

Sara Ackerman, Author of “The Codebreaker’s Secret” has written a captivating, intriguing and suspenseful novel. The Genres for this novel are Historical Fiction, World War Two Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and Mystery. There also is a dash of Suspense, and Romance. There are two timelines for this story set in Hawaii, 1943, and 1965. I love the way Sara Ackerman vividly describes the beautiful, threatening and dangerous landscape. I would love to pack my bags and travel to the islands of Hawaii,. The author is a wonderful storyteller, and I appreciate the detailed colorful and dramatic description of the characters. The characters are described as complex and complicated. In 1943, after the tragic bombing of Pearl Harbor, Isabel Cooper has become one of the top codebreakers, who is instrumental in deciphering Japanese secret codes with a group of men. Isabel is mourning the loss of her brother, Walt who died during the initial bombing of Pearl Harbor. She meets her brother’s best friend, who is a pilot, and a dare-devil in many things. Both of them have secrets that they can’t share.
In 1965, Lu Freitas, a young journalist, who had lived in Hawaii, covers the opening of Rockefellers’ Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. There are prominent and famous people. A Veteran Photographer, does give her suggestions. He seems arrogant and mysterious. Lu also recognizes that something is troubling this man. One of Lu’s friends, who is a special guest goes missing. Hawaii seems to harbor some danger and mystery.
Sara Ackerman seamlessly weaves the two time lines together.I enjoyed this intriguing novel and highly recommend this to other readers.