A short while ago I read, and enjoyed, a book Fatal Intrusion which was jointly written by Isabella Maldonado and one of my all time favourite mystery writers Jeffery Deaver. I’d not come across Maldonado before, but after reading this, I understand why the two paired up to write together. They have a slightly different slant on things, but their style – short choppy chapters which each seem to end with a sense of jeopardy – are definitely well matched.

In this story, the third in a series featuring FBI Special Agent Daniella ‘Dani’ Vega, Dani and her cohorts are investigating a mystery concerning a video left behind by a now deceased hit man, Gustavo Toro. In the video, Toro sets out – in the form of a puzzle – the whereabouts of information he’s hidden that will lead to the identity of a man responsible for serious crimes which have been ongoing for decades. In essence, the task becomes something akin to that laid out in Dan Brown’s The da Vinci Code. Vega and the small team she works with are required to interpret clues, which will lead them to another place and further interpretive challenge until they find what they’ve been looking for. As an added incentive, they discover that there are lives at stake and that their time to complete the task is severely limited.

It’s a slightly odd one for me to sum up because though I found some of the clues clever and interesting, I wasn’t completely taken in by how they were spotted and identified. In addition, one was so easy that I solved it at least a page before the investigating team did. On the other hand, I still found myself eagerly turning each page to see what happened next and was keen to get back to the story whenever I’d taken a break. I also enjoyed the dynamics within the team and the action scenes, which were very well constructed. Overall, I found it to be a gripping tale – not without it’s faults, but compelling nonetheless.

Filled with intrigue, twists and a never-ending sense of urgency, A Killer’s Code keeps you in suspense while you join the frantic pursuit to solve this mystery. The third installment in the Daniela Vega series is another action-packed adventure that will exercise your brain and accelerate your heart rate.

Hitman Gustavo Toro is dead, but he planned to take others down with him upon his demise. He left a video to be watched by the FBI in the event of his death, which requires Special Agent Daniela Vega and her team to decode cryptic clues and hunt down the evidence Toro left behind that will expose the malevolent forces directing his actions for years. But they’re not the only ones searching for this evidence. The very mastermind behind Toro’s nefarious orders is desperate to get there first and ensure he can continue to operate and maintain his riches and power. What follows is a deadly race to the finish where everyone’s in danger, secrets are exposed, and lives will be changed forever.

Dani Vega is undoubtedly the star of the show, her impressive skillset and intellect on full display along with being her unapologetically authentic self. She is asked to not only crack daunting codes using her impressive brain and prior training, but she’s asked to lead tactical planning and execution in dangerous situations to leverage her prior military service. Vega is one of the strongest most capable female protagonists in the genre and she kicks major ass on this case.

Additionally, there are several other aspects of A Killer’s Code that elevate this book to a high level. First, Vega’s boss Steve Wu delivers a masterclass in leadership and political savviness, navigating a difficult relationship with his direct superior that results in a successful outcome on the case and elevating his career prospects in the FBI. Second, the development of supporting characters is fantastic. From Vega’s genius brother Axel to NYPD detective Mark Flint to Vega’s mother and others, each character adds depth and purpose to move the story forward. And finally, there’s Gustavo Toro. The arc of this hitman’s story and the possibility of redemption for someone who has done so many despicable things are an incredible feat that can only be pulled off by an exceptional author. And Isabella Maldonado is absolutely at the top of her game.

A Killer’s Code is a top notch, fast-paced novel that flies by in the blink of an eye. Once you pick it up, you’ll find it incredibly difficult to stop. Another explosive and exciting thriller from the pen of Isabella Maldonado.

Isabella Maldonado never disappoints!!

FBI Special Agent Daniela “Dani” Vega is thrust into a high-stakes case when notorious hitman Gustavo Toro dies in her arms during a failed undercover sting. Before his death, Toro left behind a video revealing a cryptic trail of clues that promises to expose a mysterious and powerful mastermind who has been operating without consequence for decades.

As Dani and her team embark on a cross-country hunt to uncover the truth, they find themselves entangled in Toro’s twisted past, where nothing is as straightforward as it seems. Each clue brings them closer to justice—but also deeper into a dangerous web of secrets and deception that threatens to destroy them.

A Killer's Code is the third book in the Daniela Vega Series and this series just keeps getting better and better.

It can certainly be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend you start with A Killer's Game.

Dani and her team are racing against the clock to solve the riddles left behind by the killer Gustavo Toro ( I like him even more in this book) .

The riddles will solve who the mastermind is that has escaped justice for years and he is always one step or two ahead of the FBI.

Dani can see codes where no one else can.

Its a cross country trek and the bodies are piling up , the team is shot at, bombs have been rigged .

Dani is fierce, tenacious, extremely clever and has her own code that rivals that of the killer's.

Isabella Maldonado leads the reader down a fast paced path that has you holding your breath and me shouting don't go in there.

My only complaint is that I have to wait for Book 3 in the Daniela Vega Series ( no pressure but) which is quickly become on of my favourite series .

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the privilege of reading and reviewing The Killer's Code.

For Fans Of: Jeffrey Deaver, John Sanford
Part of Series: Book 3
Avail: 1/21/25
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕
Genre: 🔪 Thriller
Violence: 🪓🪓🪓
TW: Guns, blood, mention of torture


Synopsis: 3rd in series featuring FBI agent & expert code-breaker Daniela Vega. The death of a former hit man sends Dani & her team on a cross-country hunt for a trove of information implicating major criminals. Despite the resources at their disposal, their seemingly omniscient adversary is always a step ahead.

Thoughts: Maldonado is one of my auto-read authors, because I love this series, along with her Nina Guerrera books. The author marries her background in law enforcement with strong plot lines & character development to create stories that balance action-filled suspense with heart. The puzzle at the center of A Killer’s Code, set in mention by the dead assassin, is pleasingly complex & highlights Dani’s unique skill set. Maldonado is adept at giving readers moments to breath between tense action sequences, which she uses to share backstory that continues to add color & shade to her strong female protagonist. I’ll also enjoyed the love story subplot woven into this installment. This book lacks the whodunit element that I’ve enjoyed in earlier books. The suspense instead stems from how Dani & team will extricate themselves from escalating scenarios. I typically prefer that question mark, but Maldonado crafts a compelling, page-turning alternative in A Killer’s Code.

I've enjoyed all the Daniela Vega books and this one is no exception. Book 3 ties into the plot from book 1, so you definitely need to read them in order.

I didn't like the fact that we got the story from everyone's perspectives: good and bad guys, there were too many narrators for my preference. However, the thrill of watching Dani kick butt did not fade.

If you enjoy unstoppable women, you'll like this book.

3.5⭐ (rounded up the rating)

The explosive end of the last book in the Dani Vega series leaves you wanting more about her.. You find it in the beginning of this book with a video left by the dead killer Gustavo Toto for the FBI. He is informing them of a mass coverup, but they must break his codes to get the answers. There are white hat characters, black hat characters and maybe even some grey characters. The action is nonstop and makes you want to keep reading, no matter how late itI is in the night.
This can be read without reading the previous books I. This series

I was issued this book by NetGalley for my unbiased review.

Another great book from Isabella Maldonado. Every one of her books is a great pleasure to read. I always look forward to them. This is another fine addition. Action starts from the first pages and continues from there. Well written and great characters. Even the bad guys show a heart!

Looking forward to more.

A Killer’s Code should be read as part of the series as it picks up where the last book left off and Dani’s past history is important to understand her character development. FBI Special Agent Daniela “Dani” Vega teamed up with the assassin, Toro in the last book and this book deals with an explosive tell all video left by the assassin. Dani and her team must decode the clues to uncover who Toro worked for. Toro’s boss brings out the big guns in an attempt to stop the FBI. Dani stares down danger and uses her special skills to do what she always does- save the day. Action packed and unpredictable, A Killer’s Code is another thrill ride in the Daniela Vega series that will have you coming back for more. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Isabella Maldonado’s A Killer’s Code is a standout thriller that takes readers on an exhilarating ride. With high-stakes puzzles, a formidable protagonist, and a relentless pace, this book is a true page-turner. Whether you’re a fan of crime thrillers, FBI procedurals, or just love a well-crafted mystery, A Killer’s Code will keep you captivated from start to finish.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

I've only read one other book by Maldonado and I've really enjoyed her work so far. I like how she writes her mysteries and how she writes her characters, especially the women. This book is fast paced with a lot of twists and puzzles that you might not work out by the end. I would definitely read more books in this series or other by Maldonado.

During a recent undercover sting gone bad, hit man Gustavo Toro died in the arms of FBI Special Agent Daniela “Dani” Vega. But Toro had secrets he refused to take to the grave.
In the event of his death, Toro left behind a video that promises to expose a mysterious mastermind who has been operating with impunity for decades. But there’s a catch. Dani’s team must follow Toro’s cryptic clues on a cross-country hunt for justice, and piecing together his past is more twisted than Dani could have imagined.
But as Dani and her team race to gather the evidence, it’s clear this powerful adversary will stop at nothing to keep their secrets—including eliminating those who threaten to reveal them.

Hit man Guastavo Toro dies, and therefore unleashes secrets he refused to keep in the grave. He leads FBI officers on a mysterious chase with pre-recorded videos, cryptic clues, and missing people, to find an elusive treasure that outs who his employers have been, and the jobs he's taken for them over the decades. The FBI quickly discovers just how desperate others are to keep these secrets buried as bodies begin stacking up. We're left to see if a ranger-code-breaker-turned-agent, can help solve the clues before it's too late.

*******

This was my first read into this series, despite it being a few books in. I'm not adverse to starting thriller/crime/mystery books this way, as I find that they don't rely on a ton of back story to solve the current objective at hand. Due to this, I was able to jump into the story pretty quickly and get settled in without issue.

I enjoyed the twists and turns, the use of new-tech, interesting codes and mysteries, flashbacks, and multi-POVs to keep the story engaging.

I struggled when it came to the over-explanation into the subtects of everyone's thoughts and actions. It could feel a bit too much like the author questioned the common sense of her readers and needed to dive into everything instead of allowing the reader to use context clues. Having to explain why someone said something, what a raised eyebrow or look meant, what the underlying intent was, etc. Became tedious over time and had the writing feel a bit juvenile.

I also wasn't sure why every man appears to be blatantly interested in the FMC. It just seemed like an odd point to add in, and I know she uses it to understand the MMC's intent at the end of the novel, but it didn't feel like it aligned with the story. It left me scratching my head as to why the author chose that approach to show interest in the FMC, when we already had a POV that showed her colleague was into her.

In general, the two romantic connections were unexpected, and the latter was unnecessary. The former may be built up over previous books? However, I didn't notice any actual chesmitry. More that the female lead was oblivious and the male lead was attempting to be professional at all times. The lack of on-page romantic inclinations or tension made it feel like a weird add in order to get an HEA. The latter romance was out of the blue and felt awkward and forced. Not to mention the missing scientist deciding to settle and connect herself to the female lead in such an overt way. I'd think that would be completely out of the question with her going into witness protection, as well as only knowing her for a few hours. Having that decision be made on such a whim, and with such a disregard for logic and safety left me absolutely baffled as to why it was included, unless to follow her "romance" in the next book in the series.

Overall, I did enjoy the book. However, the odd attempt at romance doesn't really fit. That, plus the blatant lack of common sense at to how witness protection works, and having someone ask you to be a close member of their family out of the blue, made the ending disjointed and pulled me right out of the book. It knocked it down from a 4 to a solid 3 by diminishing the believability of the characters. I'd still read the rest of the series with an open mind.

I had not heard of Isabella Maldonado until earlier this year when Amazon made a novel she co-authored with Jeffery Deaver, a First Reads pick. After reading A Killer's Code, book #3 in the Daniela Vega series, I'm asking myself why? This is a propulsive thriller that reads like a spy novel. Her ability to put together a compelling and believable action novel is comparable to the NYT bestselling authors in the category. It kept me glued to the pages from the first line to the last. You will not be disappointed. This has all the makings for an excellent screen adaptation. Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the digital ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

I have enjoyed other books by this author and this one did not disappoint. It involves and FBI code breaker, powerful individuals in and around Washington, DC, hit men and a family that is well hidden until events reveal their location. It is a fast paced, engaging read. I recommend this book for those who like fast moving books with a strong central woman character as the lead.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Goodreads, Net Galley, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog.

This is the first book that I have read by this author. I did enjoy it, but I will admit it was slow paced in the beginning. Once I got into the story, it ramped up the pace to keep me from putting it down. It was an interesting story and plot line. I thought the plot was witty, and I enjoyed trying to work out the ending before getting there. The characters were well written, especially Vega the main female character. I would definitely recommend this book for a fun read. Thank you NetGalley ARC!

A Killer’s Code is a great problem-solving mystery. Mix in some romance, intrigue, codes, and lots of crime for a fast-paced thriller..

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this ARC.

If you like your thrillers to be charming and fun, you won't be disappointed in the latest Daniela Vega adventure. Isabella Maldonado has given us another wildly entertaining tale. A hit man tries to do good when he realizes his days are numbered with an offer to help the authorities destroy a criminal enterprise. The secrets he has would take down the leader of the nefarious organization. Does the hit man give the Feds the name? No! That would be too easy. He leaves clues that have Vega and her team running around the country in pursuit of justice. It's the kind of thrilling page turner we've come to expect from Maldonado. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you, Thomas & Mercer for the copy of A Killer's Code by Isabella Maldonado. If you have never read Maldonado’s books you are in for a treat. Her books are always clever and I love trying to unravel the secrets. Dani Vega, the FMC in this series, is a codebreaker, so trying to break the codes along with her is part of the fun.I loved the story. Even though the beginning didn’t grab me right away, the characters and narrative ended up drawing me in. I loved learning more about Dani’s family, and I can’t wait to read more about their future as well as Dani’s. I can’t wait for the next installment! 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

It definitely took me a minute to get into this one.

The thing is, I’ve read a prior book in the series, but once I started this it was clear I’d pretty much forgotten a lot about our characters and I felt like I was new to them. Eventually, about 25% of the way in, I settled and began to enjoy the read.

I did like our MC and found that the plot moved quickly. It was an entertaining read and I found myself very interested in the ‘why’ of everything.

Doesn’t work as a standalone and I found myself a bit lost in the beginning.

• ARC via Publisher

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.