-fetched bits, and I found some of it confusing but nonetheless was enjoyable  and the geography and history were well researched. Ended on a note that could indicate a sequel that I'd be happy to read. 4 and a half stars.

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging story. Good read.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with Pigeonhole and thoroughly enjoyed the pace and adventure set in a country I know very little about. I did find myself struggling to keep track of the characters and the places, which I think was probably due to the language differences but I think its important to say that this did not affect my ability to get lost in the story, and swept up in the excitement.

This was a fast paced book, and it was hard to know who Briel and Dean could trust which all led to the ramping up of the tension, and fuelling the need to turn to the next page! The one downside was probably the Pigeonhole stave format – delayed gratification has never been a strong point of mine!! If this had been in my hands, I have no doubt I’d have finished in a day.

The story is set mostly in Mexico, where five years ago Briel and Dean’s friend Percy disappeared. Finally, Percy’s aunt, Lydia, is having Percy declared dead, as a step towards closure as Lydia has received her own terminal diagnosis. Lydia persuades Briel to go and find Percy, and bring her home. Briel feels this is an impossible task, until Percy’s solicitor passes her a thumb drive with a copy of an email Percy sent just before she disappeared, with instructions for it to be passed to Briel in the event of her death.

The video clip and the coded message in the email give Briel the starting point to begin again searching for Percy.

This was a great story, and a true page turner of a book. Even with my confusion in the story, I’m still not sure how many different factions of “bad guys” there were, the writing, attention to detail, and the characters, were strong enough to allow me to simply enjoy the ride.

I’m looking forward to reading more from the author.

[Amina Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phew, that was one hell of a ride!

It was fast paced, with an excellent cast of characters. A real mixed bag though. It was hard to work out who could be trusted and who couldn't be!

I'm not sure I'd want to visit Mexico..especially not alone.

It was a very enjoyable and entertaining read.

I also loved the author's note at the end of the book. It made for an interesting/insightful reading.

Thank you to PH and A R Stevens for the chance to read this book.

I would definitely recommend it.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Serpent Code by A R Stevens is an action packed thriller set in Mexico with a secret society hell bent in continuing an ancient myth which was nearly exposed 5 years earlier by Dr Persephone Gilbert, field archaeologist and explorer.
It’s a very pacy, entertaining read full of corrupt characters and an intriguing plot which I enjoyed reading with online book club Pigeonhole.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a novel!
This is going to be a must read for my book club.
If you like thrillers that mix facts and historical information all within a modern context this is going to be your book. I felt with every turning page I was absorbing some new and exciting fact that the book built on later. Remember when learning was fun? Somehow this strikes that balance perfectly while keeping me sucked into the story. Its been a while since I had a page turner and I found myself reading it any chance I got. The writing was very solid and obviously well researched. I look forward to more work from this author. Maybe a series could come from this? Do yourself a favour-Put this on your TBR list.

[Nicola Mackenzie-Smaller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a rip-roaring adventure novel, inspired by the finding of a real artefact in Texas. The novel follows 2 Americans in Mexico on the trail of their missing friend who went off to explore the meaning of a carved stone.
There is never a dull moment in this book, with abductions, corruption at high levels, explosions and international drug cartels. I don’t think it’s a great advert for Mexican tourism but it’s wildly entertaining. Read with The Pigeonhole.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced tale mixing fact and fiction. This was an enjoyable read which kept my interest throughout although one has to suspend disbelief at times. However this did not detract from the story and it seems likely there will be a sequel.
Thanks to the Pigeonhole and the author for the opportunity of reading this book.

[Di Paterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As action adventures go, this one fits the bill. The action is non-stop and the characters are well-developed. The plot was a little convoluted, but it all came together in the end. My thanks to the Pigeonhole and AR Stevens for the opportunity to read it.