Another winner from Isabella Maldonado! I've read everything she has written up to this point, and I have yet to meet a book of hers that wasn't outstanding.

I had the privilege of previewing this latest edition of the Daniela Vega series, and I wasn't disappointed in this adventure. The plot twists and turns, and always kept me on my toes trying to anticipate what would come next. Vega continues to prove herself as a strong, kick-ass FBI agent, but we also get to see her more vulnerable and compassionate sides in dealing with her colleagues, family, and those at risk.

All in all, this makes for a compelling read. I do recommend you start with the first two books in this series for a full understanding of the back stories referenced here, but even if you start off with this one, you won't be disappointed. Undoubtedly. you'll be convinced to pick up volumes 1 and 2 when you're done!

The third Dani Vega book involves a case related to the first book. Gustavo Toro, an assassin who Dani worked with in book one of the series, left behind a video for the FBI to be delivered after his death. When Dani and her team watch the video they find out that Toro has evidence to put his employers in jail. However, the FBI will have to put together clues Toro left behind to find the evidence. This propels Dani and her team on a wide ranging search for Toro’s proof. Isabella Maldonado keeps the tension going by weaving in chapters from Toro’s employers POVs, making the book a race of who will get to the evidence first. Dani Vega is a complex character who cares deeply about doing her job well while also keeping vulnerable people safe. Another good one from Isabella Maldonado. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I have absolutely enjoyed this series. This is the third book and the plot was so unique to continue the series without feeling “same old, same old.” A fast paced, gritty, twisty thriller that will keep you on your toes trying to stay one step ahead of the bad guys.

Hitman Gustavo Toro has sent a "If you're seeing this, I'm dead" video message to the FBI. Dani and her team are recruited to crack the cryptic treasure hunt clues he has sent them - and piecing together his past is more twisted than Dani could have imagined!!

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.

#IsabellaMaldonado #FBICodeBreaking #Mystery #Suspense

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-copy of this book. This didn’t have quite the same sense of urgency for me as the first two. It didn’t captivate me. The first two i couldn’t put down. I am still glad i read it and it was not bad by any means. but i was just hoping for it to be a little more intense and fun! This was kind of predictable and slow to me unfortunately because i was so looking forward to loving it!

This is the latest in the Agent Daniela “Dani” Vega series. We start off with enough information that this could be read as a standalone. This book jumps into action right from chapter 1 and doesn’t stop until the end. I highly recommend this series and look forward to the next adventure for Dani Vega. In Book 2 Dani worked with a contract killer, Gustavo Turo; where she got to know the man. When he is killed, he had a letter sent to the FBI stating that Gustavo has left a treasure and plenty of evidence of all his kills. Who hired him and how much and pictures. He tells the FBI that he is leaving clues to find this treasure and a woman that they need to locate and protect. Dani has been added to this team because of her knowledge of Gustavo and her code breaking skills. As they begin their treasure hunt Dani, and her team realize that Gustavo boss seems to be ahead of them in this hunt. Dani’s boss, Steve Wu, is also getting slack from his boss Hargraves about Dani being on the team and his personal feelings for her. Pick up this book because you won’t want to put it down. Thank you, Netgalley and Thomas Mercer Publishing for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 5 Star

Isabella Maldonado gives us a thrilling sequel to “A Killer’s Game” with FBI agent and former military codebreaker Daniela “Dani” Vega. This is the third in the series, and it picks up where the last thriller left off, but the author gives us enough backstory so the book can be read as a standalone.

Dani is a superstar agent and she was there when hitman Gustavo Toro died, discovering a few pieces of actual humanity in the guy as he died. Five and a half months later, his “if you’re seeing this I’m dead” hard drive is in the hands of the FBI. It’s Toro’s payback to the ghouls he served, but he’s not making it easy — it’s an encrypted “treasure hunt” that also requires human intelligence to crack it. And that’s why Dani gets recruited again directly by the Director to a special team, although her boss’s boss, Hargrave, is aggravated about being by-passed. We get an action packed thriller with good guys, bad guys, and in-between guys.

Maldonado writes strong, intelligent, savvy women characters who you care about. Dani has become one of my favorite characters and I’ll be looking forward to seeing her again! 5 stars!

From the priest: “AdLenitents” and “Chreasters” — love the terms!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Some unique gray ones, but no green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Maldonado knows her Arizona landscaping of mesquite, palo verde, juniper, barrel cactus and saguaro.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

Another great book in the Daniela Vega series. A video sent to the FBI sends Dani on a chase to solve the clues and find the missing witness. I enjoyed this book and hope there are more coming in this series.

Isabella Maldonado is a master storyteller. Maldonado's impressive background in law enforcement is evident in her writing, and her decades of experience fighting crime bring a crisp realism to her novels. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two novels in the Daniela Vega series and was thrilled to have the opportunity to read an advance copy of the third. As FBI Special Agent Dani Vega and her team race to unravel the questions and riddles left behind by a dead hitman, they find themselves outpaced and facing a formidable, shadowy adversary. A Killer's Code hits the ground running and does not stop until the final showdown, where mysteries are solved, secrets are revealed, and emotions are high.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

When the director of the FBI receives a cryptic video, from Toro a contact killer, agent Dani Vega is called in. Vega knew Toro from an undercover case and was there when he died. Toro promises evidence of all his clients but first the team have to solve his clues.

I really enjoy the puzzle aspect of this book series. I always try to solve them, but my mind does not work like Vega’s. She is a strong willed character who feels like she would be a great role model in real life. I enjoy how these books are written where we see the thought process of the whole team, the inter agency cooperation, family life as well as the military aspect. It gives the characters really full backgrounds. This story was exciting, addictive and hard to put down. It shocked me at times, and I had big intakes of breath as I tried to process everything happening at once. This pace really built the suspense. Absolutely brilliant, a gem of a book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "A Killer's Code", the latest in the Agent Daniela 'Dani' Vega series by Isabella Maldonado. After the explosive ending of the previous book, I was prepared for another novel of suspense and action - and that's exactly what I got!
In the previous book Dani was forced to work closely with contract killer Gustavo Toro; now, after the hit man's death, Dani and her team set out on a quest to retrieve Toro's 'treasure'. And what a quest it is.
Thanks to information left after his death, the FBI need to locate a woman who's been missing for 5 years, someone who holds the key to what this treasure might be. But it won't be easy, as lead after lead end up dead! The person or company that had 'handled' Toro for all of those years is determined to get to the missing woman - a scientist with a potentially life-changing secret - before the Agents do. And it doesn't help that there is active interference from within the FBI ranks.
Throughout the entire case, Agent Vega will have to draw not only on her skills as a cryptanalyst (code breaker), but also her extensive military and FBI training, while protecting all the members of her team - including her boss.
Highly recommended. Works equally well as a standalone or as the next book in the series read.

Thank you for NetGalley and Isabella Maldonado for this ARC in exchange my honest review.

"A Killer's Code" is a gripping and meticulously crafted thriller that had me hooked from the very first page. I love this series. As an avid reader of crime fiction, I was thoroughly impressed by the depth of the characters and the intricate, fast-paced plot that kept me on the edge of my seat. Maldonado's masterful storytelling and attention to detail truly brought this world to life, making it easy to lose myself in the high-stakes investigation. I greatly appreciated the diverse perspectives and the complex moral dilemmas the protagonist navigated. "A Killer's Code" is a must-read for anyone who loves intelligent, suspenseful crime novels. I can't wait to see what Maldonado writes next. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written, suspenseful crime novel.

WOWZA!

This author is an absolute beast at writing strong, fierce bada$$ female heroines. This book was so fast I got whiplash. And man I love Dani. She is so smart, calculating and I could not put the book down. Now I am going have one heck of a book hangover.

She excels at complicated book plots. I did not think I could love a character more than Nina Guerrera but man Dani Vega is right there. I’m sad that the series is done but I would love a Nina and Dani book!

But I know whatever is next for this author it will be epic because she is now one of my go to authors.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC to this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is book 3 in the Daniela Vega story. After the previous book brought some closure to Daniela's family's story, I wondered where this story would go. I didn't have to worry as this was another non-stop action thriller. As the book closed, we now see where this story is going next, and I cannot wait to read the next book. I highly recommend this book but would recommend reading the books in order. I rated this 5-stars as this was a one sitting read for me. Bravo!

A dead man’s riddles and secrets thrust an FBI codebreaker into a deadly cross-country race for justice!! Good book! This book had the usual, it had suspense, intriguing, action, murder, mystery, and a good who done it! The story was interesting! I will recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Are you in the mood for a thriller?? A Killer’s Code will satisfy that need. This was a good one! Don’t miss out!

Thank you NetGalley & the publisher Thomas & mercer for allowing me to access this e-book.
A Killer's Code by Isabella Maldonado is part of series (this is book 3). It's a gripping and fast-paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Isabella Maldonado expertly blends suspense, action, and intricate puzzles in this enthralling story. Dani Vega's determination and sharp mind make her a compelling protagonist as she navigates the twists and turns of this deadly game. I'll recommend this for fans of the series or fans of crime thrillers and mystery.