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Codebreakers: A Wordhunter Mystery
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Expected 11 Aug 26Win a free print copy of this book!
8 days and 14:58:23
25 copies available
U.S. only
Maggie Moore and Detective Jackson, the genius sleuths introduced in the brain-teaser mystery Wordhunter, are back to solve another crime.
Steamy, seedy, swampy south-central Florida once again serves as the backdrop for the unlikely duo of loquacious, tattooed, trash-talking Maggie Moore and laconic Detective Silas Gabriel Jackson—linguistic genius and genius detective, respectively. Now operating their own agency and using their extraordinary skills in forensic semiotics (her), and good old-fashioned observation (him), the pair decode clues embedded in words and symbols to uncover a sadistic criminal who preys upon unsuspecting men.
The troubled and painful pasts of both Maggie and Jackson come into play as they try to track down bad guys and old friends, figure out how to trust—and whom to love. Once again, Stella Sands delivers a snappy, sharp-tongued and well observed story about life, love, and language.
Steamy, seedy, swampy south-central Florida once again serves as the backdrop for the unlikely duo of loquacious, tattooed, trash-talking Maggie Moore and laconic Detective Silas Gabriel Jackson—linguistic genius and genius detective, respectively. Now operating their own agency and using their extraordinary skills in forensic semiotics (her), and good old-fashioned observation (him), the pair decode clues embedded in words and symbols to uncover a sadistic criminal who preys upon unsuspecting men.
The troubled and painful pasts of both Maggie and Jackson come into play as they try to track down bad guys and old friends, figure out how to trust—and whom to love. Once again, Stella Sands delivers a snappy, sharp-tongued and well observed story about life, love, and language.
- GenresMystery
Audible Audio
Expected publication August 11, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Aug. 11, 2026
“Codebreakers: A Wordhunter Mystery” by Stella Sands is the sequel to “Wordhunter”, which I was honoured to get to read an ARC of in 2024.
In “Codebreakers: A Wordhunter Mystery”, linguistic expert Maggie Moore is back, now running a private detective agency with former police detective Silas Jackson. Their first client is a man whose one-night stand turned into something far more sinister, leaving him branded and alone in a hotel room the next morning. Maggie uses her linguistic skills to try and find the culprit by trying to identify the brand, while Silas uses his detective work to find other potential victims. But if that’s not enough, Maggie finds out her estranged father, who abandoned her as a child, is actually not dead after all, like she’d been told, and she seeks to find out who he is and, most importantly, why did he leave her behind?
Protagonist Maggie has a Lisbeth Salander vibe to her, which I noted in “Wordhunter” as well, pairing up with a man who she has complicated feelings for. Different from Lisbeth though, Maggie’s expertise is words; their patterns and nuances, and she utilizes these skills to help solve crimes. Maggie is the sole narrator, and she is spunky, sarcastic and verbose, which is to be expected from a certified genius.
The crime in “Codebreakers: A Wordhunter Mystery” involves a man who performs as a drag queen, being branded with a symbol during a one-night stand. This is the first mystery Maggie and Silas work on as a professional pair where Maggie can utilize her symbol identification skills, similar to Robert Langdon in “The Da Vinci Code”. The second background mystery is the identity of Maggie’s father, which is also intriguing, and two mysteries add to the drama and the suspense. There is technically a third mystery, which has carried over from the previous book, so there is definitely not a lack of excitement.
The chapters are short and both Maggie and Silas are likable (although completely different from each other). All three mysteries are solved within the novel’s pages, and it is a quick and compelling read. “Codebreakers: A Wordhunter Mystery” has mystery and suspense (with three mysteries in 320 pages) and even a little teasing of romance. Although it isn’t necessary to read “Wordhunter”, it is definitely encouraged as “Codebreakers: A Wordhunter Mystery” is far more enjoyable if you’ve already been introduced to Maggie and Jackson. I am looking forward to book three in this quirky, delightful series.
Expected publication date: Aug. 11, 2026
“Codebreakers: A Wordhunter Mystery” by Stella Sands is the sequel to “Wordhunter”, which I was honoured to get to read an ARC of in 2024.
In “Codebreakers: A Wordhunter Mystery”, linguistic expert Maggie Moore is back, now running a private detective agency with former police detective Silas Jackson. Their first client is a man whose one-night stand turned into something far more sinister, leaving him branded and alone in a hotel room the next morning. Maggie uses her linguistic skills to try and find the culprit by trying to identify the brand, while Silas uses his detective work to find other potential victims. But if that’s not enough, Maggie finds out her estranged father, who abandoned her as a child, is actually not dead after all, like she’d been told, and she seeks to find out who he is and, most importantly, why did he leave her behind?
Protagonist Maggie has a Lisbeth Salander vibe to her, which I noted in “Wordhunter” as well, pairing up with a man who she has complicated feelings for. Different from Lisbeth though, Maggie’s expertise is words; their patterns and nuances, and she utilizes these skills to help solve crimes. Maggie is the sole narrator, and she is spunky, sarcastic and verbose, which is to be expected from a certified genius.
The crime in “Codebreakers: A Wordhunter Mystery” involves a man who performs as a drag queen, being branded with a symbol during a one-night stand. This is the first mystery Maggie and Silas work on as a professional pair where Maggie can utilize her symbol identification skills, similar to Robert Langdon in “The Da Vinci Code”. The second background mystery is the identity of Maggie’s father, which is also intriguing, and two mysteries add to the drama and the suspense. There is technically a third mystery, which has carried over from the previous book, so there is definitely not a lack of excitement.
The chapters are short and both Maggie and Silas are likable (although completely different from each other). All three mysteries are solved within the novel’s pages, and it is a quick and compelling read. “Codebreakers: A Wordhunter Mystery” has mystery and suspense (with three mysteries in 320 pages) and even a little teasing of romance. Although it isn’t necessary to read “Wordhunter”, it is definitely encouraged as “Codebreakers: A Wordhunter Mystery” is far more enjoyable if you’ve already been introduced to Maggie and Jackson. I am looking forward to book three in this quirky, delightful series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Having thoroughly enjoyed Stella Sands' Wordhunter last year, I was thrilled to pick up the sequel, Codebreakers. The focus is again on Maggie Moore, a recent college graduate with a troubled past, whose expertise in forensic linguistics and semiotics (the study of patterns and symbols) has already enabled her to solve a murder, working with police detective Silas Gabriel Jackson. Now she and Jackson have opened their own private investigation practice, combining their skills--and lifestyles--to help their clients resolve difficult, dangerous issues.
Maggie is brash, profane, tattooed, and a hard drinker, while Jackson is more self-controlled. In their first case, a man who left a drag ball with an unwanted butt cheek tattoo wants to bring the perpetrator to justice, while keeping the whole situation from his unsuspecting wife and family. It turns out that it isn't a tattoo at all, and the design is a symbol that needs a lot of research to unravel its meaning and point to a possible suspect. At the same time, Maggie is desperately searching for her childhood BFF, who has become involved with a shady religious community. And she is intent on finally finding her biological father, who was never identified by Maggie's now-deceased mother.
What was missing for me in this second series book was the wonderful word play of all types that helped Maggie solve the mystery in Wordhunter. Instead, the author has doubled down on the diagrammed sentences--a way for Maggie to calm herself but annoying even for a word nerd like me who had to slow down to read her frequent thoughts this way. And then there were the sentences in backwards writing that required a mirror to read. Also, I couldn't help thinking that Maggie's frequent profanities and outrageous behavior could have been toned down just a bit to make her a more relatable character. But I found the case a fascinating one and the story a quick read. I'm hoping that if there are future series books, Sands will return to what made Wordhunter so delightful and delve more into Jackson's life. There appears to be an attraction brewing between the two protagonists, and I'd like to see how that plays out.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.
Maggie is brash, profane, tattooed, and a hard drinker, while Jackson is more self-controlled. In their first case, a man who left a drag ball with an unwanted butt cheek tattoo wants to bring the perpetrator to justice, while keeping the whole situation from his unsuspecting wife and family. It turns out that it isn't a tattoo at all, and the design is a symbol that needs a lot of research to unravel its meaning and point to a possible suspect. At the same time, Maggie is desperately searching for her childhood BFF, who has become involved with a shady religious community. And she is intent on finally finding her biological father, who was never identified by Maggie's now-deceased mother.
What was missing for me in this second series book was the wonderful word play of all types that helped Maggie solve the mystery in Wordhunter. Instead, the author has doubled down on the diagrammed sentences--a way for Maggie to calm herself but annoying even for a word nerd like me who had to slow down to read her frequent thoughts this way. And then there were the sentences in backwards writing that required a mirror to read. Also, I couldn't help thinking that Maggie's frequent profanities and outrageous behavior could have been toned down just a bit to make her a more relatable character. But I found the case a fascinating one and the story a quick read. I'm hoping that if there are future series books, Sands will return to what made Wordhunter so delightful and delve more into Jackson's life. There appears to be an attraction brewing between the two protagonists, and I'd like to see how that plays out.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved Wordhunter by by Stella Sands and I was thrilled to see it sequel is coming out in August 2026. I think I enjoyed the first book a bit more than the sequel, but this one was fun in its own way. I do not remember Maggie being quite as sassy (or, dare I say... obnoxious) as she seems in this installment, but again, she is very entertaining in her own way.
The Wordhunter theme reappears in the sequel, with the occasional diagrammed sentence and lots of info on semiotics and other forensic studies. Plotlines from the first book are carried through, but a new case also shares space in the story. I think it makes sense to read the original book first, but if you want to jump right into this one, the author provides lots of details that refreshed my memory and can serve as exposition for new readers.
The characters really shine, each one very colorful and interesting, especially Maggie and Jackson. Their relationship is sweet and funny, and I loved watching them work through their differences and come together to solve the mysteries they face. The oppressive Floridian backdrop drew many memories for me as a former resident, and I enjoyed reading about the place while being very far away.
I recommend this book to fans of the study of the English language and readers who enjoy very colorful characters and wacky stories. There's a bit of a similarity in this series to the Florida-based books of Carl Hiassen and Dave Barry, so fans of those authors might be interested in picking up the books by Stella Sands.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
The Wordhunter theme reappears in the sequel, with the occasional diagrammed sentence and lots of info on semiotics and other forensic studies. Plotlines from the first book are carried through, but a new case also shares space in the story. I think it makes sense to read the original book first, but if you want to jump right into this one, the author provides lots of details that refreshed my memory and can serve as exposition for new readers.
The characters really shine, each one very colorful and interesting, especially Maggie and Jackson. Their relationship is sweet and funny, and I loved watching them work through their differences and come together to solve the mysteries they face. The oppressive Floridian backdrop drew many memories for me as a former resident, and I enjoyed reading about the place while being very far away.
I recommend this book to fans of the study of the English language and readers who enjoy very colorful characters and wacky stories. There's a bit of a similarity in this series to the Florida-based books of Carl Hiassen and Dave Barry, so fans of those authors might be interested in picking up the books by Stella Sands.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ARC review 📖
📜Codebreakers
✍️Stella Sands
📠Harper Perennial
📚Thriller Fiction
🗓️Pub date: August 11, 2026
Thank you @harperperennial for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this #gifted physical book. All opinions are mine alone.
From the publisher:
Steamy, seedy, swampy south-central Florida once again serves as the backdrop for the unlikely duo of loquacious, tattooed, trash-talking Maggie Moore and laconic Detective Silas Gabriel Jackson—linguistic genius and genius detective, respectively.
Now operating their own agency and using their extraordinary skills in forensic semiotics (her), and good old-fashioned observation (him), the pair decode clues embedded in words and symbols to uncover a sadistic criminal who preys upon unsuspecting men.
The troubled and painful pasts of both Maggie and Jackson come into play as they try to track down bad guys and old friends, figure out how to trust—and whom to love.
Thoughts:
I thought I’d like this, as I enjoyed coding in the likes of The Da Vinci Code. This was a bizarre book with an even more bizarre main character, and a crime that was laughable.
I had a hard time getting into the codes and Maggie’s oddities, and at times the writing felt immature and unpolished.
This wasn’t for me, but might be for someone else who loves a quirky plot and characters.
📜Codebreakers
✍️Stella Sands
📠Harper Perennial
📚Thriller Fiction
🗓️Pub date: August 11, 2026
Thank you @harperperennial for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this #gifted physical book. All opinions are mine alone.
From the publisher:
Steamy, seedy, swampy south-central Florida once again serves as the backdrop for the unlikely duo of loquacious, tattooed, trash-talking Maggie Moore and laconic Detective Silas Gabriel Jackson—linguistic genius and genius detective, respectively.
Now operating their own agency and using their extraordinary skills in forensic semiotics (her), and good old-fashioned observation (him), the pair decode clues embedded in words and symbols to uncover a sadistic criminal who preys upon unsuspecting men.
The troubled and painful pasts of both Maggie and Jackson come into play as they try to track down bad guys and old friends, figure out how to trust—and whom to love.
Thoughts:
I thought I’d like this, as I enjoyed coding in the likes of The Da Vinci Code. This was a bizarre book with an even more bizarre main character, and a crime that was laughable.
I had a hard time getting into the codes and Maggie’s oddities, and at times the writing felt immature and unpolished.
This wasn’t for me, but might be for someone else who loves a quirky plot and characters.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I really enjoyed the dialogue most. It was fascinating diving into this kind of mystery and how Maggie’s brain worked. It was definitely different than your usual mystery book, which is what had me hooked. Think “behavioral analyst” except with words, sentence structure, meanings, imagery etc. No huge plot twists but still really enjoyed it and an easy read. The ending was good, left me feeling wholesome and happy.
Did Not Finish
May 4, 2026I had to DNF this at 18% The first book in this series intrigued me enough to want to pick this one up. However, the writing in this book is just…bad.
Neither Jackson nor Maggie are very likable characters. The internal monologues are cringey. The dialogue between the characters isn’t any better. Both Jackson and Maggie are flat and two dimensional.
Neither Jackson nor Maggie are very likable characters. The internal monologues are cringey. The dialogue between the characters isn’t any better. Both Jackson and Maggie are flat and two dimensional.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I love this detective duo! I have enjoyed both books in this newer series. The MCs are both full of personality. The puzzles are a great addition and some are not too hard. The story is well written. Can't wait for book three.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews