The Cipher

Winner of the Bram Stoker Award and Locus Awards, finalist for the Philip K. Dick Award, and named one of io9.com's "Top 10 Debut Science Fiction Novels That Took the World By Storm." With a new afterword by Maryse Meijer, author of Heartbreaker and Rag. "Black. Pure black and the sense of pulsation, especially when you look at it too closely, the sense of something not living but alive." When a strange hole appears in a storage room, would-be poet Nicholas and his feral lover Nakota let their curiosity lead them into the depths of terror. "Wouldn't it be wild to go down there?" says Nakota. Nicholas says, "We're not." But no one is in control, and their experiments lead to obsession, violence, and a very final transformation for everyone who gets too close to the Funhole.

The Cipher is a masterwork of cryptographic intrigue that challenges readers to unravel layers of hidden meaning and deception. This compelling narrative weaves together puzzle-solving elements with psychological depth, creating an immersive experience that rewards careful attention to detail. Perfect for those who appreciate intelligent storytelling that demands active engagement, The Cipher delivers the satisfaction of discovery alongside genuine literary merit—a must-read for fans of mystery and coded narratives.