On the back cover of the new book Codebreaker are quotes comparing the new novel to The DaVinci Code and the film National Treasure. The code-filled history-mystery is the debut novel by Andy Bennett and Katy Helbacka, who write under the pen name Jay Martel.
The story focuses on Mia, a seventeen-year-old who has spent her life living in various cities around the world with her parents. Now situated in Washington, DC, Mia gets caught up in a search that is laden with secret messages and numerous agents out to stop her.
The husband-and-wife writing team have a long history of working together on creative projects. During the pandemic, the desire to connect creatively struck - as too did a workload balance in creating the book. "I was really focused on the plots and the code," says Bennett. "Katy really took the lead on the characters and the relationships."
Codebreaker lives up to its name with its title character, but could also refer to the reader. The book is designed to offer opportunities to put the book down, work with the information, and solve the puzzles before continuing with the narrative. "It was kind of interactive and Choose Your Own Adventure, and it just kind of worked," says Helbacka.
The authors will be at Fitger's Fireside Room for an author event on July 31st from 6-7pm. Codebreaker can be found online and at many bookstores across the country.
Minnesota Reads is produced at The North 103.3 with funding provided in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
