Families who loved The Killing Code by Ellie Marney often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book if your teen is looking for a high stakes historical mystery that explores the weight of keeping secrets and the power of female friendship. Set in 1940s Washington, D.C., it follows Kit Sutherland, a girl living under a borrowed identity who works as a government codebreaker during World War II. When a colleague is murdered, Kit teams up with a diverse group of young women to track a serial killer targeting government girls. The story balances intense suspense with thoughtful explorations of social identity, including race and sexuality in the 1940s. While it is a thrilling page turner, it also provides a meaningful look at the courage required to be oneself when society demands conformity. It is a sophisticated read for older teens who enjoy historical fiction with a modern, inclusive lens on justice and bravery.