But shortly before I started writing, I randomly mentioned to an author friend that I was going to write something set in Israel. Here’s a fun story: Part of my book takes place in Jerusalem, which I had originally plotted out because I had visited it quite a long time ago. (I have not been to Greenland, but I have flown over it.) There is no better way to get ideas than to visit a place. I have visited just about every location that Charlie Thorne takes place. Have you ever visited these locations? How do they impact the story? Q: Charlie’s mission takes her around the globe.

(So yes, I had the idea for it for several decades before I figured out a cool way to use it.) The code used by Einstein in the book is actually one I created in high school while I was bored in class. I loved Games Magazine, and I learned a lot of great codes from that. Did you like cracking codes as a kid? Can you give us a peek at your process for devising the puzzles in the book? Q: Charlie must work to break Einstein’s seemingly unbreakable code. And PS, authority often deserves to be disrespected.” Disrespectful of authority.” Charlie would probably say “Smart. The CIA does describe Charlie in the book. Q: How might the CIA describe Charlie? How might Charlie describe herself? I’m hoping that my readers like it too, because I have many ideas for future books.

I also liked writing in third person and getting to shift perspectives. Plus, it was really fun to create the character of Charlie Thorne, who is very different from those that I have written before. So I thought it would be fun to try and write something like that for young readers. I always liked the ones full of intrigue and action that hopped from one exotic location to the next. When I was a kid, MG and YA didn’t really exist, and so I read a lot of my parent’s books. What most excites you about beginning a new series? What are you looking forward to with this one?Ī new series gives you the chance to try a new style of storytelling. Q: Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation is the start to your fourth series at Simon & Schuster. Introduce Stuart Gibbs to your readers with this special Q&A that focuses on Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation.

Charlie thorne books in order