The Sedalia Code: A WWII Historical Mystery about a Codebreaking Young Woman’s Fight on the Homefront

by Patricia Raybon

Genres: Historical Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication October 6, 2026

About the author

A newspaper journalist right out of the gate, Patricia turned to writing historical mystery novels during the pandemic and hasn't looked back. Her first fiction is the award-winning Annalee Spain Mystery series whose debut, “All That Is Secret,” won a Christy Award for First Novel. The series' second installment, “Double the Lies,” won the Christianity Today Book Award for Fiction. The third in the series, “Truth Be Told,” was a New York Times' pick among "4 Great Fictional Detectives."

“...[M]ystery novels that incorporate religion in a significant way aren’t all that common. Thankfully, the inspiring Patricia Raybon, a veteran nonfiction writer and novelist, has been threading the needle in just the right way with her Annalee Spain series, set in 1920s Denver.” (Sarah Weinman, New York Times).

"It's something special," says NBA star Steph Curry about the Annalee story. Others agree. "Brava, Patricia. It is captivating." (Jerry B. Jenkins) "Rich with romance and spiritual searching." (Sujata Massey) "A fast-moving mystery.” (Publishers Weekly) “Not only a good mystery, but a realistic insight into the African American experience in the 1920s in the West.” (Rhys Bowen)

Patricia cut her writing teeth in high-pressure newsrooms and won multiple awards for feature writing during her years at The Denver Post and later at the Scripps Howard Rocky Mountain News in Denver. Mid-career she taught print journalism for 15 years to bright graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Now writing full-time, she is a regular contributor at Our Daily Bread and, in addition to writing historical mysteries, is author of two notable memoirs, “My First White Friend,” a winner of the Christopher Award and a Books for a Better Life Award, and “I Told the Mountain to Move: Learning to Pray So Things Change,” a Book of the Year finalist in Christianity Today’s Book Awards. Patricia was also inducted into the Colorado Authors' Hall of Fame.

A lifelong Colorado resident, Patricia is mom to two grown daughters, a “Grammy” to five grandchildren, mother-in-law to one “son,” and the wife of 48 years to her husband Dan Raybon, a retired educator. Patricia and Dan share a passion for movies, popcorn, college hoops, and historical dramas and mysteries on Masterpiece on PBS.

Join her on the journey at her Reader’s Circle at patriciaraybon.com and get her free prayer download, “The Busy Person’s Guide to Hearing God.”

Reviews

[Danielle | Lovedatfirstwrite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS STORY SO MUCH. 🎉

This was an all gas, no brakes kind of book.

It completely floored me. From the first page to the last, I had no idea what was coming next. It was a wild + satisfying ride.

This book made me laugh, then had me feeling anxious, worried, and curious. Every time I thought I had it figured out, the story surprised me.

This was exactly my kind of WWII historical fiction. The realities of the Jim Crow era added depth to the story, while the mystery kept me turning the pages.

I also loved the setting at La Porte Academy. Knowing it was inspired by the real Palmer Memorial Institute made the story feel even more authentic.

I loved Lorette. I loved Nev. But most of all, I loved the author’s way of writing. So intriguing and unique. I couldn’t put this book down 😭

Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for the early review copy. I highly recommend this one.

[Crystal Tipton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to Edelweiss for the advanced reader copy of this book. I absolutely couldn't put this book down; I finished it in one day. It reminded me a bit of Hidden Figures, but with more of a storyline and a lot more suspense. The unfortunate circumstances of the character's struggle with what to do because of their race added so much tension and made the story even more powerful. Definitely worth the read!

[Jasmine Leggett Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sedalia Code was a true page-turner! Inspired by a real Black finishing school in North Carolina, this story blends Southern historical fiction, World War II, suspense, and a sweet wartime romance into an unforgettable read. I was completely drawn into Laurette’s journey and found myself cheering her on every step of the way. I especially enjoyed the codebreaking mystery, the rich historical setting, and the way the author thoughtfully explored faith, courage, and perseverance. Patricia Raybon created characters that were easy to care about and a story that kept me turning the pages. If you enjoy historical fiction with strong heroines, meaningful faith, and plenty of suspense, I highly recommend adding this book to your reading list. I received an advanced reader copy of #TheSedaliaCode from #Netgalley. Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers and Patricia Raybon.

[Psusan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sedalia Code is an absolutely unforgettable and stunning page-turner by Patricia Raybon. Many stories may make this claim, but The Sedalia Code lives up to it. I know exactly where Sedalia, North Carolina is located, having driven through this blink-and-you miss-it area, seeing the amazing Palmer Memorial Institute site. With characters that I could relate to and admire even more. Laurette Lowe is a strong heroine who continues to do the right thing along with Army lieutenant Nev Pierce, though there is segregation in place, biases along with laws that hold them back. Their quiet, determined well plan plot to stop a Nazi plot is a nail-biting story that is impossible to stop reading. Faith, forgiveness, God’s guidance and steadfastness is woven into every page of this book. I highly recommend The Sedalia Code to all.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though I felt that it didn't quite reach the quality of Raybon's Annalee Spain mysteries. Although this is labeled as a historical mystery, I felt like the mystery was secondary to the focus on the historical setting and the life story of the main character, Laurette. In fact, my biggest complaint about the book is that we don't learn enough about Laurette's early life, her relationship with her mother, and what happened to her brother, all of which greatly impact her life. The mystery itself was unique and interesting. It reached its climax well before the end of the book. Again, I wish there had been a lot more details about the post-mystery part of Laurette's life. There is quite a bit but this part of the story still felt rushed to me. Highly recommended as historical fiction.

[Susan Feaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sedalia Code by Patricia Rayburn is a compelling story set in North Carolina during World War II, and is the setting is based on an actual Black finishing school in that era. The book gives a portrayal of what life was like in that era, and of the struggle to rise out of poverty. As the title indicates, there’s a code to break and that leads to uncovering a Nazi plot. There’s suspense, interesting characters, a love story, and a well written and intriguing story line - all combining to make this a good read. Many thanks to Tyndale Publising via Net Galley for providing a copy of this book

[Sharon Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. Laurette Lowe has landed a job as a Math teacher at La Porte Academy, a prestigious Black finishing school. She is trying very hard to make her way because she comes from a very poor background. After she has an encounter with Nev Pierce, an Army lieutenant at nearby Camp Butner, her live changes. Nev comes into possession of some secret letters written in code. Laurette, who is very good at deciphering codes, helps him solve them. This leads to a lot of danger and adventure as well as a budding romance. I thought the premise of this book was unique-history as well as a mystery. Recommend if you like both genres.

[Patricia Raybon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner! That was my goal with this “smart and gripping” codebreaking story inspired by a real Black finishing school where Southern fiction, World War II suspense, and a wartime love story collide. I loved writing THE SEDALIA CODE, and I pray you enjoy my brave heroine's North Carolina tale, her spiritual questions and answers, and historic thrills as you cheer her on!

[Grace R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Tyndale for an ARC of this book.
I have read several historical novels in the past several months that did not bring the historical setting to life. That always disappoints me as I love historical fiction and history. This book did not disappoint. The setting was written very well and I had no trouble picturing the placement of the story.
I really enjoyed reading a book about some of the little known aspects of World War II such as Italian prisoners of war on US soil and the effects of the war on African Americans. The author created a fun plot where Nazi spies worked with some Fascist Italians to try and kill the president.
The only thing in this book that I did not like was how the main character found God. By the end of the book, Laurette Lowe found her faith, but it didn't seem like she found redemption on Christ. Christ was not mentioned at all in the book and that was so disappointing.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore the author's books, and her latest offering is set in the U.S. during WWII, weaving in elements of faith, poverty, racism, and breaking enemy codes in a gripping tale I could not put down. Highly recommended!