Salem's cipher

Format:

Book

Title:

Salem's cipher

Author:

Lourey, Jess, 1970- author

ISBN:

9780738749693

Edition:

First edition.

Publication:

Woodbury, Minnesota : Midnight Ink, [2016]

Physical Description:

462 pages ; 21 cm.

Series title(s):

Witch hunt ;

Number in series:

Summary:

"Salem Wiley is a genius cryptanalyst, courted by the world's top security agencies ever since making a breakthrough discovery in her field of quantum computing. She's also an agoraphobe, shackled to a narrow routine by her fear of public places. When her mother's disappearance is linked to a plot to assassinate the country's first viable female presidential candidate, Salem finds herself both target and detective in a modern-day witch hunt. Drawn into a labyrinth of messages encrypted by Emily Dickinson and centuries-old codes tucked inside the Beale Cipher, Salem begins to uncover the truth: an ancient and ruthless group is hell-bent on ruling the world, and only a select group of women stands in its way."--Amazon.com.

Subject(s):

Cryptographers -- Fiction.

Secret societies -- Fiction.

Conspiracies -- Fiction.

Mothers and daughters -- Fiction.

Women's rights -- Fiction.

Genre:

Code and cipher stories.

Thrillers (Fiction)

Detective and mystery fiction.

Fiction.

Suspense fiction.

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Silver Falls Library	FIC LOUREY	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Woodburn Public Library	Lourey	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

A troubled codebreaker faces an epic plot reaching back through centuries of America's secret history

Salem Wiley is a genius cryptanalyst, courted by the world's top security agencies ever since making a breakthrough discovery in her field of quantum computing. She's also an agoraphobe, shackled to a narrow routine by her fear of public places. When her mother's disappearance is linked to a plot to assassinate the country's first viable female presidential candidate, Salem finds herself both target and detective in a modern-day witch hunt. Drawn into a labyrinth of messages encrypted by Emily Dickinson and centuries-old codes tucked inside the Beale Cipher, Salem begins to uncover the truth: an ancient and ruthless group is hell-bent on ruling the world, and only a select group of women stands in its way.

Praise:

"A fast-paced, sometimes brutal thriller reminiscent of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code."--Booklist(starred review)

"Complex protagonists who overcome many obstacles take adventurous readers on a hair-raising thrill ride."--Library Journal(starred review)

"The fascinating historical information combined with a storyline ripped from the headlines will hook conspiracy theorists and action addicts alike."--Kirkus Reviews

"This suspenseful tale has something for absolutely everyone to enjoy."--Suspense Magazine

"Fans of The Da Vinci Codeare going to love this book."--Crimespree Magazine

"Salem's Cipheris the best kind of fun. A witchy romp with plenty of adventure, intrigue, thrills, friendship, and heart."--Chelsea Cain, New York Timesbestselling author

"Salem's Cipheris a bona fide page-turner--packed with wonderfully complex characters, surprising twists and thrilling action. Troubled, razor-sharp Salem is truly a heroine to cheer for. I'd follow her anywhere."--Alison Gaylin, USA Todaybestselling author

Author Notes

Jessica (Jess) Lourey has earned multiple starred reviews from Library Journal and Booklist, the latter calling her writing "a splendid mix of humor and suspense." A tenured professor of creative writing and sociology, Jess lives in Minneapolis with her family. She is the author of the critically acclaimed Murder-by-Month mysteries. You can find out more at www.JessicaLourey.com.

Reviews (2)

Booklist Review

*Starred Review* Fans of Lourey's whimsical Murder-by-Month mysteries (February Fever, 2015) should be prepared for a shock. Her latest has neither quirky characters nor humorous dialogue. Instead, it's a fast-paced, sometimes brutal thriller reminiscent of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code (2003). Lifelong friends, cryptoanalyst Salem Wiley and Chicago police officer Bel Odegaard are on the run, and their mothers have been kidnapped. A putty-faced, cold-blooded killer able to change his appearance at will is intent on eliminating them. He's not the only one. Unbeknownst to them, Salem and Bel have been carefully raised to be assets in the Underground. The antifemale Hermitage Foundation, dating back to Andrew Jackson, is the Underground's mortal enemy, and many of the most powerful men in the world are members. Now that it looks as though a woman might be the next president, the foundation has kicked into high gear. The secret to its defeat lies in ancient codes and secrets, and even as Salem and Bel flee for their lives, they have to find and break those codes. The first in the Witch Hunt series is a real nail-biter with a clever, timely premise.--Mosley, Shelley Copyright 2016 Booklist

Library Journal Review

Best friends Salem Wiley and Isabel Odegaard grew up together, but Bel has gone on to the Chicago police department and -Salem remains in Minneapolis, hemmed in by her agoraphobia, after the suicide of her beloved father. Despite her condition, -Salem has triumphed in the world of cryptography, which serves her well when her mother, Grace, is kidnapped along with Bel's mom, Vida. Bel and Salem are drawn into a centuries-old conspiracy to derail women's rights. On the eve of the election of the first female U.S. president, the ruthless Heritage Foundation works to identify members of the Underground, of which Grace and Vida are important participants. A secret message encrypted in an Emily Dickinson poem; codes tucked into the Beale ciphers, three texts dating back to the country's early days; and computer cryptography all combine to pack a punch in Lourey's ("Murder-by-Month" mysteries) first volume of her new "Witch Hunt" series. VERDICT Complex protagonists who overcome many obstacles take adventurous readers on a hair-raising thrill ride. Dan Brown fans will eagerly anticipate more Salem and Bel adventures down the road. © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.