ARC Review: A Killer's Code by Isabella Maldonado

A Killer's Code
Author: Isabella Maldonado
Series: Daniela Vega (Book 3)
Publication: Thomas & Mercer (January 21, 2025)

Description: A dead man’s riddles―and secrets―thrust an FBI codebreaker into a deadly cross-country race for justice in a propulsive thriller by the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Cipher.

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.

My Thoughts: When Gustavo Toro was murdered, he left his secrets to the head of the FBI if his people could follow the clues to find Toro's buried treasure including evidence that will incriminate the person who hired and assigned him as an assassin, 

Dani Vega, Steve Wu, Detective Flint, and computer specialist Sanjeev Patel are the ones assigned to follow Toro's cryptic clues. But the enemies who want to find and destroy the clues first seem to always be one step ahead. 

The team goes on a nationwide hunt for Toro's treasure from New York to Miami and a cruise ship, to Denver and to the Arizona desert. 

I enjoyed the fast-paced action in this thriller and liked the flashbacks to the last days of Toto's life. I also liked the shifts in viewpoints from the heroes to the villains. The story was filled with interesting new technology and gadgets. It was also filled with complex characters who had to deal with moral dilemmas. 

This is the third Daniela Vega thriller. I like the way we get to see how Dani has changed.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.