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The Language of the Birds
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  • Published: 16 June 2026
  • ISBN: 9780593874547
  • Imprint: Random House US Group
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 368
  • RRP: $45.00

The Language of the Birds

A Novel

  • K.A. Merson
Formats & editions
Paperback
16 June 2026
EBook
13 May 2025
Audiobook
13 May 2025
Hardback
17 June 2025
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A brilliant but solitary teenager must unlock ciphers, unearth buried clues, and reckon with the outside world as she pursues an ancient secret in this brainteasing, puzzle-filled mystery.

A gifted but idiosyncratic teenager must unlock fiendish puzzles, pore through occult texts, and unearth buried clues—all while reckoning with the outside world in ways she never has before—as she pursues an ancient secret in this brainteasing, YA/adult conspiracy thriller.

When Arizona learns her mother’s been kidnapped and finds a cryptic test accompanying the ransom note, she has no idea that she’s just been enlisted in a treasure hunt, on the trail of an occult, centuries-old secret her father supposedly took to his grave. And if the prize at the end is real, it could shake the world.

Following a trail of cryptic clues across the remote American West, Arizona must use her unique skills and confront her greatest fears, all while staying one step ahead of those working against her as she races toward the dark and dangerous secret that is The Language of the Birds.

“A wondrous unstoppable read, knitted with bookish ciphers and puzzles, alchemy and poetics, all starring a brave, funny, unfiltered young woman whose differences are her greatest gifts—and the keys to deciphering some very dark secrets.”—Matthew Sullivan, bestselling author of Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore

“A high-stakes treasure hunt and an intricate puzzle box of a novel filled with hope, history, and all kinds of heart.”—Ernest Cline, bestselling author of Ready Player One
  • Published: 16 June 2026
  • ISBN: 9780593874547
  • Imprint: Random House US Group
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 368
  • RRP: $45.00
Categories:

Praise for The Language of the Birds

  • "A fun, code-filled mystery...with a crackerjack ending." —Publishers Weekly
  • “A thrilling page-turner full of heart and unforgettable characters...a must-read for fans of puzzle books and intelligent suspense.” —Meg Shaffer, bestselling author of The Wishing Game and The Lost Story
  • “A high-stakes treasure hunt filled with hope, history and all kinds of heart.” —Ernest Cline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ready Player One
  • “A mystery, crime, adventure and coming of age tale all wrapped up in a treasure of a book... an absolutely cracking read.” —Janice Hallett, internationally bestselling author of The Twyford Code and The Appeal
  • “Knitted with bookish ciphers and puzzles, alchemy and poetics, [and] starring a brave, funny, unfiltered young woman...K.A. Merson has created a wondrous mystery that unlocks the mind and the heart.” —Matthew Sullivan, national bestselling author of Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore
  • “A puzzle box of delights. K.A. Merson’s taut, engaging thriller has charm to burn.” —Simon Wroe, author of Chop Chop

  • "A fun, code-filled mystery...with a crackerjack ending." —Publishers Weekly
  • “A thrilling page-turner full of heart and unforgettable characters...a must-read for fans of puzzle books and intelligent suspense.” —Meg Shaffer, bestselling author of The Wishing Game and The Lost Story
  • “A high-stakes treasure hunt filled with hope, history and all kinds of heart.” —Ernest Cline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ready Player One
  • “A mystery, crime, adventure and coming of age tale all wrapped up in a treasure of a book... an absolutely cracking read.” —Janice Hallett, internationally bestselling author of The Twyford Code and The Appeal
  • “Knitted with bookish ciphers and puzzles, alchemy and poetics, [and] starring a brave, funny, unfiltered young woman...K.A. Merson has created a wondrous mystery that unlocks the mind and the heart.” —Matthew Sullivan, national bestselling author of Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore
  • “A puzzle box of delights. K.A. Merson’s taut, engaging thriller has charm to burn.” —Simon Wroe, author of Chop Chop