A very atmospheric teen mystery set against the winding streets and ancient stones of York, the story blends fast‑paced thrills with a surprisingly rich dose of local history.
Alex’s world tilts when her beloved grandad now living in a care home, and struggling with Parkinson’s and dementia, begins handing her strange coded messages. Each clue sends her racing through York’s snickelways, cathedrals, and hidden corners, uncovering stories of the city’s past while dodging the shady figures determined to stop her.
As the puzzles grow more complex, Alex discovers that her grandad isn’t just reminiscing he’s guiding her toward a long‑buried network of secret orders woven into York’s history. The tension builds as she pieces together the final code, stepping into the legacy her grandad once protected, just in time to carry it forward before he passes.
It’s a fun, fast read with an educational twist, the book doesn’t just entertain, it teaches. The detailed descriptions of York’s architecture and past make the city feel alive, and the inclusion of a code‑breaking table at the back adds an interactive element that makes the mystery even more engaging.
A great pick for teens who love adventure, puzzles, and stories rooted in real places.

A quick, light read with lots of mystery and puzzles to figure out. This is definitely meant for a younger audience than I currently am. I can see someone around 12 or 13 quite enjoying this. Sometimes it was a little heavy on overexplaining and over describing chase scenes, but overall it was enjoyable. I honestly felt like I was in York the entire time. This is also set up to be the beginning of the series...at least those were the vibes I got from it by the end.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest review.