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Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher
History is written by the living. But the dead have their own stories to tell.
Pucci Riddle has built a career as a critic and investigator, uncovering the hidden histories of the world’s finest liquors. But when a jeweled cipher is discovered inside a locket from the infamous Cheapside Hoard, her rare gift for seeing ghosts draws her into a centuries-old mystery—and far more than she ever imagined.
Pucci follows the trail to Scotland, where ancient castles rise from the mist, rugged coastlines whisper of forgotten legends, and ancient ruins guard their secrets. What begins as a simple writing assignment quickly spirals into a treacherous hunt for an artifact tied to the Knights Templar, Rosslyn Chapel, and the mystical powers of King Solomon.
As spectral voices whisper cryptic clues, Pucci realizes she’s not the only one searching for the truth. An unseen enemy will stop at nothing to reclaim the cipher and unlock an ancient power lost to time.
With the help of her friends and Detective Olan Lathen—a man whose investigative instincts are as sharp as his buried connection to this mystery—Pucci must decipher an ancient code, evade ruthless adversaries, and unravel the truth … before the Shadow Man claims another victim.
Pucci Riddle has built a career as a critic and investigator, uncovering the hidden histories of the world’s finest liquors. But when a jeweled cipher is discovered inside a locket from the infamous Cheapside Hoard, her rare gift for seeing ghosts draws her into a centuries-old mystery—and far more than she ever imagined.
Pucci follows the trail to Scotland, where ancient castles rise from the mist, rugged coastlines whisper of forgotten legends, and ancient ruins guard their secrets. What begins as a simple writing assignment quickly spirals into a treacherous hunt for an artifact tied to the Knights Templar, Rosslyn Chapel, and the mystical powers of King Solomon.
As spectral voices whisper cryptic clues, Pucci realizes she’s not the only one searching for the truth. An unseen enemy will stop at nothing to reclaim the cipher and unlock an ancient power lost to time.
With the help of her friends and Detective Olan Lathen—a man whose investigative instincts are as sharp as his buried connection to this mystery—Pucci must decipher an ancient code, evade ruthless adversaries, and unravel the truth … before the Shadow Man claims another victim.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2025
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2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 24, 2025
A Paranormal Adventure That Blends Charm and Suspense
Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher by L.J. Aldon is a spirited blend of history, mystery, and the supernatural that keeps you turning the pages. From the moment Pucci Riddle discovers the jeweled cipher, the story takes on a playful mix of ghostly whispers, cryptic puzzles, and centuries-old secrets. The backdrop of Scotland adds a rich atmosphere, with its castles, coastlines, and legendary ruins serving as the perfect setting for this treasure hunt. The writing pulls you into each scene, making it feel like a lively adventure rather than a heavy historical mystery.
What really stands out is Pucci herself. She is witty, warm, and clever, and her ghostly gift adds a fun twist to her sleuthing. The friendships in the story also shine, offering both humor and heartfelt moments as the characters work together. I loved how the book balanced a modern mystery with threads of the past, weaving together history and imagination in a way that gave the story both charm and depth. It felt like a cross between a good travel adventure and a puzzle-filled ghost story.
The pacing builds slowly but rewards patient readers with plenty of twists and a thrilling payoff. I especially enjoyed how the author combined meticulous historical detail with imaginative storytelling, making it feel believable while still leaving room for wonder. For anyone who enjoys mysteries with a dash of the paranormal and a splash of adventure, this book is a treat. I am already curious to see where Pucci Riddle’s next case will lead.
Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher by L.J. Aldon is a spirited blend of history, mystery, and the supernatural that keeps you turning the pages. From the moment Pucci Riddle discovers the jeweled cipher, the story takes on a playful mix of ghostly whispers, cryptic puzzles, and centuries-old secrets. The backdrop of Scotland adds a rich atmosphere, with its castles, coastlines, and legendary ruins serving as the perfect setting for this treasure hunt. The writing pulls you into each scene, making it feel like a lively adventure rather than a heavy historical mystery.
What really stands out is Pucci herself. She is witty, warm, and clever, and her ghostly gift adds a fun twist to her sleuthing. The friendships in the story also shine, offering both humor and heartfelt moments as the characters work together. I loved how the book balanced a modern mystery with threads of the past, weaving together history and imagination in a way that gave the story both charm and depth. It felt like a cross between a good travel adventure and a puzzle-filled ghost story.
The pacing builds slowly but rewards patient readers with plenty of twists and a thrilling payoff. I especially enjoyed how the author combined meticulous historical detail with imaginative storytelling, making it feel believable while still leaving room for wonder. For anyone who enjoys mysteries with a dash of the paranormal and a splash of adventure, this book is a treat. I am already curious to see where Pucci Riddle’s next case will lead.
August 31, 2025
Reading Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher by L. J. Aldon was like being swept into a labyrinth of shadows, secrets, and whispers from the past. From the moment Pucci Riddle discovered the jeweled cipher tucked away in a locket, I felt myself pulled alongside her, eager to unravel the centuries-old mystery. Her rare ability to sense the presence of ghosts added a haunting beauty to the narrative, and I often caught myself glancing up from the page, imagining spectral voices speaking in the silence around me.
The settings enchanted me just as much as the story. Scotland’s misty castles, rugged coastlines, and ancient ruins felt alive in Aldon’s descriptions, making me feel as though I had stepped into another world. Every cryptic clue, every whisper of Rosslyn Chapel or the Knights Templar, sparked my imagination and sent chills racing down my spine.
I loved how the bond between Pucci and Detective Olan Lathen gave the story warmth amid the peril. Their trust and tension made me care deeply about the outcome, especially with the sinister Shadow Man lurking so close. Each time the antagonist struck, I felt a surge of dread that kept me flipping pages late into the night.
What stayed with me most was the mix of intellectual puzzles and supernatural suspense. It wasn’t just a treasure hunt, it was a journey into forgotten histories and lingering spirits. This book left me breathless, and I already know I’ll be thinking about it for weeks.
The settings enchanted me just as much as the story. Scotland’s misty castles, rugged coastlines, and ancient ruins felt alive in Aldon’s descriptions, making me feel as though I had stepped into another world. Every cryptic clue, every whisper of Rosslyn Chapel or the Knights Templar, sparked my imagination and sent chills racing down my spine.
I loved how the bond between Pucci and Detective Olan Lathen gave the story warmth amid the peril. Their trust and tension made me care deeply about the outcome, especially with the sinister Shadow Man lurking so close. Each time the antagonist struck, I felt a surge of dread that kept me flipping pages late into the night.
What stayed with me most was the mix of intellectual puzzles and supernatural suspense. It wasn’t just a treasure hunt, it was a journey into forgotten histories and lingering spirits. This book left me breathless, and I already know I’ll be thinking about it for weeks.
August 15, 2025
Pucci Riddle’s latest adventure, Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher, is an electrifying blend of history, mystery, and the supernatural. When a jeweled cipher from the notorious Cheapside Hoard draws her to mist‑shrouded Scotland, her rare ability to commune with the dead propels her into a centuries‑old hunt: a cryptic artifact entwined with the Knights Templar, Rosslyn Chapel, and Solomon’s lost powers. Teaming with her sharp‑witted friend, Detective Olan Lathen, Pucci must crack ancient codes, outrun a ruthless Shadow Man, and save countless lives—all before darkness claims another victim. This taut, atmospheric thriller offers elegance, urgency, and a compelling heroine who sees what others cannot. Turn the pages to read the story in detail. The language used is rich and lucid, easy for the readers to understand. The book has the potential to grab the attention of the readers till the extreme end. The book offers you unforgettable experience that will leave you craving for more. I would definitely love to read more books by this author. Highly recommended !! I enjoyed it thoroughly and so will you.
October 11, 2025
Aldon continues her Pucci Riddle mystery series with this second instalment, Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher. Liquor critic and investigator Pucci Riddle leaves her home in sunny California for cool and misty Scotland. On the premise of a work trip, Pucci plans to visit distilleries on Islay, to learn more about Scotch whiskies. Her second motive is to investigate Rosslyn Chapel to look for a piece of a jeweled cipher that may be hidden there. Pucci sees old friends, makes new ones, and reconnects with estranged acquaintances. Against the backdrop of Scotland's castles, coastlines, and ancient crypts, Pucci's ability to speak to ghosts draws her further into a centuries old mystery. Pucci is witty and sensitive, her paranormal ability adding a unique aspect to the female sleuth role. Despite some slow pacing, the story makes up for it with plenty of twists and turns. Filled with friendship, mystery, and a sprinkle of humor, paranormal mystery fans are in for a treat.
September 19, 2025
Filled with ghosts, crypts, and puzzles galore, Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher is a page-turner from LJ Aldon that takes us on a journey across the UK, and eventually to Scotland. When Pucci finds a strange pendant, the ghost of a Templar Knight appears and points her in the direction of the next piece of the device (in Scotland). We follow Pucci as she ventures to Scotland, reconnecting with old friends and estranged aquaintances, in search of the pieces of the jeweled cipher.
Though this book is an enjoyable read, it's a slow build-up. Aldon does a good job of building up excitement, and he ends chapters on cliff-hangers, making readers excited to see more. But there is rarely a satisfactory pay-out until the final chapters. I would have loved to see more action in the earlier chapters, especially during the flight to London. Aside from this, though, I loved this book!
Though this book is an enjoyable read, it's a slow build-up. Aldon does a good job of building up excitement, and he ends chapters on cliff-hangers, making readers excited to see more. But there is rarely a satisfactory pay-out until the final chapters. I would have loved to see more action in the earlier chapters, especially during the flight to London. Aside from this, though, I loved this book!
September 26, 2025
Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher is a thrilling and atmospheric mystery that expertly blends historical secrets with supernatural intrigue. Investigator Pucci Riddle, gifted with the ability to communicate with the dead, is pulled into a centuries-old hunt when a jeweled cipher is discovered. The trail leads her to mist-shrouded Scotland, where ancient castles and ruins guard a powerful artifact tied to the Knights Templar and King Solomon. As ghostly voices whisper cryptic clues, Pucci races against a dangerous "Shadow Man" and works alongside Detective Olan Lathen to decipher an ancient code. The author masterfully balances intricate historical research with supernatural suspense and a touch of humor, creating a highly addictive page-turner. This book is a captivating, fast-paced adventure that will delight anyone looking for a mystery where history and the spectral world collide.
September 19, 2025
LJ Aldon’s Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher is a fun read that is perfect for young adults and adults alike. Though it’s the 2nd book in a series, I had no issues following along without reading the prequel. In fact, I quite enjoyed the book for a variety of reasons.
First of all, Pucci is an amazing lead character. Witty but sensitive, relaxed yet focused, she I am an easy character to get behind. Her ability to talk to ghosts made her the key investigator of the jeweled cipher, but it also made her an interesting lead character with the way she so casually interacts with the many ghosts she meets- as if they were just people.
This was a fun mystery novel. It’s like the Hardy Boys with a hint of Ghost Busters. Good book!
First of all, Pucci is an amazing lead character. Witty but sensitive, relaxed yet focused, she I am an easy character to get behind. Her ability to talk to ghosts made her the key investigator of the jeweled cipher, but it also made her an interesting lead character with the way she so casually interacts with the many ghosts she meets- as if they were just people.
This was a fun mystery novel. It’s like the Hardy Boys with a hint of Ghost Busters. Good book!
October 28, 2025
In L.J. Aldon’s Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher, Pucci Riddle travels the world sampling the finest of wine and writes about it. Oh…and she solves ancient mysteries by using physic powers. However, it is dangerous work. The latest caper sends her to Scotland to solve the puzzle of a religious relic hundreds of years old. Will Pucci solve the mystery before she is put in mortal danger?
Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher is a well-written and entertaining tale. It is a captivating lighthearted story with a lot of twists and turns. The are no structural problems with the story, making it a page-turning wonder. The characters are likeable and engaging which is another point in its favor. However, the physic aspect of the plot may disturb some readers. If you enjoy paranormal mysteries, Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher might intrigue you.
Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher is a well-written and entertaining tale. It is a captivating lighthearted story with a lot of twists and turns. The are no structural problems with the story, making it a page-turning wonder. The characters are likeable and engaging which is another point in its favor. However, the physic aspect of the plot may disturb some readers. If you enjoy paranormal mysteries, Riddle of the Jeweled Cipher might intrigue you.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews