Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing, August 2nd, 2022

Format: ebook

Pages: 384

Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

A brilliant female codebreaker. An “unbreakable” Japanese naval code. A pilot on a top-secret mission that could change the course of WWII. The Codebreaker’s Secret is a dazzling story of love and intrigue set during America’s darkest hour.

1943. As war in the Pacific rages on, Isabel Cooper and her codebreaker colleagues huddle in “the dungeon” at Station HYPO in Pearl Harbor, deciphering secrets plucked from the airwaves in a race to bring down the enemy. Isabel has only one wish: to avenge her brother’s death. But she soon finds life has other plans when she meets his best friend, a hotshot pilot with secrets of his own.

1965. Fledgling journalist Lu Freitas comes home to Hawai’i to cover the grand opening of the glamorous Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Rockefeller’s newest and grandest project. When a high-profile guest goes missing, Lu forms an unlikely alliance with an intimidating veteran photographer to unravel the mystery. The two make a shocking discovery that stirs up memories and uncovers an explosive secret from the war days. A secret that only a codebreaker can crack.

My Review:

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the copy of this book.
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Read if you like: WW2 fiction, historical mysteries.
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This book follows two timelines, one during WW2 and the other twenty years later. Isabel works as a codebreaker during the war and is sent to Hawaii. Twenty years later Lu returns home to Hawaii to report on Rockefeller’s new hotel opening and while there, Lu stumbles upon a mystery.
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It was interesting to read about the two intertwining timelines. Loved the war timeline with Isabel and felt like it abruptly ended and wanted more. I also felt like the ending was a bit rushed, but overall I really enjoyed this one!
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CW: war, violence, death of a loved one, claustrophobia, sexism, misogyny, domestic abuse, murder, drowning, sexual content.