Monica Hesse is the New York Times bestselling author of Girl in the Blue Coat, American Fire, The War Outside, and They Went Left, as well as a Pulitzer Prize finalist columnist at the Washington Post. She lives outside Washington, DC with her family. Monica invites you to visit her online at monicahesse.com.
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year A Los Angeles Public Library Best Book of the Year A CCBC Children's Choice Book Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly, BCCB, The Horn Book, and SLJ ""The Brightwood Code has everything I love in a book, an overlooked history woven into a fascinating narrative, and a strong heroine forging her own path forward."" --Stacey Lee, New York Times bestselling author of Reese's Book Club pick The Downstairs Girl * ""An evocative novel that seamlessly blends elements of mystery, history, and psychology, this is a must-read for anyone looking for a thought-provoking puzzle that explores the lasting impacts of war. Highly recommended."" --SLJ, starred review * ""Hesse maintains steady suspense...Red herrings abound as the chapters race toward a climax."" --The Horn Book, starred review * ""Hesse yet again proves herself to be a master in matching a compelling mystery with a vividly detailed historical setting [in] a book that is an absolute page-turner...This easily deserves a spot next to Wein's Code Name Verity as an exemplar of the wartime drama."" --BCCB, starred review * ""[A] gripping historical thriller."" --Publishers Weekly, starred review ""Engaging writing will have readers racing to discover the secret. A well-researched work that stands out for its explorations of guilt and trauma.""--Kirkus ""I finished this book in one sitting, and I still can't stop thinking about Monica Hesse's stunning exploration of women's trauma (and their undervalued roles!) in the First World War. The Brightwood Code is a gripping historical mystery, with powerful feminist themes and a perfectly complex resolution that feel as relevant today as ever."" --Jordyn Taylor, award-winning author of The Paper Girl of Paris, Don't Breathe a Word, and The Revenge Game ""Readers biting their nails over Edda's fictional journey will come up for air amazed by the real heroism of the Hello Girls. Monica Hesse has a genius for illuminating the darker corners of history with a kaleidoscope of heartbreaking characters and astonishing plot twists."" --Elizabeth Wein, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Code Name Verity and Stateless ""This page-turning narrative, with its flashbacks to Edda's time overseas, its solid sense of wartime D.C. and the strong characterization of the protagonist, will resonate with readers.""--The Washington Post