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The Cryptographer’s Dilemma by Johnnie Alexander is what I’m reading this week and I loved it! Here’s the first line: “Green or brown. Brown or green. Phillip Clayton set the unwrapped crayon upright on the diner’s Formica tabletop so it stood like a mocking sentinel.”
But first this week’s scripture and photo. I couldn’t find a picture I’d taken and found this one on unsplash–that’s a great way to get free photos. (if you do, always give the photographer credit.) Proverbs 3:5-6 showed up in two different devotionals this week, so I thought I should use it. 🙂
Now onto Johnnie Alexander’s The Cryptographer’s Dilemma. Here’s the cover and back copy:
A Code Developer Uncovers a Japanese Spy Ring
Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.
FBI cryptographer Eloise Marshall is grieving the death of her brother, who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor, when she is assigned to investigate a seemingly innocent letter about dolls. Agent Phillip Clayton is ready to enlist and head oversees when asked to work one more FBI job. A case of coded defense coordinates related to dolls should be easy, but not so when the Japanese Consulate gets involved, hearts get entangled, and Phillip goes missing. Can Eloise risk loving and losing again?
My take:
Johnnie Alexandar did a great job creating characters I care about. I loved the way Eloise was able to use her skills as a cryptographer to figure out the clues. And the way she quietly stood up to Phillip when she needed to was great.
Don’t get me wrong about Phillip–he was great, but he really wanted to be in the thick of the war flying P51 Mustang fighter planes, but couldn’t because he was colorblind. He felt like he wasn’t doing enough to win the war. But he slowly came to understand how vital it was to fight the war on the homefront, too.
I loved watching the two fall in love, especially since neither of them wanted to. This is a great mystery with enough clues to keep mystery-lovers working to figure out whodunnit. (Or who the spy was.)
Mark your calendars for August 25–I’m interviewing Johnnie Alexander over at the Suspense Sisters and giving away a copy of the Cryptographer’s Dilemma! If you leave a comment at both places you get entered twice! Drawing will be announced on September 3rd.
You can find buy links here.
The Cryptographer's Dilemma by Johnnie Alexandar is what I'm reviewing this week. Leave a comment and you might win a copy! Share on XLeave the first line of a book you’re reading or comment below, and I’ll enter you in an August drawing for a book from my library!
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Comments 87
Cryptography is a fascinating subject for a fictional story. Good review. I think today’s verse not only showed up twice in your devotionals but also fits Alexander’s book.
Author
Thanks, Priscilla! I love Johnnie’s books. Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
Hi, Priscilla! It was so fun learning more about cryptography, and I felt like I barely scratched the surface. I agree–the Proverbs verses definitely fits!
Author
Johnnie, so glad you joined us. Loved this book!
This sounds so interesting to me! Thanks so much for the chance to win.
Author
I’m glad you’re interested in it, Jeanne! I think you’d really like The Cryptographer’s Dilemma! Thanks for stopping by.
Cryptography is a fascinating subject, and something rarely mentioned. This book sounds really interesting, and simmering I would like to read.
Author
It is, Linda. I was fascinated with the subject. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi, Linda! Definitely fascinating, and like I said in reply to an earlier comment, I only dipped my toes into the topic. Thanks for stopping by!
I love Johnny’s writing and I’m already sold on this one. Thank you.
Author
It’s a great book, Delores! Thanks for dropping by.
Delores!! So good to see you here. And thanks for the sweet comment. 🙂
I’ve Seen this book posted a couple of times and skipped over it. However after reading your comments I think I will have to read it. It sounds really interesting. What time will you be doing the interview. I’d like to catch it. Thanks.
Author
Toni, it’s a written post and will be up early Wednesday, August 25! on the Suspense Sister’s blog. It’s going to be a fun interview.
Hi, Toni! Hope you enjoy the story! It’s based on true events and was fascinating to research.
Have this on my want to read list. Thank you for sharing.
Author
I think you’ll really enjoy it, Lucy! Glad you stopped by.
Aw, Lucy! I’m so glad to know that. Always appreciate your support!
That photo. Is it of El Capitan at Yosemite National Park? It’s a beautiful photo, and I like the Scripture match to it.
I have a special interest in cryptography, so Johnnie’s book is definitely on my TBR, right near the top! The book reminds me of another called “The Broken Seal: The Story of Operation Magic and the Pearl Harbor Disaster”; an historical account. Magic was the name given to the Japanese coding machines similar to the German Enigma in WWII. For an account of breaking the Enigma, there is a great book called “Alan Turing: The Enigma” by Andrew Hodges. It was the basis for the film “The Imitation Game”.
And a shout out to Rick Barry, whose book “The Methuselah Project” you featured awhile ago. I’m about 2/3 through it, and it is a page turner! Thank you Pat for bringing us these great authors.
Author
Tim, I’m so glad you’re enjoying Rick Barry’s book! It is really good. And I love the details you provided on cryptography! Thanks for stopping in!
“Sitting in his cockpit, Captain Roger Greene scanned the heavens. He searched left to right, overhead, below, and behind. No sign of enemy aircraft.” by Rick Barry. Fantastic read. SiFi, suspense, action, romance, history, Christian morals; what more can you ask for?
Author
I love that book, Tim! Be sure to read the next one.
Rick Barry sounds right up my alley. I will go looking for it, thank you!
Hi, Tim. I haven’t read either of those books but I saw The Imitation Game. Such a good movie. And I’ve read Rick’s novel–definitely a great story! Thanks for being here!
This sounds like a fascinating novel, which I’m eager to read!
Author
It is, Suzanne! You’ll enjoy it. 🙂 Good to ‘see’ you today!
Hi, Suzanne ~ “eager to read” — music to my ears!!!! Thank you!!!!
Sounds interesting. Thanks for the review.
Author
It definitely is, Sally Jo. Thanks for stopping by. When is your next book out?
Hi, Sally Jo. Thanks for being here!
I am looking forward to reading this. I won it in a Goodreads giveaway (yay!) so don’t enter me.
Author
I think you’ll really enjoy it, Gloria. Congrats on winning it in a Goodreads drawing!
Congratulations, Gloria! That’s so cool!! I hope you enjoy the story.
I read an early copy of this book. I’m also featuring it as my First Line Friday! It was exceptional. I love spy stuff. Don’t enter me, I already have a print copy!
As always great picture and appropriate verse!
Author
Thanks, Paula. And I forgot to ask everyone to comment with the first line of the book they’re reading! I went back and fixed it, but almost everyone missed it. lol Thanks for stopping by.
Hi, Paula! You’ve made my day!! Thanks so much for all your encouragement and support. {Hugs!}
This book sounds very intriguing and I love the book cover, Thank you for sharing your review, I enjoyed it and it really makes me want to read this book! Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Author
Hi Alicai! I love the cover, too and the book is very good! Thanks for stopping by.
Hi, thank you for letting me know, and thank you for sharing about it, I will be adding it to my TBR list. Have a great day and a great week.
Thanks so much, Alicia. I also love the cover. I appreciate your stopping by!
You are very welcome.
This sounds like a very interesting book. I need to get my hands on it so I can read it. Thanks for sharing about it.
Author
I think you’ll really enjoy it, Edward. It’s a great puzzle…thanks for stopping by.
Hi, Edward! Definitely hope you get to read the story and that you enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by!
This book sounds fascinating! Would love to read it!
Author
Faith, I think you’d really like it. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi, Faith! So glad to see you here. I so appreciate your support!
I find the cryptography departments so fascinating. Thanks for sharing!
Author
Me, too, Megan. I even try to solve the cryptograms in the newspaper. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Hi, Megan. The young women in the WWII military cryptography departments were definitely unsung heroines. Liza Mundy wrote an amazing book called The Code Girls which is absolutely fascinating. Thanks for stopping by!
sounds like a great book! another award winning book from Johnnie!
Aw, Shelia!!! You’re wonderful!!! (BTW, I tried to reply to your “Let’s Chat giveaway” email, but got a “message undeliverable” message. Just wanted you to know I got your email–thanks!)
Author
Shelia, it is a great book! And don’t you just love Johnnie’s books!
The book sounds really good and an interesting topic. I will have to add it to my list. I enjoyed Roseanna M. White’s Codebreakers series. I’m reading Chasing Shadows by Lynn Austin. Every sound in the coal-black night seemed magnified as Lena lay awake in bed, waiting.
Roseanna is a great author–and a great cover designer, too. She created the cover for my lighthearted contemporary suspense story, The Mischief Thief. So glad you stopped by!
Author
Erika, that is a really intriguing first line! Makes me want to read the book. Thanks for dropping by and leaving the first line!
Cryptography is so fascinating. Thank you for the recommendation.
Happy Weekend!
Author
I agree, Caryl! And I think you’ll love this book. Thanks for stopping by!
Caryl! How good to meet up with you here!! Seems like it’s been awhile since our “internet paths” have crossed. Hope all is well with you.
I absolutely love Johnnie’s writing!! This looks like an amazing story.
Author
I do too, Glenda! Thanks so much for stopping by!
“Harper Satterfield felt her smile freeze in place as she glanced around the basement suite. The entire space could have fit inside of her condo back home. All she needed was her very own Toto to remind her she wasn’t in Atlanta anymore.”
First line from Amethyst Attraction by Valerie Comer
Author
That sounds intriguing, Trixi!
Like so many others here, I find cryptography absolutely fascinating. Love the sound of the book, adding to my TBR pile.
“Charles McIntyre sat down at his desk in his saloon and stared at his Bible.” (Hearts in Defiance, by Heather Blanton)
I’m not usually one for historical romance (too…romantical, lol), but I’m really enjoying Blanton’s take on the old west. NOT too romantical for me, plenty of action, and a solid focus on Christian values and Godly character.
Author
This sounds really good, Elizabeth. Going on my TBR table that is about to break into. lol
Following up because you put it on your TBR pile, I’m now farther into book #2 and it goes into more details than book #1 (old west violence, old west houses of ill repute). It’s looking to be too much for me, although I do like the author’s story telling a great deal. Just wanted to warn I wouldn’t consider it a clean read!
Author
Thanks for warning me, Elizabeth. I get into that sometimes–a great storyteller, but just a little too rough. 🙂
The first line is: Reeling from the aftermath of a devastating breakup, the hot real estate agent Lucas Darlington vows to never fall in love again.
Author
That sounds very intriguing, Diana! Thanks for stopping by!
I loved her other books and am sure this is just as beautifully crafted.
Author
It is a good book, Delores.
Thank you for your review on “The Cryptographer’s Dilemma” by Johnnie Alexandar which makes me want to read the book all the more.
Love the verse and that’s a great photo to go with it.
Since I just finished reading “An Anchor on her Heart” by Patricia Lee and haven’t picked my next read yet, I’ll give you the first line of it.
She’s missed the ocean. Pausing at the water’s edge, McKenna Nichols stared out over the rolling waves, letting the saltwater, the incoming breeze, and the cry of the gulls welcome her home.
Author
I’m glad, Kay! And I love your opening sentence!
I love WWII Christian fiction novels since they are exciting as well as inspiring. I’m eager to read this new one.
Author
I think you’ll really enjoy this one, Suzanne!
Here is the first line of the book I am reading-
‘Morning had a terrible habit of arriving to early, at least as far as Meg Whitaker was concerned’. This is from Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson
Being a cryptographer during a time of war would be very fascinating I’m sure!
Author
Hi Patty! I love Liz’s books! And I would have loved to be a cryptographer anytime! I used to work those cryptograms in the newspaper all the time. 🙂
Such a fascinating time period.
Author
It is, and such a good book, Mary!
sounds interesting
Author
It is very interesting. Thanks for stopping by.
This sounds like a real-life case that my daughter’s NHD research touched upon last year. Fascinating story! I’d love to read this version of it.
Author
Amy, I think you’d love this book and your daughter, too. I know it was loosely based on a real cryptographer–Maybe Johnnie will pop in here and you can ask her about it.
After reading your review of The Cryptographer’s Dilemma, I had my husband order it. It did not disappoint! I want to read more of the Heroines of WW2! Thank you for the suggestion. PS I’ve had a lot of time to read the past week since I’ve been isolated with COVID.
Author
Oh, Jody! I’m so sorry. Praying for a speedy recovery!! And I’m glad you were able to put the downtime to good use. 🙂
I’ve never read much of anything about women in WWII cryptography…it’s fascinating to see how many different ways women contributed during this time period!
Author
Teri, until I read The Cryptographer’s Dilemma, I had no idea that womnen did this sort of thing in the war. I think you will enjoy Johnnie Alexander’s book!