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

It’s been a long wait, but book 3 is finally here, and it’s excellent. This book is chock full of details from past stories that are now cleaned up,
along with some of the family issues that Dani must deal with even as her job is calling her with fury in its eyes. The writing is top notch,
nothing is left to guess and Vega remains the de facto in her team. This book is busy with changes in the lives of Dani’s family as well as
her FBI team, and as we all know, Dani is not particularly in favor of changes. I look forward to the next installment, and everyone who reads
this story will as well.
My thanks to Thomas and Mercer Publishing via NetGalley for the download copy of this book for review purposes.

After the explosive ending of the last book, I was so ready for another suspenseful and action-packed novel - and that's exactly what I got! From the first page to the end, I was totally on the edge of my seat while reading. I stayed up all night because I was hooked and just couldn't put the book down!
In the previous book, Dani found herself collaborating closely with the contract killer Gustavo Toro until his demise. After Toro sent a video message to the FBI with the ominous message "If you're seeing this, I'm dead," Dani and her team were tasked with deciphering the cryptic treasure hunt clues he had left for them. Unraveling Toro's enigmatic past proved to be even more convoluted than Dani had anticipated! imagined!
After his death, the FBI is on the hunt for a woman missing for 5 years, who holds the key to a valuable treasure. However, the search is complicated as every lead ends in a dead end. The company that was involved with Toro for many years is determined to find the missing woman before the FBI. Adding to the challenge, there is interference within the FBI ranks. Agent Vega must utilize her skills as a code breaker, along with her military and FBI training, while safeguarding her team, including her boss.
I love this series! Code-breaking is riveting, and there was non-stop action in A Killer's Code. I couldn't begin to guess what was going to happen next!

BIG thanks to both #ThomasAndMercer and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of A Killer's Code! This book is #3 in the Daniela Vega series and has an expected publication date of January 21, 2025.

Terrific follow up on FBI Special Agent Dani Vega's last case.
Dani is a headstrong, tough but very conscious driven agent who is just off
of an undercover cop that ended with a notorious gangster dying in her arms.
Now,she and her team are on the hunt to find evidence he left behind that will
enable them to arrest and convict an entire criminal organization.
No need to have read the last story to enjoy and follow this riveting thriller.
Dani's personal life is interspersed with her professional life, just enough to make you want
a little more. and will keep you ready for the next read.
Maldonado does a fine job of seamlessly blending "before" with "now" which makes the telling of the tale easy to follow and extremely enthralling.
The characters are well defined as always, easily relatable and actually likeable.
Not always the case with some.
Great thriller with intense action.
Next please, soon???

I have been looking for something similar to Will Trent and this really hit that spot for me! I especially loved that it features a strong FMC. The storyline and law enforcement aspects felt very authentic, the writing is really good and immersive and overall this is a captivating mystery/thriller

I really enjoy reading Isabella Maldonado's books. This was another excellent book. The main character, Dani Vega, is a strong woman in law enforcement. The characters were very interesting and intense. Because the author's background is also in law enforcement, the storyline is very solid and the author really knows what goes on in these scenarios. The writing was good and it was very entertaining. I would recommend this for people who like to read thriller and mystery books. I look forward to reading another of her books!

4 stars.

I really enjoyed the thriller element to this book, it had that concept that I was looking for and enjoyed about the genre. I enjoyed the use of the FBI codebreaker and how everything worked together to tell the story. The characters were wonderfully done and enjoyed how good the characters were in this story. Isabella Maldonado has a great writing style and I enjoyed everything that happened.

Another fantastic police procedural from Isabella Maldonado!

After famed hitman Gustavo Toro died, he left a secure video outlining how to find evidence of his crimes -- and take down his former boss. The video will lead codebreaker Daniela Vega and her team on a cross country hunt for clues -- and a search for a scientist who has been missing for more than five years. But Daniela may also need her Special Forces training as Toro's boss has his own tactical team on the same search, and they are somehow managing to continually be one step ahead.

Fast paced and thrilling, these books never disappoint! A lot of high tech and moving parts but nothing ever felt improbable or unbelievable.

This is a interesting series . I was a little lost on when Dani was undercover and met him , I haven't been reading this author for long so am hoping not everyone will be as lost as me.
But the mystery itself was interesting and the internal FBI politics added a extra layer to the intrigue.

Isabella Maldonado is one of my favorite authors. She is an outstanding storyteller, and her books are always action-packed and fast-paced. I loved that this book involved Toro, and that Flint was back as well. The plot was fantastic as Dani and the others try to find a treasure trove of evidence that will bring down a lot of powerful people. I also loved the personal aspects of Dani's life that were included. What happened at the end was exciting and it will be great to see her brother's role in future books. Her mom's drawings seem very interesting too. At times, I did think the villains were a little too all powerful and it was annoying that they were so often ten steps ahead but overall, it was still an excellent story. I highly recommend this entire series! 4.5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!