The Mystery of MS 408

The major secret that runs through the series is the mystery of MS 408: The Voynich Manuscript. As the team work to try and break the secret code the manuscript contains, they encounter other major codes and puzzles. As each book in the Secret Breakers series is published, this site will provide background information on these major codes and puzzles. Throughout every adventure though, MS 408 is key! So it’s important that you know as much as you can about it if you are going to be able to unlock the truth!

I love the idea of an unread ancient manuscript. For me, that idea sparks so many story possibilities. A race of people with their own history and secrets to protect…? A world beside the world we know…? A location in threat and need of saving? Those sorts of ideas get me very excited. So imagine how thrilled I was when I discovered there really was an ancient unread manuscript kept in Yale University and that it was written entirely in code! (You’ve guessed it…I was incredibly excited!!)

I remember reading about MS 408 one rainy Sunday afternoon. I felt I’d stumbled across an incredible secret and I was desperate to find out who else knew about it. A search around the internet showed me that lots of people had tried to break the secret of MS 408.

There were amazing theories and ideas about who had written the book and why. Many of those who worked on the manuscript had been driven mad in their quest to find the truth.

British & American Black Chambers

In our real world, trying to find out the truth behind MS 408 isn’t really banned by the government…but it isn’t exactly encouraged!

Many of the people who have tried to break the secrets of the manuscript have been so badly criticised. This has made others afraid to take a closer look. My idea of presenting MS 408 as being a banned manuscript in the stories developed because a lot of the work done trying to break its code involved secret organisations. The American Black Chamber were involved very early on after the book’s discovery in 1912. They set up a Study Group to research the manuscript in the evenings after work. Can you imagine? Members of the National Security Agency in the USA involved in maintaining the safety of the nation during the day, then working on the code of an ancient manuscript at the night! It’s incredible…but true. After the Second World War members of the British Black Chamber got involved.

A very important code cracker, John Tiltman, heard about the manuscript from the Americans William and Elisebeth Friedman. His work on the manuscript with others in his Study Group, was secret too! If the manuscript has been researched by these very important secret organisations then perhaps it really is hiding an incredible secret!

So here’s your chance to have a peep for yourself. I promise you’ll be amazed by what you see. I was so transfixed that I made my own copy!