The language of the birds A novel

Merson's imaginative, often cryptic debut novel features Arizona, a neurodivergent teen homeschooled by her parents and particularly adept at deciphering codes and riddles. When her dad dies, Arizona's world turns upside down. Then her mom is kidnapped, and the kidnappers demand that Arizona solve a challenging puzzle before they'll release her, a puzzle that involves alchemy and the "language of birds"--and will apparently lead the kidnappers to an ancient, world-shattering secret. While she's trying to unravel the clues in old papers, books, and maps, and even in abandoned houses and a national monument, Arizona meets Lily, who might become a friend if Arizona will trust her. Putting herself in grave danger, Arizona embarks on a diabolically difficult journey to unravel the mystery. While the result is unexpected, Arizona discovers some important truths about herself and the world. Meticulously researched, with a plethora of complicated codes, clues, poems, and arcane historical references and a complex, mind-boggling plot, this is a book for dedicated fans of the offbeat, odd, and obscure.

Merson debuts with a fun, code-filled mystery centered on a neurodivergent teen. After her father's accidental death, 17-year-old Arizona and her mother set off in their Airstream trailer to scatter his ashes in some of his favorite places, including California's Bodie State Historic Park. After they separate to wander the grounds, Arizona's mom fails to show up at their agreed upon meeting spot, so the teen asks park ranger Stephen Gordon for help. A short time later, she visits the ranger station, only to learn there's no ranger named Stephen Gordon. The situation gets even more dire when Arizona discovers a note in the Airstream: "Your father should have provided us with the information that we seek. His death could have been avoided. Now we have your mother." Attached is a demand that Arizona "prove herself" by decoding a lengthy list of random letters. She passes that test, only to be given others, as part of the kidnapper's search for a secret her dad, a cartographer for the U.S. Geological Survey, was guarding. Merson occasionally sacrifices pacing to dig into the details of Arizona's code-breaking process, but he pulls it all together with a crackerjack ending. Dan Brown fans will enjoy themselves. Agent: Oli Munson, A.M. Heath. (May)