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Daniela Vega #3
A Killer's Code
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.
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.
348 pages, Paperback
Published January 21, 2025
609 people are currently reading
4104 people want to read
About the author
Isabella Maldonado
24 books1,529 followersWall Street Journal bestselling and award-winning author Isabella Maldonado wore a gun and badge in real life before turning to crime writing. A graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico and the first Latina to attain the rank of captain in her police department, she retired as the Commander of Special Investigations and Forensics. During more than two decades on the force, her assignments included hostage negotiator, department spokesperson, and precinct commander. She uses her law enforcement background to bring a realistic edge to her writing, which includes the Special Agent Nina Guerrera series, the Special Agent Dani Vega series, the Detective Veranda Cruz series, and the Sanchez and Heron series (co-authored with Jeffery Deaver). Her books are published in 24 languages. For more information, visit www.isabellamaldonado.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
January 2, 2025
A dead man’s riddles and secrets force an FBI task force to chase clues across the country. What a thriller!
A Killer’s Code
by Isabella Maldonado is filled with suspense and danger. Featuring FBI Special Agent Daniela Vega, her supervisor, Special Agent in Charge Steve Wu, civilian analyst Sanjeev Patel, and from the New York police department, Detective First Grade Mark Flint, this novel starts with an intriguing prologue and builds to an action-packed finale.
During a recent undercover operation, hit man Gustavo Toro died in the arms of Vega. In the event of his death, he left behind a video that promises to expose a criminal mastermind. As Vega, Wu, Patel, and Flint traverse the country following Toro’s coded clues, they start to piece together his past. However, there are others working to stop them from finding the evidence.
Vega is a former Army Ranger and has significant code-breaking skills. She’s strong, loyal, intelligent, cunning, brave, and has excellent reflexes. However, she isn’t very tactful, seems to attract danger, and has an unconventional way of thinking that others don’t always understand. Wu is courageous, analytical, capable, has vision, and is a great leader. Patel specializes in cybercrime and all things technical. He’s not a fighter, but is extremely intelligent. Flint has previously worked with the FBI and is trusted by Wu.
The author brings her law enforcement experience to the page, adding realism and grit. While this book has flashbacks, it didn’t distract me or slow the pace for me. The multiple points of view also worked well. In fact, this is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in 2024.
The storyline is gripping and immediately grabs a reader’s attention. This riveting thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Along with a solid and thrilling plot, relatable characters, and excellent world-building, the twists, surprises, action, and suspense demanded my attention. I also enjoyed learning more about the personal life of Vega and how it has shaped her as a person. Themes explored include justice, power, greed, corruption, murder, secrets, codes, family, a hint of romance, and much more.
Overall, this engaging book has twists, tension, violence, and was hard to put down. It’s also thought-provoking and suspenseful. While this is the first book I’ve read in the series, I want to go back and read the first two. It worked as a stand-alone novel for me, but does have a spoiler or two for the earlier books. I recommend reading the series in order and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thomas and Mercer and Isabella Maldonado provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for January 21, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.7 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
During a recent undercover operation, hit man Gustavo Toro died in the arms of Vega. In the event of his death, he left behind a video that promises to expose a criminal mastermind. As Vega, Wu, Patel, and Flint traverse the country following Toro’s coded clues, they start to piece together his past. However, there are others working to stop them from finding the evidence.
Vega is a former Army Ranger and has significant code-breaking skills. She’s strong, loyal, intelligent, cunning, brave, and has excellent reflexes. However, she isn’t very tactful, seems to attract danger, and has an unconventional way of thinking that others don’t always understand. Wu is courageous, analytical, capable, has vision, and is a great leader. Patel specializes in cybercrime and all things technical. He’s not a fighter, but is extremely intelligent. Flint has previously worked with the FBI and is trusted by Wu.
The author brings her law enforcement experience to the page, adding realism and grit. While this book has flashbacks, it didn’t distract me or slow the pace for me. The multiple points of view also worked well. In fact, this is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in 2024.
The storyline is gripping and immediately grabs a reader’s attention. This riveting thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Along with a solid and thrilling plot, relatable characters, and excellent world-building, the twists, surprises, action, and suspense demanded my attention. I also enjoyed learning more about the personal life of Vega and how it has shaped her as a person. Themes explored include justice, power, greed, corruption, murder, secrets, codes, family, a hint of romance, and much more.
Overall, this engaging book has twists, tension, violence, and was hard to put down. It’s also thought-provoking and suspenseful. While this is the first book I’ve read in the series, I want to go back and read the first two. It worked as a stand-alone novel for me, but does have a spoiler or two for the earlier books. I recommend reading the series in order and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thomas and Mercer and Isabella Maldonado provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for January 21, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.7 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
January 21, 2025
Release Date: 21st January 2025
Firstly I said I wasn't going to jump into the middle of a series this year, but this one slipped through the net, but in all fairness, I didn't feel like I needed to have listened to/read the previous books, it felt like it made a good stand alone story, which I would happily read more in this series.
A fast-paced thriller, with a strong female character, in this multiple POV novel, that is gripping to listen to and had me wanting to listen to it at every opportunity.
I liked the characters and the jumping timelines and points of view, really moved the story along, creating suspense and intrigue. This book is action packed, whilst also staying very human, with real heart.
I can't wait to read more in this series.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers, Thomas & Mercer for this ARC.
Reviews also published on:
Instagram || Threads || BSky || Fable || Uncover || Coffee and Kindle Blog || The StoryGraph || Amazon || Bookmarks
Happy to make friends on all socials
Firstly I said I wasn't going to jump into the middle of a series this year, but this one slipped through the net, but in all fairness, I didn't feel like I needed to have listened to/read the previous books, it felt like it made a good stand alone story, which I would happily read more in this series.
A fast-paced thriller, with a strong female character, in this multiple POV novel, that is gripping to listen to and had me wanting to listen to it at every opportunity.
I liked the characters and the jumping timelines and points of view, really moved the story along, creating suspense and intrigue. This book is action packed, whilst also staying very human, with real heart.
I can't wait to read more in this series.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers, Thomas & Mercer for this ARC.
Reviews also published on:
Instagram || Threads || BSky || Fable || Uncover || Coffee and Kindle Blog || The StoryGraph || Amazon || Bookmarks
Happy to make friends on all socials
January 13, 2025
I’ve been really enjoying this series and have loved getting to know Dani and her team as well as her family. Dani is my favorite type of character: a fierce and fearless bad@$$ woman as well as a seasoned and decorated FBI agent. Unfortunately though, Maldonado loves her trilogies and this is probably the end of the Dani Vega series. The start of a new series (Sanchez & Heron) was also a pretty good clue too. From pretty much the get-go, there were the clues; Dani needing to take time off from her career to take care of her mother and don’t even get me started on SAC (Special Agent in Charge) Steve Wu’s weird behavior regarding Dani and any man who got near her and/or showed any attention towards her.
Anyway, the book summary lays out the primary storyline of Dani and Steve and later, Flint (from the previous installment) following the clues that Toro left for her and her team before he was killed. What the book summary doesn’t mention is that one of Toro’s last requests was to protect a Dr Tina Castillo and he leaves some clues as to where to find her. It’s a wild goose chase back and forth across the country following the clues and every lead they follow almost gets them killed. There is someone else following the same leads and is beating Dani and the team to the source and killing them.
Most of the story has Dani and the team running down the leads that Toro left for them and trying to get ahead of those who are doing the same thing. The storylines were weaving around each other for the entire story, so it was nice to finally see them collide and combust. It got pretty scary and intense for Dani and the team, with Dani doing what she does best: being a total bad@$$!!! The prologue was……………well I’m just going to leave it at that.
The continuing character development for Dani and her team as well as a couple of the other FBI characters was pretty good. The pacing was steady to fast, especially in the second half. The writing was classic Maldonado with Dani and the FBI being the reigning victor in the battle between the good guys and the evildoers. I’m going to miss Dani. However, I remain a devoted Dani Vega, and this will give me even more incentive to finally start Maldonado’s Vera Cruzseries trilogy. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.25 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Books for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #Thomas&Mercer #AKillersCode
Anyway, the book summary lays out the primary storyline of Dani and Steve and later, Flint (from the previous installment) following the clues that Toro left for her and her team before he was killed. What the book summary doesn’t mention is that one of Toro’s last requests was to protect a Dr Tina Castillo and he leaves some clues as to where to find her. It’s a wild goose chase back and forth across the country following the clues and every lead they follow almost gets them killed. There is someone else following the same leads and is beating Dani and the team to the source and killing them.
Most of the story has Dani and the team running down the leads that Toro left for them and trying to get ahead of those who are doing the same thing. The storylines were weaving around each other for the entire story, so it was nice to finally see them collide and combust. It got pretty scary and intense for Dani and the team, with Dani doing what she does best: being a total bad@$$!!! The prologue was……………well I’m just going to leave it at that.
The continuing character development for Dani and her team as well as a couple of the other FBI characters was pretty good. The pacing was steady to fast, especially in the second half. The writing was classic Maldonado with Dani and the FBI being the reigning victor in the battle between the good guys and the evildoers. I’m going to miss Dani. However, I remain a devoted Dani Vega, and this will give me even more incentive to finally start Maldonado’s Vera Cruz
#NetGalley #Thomas&Mercer #AKillersCode
September 18, 2024
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
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
November 30, 2024
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.
My thanks to Thomas and Mercer for supplying an early reader copy of this book in return for an honest review.
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.
My thanks to Thomas and Mercer for supplying an early reader copy of this book in return for an honest review.
February 5, 2025
i can't believe this is the last book in this series (and that i binged the whole thing lol). i have loved the fast paced action packed world of dani vega and all of her found family members. the little romance in the end made me heart ACHE. ugh. this was such a fun ride!
February 7, 2025
Complex and well written book.
Action packed involving a “treasure hunt” and codes (which are explained).
Exciting, yet sensitive.
This is the 3rd book in the Dani Vega series.
It’s not necessary to read the previous books,
but you’ll want to because they’re great novels.
Plus, Dani Vega’s character development unfolds and her depth is better with each book read.
Dani Vega is a strong, smart and striking woman.
I highly recommend this novel!
Action packed involving a “treasure hunt” and codes (which are explained).
Exciting, yet sensitive.
This is the 3rd book in the Dani Vega series.
It’s not necessary to read the previous books,
but you’ll want to because they’re great novels.
Plus, Dani Vega’s character development unfolds and her depth is better with each book read.
Dani Vega is a strong, smart and striking woman.
I highly recommend this novel!
December 30, 2024
4.5 stars, actually.
Although I'm somewhat familiar with a different FBI agent from another of this author's series, Nina Guerrera, this is my first encounter with Daniela Vega. Dani seems to be a little harder around the edges, and she has unique talent as a codebreaker that, of course, comes in handy in this story (the third book in this series).
Hit man Gustavo Toro died as hard as he lived, biting the dust while working under cover with Dani. She didn't trust him, but she trusted him, if that makes much sense. Turns out he wanted to bare his soul after he died, so he prearranged some kind of message that promised to take down some high-powered people and reveal secrets he'd been keeping during his years of being a killer-for hire. Problem is, even after the video he left is found, it's not straightforward; it's done in code that leaves Dani and her team with a real challenge - especially after it becomes clear that some of the bad guys involved with Toro are desperate to find a woman who knows too much. Now, it becomes a race for Dani to interpret the "clues" and find her before they do.
The details of that race, of course, is the engine that drives this fast-paced story, and the whole thing sure grabbed my attention and held it from start to finish. For the record, not having read previous books in the series wasn't a problem for me, although as always, I advise starting any series at the beginning. In the end, also as always, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. Good one!
Although I'm somewhat familiar with a different FBI agent from another of this author's series, Nina Guerrera, this is my first encounter with Daniela Vega. Dani seems to be a little harder around the edges, and she has unique talent as a codebreaker that, of course, comes in handy in this story (the third book in this series).
Hit man Gustavo Toro died as hard as he lived, biting the dust while working under cover with Dani. She didn't trust him, but she trusted him, if that makes much sense. Turns out he wanted to bare his soul after he died, so he prearranged some kind of message that promised to take down some high-powered people and reveal secrets he'd been keeping during his years of being a killer-for hire. Problem is, even after the video he left is found, it's not straightforward; it's done in code that leaves Dani and her team with a real challenge - especially after it becomes clear that some of the bad guys involved with Toro are desperate to find a woman who knows too much. Now, it becomes a race for Dani to interpret the "clues" and find her before they do.
The details of that race, of course, is the engine that drives this fast-paced story, and the whole thing sure grabbed my attention and held it from start to finish. For the record, not having read previous books in the series wasn't a problem for me, although as always, I advise starting any series at the beginning. In the end, also as always, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. Good one!
March 5, 2025
That little new tidbit at the end? I was hoping for that. Can't wait for the next book. Just excellent.
March 17, 2025
"If you're watching this, I'm dead. And others will be soon if you don't act fast."
+ part 3 of "Daniela Vega" series, can be read as a standalone.
When I requested this book I had no idea that this was part of a series, but it is more than okay to read this as a standalone, as the author provides lots of background information.
If Isabella always writes this way I can't wait to read more of her!
Very engaging, fast paced and unique characters. The story itself might seem a bit too unreal, but with the way technology goes forward who knows, maybe it will one day happen and the tech stuff they tried to create might actually exist.
Big thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
August 26, 2024
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.
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.
September 1, 2024
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.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the advance reader's digital copy. #AKillersCodeDanielaVega #NetGalley
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the advance reader's digital copy. #AKillersCodeDanielaVega #NetGalley
September 25, 2024
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
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
August 17, 2025
Is this the end of the series?
So I'm on holiday and want to chill out and read, which I haven't been doing for a while. Book 1 was ok, left some unanswered questions, leading me to Book 2.
I'm not that engaged and therefore ask Gemini to give a synopsis. I can't let a mystery go unsolved, you know how that is. This is why reading on your phone isn't great, the distractions and access to AI. Gemini tells me something improbable which I know is wrong but can only prove if I do more research or read the book.
After reading Book 2, I let Gemini know in no uncertain terms that it is a blockhead and the sources used are ridiculous. No review because still undecided. In summary serial killer, Dani's the best, more about the family, who are also unicorns, etc.
I start Book 3 with no idea of the plot and that's maybe a good thing. We're back to hired killer Toro and a search for a treasure that could open up a can of worms. Who hired him to kill the Senator's aide? Who are his previous clients? Why did he get moral in his later years. Answers to that and more are explained.
There is a lot of travel in this book, from helicopters, private planes to cruise ships. The reader is taken from cities to sea to desert. Those distances are a reminder of the reach of the government and law enforcement. It also illustrates the interconnectedness of the world. The internet closes distances, information is at your finger tips and a lot of the background work is done through analysts mining data.
I'm still on the fence about Dani, she's too perfect to be true, admired by all, with an allure that means all single males are attracted to her, but only because she's good at her job 🙄
There was a line in this book which was highlighted by other readers and I can't remember what it was but it confirmed my thoughts that I can read this books but won't be invested. I won't ruminate on what the characters do next or unexplored plot lines or anything else because the concept is deeply irritating.
That gripe aside, it's like one of my ironing shows easy to dip in and out of, easy to digest because of the exposition and therefore doesn't warrant careful attention. It's something in the background that partially holds my attention but my focus is elsewhere.
I of course will read Book 4 if there is one, but probably not anytime soon. Reading 3 books back to back has got my reading mojo on for the rest of the vacation. I shall be looking for something else, sci fi, fantasy or maybe romantacy. Or new if I get into Netgalley.
So I'm on holiday and want to chill out and read, which I haven't been doing for a while. Book 1 was ok, left some unanswered questions, leading me to Book 2.
I'm not that engaged and therefore ask Gemini to give a synopsis. I can't let a mystery go unsolved, you know how that is. This is why reading on your phone isn't great, the distractions and access to AI. Gemini tells me something improbable which I know is wrong but can only prove if I do more research or read the book.
After reading Book 2, I let Gemini know in no uncertain terms that it is a blockhead and the sources used are ridiculous. No review because still undecided. In summary serial killer, Dani's the best, more about the family, who are also unicorns, etc.
I start Book 3 with no idea of the plot and that's maybe a good thing. We're back to hired killer Toro and a search for a treasure that could open up a can of worms. Who hired him to kill the Senator's aide? Who are his previous clients? Why did he get moral in his later years. Answers to that and more are explained.
There is a lot of travel in this book, from helicopters, private planes to cruise ships. The reader is taken from cities to sea to desert. Those distances are a reminder of the reach of the government and law enforcement. It also illustrates the interconnectedness of the world. The internet closes distances, information is at your finger tips and a lot of the background work is done through analysts mining data.
I'm still on the fence about Dani, she's too perfect to be true, admired by all, with an allure that means all single males are attracted to her, but only because she's good at her job 🙄
There was a line in this book which was highlighted by other readers and I can't remember what it was but it confirmed my thoughts that I can read this books but won't be invested. I won't ruminate on what the characters do next or unexplored plot lines or anything else because the concept is deeply irritating.
That gripe aside, it's like one of my ironing shows easy to dip in and out of, easy to digest because of the exposition and therefore doesn't warrant careful attention. It's something in the background that partially holds my attention but my focus is elsewhere.
I of course will read Book 4 if there is one, but probably not anytime soon. Reading 3 books back to back has got my reading mojo on for the rest of the vacation. I shall be looking for something else, sci fi, fantasy or maybe romantacy. Or new if I get into Netgalley.
January 3, 2025
Quick Summary: A completely riveting mystery/thriller
My Review: A Killer's Code by Isabella Maldonado is book #3 in the Daniela Vega series. It is scheduled for release on January 21, 2025.
About the Book: "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."
In My Own Words: Murder. Death. Kills. Secrets. Codes. Clues. Targets. Time. Tick, tick, boom!
About the Narration: This novel was narrated by Almarie Guerra and Feodor Chin. From the beginning, their delivery had me. I was drawn in and found myself waiting for every crumb of the dish they served up. The tempo, tones, and the tension they were able to effectively communicate proved to make this story stand out.
My Final Say: This gets a YES! It was 100 percent captivating. The way the story unfolded, the uncovering of details, the interesting mix of characters with their revealed personalities, the POVs, as well as the way the story was laid out - it all made for great reading. All I know is that I plan to go back and read the previous books. I don't want to miss a thing. Challenge accepted!
Do I recommend this book? Indeed. Readers who want thrills and chills served up with a platter of twisted suspense and drama will totally enjoy this book.
Is this being considered for a Netflix, Prime, HBO feature? It should be.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: 🕸💬💣
Series: Yes
Other: Book club recommendation
Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It is a brilliant work. I look forward to reading more from this writer.
My Review: A Killer's Code by Isabella Maldonado is book #3 in the Daniela Vega series. It is scheduled for release on January 21, 2025.
About the Book: "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."
In My Own Words: Murder. Death. Kills. Secrets. Codes. Clues. Targets. Time. Tick, tick, boom!
About the Narration: This novel was narrated by Almarie Guerra and Feodor Chin. From the beginning, their delivery had me. I was drawn in and found myself waiting for every crumb of the dish they served up. The tempo, tones, and the tension they were able to effectively communicate proved to make this story stand out.
My Final Say: This gets a YES! It was 100 percent captivating. The way the story unfolded, the uncovering of details, the interesting mix of characters with their revealed personalities, the POVs, as well as the way the story was laid out - it all made for great reading. All I know is that I plan to go back and read the previous books. I don't want to miss a thing. Challenge accepted!
Do I recommend this book? Indeed. Readers who want thrills and chills served up with a platter of twisted suspense and drama will totally enjoy this book.
Is this being considered for a Netflix, Prime, HBO feature? It should be.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: 🕸💬💣
Series: Yes
Other: Book club recommendation
Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It is a brilliant work. I look forward to reading more from this writer.
December 29, 2024
Advanced reader's copy review
What a series finale! This book was everything I wanted it to be and more. For starters, it was action packed, just like I’ve come to expect from Isabella Maldonado. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. And the plot was also so clever and twisty. I loved the treasure hunt and the race against the enemy. I will say that I didn’t love feeling like we were one step behind the ‘bad guys’ in the first half, but I still enjoyed how the story progressed. I liked the mix of puzzles/code breaking and tried and true detective work. I also loved the team. Of course, I was thrilled to be back with Dani. She is so amazing! And we got to see her in her element. I was also thrilled to see Wu out of his office and into the field. He had been one of my favorite characters this whole series and he got to be so fantastic in this book. And the ending for him and Dani was everything and I was screaming with joy. Lastly, I liked the multiple perspectives, but did find myself wanting more from Toro. So overall, this book was amazing and I highly recommend it and the Dani Vega series!
Thank you Thomas and Mercer and Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
What a series finale! This book was everything I wanted it to be and more. For starters, it was action packed, just like I’ve come to expect from Isabella Maldonado. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. And the plot was also so clever and twisty. I loved the treasure hunt and the race against the enemy. I will say that I didn’t love feeling like we were one step behind the ‘bad guys’ in the first half, but I still enjoyed how the story progressed. I liked the mix of puzzles/code breaking and tried and true detective work. I also loved the team. Of course, I was thrilled to be back with Dani. She is so amazing! And we got to see her in her element. I was also thrilled to see Wu out of his office and into the field. He had been one of my favorite characters this whole series and he got to be so fantastic in this book. And the ending for him and Dani was everything and I was screaming with joy. Lastly, I liked the multiple perspectives, but did find myself wanting more from Toro. So overall, this book was amazing and I highly recommend it and the Dani Vega series!
Thank you Thomas and Mercer and Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
September 15, 2024
After the director of the FBI receives a message from Gustavo Toro, Dani and her (well SAC Wu’s) team are back on another case.
I absolutely adore Vega and the entire series. Book 3 gives us a deeper dive into Toros past (and some of Vega’s), while they try and find his ‘treasure’. The hitman with a heart (or at least a code) has left a treasure hunt to discover those who have hired him.
Maldonado’s writing is impeccable and we follow Dani along for the ride. I really love how I find myself trying to crack the codes with Dani and her team before Maldonado explains them to us. I also love the hints of romance that are peppered into the stories. At its heart, the series is a mystery thriller and I always struggle to put it down. This book is just as good as the rest and definitely worth the read.
I will forever be grateful to A killer’s game being an Amazon monthly first read as I don’t know if I would have found this gem of a series without it. A special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas&Mercer for the eARC, I was overjoyed when I found out I didn’t have to wait until January for book 3. All views and opinions are my own.
I absolutely adore Vega and the entire series. Book 3 gives us a deeper dive into Toros past (and some of Vega’s), while they try and find his ‘treasure’. The hitman with a heart (or at least a code) has left a treasure hunt to discover those who have hired him.
Maldonado’s writing is impeccable and we follow Dani along for the ride. I really love how I find myself trying to crack the codes with Dani and her team before Maldonado explains them to us. I also love the hints of romance that are peppered into the stories. At its heart, the series is a mystery thriller and I always struggle to put it down. This book is just as good as the rest and definitely worth the read.
I will forever be grateful to A killer’s game being an Amazon monthly first read as I don’t know if I would have found this gem of a series without it. A special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas&Mercer for the eARC, I was overjoyed when I found out I didn’t have to wait until January for book 3. All views and opinions are my own.
February 5, 2025
“A Killer’s Code” by Isabella Maldonado is the third installment in the action packed Daniel Vega series. In this book a killer reaches out from his grave to our heroine and her FBI colleagues, offering them cryptic clues to a treasure trove of information and evidence that he has collected over his career. The evidence so conclusive against a powerful & ruthless man at the top, he will stop at nothing to prevent the team from getting their hands on the information which will unmask his identity.
This book is an attention grabber so make sure you clear your calendar before you start to read it. We learn a lot about Dani’s family in this book which adds a lot to the story and makes it feel even more relatable. Although this is book number three, it absolutely can be read as a standalone! I am looking forward to the next book in this series and I’m sure you will too, after reading this one.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 5, 2024
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.
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.
January 23, 2025
what an ending to the daniela vega trilogy
this one took a second for me to get into, unlike the first two books in dani’s series which had me hooked from the start
gonna miss the badass dani vega but this author has a few other series with detective/thriller vibes so i might check them out
this one took a second for me to get into, unlike the first two books in dani’s series which had me hooked from the start
gonna miss the badass dani vega but this author has a few other series with detective/thriller vibes so i might check them out
Read
March 7, 2025rtc
*catching up on old arcs lol*
*catching up on old arcs lol*
April 24, 2025
I love the way Agent Vega's mind works and that the FBI is about to become a family affair. Loved the ending and where things are headed for the next one. Can't wait!!
February 19, 2025
Isabella Maldonado is a must-read author for me. Soon as I see, there is a release, I'm there! I enjoyed her characters (protagonists are usually female POC) and the thrilling adventures she always takes her readers on.
In this third instalment of the series, Dani Vega and her team are on a 'treasure hunt' of sort. The treasure being a haul of evidence to lock up some very bad guys. Of course, the bad guys are in it too and determined to stop Vega and her team by any means. There was suspense, a hint of romance, and of course, an exciting showdown. Highly recommended author but you do have to read each series in order.
Why do I feel that this is the last in the series?! I won't say exactly how the book ended (be calm, no one died, at least no one important) but I just felt that it was really all so bittersweet. Maybe that's just me but if you've read this and have thoughts, DM me please!
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for ecopy of book via NetGalley in exchange of my honest thoughts
In this third instalment of the series, Dani Vega and her team are on a 'treasure hunt' of sort. The treasure being a haul of evidence to lock up some very bad guys. Of course, the bad guys are in it too and determined to stop Vega and her team by any means. There was suspense, a hint of romance, and of course, an exciting showdown. Highly recommended author but you do have to read each series in order.
Why do I feel that this is the last in the series?! I won't say exactly how the book ended (be calm, no one died, at least no one important) but I just felt that it was really all so bittersweet. Maybe that's just me but if you've read this and have thoughts, DM me please!
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for ecopy of book via NetGalley in exchange of my honest thoughts
February 13, 2025
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Thriller, Suspense
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
A Killer's Code is the third installment in author Isabella Maldonado's Daniel Vega series. During a recent undercover operation, hitman Gustavo Toro died in the arms of FBI agent and former military codebreaker Daniela “Dani” Vega, who had been on pins and needles waiting for the end of her career after she went rogue. Toro sends a video to FBI Director Franklin. In the video, Toro sets out – in the form of a puzzle – the whereabouts of hidden information that will lead to the identity of a man responsible for serious crimes that have been ongoing for decades.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Thriller, Suspense
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
A Killer's Code is the third installment in author Isabella Maldonado's Daniel Vega series. During a recent undercover operation, hitman Gustavo Toro died in the arms of FBI agent and former military codebreaker Daniela “Dani” Vega, who had been on pins and needles waiting for the end of her career after she went rogue. Toro sends a video to FBI Director Franklin. In the video, Toro sets out – in the form of a puzzle – the whereabouts of hidden information that will lead to the identity of a man responsible for serious crimes that have been ongoing for decades.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
November 10, 2024
One thing I love about this series is the Author
is brilliant in her ability to wrap everything up in
a nice tidy way. Even in a series, it’s nice to know
we will have everything wrapped up - no dangling
details, no details left behind.
This story is an interesting one, with Vega having
her talent front and center.
With the changes being made in her unit, maybe
It is time for Dani to let a bit of her hard shell down~
That would be nice.
My thanks to Thomas and Mercer Publishing for the download
copy of this book for review purposes.
is brilliant in her ability to wrap everything up in
a nice tidy way. Even in a series, it’s nice to know
we will have everything wrapped up - no dangling
details, no details left behind.
This story is an interesting one, with Vega having
her talent front and center.
With the changes being made in her unit, maybe
It is time for Dani to let a bit of her hard shell down~
That would be nice.
My thanks to Thomas and Mercer Publishing for the download
copy of this book for review purposes.
January 20, 2025
“If you’re watching this, I’m dead. And others will be soon if you don’t act fast.”
Maldonado is an auto-read for me. I’ve really enjoyed this Daniela Vega series: A Killer’s Game took Dani into an undercover ultimate escape room style only one person gets out alive situation; A Forgotten Kill has Dani simultaneously chasing down a serial killer and getting to the bottom of her father’s murder.
A Killer’s Code brings back the man she went undercover with in book one (Gustavo Toro): as a hired assassin he kept an ‘insurance policy’ on those who hired him, a treasure trove of evidence and information the FBI would love to get their hands on. With his final days he sets up a ‘treasure hunt’ of sorts with clues and puzzles to lead the FBI to the stash in an effort to keep it safe from those who don’t want to be exposed. From New York to Las Vegas to Arizona’s Superstition Mountains, the hunt is on for the prize.
[Also, cool teeniest of shoutouts to Des Moines in the book!]
Like most of her books, this was a fast-paced read and full of action.
In this book you start to worry if the FBI will come through because Foley and his ‘boss’ seem to always be a step ahead of them on the hunt. They have a lot to lose if they can’t get to the evidence first.
Each of these books was released a year from each other. I think it would have been a lot better if I could have read them back to back instead of waiting a year. I did not realize this but apparently book one happened only a few weeks before A Killer’s Code. It’s crazy to think all that happened in such a short span of time! Probably a bit unrealistic, but I suppose this one couldn’t be too long after the first one considering its content. I wonder if she had had that planned from the beginning.
The long time in between had me struggling to remember some of the details. In my review for A Forgotten Kill I noted there was some groundwork laid for a possible romantic interest for Dani that could develop but I couldn’t remember if that was with Detective Flint of with SAC Wu. I wish I could have remembered what some of those details were because that was definitely a thread of A Killer’s Code and without knowing those details, some of it seemed a little out of nowhere.
There were a few things I was hoping for that didn’t come to fruition the way I would have liked. I was hoping Dani’s siblings would have played a larger role. I wonder if Maldonado will do a spinoff series following Axel’s career in the FBI with Dani as a side character.
I was also hoping Dani’s mother’s drawing was going to be an answer to one of the clues.
And I was hoping after we found out who the ‘boss’ was (which was about halfway) that there was still going to be another big reveal of a good guy who turns out to actually be a bad guy and doesn’t want the evidence to expose them.
Toro says in his video- “You’ll be surprised at some of the people you’ll be arresting.” So I wanted to be surprised when they arrested someone!
It was a little strange to know who the bad guy was for so long without another reveal.
I still loved the book, but just a few of my ‘I wish’ moments.
Historically speaking Maldonado has written trilogies. If that pattern holds true, then this series is over and we need to be on the look out for something new! I’m looking forward to seeing what she’s been working on.
She has written strong female characters in law enforcement jobs as that is Maldonado’s background. I wonder if she will explore a different type of character or scene in her next books.
Some other random comments:
Maldonado sent me down a rabbit trail looking at synesthesia which is really fascinating. Apparently if you have this, you have a pretty decent chance at becoming a professional artist or musician because so many of them do. I’m still trying to grasp what it would be like to taste colors or see sounds. So trippy.
I just picture Patel exactly like Aram Mojtabai from the Blacklist. They seem like they have very similar personalities so that’s who I imagined while reading this book.
Foley kept trying to stage murders like accidents and suicides but I had to chuckle because it never worked for longer than a couple minutes. It would have just been easier to shoot the person then exert all the energy and resources and time to pretend it wasn’t.
Recommendation
I would definitely recommend this book and the other books in the series! They are action-packed thrillers with likeable characters and a strong female lead.
There are no caveats. Maldonado is just a great author!
[Content Advisory: 10 f-words, 26 s-words, 1 b-words; no sexual content]
**Received an ARC via NetGalley**
Book Review Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | StoryGraph
Maldonado is an auto-read for me. I’ve really enjoyed this Daniela Vega series: A Killer’s Game took Dani into an undercover ultimate escape room style only one person gets out alive situation; A Forgotten Kill has Dani simultaneously chasing down a serial killer and getting to the bottom of her father’s murder.
A Killer’s Code brings back the man she went undercover with in book one (Gustavo Toro): as a hired assassin he kept an ‘insurance policy’ on those who hired him, a treasure trove of evidence and information the FBI would love to get their hands on. With his final days he sets up a ‘treasure hunt’ of sorts with clues and puzzles to lead the FBI to the stash in an effort to keep it safe from those who don’t want to be exposed. From New York to Las Vegas to Arizona’s Superstition Mountains, the hunt is on for the prize.
[Also, cool teeniest of shoutouts to Des Moines in the book!]
Like most of her books, this was a fast-paced read and full of action.
In this book you start to worry if the FBI will come through because Foley and his ‘boss’ seem to always be a step ahead of them on the hunt. They have a lot to lose if they can’t get to the evidence first.
Each of these books was released a year from each other. I think it would have been a lot better if I could have read them back to back instead of waiting a year. I did not realize this but apparently book one happened only a few weeks before A Killer’s Code. It’s crazy to think all that happened in such a short span of time! Probably a bit unrealistic, but I suppose this one couldn’t be too long after the first one considering its content. I wonder if she had had that planned from the beginning.
The long time in between had me struggling to remember some of the details. In my review for A Forgotten Kill I noted there was some groundwork laid for a possible romantic interest for Dani that could develop but I couldn’t remember if that was with Detective Flint of with SAC Wu. I wish I could have remembered what some of those details were because that was definitely a thread of A Killer’s Code and without knowing those details, some of it seemed a little out of nowhere.
There were a few things I was hoping for that didn’t come to fruition the way I would have liked. I was hoping Dani’s siblings would have played a larger role. I wonder if Maldonado will do a spinoff series following Axel’s career in the FBI with Dani as a side character.
I was also hoping Dani’s mother’s drawing was going to be an answer to one of the clues.
And I was hoping after we found out who the ‘boss’ was (which was about halfway) that there was still going to be another big reveal of a good guy who turns out to actually be a bad guy and doesn’t want the evidence to expose them.
Toro says in his video- “You’ll be surprised at some of the people you’ll be arresting.” So I wanted to be surprised when they arrested someone!
It was a little strange to know who the bad guy was for so long without another reveal.
I still loved the book, but just a few of my ‘I wish’ moments.
Historically speaking Maldonado has written trilogies. If that pattern holds true, then this series is over and we need to be on the look out for something new! I’m looking forward to seeing what she’s been working on.
She has written strong female characters in law enforcement jobs as that is Maldonado’s background. I wonder if she will explore a different type of character or scene in her next books.
Some other random comments:
Maldonado sent me down a rabbit trail looking at synesthesia which is really fascinating. Apparently if you have this, you have a pretty decent chance at becoming a professional artist or musician because so many of them do. I’m still trying to grasp what it would be like to taste colors or see sounds. So trippy.
I just picture Patel exactly like Aram Mojtabai from the Blacklist. They seem like they have very similar personalities so that’s who I imagined while reading this book.
Foley kept trying to stage murders like accidents and suicides but I had to chuckle because it never worked for longer than a couple minutes. It would have just been easier to shoot the person then exert all the energy and resources and time to pretend it wasn’t.
Recommendation
I would definitely recommend this book and the other books in the series! They are action-packed thrillers with likeable characters and a strong female lead.
There are no caveats. Maldonado is just a great author!
[Content Advisory: 10 f-words, 26 s-words, 1 b-words; no sexual content]
**Received an ARC via NetGalley**
Book Review Blog | Facebook | Pinterest | StoryGraph
December 30, 2024
FBI Treasure Hunt to Retrieve Incriminating Evidence
A man starts the confession properly, but things change when he says that he is there to confess to multiple murders that he has committed. He does not know the number. He is also responsible for the deaths indirectly of countless more. He explains to the man what he must do to receive absolution. The man says that he is seeking absolution for those he killed, but he will kill again. It is part of his job. The priest tells him he cannot be reconciled without genuine contrition. And he is not if he has no intention of changing his ways. The priest tells him that then he cannot absolve him. The man leaves, and a story of true devotion starts.
The novel consists of three main storyline threads. The first thread is narrated by a professional killer, Gustavo Toro. They all are narrated in flashbacks, as he is killed before the novel's present time. Toro was a character in the first novel in this series. The next thread is the search for Toro’s treasure, his documentation, who was behind every one of his kills, and a request to find and keep Tina Castillo alive. The last thread is narrated primarily by a boss and his henchman, who often uses Toro services. They are trying to find Toro’s treasure and Castillo first. The FBI team, SAC Steve Wu, SA Daniela Vega, and their tech support, Sanjeev Patel, face many problems in achieving their goals. Toro’s directions are in the form of a treasure hunt to ensure that only the FBI would be first. They need to solve a puzzle to find the hidden clue to the next clue. As for finding Castillo, her two coworkers are killed, and their boss lives just a little longer before he is killed. To make matters worse, the team's boss tries to hamper their progress and releases critical information that endangers the team’s success. Lastly, the FBI team is in mortal danger several times throughout the novel. The pace of this novel is fast. Unlike most action-thrillers, the start ends with adequate action to earn that moniker. My interest was solidly locked in early with the intellectual side of the novel, followed by the action side.
There is a hidden B-storyline thread; well, I did not see it until the novel’s end. This is the first novel in which Wu and Vega act as partners. Their interaction sheds more insight into both of their characters. There is much more background on Vega's time with the military. Vega’s mother is emerging from her long-term dementia. Her aunt has been raising Vega’s brother and sisters is changing as she no longer blames Vega for testifying against her mother for killing her father. Also, her brother is an adult and is interested in the FBI. She is not happy about that. Overall, I found this novel’s aspect very interesting, and it increased my reading enjoyment.
Some aspects of this novel that can cause some readers to stop reading are not at a serious level. There are no intimate scenes. Profanity is at a low level, although some euphemisms are used in place of the objectionable language. Most violence is described after the fact until a very violent scene erupts near the novel’s end. This is the third novel in this series. I have read the previous two. Even though Gustavo Toro's character played a significant role in the first novel, I did not see any references left unexplained. You should be able to read and enjoy reading this novel.
I have racked my mind trying to find something that degraded my reading enjoyment of this novel. I could not find any. There is much on the plus side of this novel. The small size of the investigative group makes the novel much easier to follow. The parallel tracking of the antagonists kept the edge on the suspense because it was a race, and they were playing fair. The pace of the novel was satisfactory for me. It appears this will be the last in this series, so there were some series loose ends. I was happy with the way the author tied these up.
This is the fifth novel by this author that I have read. I have purchased two previous novels that are on my sizeable to-be-read list. She is solidly in my Will-Read category. If this genre interests you, I do recommend reading it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and am looking forward to reading further novels from this author. I rate this novel with five stars.
I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Thomas & Mercer. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
A man starts the confession properly, but things change when he says that he is there to confess to multiple murders that he has committed. He does not know the number. He is also responsible for the deaths indirectly of countless more. He explains to the man what he must do to receive absolution. The man says that he is seeking absolution for those he killed, but he will kill again. It is part of his job. The priest tells him he cannot be reconciled without genuine contrition. And he is not if he has no intention of changing his ways. The priest tells him that then he cannot absolve him. The man leaves, and a story of true devotion starts.
The novel consists of three main storyline threads. The first thread is narrated by a professional killer, Gustavo Toro. They all are narrated in flashbacks, as he is killed before the novel's present time. Toro was a character in the first novel in this series. The next thread is the search for Toro’s treasure, his documentation, who was behind every one of his kills, and a request to find and keep Tina Castillo alive. The last thread is narrated primarily by a boss and his henchman, who often uses Toro services. They are trying to find Toro’s treasure and Castillo first. The FBI team, SAC Steve Wu, SA Daniela Vega, and their tech support, Sanjeev Patel, face many problems in achieving their goals. Toro’s directions are in the form of a treasure hunt to ensure that only the FBI would be first. They need to solve a puzzle to find the hidden clue to the next clue. As for finding Castillo, her two coworkers are killed, and their boss lives just a little longer before he is killed. To make matters worse, the team's boss tries to hamper their progress and releases critical information that endangers the team’s success. Lastly, the FBI team is in mortal danger several times throughout the novel. The pace of this novel is fast. Unlike most action-thrillers, the start ends with adequate action to earn that moniker. My interest was solidly locked in early with the intellectual side of the novel, followed by the action side.
There is a hidden B-storyline thread; well, I did not see it until the novel’s end. This is the first novel in which Wu and Vega act as partners. Their interaction sheds more insight into both of their characters. There is much more background on Vega's time with the military. Vega’s mother is emerging from her long-term dementia. Her aunt has been raising Vega’s brother and sisters is changing as she no longer blames Vega for testifying against her mother for killing her father. Also, her brother is an adult and is interested in the FBI. She is not happy about that. Overall, I found this novel’s aspect very interesting, and it increased my reading enjoyment.
Some aspects of this novel that can cause some readers to stop reading are not at a serious level. There are no intimate scenes. Profanity is at a low level, although some euphemisms are used in place of the objectionable language. Most violence is described after the fact until a very violent scene erupts near the novel’s end. This is the third novel in this series. I have read the previous two. Even though Gustavo Toro's character played a significant role in the first novel, I did not see any references left unexplained. You should be able to read and enjoy reading this novel.
I have racked my mind trying to find something that degraded my reading enjoyment of this novel. I could not find any. There is much on the plus side of this novel. The small size of the investigative group makes the novel much easier to follow. The parallel tracking of the antagonists kept the edge on the suspense because it was a race, and they were playing fair. The pace of the novel was satisfactory for me. It appears this will be the last in this series, so there were some series loose ends. I was happy with the way the author tied these up.
This is the fifth novel by this author that I have read. I have purchased two previous novels that are on my sizeable to-be-read list. She is solidly in my Will-Read category. If this genre interests you, I do recommend reading it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and am looking forward to reading further novels from this author. I rate this novel with five stars.
I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Thomas & Mercer. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
September 3, 2024
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!
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!
January 2, 2025
OMG I got a Brilliance approval! THANK YOU so much Brilliance! It only took about 87 requests LOL
Anticipated pub: Jan 21, 2025
I have been loving the Dani Vega series. This one was no different. I loved the characters and the storyline and read this in a day! This series is so bingable!
Dani's character is fun to read; I love the way her mind works.
This mystery takes the agents all across the country. There were lots of thrilling moments. Lots of tension. The pacing was good for this as there's certainly a time crunch to find the missing woman that is in danger.
Both narrators were great. The POV of the bad guys was a nice touch to see the "other side" from the police procedural side of the story.
Technically the series doesn't need to be read fully or in order but for MAXIMUM enjoyment do yourself the favor and start with Dani Vega book 1: A Killer's Game, then try A Forgotten Kill. But this one stands alone as a great police procedural thriller too.
A last random note I will ALWAYS comment on. My oddly specific bookish ICK is when an author uses the word "chopper" to refer to a helicopter. Being the wife of a helicopter pilot I've NEVER heard any of the people in his community use that word. I'll always notice and always comment on that word usage, LOL.
THIS AUTHOR NEVER USES THAT WORD. It made my little heart so happy. Helo, copter, bird. Never "chopper" and I'm so thankful for it!
Anticipated pub: Jan 21, 2025
I have been loving the Dani Vega series. This one was no different. I loved the characters and the storyline and read this in a day! This series is so bingable!
Dani's character is fun to read; I love the way her mind works.
This mystery takes the agents all across the country. There were lots of thrilling moments. Lots of tension. The pacing was good for this as there's certainly a time crunch to find the missing woman that is in danger.
Both narrators were great. The POV of the bad guys was a nice touch to see the "other side" from the police procedural side of the story.
Technically the series doesn't need to be read fully or in order but for MAXIMUM enjoyment do yourself the favor and start with Dani Vega book 1: A Killer's Game, then try A Forgotten Kill. But this one stands alone as a great police procedural thriller too.
A last random note I will ALWAYS comment on. My oddly specific bookish ICK is when an author uses the word "chopper" to refer to a helicopter. Being the wife of a helicopter pilot I've NEVER heard any of the people in his community use that word. I'll always notice and always comment on that word usage, LOL.
THIS AUTHOR NEVER USES THAT WORD. It made my little heart so happy. Helo, copter, bird. Never "chopper" and I'm so thankful for it!
March 4, 2025
Another great book in the Dani Vega series! I swear anything that Isabella write, I eat it up and enjoy every second of it.
This book starts off like all the others in this series - we already know who the killer is, and get snippets of their POV as the story goes along. I love how seamlessly we jump from different POV's, times, and area's without losing any of the pacing of the story, or getting confused. It all blends so well, and I love that about her books.
In this book Dani and her team are on a race against time to try and figure out clues that hitman Gustavo Torre left for them - and they all lead to his stash giving proof of all the crimes he has committed, even hard evidence as to how made the calls for the hits. While searching for answers to the clues they found they had always been a step behind each time. I loved how I was kept on the edge of my seat the entire book, not knowing if they would make it in time or not.
I hope that we get more books with Dani being the main character, I love reading about all her adventures, and hope that we get to see Steve Wu and her together in the future.
This book starts off like all the others in this series - we already know who the killer is, and get snippets of their POV as the story goes along. I love how seamlessly we jump from different POV's, times, and area's without losing any of the pacing of the story, or getting confused. It all blends so well, and I love that about her books.
In this book Dani and her team are on a race against time to try and figure out clues that hitman Gustavo Torre left for them - and they all lead to his stash giving proof of all the crimes he has committed, even hard evidence as to how made the calls for the hits. While searching for answers to the clues they found they had always been a step behind each time. I loved how I was kept on the edge of my seat the entire book, not knowing if they would make it in time or not.
I hope that we get more books with Dani being the main character, I love reading about all her adventures, and hope that we get to see Steve Wu and her together in the future.
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