Fans of brainteasers, word games and fast-paced crime fiction have a new page-turner to add to their summer reading lists. Bestselling true-crime author Stella Sands returns with Codebreakers: A Wordhunter Mystery, a suspense-filled novel that combines forensic linguistics, hidden symbols and dark humor into an inventive detective story.
Scheduled for release on Aug. 11, Codebreakers is the second installment in Sands’ Wordhunter series, though newcomers can jump into the story without reading the first book. Set in the swamps of south-central Florida, the novel follows an unconventional detective duo as they unravel cryptic clues left by a serial predator targeting unsuspecting men.
At the center of the mystery is Maggie Moore, a tattooed, foul-mouthed linguistic genius whose talent for decoding language and symbols makes her an invaluable investigator. Alongside her is Detective Silas Gabriel Jackson, whose calm demeanor and keen observational skills provide the perfect counterbalance to Maggie’s unpredictable personality. Together, the pair operate their own detective agency, using forensic semiotics—the study of signs and symbols—to crack increasingly complex cases.
Sands brings a unique perspective to the novel after spending years writing nonfiction true crime. Drawing from decades of research and interviews with forensic linguists, semiotics experts, tattoo artists and former cult members, she infuses Codebreakers with authentic investigative details while keeping the story accessible and entertaining.
The novel also celebrates the power of language itself. Literary references, famous movie quotes, song lyrics and classic works of fiction are woven throughout the narrative, creating an extra layer of intrigue for readers who enjoy solving puzzles alongside the characters.
Early reviewers have praised the novel’s originality and memorable cast. Kirkus Reviews describes the story as an entertaining mix of mysteries featuring “a down-home setting and rat-a-tat dialogue,” while bestselling author Jenna Blum calls it “the most addictive crime/buddy/whodunnit novel you’ll ever read.” USA Today bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan praised the novel’s clever plotting and emotionally resonant storytelling, calling it “absolutely irresistible.”
Codebreakers builds on the success of Sands’ debut novel Wordhunter, which earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly and was named one of Amazon Editors’ Best Books of 2024. Before turning to fiction, Sands authored six bestselling true-crime books and appeared on programs including 20/20, People Magazine Investigates and Investigation Discovery.
With its blend of suspense, humor, literary puzzles and unforgettable characters, Codebreakers offers a fresh take on the crime genre. Equal parts mystery and brain teaser, the novel promises to keep readers guessing until its final pages while proving that words can be every bit as revealing—and dangerous—as fingerprints.