The Seattle Cipher

Travel Writer #7

by Wendy Meadows

Patricia McKay should have known better than to think she'd get a peaceful vacation.

Her boss sends her to Seattle with a nice hotel and actual free time. What could go wrong? Everything, apparently, when Patricia visits an art exhibit in an old theater and stumbles across a set of mysterious numbers that don't make sense.

With puzzle-lover Levi Edelstein by her side, what starts as innocent curiosity quickly turns deadly. Dangerous strangers want a stolen diamond. An old woman harbors explosive secrets. And Patricia's quiet getaway becomes a race against time.

Can she crack the code before the killer strikes again?

Genres: Cozy Mystery

144 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 24, 2025

About the author

Wendy Meadows is a USA Today bestselling cozy mystery author who creates the perfect escape for readers who love amateur sleuths, small-town secrets, and mysteries you can solve with a cup of tea in hand.

Her beloved series—including Sweetfern Harbor, Alaska Cozy Mysteries, and Travel Writer Mysteries—feature quirky characters, family bonds, and charming whodunits with no gore, just gentle intrigue that keeps you guessing.

When she's not plotting her next puzzle, she's spoiling her pets, enjoying time with her two adult children, and hunting for the perfect hybrid tea rose to inspire her peaceful settings.

Join her cozy community and get a free ebook plus behind-the-scenes peeks into her stories and characters.

Reviews

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patricia’s boss sends her to Seattle, to a nice hotel and free time. She goes to an old theater to check out an art exhibit and meets Levi. They discover numbers hidden with the paintings that leads to a bigger mystery. Somebody is after what the numbers reveal and Patricia and Levi find themselves targets. Can they solve the mystery of the numbers and avoid getting killed. A fast fun mystery with plenty of intrigue.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patricia McKay’s boss, Edna, is at it again. Sending her somewhere and she has no clue why she’s there. She meets Levi Edelstein when she goes to an old theater to check out an art exhibit. She discovers a set of mysterious numbers within the photographs. What started out as a simple curious mystery quickly turns deadly. Levi introduces Patricia to Rachel and realizes she’s a part of the mystery, but doesn’t realize the extent until an old woman named Eva visits Patricia and explains the mystery. Eva is the daughter of the photographer whose pictures started Patricia and Levi on this twisty road of mystery and what a mystery it is – there’s even a diamond involved! The story keeps you guessing as to who is after the diamond, will it be found, and will Patricia and Levi survive in one piece. It’s a quick read and can be read as a stand-a-lone story, but I highly recommend reading the first 6 books in the series, if you get a chance. I think it helps you to better understand Patricia’s journey as a travel writer.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melanie Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

The initial mystery reminded me a bit of the tales of a certain Harvard professor except with numbers instead of symbols. The tale may have had a slightly darker feel than the average cozy but overall it was a good read. Bailey seems to have a knack for being in the right place at the right time, although in this instance it felt like a hand was guiding her into trouble. Having recently discovered Hallmark mysteries are simply cozies made as movies, it hit me this story would play well as one.
I have read other books by Wendy Meadows but nothing from this series. I just downloaded book one as I plan to change that. Brian, the beau, played almost no role in this story so it will be interesting to see how he fits into the series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a novella, I felt that this edition had too many characters coming out of the woodwork that it may be better if I wrote down all the connections so I can follow along better.

Overall it is still a great storyline that delves into the art world, a cipher, a treasure, and possible curse that may consume them all.

I do wish that Edna doesn't get away with mistreating Patricia and putting her life at risk for a story. It's not even worth it when her expenses come out of her own paycheck.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jackie Welcel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. Patricia didn't seemed thrilled about going to Seattle but once she got there and the mystery started with the puzzle and the strange men, it was where she needed to be. I like how confident and determined she is. I would recommend reading the series in order because things are mentioned from her previous adventures but it doesn't take away from the story. The writing style can be a little confusing at times because it can change to a different character from paragraph to paragraph. I enjoyed the book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series and I have loved all of the first 6 books. Now with book 7 it's great to see it moving again.

In this one, Patricia is sent to Seattle to write about a small museum that may be going out of business. Instead of helping it along, she stumbles into a long kept secret and murders. She needs to figure out what is going on before she will be able to close the report on the museum.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Roselady]

The intrigue in this book is layered and intricate. Just when you think you know who the players are and what is happening—guess again! You will, however, enjoy peeling back the layers and speculating about what will happen next.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allow a day for this complicated, contemporary art puzzle, haunted theatre, cozy urban murder mystery thriller, which features travel writer Patricia McKay from northern Georgia visiting Seattle, Washington, and embarking on a quest with a cipher to find some stolen photographs.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end. Interesting characters with unique qualities that work with them to figure out the mystery and to interpret with the clues mean. Always like a good mystery that keeps you hooked until the end. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mark Menard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story that kept my attention from beginning to end. Lots of twists and turns that kept the story moving. Patricia makes a great protagonist and I look forward to more of her escapades.
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Antonia Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a suspenseful story that had me holding my breath and hoping for the best for Patrick, Levi and Rachel. I was spellbound by their quest for answers, closure and some semblance of having things make sense. This was an excellent read!!!!!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A relaxing trip to Seattle turns into something not so relaxing. Patricia & Levi work through the puzzling clues to find the answer to mysteries and secrets. So many twists.

This was my honest & voluntary review of an ARC I received via Booksprout

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Seattle Cipher is the 7th book in the Travel Writer Mystery Series. I have been enjoying this series and this book is a great read. I found plenty to hold my interest. I will be looking for more books by this author.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[G.Terenzio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patricia McKay is assigned to write a review on an art museum called "The Timey" in rainy Seattle. It seems to be a straightforward task, but strange numbers in photographs and events take place and with the help of some new friends Patricia tries to get to the bottom of it.

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this mystery! I have been to Seattle many times and have stayed at the same hotel, Hyatt House! This was a crazy mystery for Patricia to solve! Many different people involved spanning several generations. I did enjoy how it ended!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patricia is sent to Seattle on what is supposed to be a simple story with plenty of free time to explore. What happens is a mystery cloaked in intrigue with plenty of twists and turns!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.