Book Series · 3 Books

York Books

In order from The Shadow Cipher to The Map of Stars.

Laura Ruby's completed puzzle-adventure trilogy follows Tess, Theo, and Jaime through an alternate New York City built with strange Morningstarr technology and a mystery hidden in its streets.

Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated August 13, 2026

Reading order

How to Read the York Books

Read The Shadow Cipher, The Clockwork Ghost, and The Map of Stars in numbered order. Each book continues the same Morningstarr Cipher mystery, and the consequences of each discovery carry directly into the next volume.

Sources: Laura Ruby's official York series inventory.

For parents

What Parents Should Know

The children face threatened eviction, dangerous machinery, assaults, powerful adults pursuing the Cipher, damaged homes, and a city beginning to break around them. The suspense stays rooted in puzzles and teamwork, while the story also makes room for friendship conflict, family pressure, inequality, and questions about who benefits from powerful technology.

Where the story begins

First Book in the Series

Sale price

$858

Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2017

The Shadow Cipher

By Laura Ruby, Dave Stevenson (Illustrator)

Three kids race to solve a legendary New York puzzle to save their home.

496 pages· 86,519 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In a city built on secrets, Tess, Theo, and Jaime must unravel the Old York Cipher to save their home from demolition. As they dive into a forgotten treasure hunt, the trio faces a challenge that has stumped generations. Can they crack the code and uncover the truth before it's too late? With the fate of their beloved Morningstarr apartment hanging in the balance, the stakes have never been higher. Join them on a thrilling quest through an alternate New York, where every corner hides a clue and every step could lead to discovery.

In reading order