The Language of the Birds

“A thrilling page-turner full of heart and unforgettable characters—The Language of the Birds is a must-read for fans of puzzle books and intelligent suspense.”—Meg Shaffer, bestselling author of The Wishing Game and The Lost Story “An intricate puzzle box of a novel with a whole amusement park of wonders hidden inside. A delight for readers who enjoy sifting through clues and poring over evidence alongside the hero, racing to see which of you can crack the mystery first. A high-stakes treasure hunt filled with hope, history and all kinds of heart.”—Ernest Cline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ready Player One “The Language of the Birds is a beautiful journey into isolation, connection, and communication. It’s also a mind-bending dive into the power of the puzzle. Sweeping across the American west, the story takes in ancient mythologies, classic literature, and sinister conspiracy theories to weave its own shade of magic. This is one enigmatic teenager’s quest to free her mother, with ciphers and symbols at the heart of an absolutely cracking read—a mystery, crime, adventure, and coming-of-age tale all wrapped up in a treasure of a book.”—Janice Hallett, internationally bestselling author of The Twyford Code and The Appeal “A refreshing, unstoppable read, knitted with bookish ciphers and puzzles, alchemy and poetics, all starring a brave, funny, unfiltered young woman whose differences are her greatest gifts—and the keys to deciphering some very dark secrets. K.A. Merson has created a wondrous mystery that unlocks the mind and the heart.”—Matthew Sullivan, national bestselling author of Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore “A puzzle box of delights. K.A. Merson’s taut, engaging thriller has charm to burn, thanks to its literature-obsessed teenage codebreaker, Arizona, and her faithful hound, Mojo.”—Simon Wroe, author of Chop Chop