The Enigma Challenge

A Novel

by S.C. Godfrey

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Pub Date Aug 11 2026 | Archive Date Oct 10 2026

Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books

Mystery & Thrillers

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Description

“With pulse-pounding action, a fascinating cast of characters, evocative settings all across Europe, this puzzle-box of a thriller is the perfect poolside read.” —Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of We Were Never Here

An action-packed novel following an unlikely duo as they race across Europe in a dangerously high-stakes competition worth millions

You have solved the kickoff puzzle. There will be five additional puzzles to solve. The Enigma Challenge begins now.

Zoe Wilder has the unflashy, solitary life of an academic, studying ciphers in literature at a California university. When her research takes her to a cryptology conference in Madrid, she’s not expecting to kick off the Enigma Challenge, a clandestine puzzle competition few dare to enter.

The Enigma Challenge is an infamous competition with impossibly high stakes: Lose, and your identity is wiped forever. It doesn’t take long for Zoe to realize that she’s in over her head. Enter Dane Seaver: the mysterious hacker who insists they team up. Dane knows the Enigma Challenge—its secrets, its players—and Zoe knows ciphers. For better or worse, they need each other.

Six days, five puzzles, three countries, and innumerable rivals. What’s more, the spark of attraction between them becomes harder to ignore, but distractions are dangerous. With twelve million dollars and multiple lives on the line, the Enigma Challenge is anyone’s game. Will Zoe and Dane come out unscathed against the other players—and each other?

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9798217059676
PRICE	$30.00 (USD)
PAGES	336

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Additional Information

Average rating from 94 members

Featured Reviews

Hannah H, Reviewer

I was provided an ARC copy of this by NetGalley.

I could NOT put this book down! Knowing nothing of cryptology and ciphers and having the most rudimentary skills at solving complex puzzles, I walked away with a much higher understanding (do not get me wrong, I could not solve these ciphers still)! The Enigma Challenge has begun. Not only are the puzzles challenging and spanning multiple countries, lives are also on the line, and romantic interests are sparking. I was so gripped by the story that I stayed up past midnight reading it. This is a MUST on your TBR.

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Pam S, Librarian

Man, what a roller coaster ride! I loved the concept of the challenge and the consequences for losing. Zoe had the enviable affinity for code breaking/cyphers and gee she was smart. Dane was was complex, dashing, sexy and a different kind of smart than Zoe. They find themselves thrown together for a life or death amazing race. Reading about some of the locales have placed them on my bucket list!

An absolutely un-put-down-able read that left room for a possible sequel, which I would love to see! Such a great read!