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Codebreaker Trilogy #1
The Givenchy Code
A mind-bending code spawned from the mind of a madman...or maybe just a jealous ex.
A desperate race through the cathedrals and hotels of New York City...with a teeny bit of time for shopping, it's true.
An astonishing truth concealed for years, unveiled at last...with more than a little help from a supercute new guy.
As if a recent breakup, scrounging for rent money, and lusting after designer shoes weren't enough to make graduate student Melanie Prescott's life challenging, suddenly she's practically living The Da Vinci Code. A mysterious stranger is sending obscure codes and clues her way and she soon discovers she has to solve them in order to stay alive. With stakes like that, her dissertation on "the derivation and primary characteristics of codes and ciphers used by prevailing nations during wartime" is looking a little less important than it was yesterday. Right now she's just worrying about living to see tomorrow. The only bright spot in the whole freakish nightmare is Matthew Stryker, the six-foot tall, dark, and handsome stranger who's determined to protect her. Well, that and the millions of dollars that will be her reward if she survives this deadly game. And she'd better survive. Because that's a heck of a lot of money to be able to spend on shoes and handbags and sunglasses and dresses, and, well, it's hard to be fashionable when you're dead.
Join bestselling author Julie Kenner on a heel-breaking adventure in code-breaking that will bring out the math geek and the fashionista in you.
A desperate race through the cathedrals and hotels of New York City...with a teeny bit of time for shopping, it's true.
An astonishing truth concealed for years, unveiled at last...with more than a little help from a supercute new guy.
As if a recent breakup, scrounging for rent money, and lusting after designer shoes weren't enough to make graduate student Melanie Prescott's life challenging, suddenly she's practically living The Da Vinci Code. A mysterious stranger is sending obscure codes and clues her way and she soon discovers she has to solve them in order to stay alive. With stakes like that, her dissertation on "the derivation and primary characteristics of codes and ciphers used by prevailing nations during wartime" is looking a little less important than it was yesterday. Right now she's just worrying about living to see tomorrow. The only bright spot in the whole freakish nightmare is Matthew Stryker, the six-foot tall, dark, and handsome stranger who's determined to protect her. Well, that and the millions of dollars that will be her reward if she survives this deadly game. And she'd better survive. Because that's a heck of a lot of money to be able to spend on shoes and handbags and sunglasses and dresses, and, well, it's hard to be fashionable when you're dead.
Join bestselling author Julie Kenner on a heel-breaking adventure in code-breaking that will bring out the math geek and the fashionista in you.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2005
14 people are currently reading
778 people want to read
About the author
Julie Kenner
161 books1,239 followersJ. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and International bestselling author of over seventy novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.
Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, Victorian-era thrillers (coming soon), and paranormal mommy lit.
Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner, has been consistently in development in Hollywood since prior to publication. Most recently, it has been optioned by Warner Brothers Television for development as series on the CW Network with Alloy Entertainment producing.
JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swopn for him.” A three time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy).
Her books have sold well over a million copies and are published in over over twenty countries.
In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.
Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, Victorian-era thrillers (coming soon), and paranormal mommy lit.
Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner, has been consistently in development in Hollywood since prior to publication. Most recently, it has been optioned by Warner Brothers Television for development as series on the CW Network with Alloy Entertainment producing.
JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swopn for him.” A three time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy).
Her books have sold well over a million copies and are published in over over twenty countries.
In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
June 25, 2009
I've categorized this book as "chicklit" for a couple of reasons: (a) the protag is a young, attractive fashionista (favourite designer: Givenvchy. No points for guessing, sorry), and she's in a bit of a pickle and there's a man involved. Well, two men. One good, one bad. You get the idea. (b), I have a 'chicklit' shelf here, and (c), I didn't know what else to call it.
This book is different from all the other chicklit books I've read because it's also a bit of an action thriller (along the lines of The Da Vinci Code but with better prose). The stakes really are life and death; the protagonist and the hero get shot at repeatedly, and although they seem to be able to hide out and have hot "omg we survived today" sex several times in the course of a week, the tension of the hunt is never out of mind. On the other hand, I never really worried that the lead couple wouldn't triumph, and I completely foresaw the somewhat cliched ending.
The narration in this book leaps back and forth between first-person for the female protag, Melanie, and third-person for her hero (the dreadfully named Stryker; it's his last name, but it what she calls him) and the villain. I found the transitions less jarring as I got used to them, but they still pulled me out of the story every time. I think if Melanie had been written in third person, it might have read better. Less intimate, perhaps less chicklit and more mass market fiction.
I've read it, though (in two sittings, which gives you an idea how fast-paced it is), and I won't read it again. It's up for grabs if anyone wants it.
This book is different from all the other chicklit books I've read because it's also a bit of an action thriller (along the lines of The Da Vinci Code but with better prose). The stakes really are life and death; the protagonist and the hero get shot at repeatedly, and although they seem to be able to hide out and have hot "omg we survived today" sex several times in the course of a week, the tension of the hunt is never out of mind. On the other hand, I never really worried that the lead couple wouldn't triumph, and I completely foresaw the somewhat cliched ending.
The narration in this book leaps back and forth between first-person for the female protag, Melanie, and third-person for her hero (the dreadfully named Stryker; it's his last name, but it what she calls him) and the villain. I found the transitions less jarring as I got used to them, but they still pulled me out of the story every time. I think if Melanie had been written in third person, it might have read better. Less intimate, perhaps less chicklit and more mass market fiction.
I've read it, though (in two sittings, which gives you an idea how fast-paced it is), and I won't read it again. It's up for grabs if anyone wants it.
August 4, 2016
I found these three books that had a play on words in which fashion and designers took center stage. Hooked!
The first book is The Givenchy Code and it is one thrill a minute mysteries, that I love. Including puzzles, clues, hints and deadly dangers.
Melanie is a girl that at one time appeared on a reality show and when she receives a message alluding to that, she wants to ignore it. It is called Play or Die after all and that pretty much freaks her out, to begin with. With promises of riches beyond her wildest dreams, she is lured into the game and meets up with former Marine, Matthew Stryker. He is given the role of her protector. He had been assigned to another and that didn't work out so well. He is more determined now. This story takes you all over New York and all the ciphers, clues, and codes come to play in the best locations. Believe it or not, I am not giving away any secrets here. The story is full of secrets that are so fun to uncover. The story is extremely well written and fast paced
The first book is The Givenchy Code and it is one thrill a minute mysteries, that I love. Including puzzles, clues, hints and deadly dangers.
Melanie is a girl that at one time appeared on a reality show and when she receives a message alluding to that, she wants to ignore it. It is called Play or Die after all and that pretty much freaks her out, to begin with. With promises of riches beyond her wildest dreams, she is lured into the game and meets up with former Marine, Matthew Stryker. He is given the role of her protector. He had been assigned to another and that didn't work out so well. He is more determined now. This story takes you all over New York and all the ciphers, clues, and codes come to play in the best locations. Believe it or not, I am not giving away any secrets here. The story is full of secrets that are so fun to uncover. The story is extremely well written and fast paced
April 30, 2025
˚₊‧꒰ა 2 stars ໒꒱ ‧₊˚
Why on earth would you waste time to have sex while you’re on a time constraint and being hunted down to be killed?
This was boring, the mystery made little sense and we basically knew the culprit from the start. Melanie & Stryker were too horny for the situation they were both in 😭
Why on earth would you waste time to have sex while you’re on a time constraint and being hunted down to be killed?
This was boring, the mystery made little sense and we basically knew the culprit from the start. Melanie & Stryker were too horny for the situation they were both in 😭
June 7, 2012
Jajjajaaj Améeste libro, hay que puro observar la portada y saber que será de aquellos, y lo es. ME encantó el modo en que la protagonista maneja la historia, resolviendo el conflicto del cual pende su vida todo el libro. El aparecido y ayudante bienvenido, y me sorprende ver como el loco desquiciado toma control del mundo. Definitivamente digno de leer.
June 5, 2015
I read this on the airplane. I gave it 2 stars because of the fact I finished it (but I was on an airplane with no other alternatives). It was super fast (because you skip entire sections and miss nothing), took no imagination, characters were 1 dimensional. I should have brought Persuasion and re-read it.
March 12, 2009
This was a fun, very easy and quick read. Great for a rainy weekend when your not looking to get into something too heavy or intense. The only part that I didn't enjoy is the main characters obsession with fashion. It made her appear shallow, simple and silly at times.
May 2, 2020
Just as fun as the first time! Fast-paced and fluffy and full of fashion (and flip phones) and a really entertaining chase through fictional NYC with some random romantic sexy times. A really great escape.
May 30, 2023
I will give it this, it's exactly the sort of book I profess to like: puzzles with a smart lady character (who happens to be into fashion is irrelevant but an interesting twist). It's The Da Vinci Code in New York, but it's also a video game.
It's the worst kind of game, the one where people really die as a result of one group winning.
Unfortunately, it wasn't made clear exactly WHY the person pulling the strings HAS to pull the
strings, but it really feels like the story falls apart with that one oversight. The real mastermind uses the second-in-command because he himself cannot (this is chapter 9 of a large number of short chapters, so not a HUGE spoiler, but still a spoiler), but it's never clear why the second-in-command can't just refuse and allow these totally innocent people to NOT die. Like, the mastermind is both unable to pull the strings AND unable to even enjoy the strings having been pulled. What's even the point?
Other than, "there's no book, otherwise," it just feels like "The cruelty is the point."
I get the motivation for Lynx. He gets to be the hunter in The Most Dangerous Game. I don't get the second-in-command's motivation; how is he so powerless to stop someone who's powerless??
Maybe that's covered in the next book? I would hope so.
The puzzles are pretty good, though, EXCEPT:
1. The first one is very sloppy. The placement of the dots is very unclear, so when I tried to solve it on my own without reading on, I couldn't get anywhere, because I couldn't decide where the dot was considered to be. This is highly important when it means the difference between one letter and another when the solver doesn't even know which cipher is being used.
2. The second puzzle has a typo (one letter missed). Not as huge a deal, since the same cipher from the first puzzle was used.
3. The three-character puzzle... I guess I was hoping something would've come from that, but must've been a red herring.
4. Some of the solutions involve social engineering, which makes the puzzles unfairly difficult if they mess up, like if the person holding the item just doesn't like the way they answer, whereas the assassin just needs one lucky shot (or, if they're particularly hostile and collateral damage and innocents be damned, many shots).
By then I didn't fact-check the other puzzles, since they required looking up references I didn't feel like looking up, though I was surprised they used the internet for one but not another, when I'm sure that would've ALSO been online.
The rest of the story is good! Ignoring the problems mentioned, the book goes pretty much exactly the way I would want it to go. I would hope that the end means that winning the game as a Target would mean not participating in the game further, just from the creepy amount of effort that went into setting up the game for ONE Target, but of course a sore loser would ignore that... (er, spoilers, but obvious spoilers)
I might read the rest in the series to see if this is resolved, but if I don't find the other books, I can only hope they took action to dismantle the rest of the "game." It's about all I can make myself believe with the kinds of stuff sociopaths invent. :( At least this one is fiction! (I hope!!)
It's the worst kind of game, the one where people really die as a result of one group winning.
Unfortunately, it wasn't made clear exactly WHY the person pulling the strings HAS to pull the
strings, but it really feels like the story falls apart with that one oversight. The real mastermind uses the second-in-command because he himself cannot (this is chapter 9 of a large number of short chapters, so not a HUGE spoiler, but still a spoiler), but it's never clear why the second-in-command can't just refuse and allow these totally innocent people to NOT die. Like, the mastermind is both unable to pull the strings AND unable to even enjoy the strings having been pulled. What's even the point?
Other than, "there's no book, otherwise," it just feels like "The cruelty is the point."
I get the motivation for Lynx. He gets to be the hunter in The Most Dangerous Game. I don't get the second-in-command's motivation; how is he so powerless to stop someone who's powerless??
Maybe that's covered in the next book? I would hope so.
The puzzles are pretty good, though, EXCEPT:
1. The first one is very sloppy. The placement of the dots is very unclear, so when I tried to solve it on my own without reading on, I couldn't get anywhere, because I couldn't decide where the dot was considered to be. This is highly important when it means the difference between one letter and another when the solver doesn't even know which cipher is being used.
2. The second puzzle has a typo (one letter missed). Not as huge a deal, since the same cipher from the first puzzle was used.
3. The three-character puzzle... I guess I was hoping something would've come from that, but must've been a red herring.
4. Some of the solutions involve social engineering, which makes the puzzles unfairly difficult if they mess up, like if the person holding the item just doesn't like the way they answer, whereas the assassin just needs one lucky shot (or, if they're particularly hostile and collateral damage and innocents be damned, many shots).
By then I didn't fact-check the other puzzles, since they required looking up references I didn't feel like looking up, though I was surprised they used the internet for one but not another, when I'm sure that would've ALSO been online.
The rest of the story is good! Ignoring the problems mentioned, the book goes pretty much exactly the way I would want it to go. I would hope that the end means that winning the game as a Target would mean not participating in the game further, just from the creepy amount of effort that went into setting up the game for ONE Target, but of course a sore loser would ignore that... (er, spoilers, but obvious spoilers)
I might read the rest in the series to see if this is resolved, but if I don't find the other books, I can only hope they took action to dismantle the rest of the "game." It's about all I can make myself believe with the kinds of stuff sociopaths invent. :( At least this one is fiction! (I hope!!)
September 4, 2017
Sell Me in a Sentence: It’s like the book/movie Nerve (about a violent video game come to life) with fashion references and The Da Vinci Code vibes
Short Synopsis: Our main character, Mel, gets recruited as a “victim” in a horrible video game come to life called Play, Survive, Win (or PSW). She is joined by a hunky guy named Stryker (well, his first name is Matthew) who is assigned to be her protector. Mel and Stryker have to solve various clues around Manhattan to avoid the PSW assassin assigned to kill Mel.
Review:
This is just the type of book I was looking for when I started reading it. I just had finished slogging through a really verbose, circuitous book and wanted a fast-paced, exciting read. The Givenchy Code provides that in Spades (Kate Spades, I’m so funny, ha).
First off, I love the character of Mel and she made the story for me. I really enjoy reading about characters who go against usual stereotypes and tropes. Mel is a very gifted academic and mathematician, yet she has no qualms about being feminine and also interested in fashion.
The plot was a little far fetched (I still don’t understand why exactly PSW was inserted into the real world, but I just saw that this book is part of a trilogy so it might be explained further then), but completely addicting once I cast aside my doubts as to the probability of this occurring in real life. The suspense I felt during some moments was palpable. The fashion element in this story was not necessary but added some personality and originality.
*SPOILERS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE REST OF THE REVIEW*
I would have appreciated if the Mel/Stryker relationship was a little more slow burn. I don’t think this is too spoiler-y as they get together fairly early in the book, but I would rather give forewarning as I know how weird people can get from encountering unwanted spoilers. I find it highly implausible that flirting and sex would be on most people minds as they’re being hunted by a crazed killer. There are even a few occurrences in the book in which Mel contemplates whether Stryker is her boyfriend. Girl, please. For the two days you’ve known him, you’ve had to worry about dying and mostly been talking to him about codes and riddles.
ANYWAY, I recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of The Da Vinci Code-style books but also likes their share of contemporary romance novels. This is an excellent book to bring on a long plane or train ride where literary fiction might not prove immersive enough.
4 STAR read for me!
Short Synopsis: Our main character, Mel, gets recruited as a “victim” in a horrible video game come to life called Play, Survive, Win (or PSW). She is joined by a hunky guy named Stryker (well, his first name is Matthew) who is assigned to be her protector. Mel and Stryker have to solve various clues around Manhattan to avoid the PSW assassin assigned to kill Mel.
Review:
This is just the type of book I was looking for when I started reading it. I just had finished slogging through a really verbose, circuitous book and wanted a fast-paced, exciting read. The Givenchy Code provides that in Spades (Kate Spades, I’m so funny, ha).
First off, I love the character of Mel and she made the story for me. I really enjoy reading about characters who go against usual stereotypes and tropes. Mel is a very gifted academic and mathematician, yet she has no qualms about being feminine and also interested in fashion.
The plot was a little far fetched (I still don’t understand why exactly PSW was inserted into the real world, but I just saw that this book is part of a trilogy so it might be explained further then), but completely addicting once I cast aside my doubts as to the probability of this occurring in real life. The suspense I felt during some moments was palpable. The fashion element in this story was not necessary but added some personality and originality.
*SPOILERS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE REST OF THE REVIEW*
I would have appreciated if the Mel/Stryker relationship was a little more slow burn. I don’t think this is too spoiler-y as they get together fairly early in the book, but I would rather give forewarning as I know how weird people can get from encountering unwanted spoilers. I find it highly implausible that flirting and sex would be on most people minds as they’re being hunted by a crazed killer. There are even a few occurrences in the book in which Mel contemplates whether Stryker is her boyfriend. Girl, please. For the two days you’ve known him, you’ve had to worry about dying and mostly been talking to him about codes and riddles.
ANYWAY, I recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of The Da Vinci Code-style books but also likes their share of contemporary romance novels. This is an excellent book to bring on a long plane or train ride where literary fiction might not prove immersive enough.
4 STAR read for me!
May 15, 2020
Melanie Prescott, quién prefiere que la llamen Mel, es de Texas pero vive en Nueva York. Al ser estudiante de un posgrado en Historia y licenciada en Matemáticas, tenía posibilidad de trabajar como profesora adjunta en la Universidad hasta que los recortes presupuestarios se lo impidieron. Como necesita dinero para poder costearse la vida allí y sus caprichos (los Manolos le vuelven loca igual que los Jimmy Choo o los zapatos Givendhy. Diseños de alta costura para los pies) [para aquellos que no lo sepan, los Manolos, son una reconocida marca de calzado del diseñador Manolo Blahnik y que vuelven loca a Carrie, personaje principal de la conocida serie Sexo en Nueva York], se dedica a pasear perros, es cocinera de minutas, ha trabajado expendiendo billetes en el Circle Line y también trabajó de camarera una temporada.
Una mañana, mientras paseaba a los perros, Mel se encontró con su ex quién le regaló unos zapatos de salón de Givenchy. En ese instante, un desconocido la llama por su nombre completo: "Melanie Lynn Prescott, esto es para ti". Le entrega un sobre sin remitente que, al abrir, contiene un mensaje encriptado. Su ex, para asegurarse de que Mel acude a la cita, se lo lleva. Ahora no tiene escapatoria; debe reunirse con él muy a su pesar.
Por otra parte, Stryker enciende el ordenador de un juego online. Recibe un documento con toda la información relativa a Mel. Espera que no se repita lo mismo que la vez anterior. Por su culpa, por no creer lo que en el juego se le dijo, una persona murió. Ahora tiene que encontrar a Mel e intentar salir sanos y salvos de la situación.
Así empiezan los primeros capítulos de la novela. Mel, con la ayuda de un extraño, Stryker, tiene que salvar su culo siguiendo unas pistas encriptadas. Al principio parece un juego pero, cuando alguien cercano a su alrededor muere, la cosa cambia. Ella está en el punto de mira y Stryker tiene que ayudarla a salir airosa. ¿Lo conseguirán?
Una novela de aventuras trepidante bajo las características de la chick-lit. No tiene desperdicio. Tanto es así, que la he devorado en pocos días. No es el mejor libro del mundo pero engancha, es fácil de leer y el final no decepciona.
Una mañana, mientras paseaba a los perros, Mel se encontró con su ex quién le regaló unos zapatos de salón de Givenchy. En ese instante, un desconocido la llama por su nombre completo: "Melanie Lynn Prescott, esto es para ti". Le entrega un sobre sin remitente que, al abrir, contiene un mensaje encriptado. Su ex, para asegurarse de que Mel acude a la cita, se lo lleva. Ahora no tiene escapatoria; debe reunirse con él muy a su pesar.
Por otra parte, Stryker enciende el ordenador de un juego online. Recibe un documento con toda la información relativa a Mel. Espera que no se repita lo mismo que la vez anterior. Por su culpa, por no creer lo que en el juego se le dijo, una persona murió. Ahora tiene que encontrar a Mel e intentar salir sanos y salvos de la situación.
Así empiezan los primeros capítulos de la novela. Mel, con la ayuda de un extraño, Stryker, tiene que salvar su culo siguiendo unas pistas encriptadas. Al principio parece un juego pero, cuando alguien cercano a su alrededor muere, la cosa cambia. Ella está en el punto de mira y Stryker tiene que ayudarla a salir airosa. ¿Lo conseguirán?
Una novela de aventuras trepidante bajo las características de la chick-lit. No tiene desperdicio. Tanto es así, que la he devorado en pocos días. No es el mejor libro del mundo pero engancha, es fácil de leer y el final no decepciona.
February 17, 2017
He terminado este libro que parecía tan prometedor y debo decir que ya al final me ha costado, diría que le ha faltado un poco más de profundidad. Los primeros capítulos fueron geniales pero a medida que avanza la trama se vuelve más tediosa. Entiendo que este libro es como una mezcla de thriller con chick lit pero me parecieron fuera de lugar los momentos de pasión mientras los persigue un asesino.
Un punto a favor: Por otra parte Melanie y Stryker me han encantado por lo cotidianos que parecen. Por fin un personaje femenino que no piensa que es fea o que es tonta hasta que llega el amor de su vida que hace que se vea hermosa, no, Melanie es inteligente y linda (y hasta un poco superficial con todo el asunto de la moda) y lo mejor de todo es que ella ya lo sabe y no es el fin del mundo.
Dejando de lado el hecho de que Stryker es un ex-militar que está como para comérselo, este personaje resulta de lo más normalito, sabe cuando está en desventaja o cuando las circunstancias superan sus conocimientos y lo reconoce lo cual es muy inteligente de su parte y hace que gane muchos puntos (chicos tomar nota de esto) en comparación con otros libros en los que el personaje masculino decide el qué, cómo, dónde y cuándo.
Un punto en contra de El código Givenchy es que los personajes secundarios desaparecen, solo se enfocan en Stryker y Melanie, hasta Lynx queda en segundo plano, de él solo se sabe su apodo y que le gusta cazar y ganar. Y cada vez que se ven las cosas desde su punto de vista el pobre entra en un bucle sin fin "Yo siempre he ganado, estoy ganando y ganaré hasta el fin de los tiempos". Para ser un personaje principal (el villano) no se tiene casi información de él, un tanto igual sucede con Grimaldi, se le menciona realmente poco y yo esperaba que al menos al final explicara sus motivos...
Por cierto... Se fijaron en mi nombre de usuario? Cualquier similitud con este, u otros libros es mera coincidencia jajaja.
Otro punto en contra: Melanie y Stryker se complementaron tanto que pasaron a la comunicación telepática dejando al lector por fuera, en varias ocasiones tuve que retroceder para asegurarme de no haberme saltado una página ( o un capítulo entero)
El final ha sido un poco predecible y a pesar de que es el primero de una trilogía ha sido auto-conclusivo, no veo la necesidad de leer un segundo libro donde la protagonista es la mejor amiga de Melanie, que sólo aparece en unos pocos capítulos al principio y luego solo se la menciona de pasada.
Un punto a favor: Por otra parte Melanie y Stryker me han encantado por lo cotidianos que parecen. Por fin un personaje femenino que no piensa que es fea o que es tonta hasta que llega el amor de su vida que hace que se vea hermosa, no, Melanie es inteligente y linda (y hasta un poco superficial con todo el asunto de la moda) y lo mejor de todo es que ella ya lo sabe y no es el fin del mundo.
Dejando de lado el hecho de que Stryker es un ex-militar que está como para comérselo, este personaje resulta de lo más normalito, sabe cuando está en desventaja o cuando las circunstancias superan sus conocimientos y lo reconoce lo cual es muy inteligente de su parte y hace que gane muchos puntos (chicos tomar nota de esto) en comparación con otros libros en los que el personaje masculino decide el qué, cómo, dónde y cuándo.
Un punto en contra de El código Givenchy es que los personajes secundarios desaparecen, solo se enfocan en Stryker y Melanie, hasta Lynx queda en segundo plano, de él solo se sabe su apodo y que le gusta cazar y ganar. Y cada vez que se ven las cosas desde su punto de vista el pobre entra en un bucle sin fin "Yo siempre he ganado, estoy ganando y ganaré hasta el fin de los tiempos". Para ser un personaje principal (el villano) no se tiene casi información de él, un tanto igual sucede con Grimaldi, se le menciona realmente poco y yo esperaba que al menos al final explicara sus motivos...
Por cierto... Se fijaron en mi nombre de usuario? Cualquier similitud con este, u otros libros es mera coincidencia jajaja.
Otro punto en contra: Melanie y Stryker se complementaron tanto que pasaron a la comunicación telepática dejando al lector por fuera, en varias ocasiones tuve que retroceder para asegurarme de no haberme saltado una página ( o un capítulo entero)
El final ha sido un poco predecible y a pesar de que es el primero de una trilogía ha sido auto-conclusivo, no veo la necesidad de leer un segundo libro donde la protagonista es la mejor amiga de Melanie, que sólo aparece en unos pocos capítulos al principio y luego solo se la menciona de pasada.
January 8, 2021
The last book I read was a great example of a pleasurable cozy mystery. This book is an example of how cozy mysteries get a bad name. A vapid woman, who could have been a strong female role model, instead, at least twice, whilst running from armed murderers, stops to do her makeup. Prepare to suspend your belief. A lot. 2021 reading challenge-a book by an author whose name doesn’t contain the letters A, T, or Y
August 28, 2025
it was like a very cheap hollywood movie. an adult computer game somehow becomes a real life "game" with a murderer, a defender and a victim. through clue codes you look for a "way" out of the game in order to stay alive. although it seems like a terribly dangerous game, the main characters find a lot of time to spend in cafes, have lots of sex and shop in stores. of course the police are not the topic at all. the game just ends and that's it
August 6, 2024
A fun, quick read, perfect for anyone who loves different kinds of puzzles.
This would be great for anyone needing a palate cleanse. Story was very quick, at times the plot kinda predictable. But fast paced and easy to follow.
(Also for those who love designer brands as the main character Mel, loves designer brands).
This would be great for anyone needing a palate cleanse. Story was very quick, at times the plot kinda predictable. But fast paced and easy to follow.
(Also for those who love designer brands as the main character Mel, loves designer brands).
October 16, 2017
Read this years ago and remembered it fondly. Reread wasn’t as satisfying. Too many episodes like, “I started freaking out and he massaged my shoulders.” But it ended strong enough I will try the sequel.
March 23, 2020
This was a re-read. Apparently 2020 is going to be my guilty pleasure book year. I remembered liking this. Smart and sexy and fast paced and exactly as diverting as I remembered. Sure, it was a little far-fetched but that was half the fun.
March 10, 2022
3.5 Stars
This book took me forever to read and put me in a reading slump; but when I finally pushed myself to read it I really did enjoy it! It was fun and fast paced and felt like the Da Vinci Code meets high fashion. I'm glad I finished it and will definitely read book 2!
This book took me forever to read and put me in a reading slump; but when I finally pushed myself to read it I really did enjoy it! It was fun and fast paced and felt like the Da Vinci Code meets high fashion. I'm glad I finished it and will definitely read book 2!
July 14, 2017
Almost did not finish this. I usually like J Kenner's books. This one written under Julie just did not hold my interest. Sorry..............
July 21, 2018
Uno de mis libros favoritos, me gusta la trama que la autora pone en el libro para desarrollar la historia de amor.
February 25, 2022
A lighter and arguably more fun da Vinci code. While the plot is at times ridiculous, the characters are like-able and the mystery/clue hunt keeps you guessing at all times.
May 23, 2022
100% chick lit, and the best kind if you love mysteries, fashion, & sex - also the mastermind plot over Manhattan is pretty original. A great vacation read!
September 7, 2023
This was an easy read along the lines of Nerve and Ready Player One. A young girl yanked into acting out video game on teh streets of Manhattan with some code breaking thrown in. Not bad
March 20, 2017
3,5. En general me ha gustado, no podía parar de leer porque tiene mucha acción. Le resto nota por el final, que me ha dejado como a medias, ha bajado el ritmo demasiado de golpe para mi gusto.
Read
January 5, 2016I’ve never read the Da Vinci Code, or seen the movie, so I have no idea how much of this is similar. Melanie does compare herself a few times to Jennifer Garner, the heroine in the tv series Alias, and I did watch and enjoy that one years ago.
Melanie is a smart girl, with a flair for math and a passion for fashion, especially shoes. She is doing odd jobs to pay for college and is just walking a few dogs when her ex-boyfriend finds her. She has no intention whatsoever to hook back up with him, but he has just given her a pair of Givenchy shoes, so what is a girl to do when he asks her out?
Especially when a handsome man gives her an envelope, in the middle of the street, and said ex takes it with him to make sure she shows up.
Later in his apartment, Melanie finds a letter in code, something that is a big hobby of her. But when she deciphers it, it is a message saying: Play or Die, with an address beneath it.
She doesn’t know what it means, but she certainly does not intend to follow up on it. Unable to sleep, with her ex-boyfriend snoring as he does (yep, she remembers why she broke up with him), she settles herself in the bathtub. But the next morning she doesn’t only hurt everywhere, she finds Todd murdered in the bed …
As the phone line is dead, she runs outside the apartment building to call the police, only to stumble into the handsome man who delivered the envelope to her. And he tells her no police, she will have to play the game, or else …
Scared out of her wits, Melanie escapes and runs back to her own place. Where an other stranger is waiting for her. She doesn’t trust him and tries to run again, but he finally manage to convince her he is there to help and protect her. They have been drafted to play an internet game in real life, and as he has failed to protect one woman before, as he did not believe the message, he is not ready to lose her as well. He is a previous Marine, so he should be able to protect her from the assassin. The game is simple, you are either an assassin, a target or a protector. And the target has to follow the clues to the treasure, while evading the assassin, to win the game. Melanie used to play the game until she got bored with it, as she won every time. Stryker never played it, although he did sign up for it as his friend kept urging him to, but he was deployed again before he had time to try it.
The assassin, he loves the game, and he loves it even more in real life. This is what he was born to do! He will win the game, as he always does, no matter what role he plays. But he likes being the assassin best.
And so Melanie and Stryker are sent on a treasure hunt through Manhattan, deciphering clues and following leads. Narrowly getting out alive a few times. And all this because a dead millionaire is playing games from behind the grave …
I really enjoyed this book a lot. Even though I am not a geek, so the math and code went way over my head, and I am not interested in fashion at all. I liked Melanie, she is no airhead and her family live was not wonderful and easy, and she is so very smart. But she is also afraid to stick her head out and really go for what she wants. And Stryker sees that, and encourages her to just go for it. They make a great couple, and they work very well together. At first Stryker sees Melanie as just a job, his to protect, and being a bodyguard is his current business. But she grows on him, and when you just escaped a certain death, you really want to celebrate being alive …
But will their relationship continue when the danger is over?
It is a fun book, and I think if you like math or fashion or both you will enjoy this as well.
8 stars.
Melanie is a smart girl, with a flair for math and a passion for fashion, especially shoes. She is doing odd jobs to pay for college and is just walking a few dogs when her ex-boyfriend finds her. She has no intention whatsoever to hook back up with him, but he has just given her a pair of Givenchy shoes, so what is a girl to do when he asks her out?
Especially when a handsome man gives her an envelope, in the middle of the street, and said ex takes it with him to make sure she shows up.
Later in his apartment, Melanie finds a letter in code, something that is a big hobby of her. But when she deciphers it, it is a message saying: Play or Die, with an address beneath it.
She doesn’t know what it means, but she certainly does not intend to follow up on it. Unable to sleep, with her ex-boyfriend snoring as he does (yep, she remembers why she broke up with him), she settles herself in the bathtub. But the next morning she doesn’t only hurt everywhere, she finds Todd murdered in the bed …
As the phone line is dead, she runs outside the apartment building to call the police, only to stumble into the handsome man who delivered the envelope to her. And he tells her no police, she will have to play the game, or else …
Scared out of her wits, Melanie escapes and runs back to her own place. Where an other stranger is waiting for her. She doesn’t trust him and tries to run again, but he finally manage to convince her he is there to help and protect her. They have been drafted to play an internet game in real life, and as he has failed to protect one woman before, as he did not believe the message, he is not ready to lose her as well. He is a previous Marine, so he should be able to protect her from the assassin. The game is simple, you are either an assassin, a target or a protector. And the target has to follow the clues to the treasure, while evading the assassin, to win the game. Melanie used to play the game until she got bored with it, as she won every time. Stryker never played it, although he did sign up for it as his friend kept urging him to, but he was deployed again before he had time to try it.
The assassin, he loves the game, and he loves it even more in real life. This is what he was born to do! He will win the game, as he always does, no matter what role he plays. But he likes being the assassin best.
And so Melanie and Stryker are sent on a treasure hunt through Manhattan, deciphering clues and following leads. Narrowly getting out alive a few times. And all this because a dead millionaire is playing games from behind the grave …
I really enjoyed this book a lot. Even though I am not a geek, so the math and code went way over my head, and I am not interested in fashion at all. I liked Melanie, she is no airhead and her family live was not wonderful and easy, and she is so very smart. But she is also afraid to stick her head out and really go for what she wants. And Stryker sees that, and encourages her to just go for it. They make a great couple, and they work very well together. At first Stryker sees Melanie as just a job, his to protect, and being a bodyguard is his current business. But she grows on him, and when you just escaped a certain death, you really want to celebrate being alive …
But will their relationship continue when the danger is over?
It is a fun book, and I think if you like math or fashion or both you will enjoy this as well.
8 stars.
April 29, 2015
Ha az ember könnyű nyári olvasmányt akar, akkor ez a könyv tökéletesen megfelel a célnak. Pont az a fajta, amit napon, vagy árnyékban heverészve, különösebb intellektuális élmény nélkül kívánunk olvasni. Mondjuk a tenger vagy a Balaton partján: kifekszik az ember a napra és mire lemegy, lebarnul/bőrrákos lesz, de észre se veszi mert elrohant az idő egy kellemesen szórakoztató könyvvel. Persze nekem sikerült előbbre hozni a regényt, mert csak 2 nap múlva megyek a Balcsira, szóval autentikus élményről nem tudok beszámolni.
A történet szerint egy teljesen hétköznapi new yorki lány Melanie Prescott nagy hajszába keveredik. Titokzatos üzenetet kap, amit nem vesz komolyan, egyébként is jobban foglalkoztatja, hogy akkor most kibéküljön-e volt barátjával vagy sem, mert azért a sráctól éppen ajándékba kapott piros Givenchy cipőt megtartaná. Aztán másnapra kiderül, hogy igenis véresen komoly dologba keveredett: játszania kell, vagy meghal. Egy internetes játékot adaptált valaki a való világra, Melanie a préda és menekülnie kell, megtalálnia a mozaikdarabokat, megfejteni a következő lépcsőhöz szükséges kódokat, különben kiesik és a játék 2.0-ás verziójában bizony nem csak egy Game over képernyőt kaphat, hanem koporsót. Márpedig elég elszánt vadászt küldenek rá, akinél elmosódik a játék és a valóság. Szerencsére azért segítőt is kap, akinek meg egyetlen feladata, amit korábbi tragédia miatt nagyon is komolyan vesz, hogy életben tartsa a lányt. A sztoriról többet nem érdemes elárulni, mert akkor nem lesz izgalmas.
A regény ráadásul New Yorki útikönyvként is olvasható, de legalábbis bevásárlókalauzként. Ha valakinek mondjuk a Fifht Avenue környékén támad kedve shoppingolni az jó tippeket kaphat.
A könyv egyébként ötvöz két kiváló szórakoztató műfajt: kalandregényt (amolyan nyomozós, titkolózós, idővel versenyfutós fajtát) és a chicklitet, amely ágnak elég nagy rajongója vagyok. Száz szónak is egy a vége a könyv igazából olyan mint egy szórakoztató pocporn mozi: nyáron fogyasztható, mondjuk egyszer, de az éppen kielégít, ha kikapcsolódni vágysz.
Eredetileg: http://olvasonaplo.net/olvasonaplo/20...
A történet szerint egy teljesen hétköznapi new yorki lány Melanie Prescott nagy hajszába keveredik. Titokzatos üzenetet kap, amit nem vesz komolyan, egyébként is jobban foglalkoztatja, hogy akkor most kibéküljön-e volt barátjával vagy sem, mert azért a sráctól éppen ajándékba kapott piros Givenchy cipőt megtartaná. Aztán másnapra kiderül, hogy igenis véresen komoly dologba keveredett: játszania kell, vagy meghal. Egy internetes játékot adaptált valaki a való világra, Melanie a préda és menekülnie kell, megtalálnia a mozaikdarabokat, megfejteni a következő lépcsőhöz szükséges kódokat, különben kiesik és a játék 2.0-ás verziójában bizony nem csak egy Game over képernyőt kaphat, hanem koporsót. Márpedig elég elszánt vadászt küldenek rá, akinél elmosódik a játék és a valóság. Szerencsére azért segítőt is kap, akinek meg egyetlen feladata, amit korábbi tragédia miatt nagyon is komolyan vesz, hogy életben tartsa a lányt. A sztoriról többet nem érdemes elárulni, mert akkor nem lesz izgalmas.
A regény ráadásul New Yorki útikönyvként is olvasható, de legalábbis bevásárlókalauzként. Ha valakinek mondjuk a Fifht Avenue környékén támad kedve shoppingolni az jó tippeket kaphat.
A könyv egyébként ötvöz két kiváló szórakoztató műfajt: kalandregényt (amolyan nyomozós, titkolózós, idővel versenyfutós fajtát) és a chicklitet, amely ágnak elég nagy rajongója vagyok. Száz szónak is egy a vége a könyv igazából olyan mint egy szórakoztató pocporn mozi: nyáron fogyasztható, mondjuk egyszer, de az éppen kielégít, ha kikapcsolódni vágysz.
Eredetileg: http://olvasonaplo.net/olvasonaplo/20...
January 8, 2023
I read this book more that a decade before and I was delighted. I re-read it now and I must say I'm deeply disappointed with the superficiality of the writing, the story, and the characters.
July 31, 2010
As if a recent breakup, scrounging for rent money, and lusting after designer shoes weren't enough to make graduate student Melanie prescott's life challenging, suddenly she's practically living the da Vinci code. A mysterious stranger is sending obscure codes and clues her way and she soon discovers she has to solve them in order to stay alive. With stakes like that , her dissertation on "the derivation and primary characteristics of codes and ciphers used by prevailing nations during wartime" is looking a little less important than it was yesterday. Right now she's just worrying about living to see tomorrow. The only bright spot in the whole freakish nightmare is Matthew Stryker, the six-foot tall, dark, and handsome stranger who's determine to protect her. Well, that and the millions of dollars that will be her reward if she survives this deadly game. And sh'ed better survive. Because that' a heck of a lot of money to be able to spend on shoes and handbags and sunglasses and dresses, and well, it's hard to be fashionable when you're dead.
June 17, 2014
There are two things Mel Prescott absolutely adores: cryptography and designer clothing. When an online assassin game gets implemented into the real world with Mel as the target, she has to put all of her knowledge about both to good use in order to solve a series of codes and puzzles that will keep her alive. The highlight of her terrifying adventure is the man assigned to be her protector, Matthew Stryker. Together they have to figure out the clues and outrun Mel's would-be assassin before time runs out.
Was this book some sort of literary genius? Absolutely not. But it was ridiculously entertaining and compelling. The first couple chapters were on the slow side, but by the time I got into the mystery of it, I was hooked and didn't want to put the book down. I'm a huge sucker for treasure hunt mysteries, and this one included math clues AND designer shoes, so I was completely enthralled. Despite being a fun, fluffy book, Kenner still managed to write smart, amusing characters I quickly fell in love with.
Was this book some sort of literary genius? Absolutely not. But it was ridiculously entertaining and compelling. The first couple chapters were on the slow side, but by the time I got into the mystery of it, I was hooked and didn't want to put the book down. I'm a huge sucker for treasure hunt mysteries, and this one included math clues AND designer shoes, so I was completely enthralled. Despite being a fun, fluffy book, Kenner still managed to write smart, amusing characters I quickly fell in love with.
March 3, 2010
Despite my initial irritation at the rather silly, airy-fairy opening to the book, it got much better once you get past the first two chapters and the real mystery begins to unfold.
My favourite part of the book is probably how "nerdy" is the new cool in The Givenchy Cocde. Mel is a maths genius and puzzle/code-cracking extraordinaire, the last hobbies you'd think she'd possess, considering her obsession with brand-name shoes and all things fashionable. And her "nerdy" interests are exactly what gets her out of each sticky situation in this book, where she has to out think her would-be killer. This kind of tickled me.
The addition of Matthew Stryker as the hunky protector pushed this right back into the cozy mystery category, unfortunately, and the romance is typical. Still, I enjoyed it enough on the whole to pick up the next book in the series, which is far more than I had expected when I first picked this up!
My favourite part of the book is probably how "nerdy" is the new cool in The Givenchy Cocde. Mel is a maths genius and puzzle/code-cracking extraordinaire, the last hobbies you'd think she'd possess, considering her obsession with brand-name shoes and all things fashionable. And her "nerdy" interests are exactly what gets her out of each sticky situation in this book, where she has to out think her would-be killer. This kind of tickled me.
The addition of Matthew Stryker as the hunky protector pushed this right back into the cozy mystery category, unfortunately, and the romance is typical. Still, I enjoyed it enough on the whole to pick up the next book in the series, which is far more than I had expected when I first picked this up!
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