with me for more than two years now. Their voices, their thoughts, their donut preferences – all six members of the Codex team have taken up permanent residence in my heart and I hope they never budge. This series pushed me in the best way possible and I experienced tremendous growth as a writer while crafting each Codex book.
When I walk around Old City, in Philadelphia, it’s easy for me to picture Henry and Delilah, strolling hand-in-hand down a cobblestone street while talking about their dreams. Or Sam and Freya on a bench outside of Federal Donuts, laughing through one of their many endless competitions.
It’s extremely easy to picture Abe and Sloane, in glamorous attire, on their way to the opera – the dramatic skyline behind them as they both shine beneath the city lights.
I can see the six of them at used bookstores, at breweries and taco stands, in historic buildings and on front stoops. I feel their commitment to justice, their love of literature, and their devotion to each other. This series is as much a love letter to my hometown as it is to the magic of old books. Because all of us can attest to that feeling in your heart when you step inside a bookstore. There’s isn’t anything else like it in the world.
Before Codex was a series, it was a short story I’d written for KU Korner on Facebook – a short story that wouldn’t quit my imagination. A story that demanded to be told. When I look back at those old notebooks and scribbles, it’s overwhelming to understand that those scribbles became three novels, six characters and an entire world filled with secrets and code words, heroes and villains. Just a reminder that if a story is demanding to be told, don’t be afraid to tell it, to follow that voice on a creativity journey. Whatever comes of it could be magnificent and magical. And I promise you: the journey is always worth it.
In the course of writing this book, I had a lot of fun with Sherlock Holmes and London geography! Those from London will immediately recognize that I seriously shrunk the distances between some of the real locations: The Langham Hotel, The Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street, the Royal Opera House and Midnight Apothecary (which is a very real and very cute cocktail bar!) This was merely to make it faster for Abe and Sloane to get around.
The McMaster’s Library is not real, unfortunately, although Oxford University very much is! Mycroft’s Pub is based on the Sherlock Holmes Pub, also in London. Adler’s Bookshop and the Kensley Auction House are also creations from my imagination.
The fictionalized story of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s private papers being auctioned off was inspired by an article in The New Yorker called ‘Mysterious Circumstances’ – a long read but I highly recommend it. His children and relatives have been fictionalized for this story as well.
The Sherlock Society of Civilized Scholars was my invention – however, Sherlock Holmes societies are abundant and well-respected throughout the world. Many Doyle scholars do identify themselves as Doyleans or Sherlockians and the Baker Street Irregulars is a real international literary society.
My final send-off for Codex fans is a wish for your days to be filled with code words and clandestine tunnels, coincidences that are really clues, and an underground auction or two. May your bookshelves reveal mysterious passageways and your perfume bottles contain absinthe. I sincerely hope Victoria Whitney sends you a love letter and the Alexanders invite you to a secret dinner party (but don’t forget your mask). And if Humphrey Hatcher invites you to the pub, take him up on his offer.
As always, I hope to meet all of you at Reichenbach Falls one day.
Love,
Kathryn
Acknowledgments
All of my gratitude for the following people who helped shape Abe and Sloane’s love story:
Thank you always to my best friend (and genius developmental editor) Faith. You are a true gift in my life and these books wouldn’t be the same without your wise and thoughtful edits. I’m so happy we were able to go on this Codex journey together. Thank you for shepherding me through my first romantic suspense novels.
A big thank you to Jessica Snyder for her developmental edits and line edits and for catching all of those pesky plot holes. You are a story wizard!
To Bronwyn, Jules and Jodi: you are epic beta readers. Your work on the Codex series has helped me level up in every way and