Wordhunter
An Amazon Best of the Month Pick
An utterly original and compulsively readable detective story about a woman who uses her uncanny ability to analyze words and speech patterns to help solve crimes.
Tattooed, pierced, and a bit of a mess, Maggie Moore is a surprising genius when it comes to words, a savant able to solve any linguistic puzzle. The top student in her forensic linguistics class, she's tapped by local police to use her skills to decipher harrowing notes left by a stalker-turned-rapist--and succeeds brilliantly.
But when the daughter of a local mayor is abducted, Maggie isn't sure she's the right person to help the police solve the crime. Given what happened to her best childhood friend, Maggie just might be too close to this one.
Yet she knows the authorities in this rural south-Central Florida town cannot crack the case without her special skill. Along with her new best friend, a detective Jackson, Maggie begins to analyze the texts, emails, and verbal tics of various suspects . . . and comes to a disturbing conclusion that will rock this small community.
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"The unpredictable duo of Maggie and Detective Jackson are great fun to spend time with." -- Wall Street Journal
"A sloppy but talented student of forensic linguistics is summoned to help solve the abduction of a Florida mayor in this thriller that will appeal to fans of mysteries and wordplay alike. Think Wordle meets CSI: Miami and you're on the right track." -- Seattle Times
"A wonderfully written and densely simple and nearly perfect story . . . . It's so without flaw and overflowing with intrigue, atmosphere and beautiful logic that I couldn't do it justice . . . . [Maggie Moore] is simply a wonderful fictional character every novelist will envy. And this book is great, and under no circumstance should it be missed. . . You absolutely must read Wordhunter." -- The Durango Telegraph
"True crime author Sands makes an auspicious fiction debut with this crackling mystery centered on a Lisbeth Salanderesque savant . . . . Sands nails the genius investigator formula on her first try, spinning Maggie into a memorable heroine and handing her an enthralling first case. This transfixes from the first page." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Tattooed and pierced, diagramming sentences from famous novels and movies as a coping mechanism, Maggie is a refreshingly original heroine with literary sensibilities, a potty mouth, and no patience for the patriarchy. Despite the thriller construct, there is not a lot of action in the story, but unusual investigation tactics--and a brash new protagonist--lend the book energy and interest, and Sands leaves the door open for a sequel. Grammar nerds rejoice!" -- Kirkus Reviews
"Clearly Sands has a way with words, which may explain her protagonist." -- Parade
"Sands is at once a playful writer and a serious one deeply engaged with the nuance(s) of language . . . . [Her] love of language and all its beauty, oddball rules, and vocal warts is most infectious, and of course, Maggie is simply an unforgettable character." -- Crime Reads
"For readers who enjoy chilling mysteries and thrillers. Fans of strong character-building will delight in watching Maggie and Jackson's partnership bring out their individual strengths." -- Library Journal
"This unlikely team will keep readers turning the pages as they run through south Florida to an ending that points to the possibility of new cases." -- Booklist
"For fans of stories about cleverly using language." -- Book Riot
"Maggie Moore, a whip smart, mezcal-slugging, motorcycle-wielding, 21-year-old Floridian is the extravagant protagonist at the center of Stella Sands's new novel . . . . An entirely unique mystery from an author who knows her stuff." -- Sag Harbor Express
"This was just a great, suspenseful thriller that drew me in and kept me truly guessing as to what would happen next. There's definitely room left for sequels (though we do get a satisfying ending!), and I think this could prove to be a series with real legs. Move over, Lisbeth Salander; Maggie Moore and Florida's muggy heat have an all-new story to tell." -- Mystery & Suspense Magazine
"Wordhunter shines as a psychological thriller based on an unusual yet incredibly compelling concept." -- Novels Alive
"Maggie Moore is tattooed and pierced and drinks beer for breakfast, but she's also a linguistic savant with a lightning quick mind. In short, she's a winning protagonist for a smart, original, and entirely entertaining mystery. If you love words, puzzles, or just a well crafted story, you will love Wordhunter." -- Alafair Burke, New York Times bestselling author of Find Me
"Wordhunter is a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase with a genius wordsmith at its center. Don't be surprised to find quotes from your favorite books and movies littered throughout." -- Barnes & Noble Reads Blog
"Wordsmiths will find much to chew over as they follow Maggie's methods for identifying the criminals. The plot is fast moving and there are surprises galore along the way." -- Woman Around Town
