I'm a big fan of Jess Lourey's books so I jumped at the chance to read Salem's Cipher.

This story is more history (think national treasure) and less true crime inspired than her other books I've read so far. I love the message of feminism, friendship, sisterhood and taking down the patriarchy. The plot involving a female candidate for president is so relevant for the world we live in.

While Lourey's true crime inspired books will always be my favourites, Salem's Cipher is engaging and has the same quick pace that I love about her books. I will be reading the follow-up, Mercy's Chase, as I have questions that need to be answered!

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the gifted arc.

Davinci Code, meets NCIS, meets National Treasure. Thrilling, historical, emotional and thought provoking. This definitely didn’t feel like the other books by Jess Lourey I’ve read, but VERY compelling nonetheless. A quick and suspenseful read.

Enjoyable, but not as interesting as I was hoping it would be. The idea of being a book for lovers of The Da Vinci Code is what drew me in, but I just didn't find myself loving the characters or the plot.

This is a story about Salem, an agoraphobic cryptoanalysist, and her best friend Bel. Their mothers Vida and Grace go missing one night, leaving behind clues as to what happened to them. It's up to Salem and Bel to crack the code and find their missing moms.

The first thing that stands out to me is how fast-paced this is, unlike the few follow-the-breadcrumbs stories I've read. Salem and Bel discover a clue and immediately decode it to move onto the next. In fact, it seems almost too easy; too easy to find the clues and too easy to break them. Jess Lourey knew the story she wanted to write, but I'm not sure she made the puzzle hard enough... Or maybe the speed is a blessing, the story not taking up too much of your life to be worth reading. That's a puzzle to be left up to the individual reader to find the answer.

In between clues, the story keeps itself moving by the switching of the POVs. There's FBI agents Stone and Clancy; Stone who is instantly attracted to Salem because what's not sexier than a crime scene, and Clancy who may or may not have been compromised by the Hermitage: a secret society founded by Andrew Jackson. We've got Jason, a seriously depraved villain, assassin for the Hermitage, working to destroy a secret society known as the Underground which is made up of women fighting for equality.

There were a few details that I didn't like though.

First for a book that's got some pretty feministic ideals, Salem and presidential candidate Gina Hayes were both given body image issues. I suppose it's not impossible to be a feminist and self-conscious, but I really would have liked to see strong female leads embracing their own bodies.

And the attraction between Salem and Stone. It has nothing to do with anything. He likes her but they only share a few sentences in the beginning. Salem doesn't seem all that interested until the end when it's too late to do anything about it. Not that she's upset at the missed opportunity, so why even mention that Stone was attracted to her? It contributed nothing to the story.

I also didn't understand why a savant code breaker needed so much help with clues. It felt like she was standing on the backs of people smarter than herself (at one point literally).

Over all, this was a fast paced, fun, little story, even with the character inconsistencies. I just wish Salem hadn't need a child to teach her the correct way to read a letter.

Salem's Cipher is a great thriller - action-pact, lots of history and full of how parents care for children.

With characters crisscrossing the country to solve a cipher to solve many mysteries, Salem's Cipher gives history lessons and how family protects one's own.

Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to read this ARC! #SalemsCipher #NetGalley

I would have to say that Jess Lourey is becoming a new favorite author of mine! I really enjoyed her book The Quarry Girls. When it came to Salem's Cipher, it fell a bit flat!

I found the plot's notion to be appealing. It seems to have the potential to be rather fascinating. It seems a little unrealistic. You may like the conspiracy idea if you can put aside your doubts and embrace it.

My issue is that although the execution was well-intentioned, it fell short. The novel had short chapters and a fast pace, but the narrative line took precedence over character development. In my opinion, there was a lack of character development. I really enjoyed the theme of the story but it was just too drawn out!

I originally requested this book after hearing raving reviews about Jess's latest book, but I am not sure this book lives up to that hype. I understand that this is one of her earlier works that is simply being republished, but there were parts when the writing was just... not great. It did not help that this particular story line was not my cup of tea. Overall this would be a worthwhile read for someone into this type of book, but the word "Quantum" itself turns me off soooo

Thank you NetGalley for the digital arc! This was an interesting mystery, with strong female characters and incredibly strong which made for an interesting and engaging thriller.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

I love Jess Lourey and I am always so excited when I get a chance to try out a new series of hers. This one though, not for me. I just couldn't get into it. I am not sure if it was the friendship between Salem and Bel or the unbelievable Jason? I will not let this deter me from her other books.. but I will not be continuing with the Cipher series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, which I was given for an honest review.

Like many readers it was The Quarry Girls that first got me hooked on Jess Lourey’s books. For character driven small town secrets novels with a coming of age nostalgia I don’t think there’s a finer author. I raced through those novels, Unspeakable Things and Litani being my favourites, I also enjoyed The Taken Ones and can’t wait for The Reaping.

I wanted more and was curious to read this reissued / re-edited duology of Salem’s Cipher and Mercy’s Chase.

Salem’s Cypher is a Dan Brown style quest into hidden secrets, two best friends Salem and Bel on the run and searching for clues to protect the world from a centuries old secret conspiracy. It’s interesting to see an author’s previous styles, but I much prefer Jess Lourey’s small town secrets and empathetically written dark crime thrillers.

I’m sure there’s an audience for it, look at Dan Brown’s huge success, I’m just not sure how much that audience crosses over with The Quarry Girls era Jess Lourey’s readers.

3.5⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer

A female heroine Dan Brown-esque adventure novel with National Treasure vibes - I wanted to like it. Really did. However the dialogue and descriptions were rather silly and hard to take seriously, and the plot almost seemed to be making fun of itself. Many people seemed to really love this one but it just wasn’t for me. Thanks to NetGalley for a chance to read and review this book.

Just as Jess Lourey always does, she DELIVERED! This duo of books keep me so engaged I read them in a rush over a weekend. They were so good I felt like I was watching a movie!

Jess Lourey has done it again. Once again, I was pulled in right from the start. This book is about 2 best friends who stumbled into a world where they were unknowingly trained for their entire lives. It takes them to places they've never been and forces them to face their fears and use their training they weren't even aware they had. Included in this book is a lot of accurate historical information, which makes this book seem even more realistic. If you like mystery, intrigue, conspiracy plots, and fast-paced action, this book is a must-read. I can't wait to start book 2 of this series. Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this AND the second book.

This was such a fun read that seamlessly wove secret history with puzzles to solve. I loved the strong female characters and the multiple points of view.

This gave strong DaVinci Code and National Treasure vibes. The blending of fact and fiction kept me turning the pages.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is the 4th book by Jess Lourey that I've read....it did not disappoint! This hair raising thrill ride is reminiscent of The DaVinci Code meets The Americans! Salem and Bel are the perfect Duo to decipher the code and save their mothers and the first female president. A must read for Jess Lourey fans!

Salem Wiley has been raised almost from birth for her work as a cryptanalyst, and she pushes her skills to the limit in Salem's Cipher. This book definitely has DaVinci Code vibes, a combination of cerebral problem-solving and hard-hitting action scenes. Salem and her best friend, Bel Odegaard, make a good team - while Salem is anxious and agoraphobic, Bel grounds her and plays the role of physical protector. The conspiracy here involves two organizations searching for a key that unlocks a trove of treasure and reveals the true role of women in world history - both willing to do almost anything to find it. The heart-pounding chase scenes and tantalizing details salted throughout the story kept me turning pages throughout. I also appreciated the relationship dynamics between the two young women and their mothers, as well as the found family they collect along the way. I occasionally stumbled over the writing and word choices but nothing that stopped me cold or disrupted the rhythm of the book. This was really well researched, and I enjoyed learning a little history along the way.

Salem's Cipher was a fun read with National Treasure and DaVinci's Code vibes. I wish that the answers to the mysteries would have had more to do with the Salem witch trials which really played a very minor role in the story. I wish some of the history had more depth and detail in the story. It read like an action movie, but I wanted more of the history. I did particularly enjoy the author's descriptions of Chinatown in San Francisco and the characters they met there!

I recently delved into "Salem's Cipher" by Jess Lourey, and it was truly an exciting journey! The narrative unfolds in present-day America, guiding us through a nationwide scavenger hunt that uncovers the country's historical gems.
The protagonists, Salem and Bel, share a profound bond forged since childhood, creating a compelling duo. Salem, grappling with social anxieties and past traumas, emerges as a relatable and intricate lead character. In contrast, Bel's bold, adventurous spirit offers a refreshing counterbalance to Salem's persona. However, the plot occasionally becomes overshadowed by Salem's anxieties and Bel's exuberance, somewhat hindering the overall narrative progression.
The supporting cast adds depth and intrigue to the tale, with Ernest and Mercy serving as both guides and unexpected allies for Salem and Bel. Yet, Mercy's character feels somewhat underdeveloped, occasionally overshadowed by others.
The suspenseful and captivating journey undertaken by the main characters reveals Salem's quest to confront her fears and unearth hidden family secrets. The author seamlessly integrates historical and cryptological elements, making the story not only entertaining but also educational.
Lourey's engaging writing style flows effortlessly, making the book a gripping page-turner. While I appreciated the historical and technical nuances woven into the narrative, there seemed to be a subtle element missing, though I couldn't quite pinpoint it.
"Salem's Cipher" falls under the genres of mystery, suspense, and historical fiction. I wholeheartedly recommend this novel to those intrigued by American history, intricate cryptology, and enigmatic mysteries. It stands out as a captivating contribution to the genre, spotlighting empowering and resilient female characters without overtly feminist undertones.
In summary, I give "Salem's Cipher" a solid four out of five stars. It offers an engaging and pleasurable read, especially for those who relish a well-crafted mystery centered around strong female characters. Lourey's talent for weaving historical and cryptological references is commendable, leaving me eager to revisit the book solely for these captivating allusions.

This book is quite different from most of Jess Lourey’s work. It follows two women as they search for clues to an ancient truth that will undermine an evil centuries-old group. The storytelling is as exceptional as you’d expect from this author, and the plot is suspenseful with non-stop action. I both read an ebook and listened to the audiobook, which was nicely performed. I enjoyed both versions and am looking forward to reading Mercy’s Chase. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.