Cipher's Shadow: Book One of the Imperial Mysteries

The Cipher's Shadow: Book One of The Imperial Mysteries, London, 1879

When linguistics professor James Westbrook is called to examine strange markings carved beside a murdered gentleman's body, he recognizes something that should be impossible-a military cipher he helped develop during the Crimean War.

As more bodies appear across London with similar markings, Westbrook reluctantly partners with Dr. Eleanor Reed, one of the city's few female physicians, whose brother's recent death may connect to these killings. Together, they follow a trail of encrypted messages through London's most esteemed institutions, uncovering secrets that powerful men will kill to protect.

In Victorian London, where scientific ambition and imperial power converge, Westbrook and Reed discover that some codes conceal truths more dangerous than they ever imagined.

About the Author: Charles Snodgrass is a historian with a penchant for fiction writing. He places this series in Victorian-era London and the complex sociopolitical landscape of the British Empire. His attention to historical detail and ability to weave fact with fiction creates an immersive reading experience. This is his debut novel, with plans for a three-part series featuring the characters of James Westbrook and Eleanor Reed. Through historical fiction, he examines enduring social patterns, particularly how institutions balance progress against ethical considerations and how individuals navigate systems larger than themselves.