"PopCo" is a novel by British author Scarlett Thomas, published in 2004. The story follows Alice Butler, a cryptanalyst and creator of crossword puzzles who works for PopCo, a global toy corporation. Alice is invited to participate in a company retreat at a remote country estate, where she is assigned to a team tasked with creating the ultimate toy for teenage girls. As the team delves into the world of marketing, consumerism, and product development, Alice begins to question her role within the corporation and her own values. At the same time, she becomes increasingly intrigued by mysterious coded messages she discovers around the estate, which lead her to uncover secrets about her family's past as codebreakers and pirates. "PopCo" is a thought-provoking and engaging read that blends elements of mystery, corporate intrigue, and cryptography. The novel explores themes such as consumer culture, corporate power, and the search for personal authenticity in a world driven by profit and mass consumption.