The Twyford Code

A Novel

By: Janice Hallett

Narrated by: Thomas Judd

The mysterious connection between a teacher’s disappearance and an unsolved code in a children’s book is explored in this new novel from the “modern Agatha Christie” (The Sunday Times, London) and author of The Appeal.

Forty years ago, Steven “Smithy” Smith found a copy of a famous children’s book by disgraced author Edith Twyford, its margins full of strange markings and annotations. When he showed it to his remedial English teacher Miss Iles, she believed that it was part of a secret code that ran through all of Twyford’s novels. And when she later disappeared on a class field trip, Smithy becomes convinced that she had been right.

Now, out of prison after a long stretch, Smithy decides to investigate the mystery that has haunted him for decades. In a series of voice recordings on an old iPhone, Smithy alternates between visiting the people of his childhood and looking back on the events that later landed him in prison. But it soon becomes clear that Edith Twyford wasn’t just a writer of forgotten children’s stories. The Twyford Code holds a great secret, and Smithy may just have the key.

“Filled with numerous clues, acrostics, and red herrings, this thrilling scavenger hunt for the truth is delightfully deceptive and thoroughly immersive” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

©2022 Janice Hallett. All rights reserved. Originally published in Great Britain in 2022 by Viper (P)2022 Profile Books Ltd.

just ok

This had a promising start, but my interest fizzled out in the second half. It felt overly long and tedious, with an ending that fell flat. The narrator did an ok job, but his female voices were not very convincing.

Interesting read with added exploration

I originally listened through with audiobook. It was a good story with a fun twist. The author engages the reader on multiple levels. I ended up purchasing the kindle version as well to better appreciate some if the codes.

Interesting and inventive way to tell a great story

I was worried when I first started this book that I wouldn’t like it because of the format, however, as I kept listening, I quickly became engrossed in the story. I loved all the twists and turns as the story unfolded. My advice to readers - stick with it! The story is really good!

A boy, a treasure hunt, and the story of his life.

What an interesting story. So complex and yet so simple. The story of a young boy and treasure. A little confusing at times, but that’s what the rewind button is for.

too long

the story is too long and complicated. the narration has a computer generated feel so as to be true the story, but beeps for swear words and the narrator repeating "inaudible" and "bakgrpund noise" are annoying and tedious

this book was not what I'd thought it would be.

when I started this book I was pulled into the story.
this book was not the book I thought I was getting.
once down the rabbit hole there was no turning back i had to continue. there were times where I wanted to stop but my curiosity, got the better of me. I liked the writers style in how this book was told, there are so many twists and turned in this book which give the whole plot it's character. I'm so glad I finished this book. if your looking for a good twisty book this is for you. I hope their will be a second book.

Bleeping out swear words

Bleeping out swear words! Very distracting!!!! I didn’t like that. I should have read the book.

the way you fascinate on reader demand!

Crafty and terrific, it always brings surprises of lasting uniqueness. To every listener: you'll linger over varied, elusive details then hear immensely satisfying truths! And loved ending! Choose and thrill! (0h, and read between the cats, Maxine 🐠)

Cool story, but the coded elements just don’t translate to audiobook.

This is a great book to read, not so much to listen to. A big portion of this book is various simple ciphers, like acrostics, that become very difficult to notice and decrypt when they’re read to you and not laid out on the page. I’d definitely recommend checking out this book, but do yourself a big favor and read it instead of listening. You’ll enjoy the whole thing much more that way!

Different

If you are looking for something different than you have ever “read” this is it.