The Cipher by John C. Ford - ADVISABLE

Ford, John C. The Cipher. Pgs. 368. Penguin Group, 2015. $16.99.

Language: G, Mature Content: PG, Violence: PG

Robert Smylie, Jr. is 18 and he doesn’t know exactly what he wants to do in life. His father is on his deathbed and his mother has disappeared from the picture. When he goes to Las Vegas with his friend, Ben, the two bite off more than they can chew. Ben reveals that he’s broken the Riemann Hypothesis and has an algorithm that will unravel the security systems of the world as he knows it. When the two try to sell it to some government agents, things go terribly wrong and Ben gets kidnapped. To make matters worse, Robert’s mom is in Las Vegas, but she refuses to help Robert out. Alone and with traitors in his midst, will Robert figure out what to do? Is the Cipher algorithm of Ben’s real?

The book takes forever to get going, but turns out to be an intriguing, gripping story the last part of the book. The characters are mysterious, engaging, and well developed. Readers who enjoy spy fictions, technology, and mystery with a little adventure will like reading this book.

MS, HS. ADVISABLE.

Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.