Spy Code

Sam Taylor #2

by Ben Baldwin

Betrayal is the only certainty…

When Kate May, the secretary to the British ambassador vanishes in Berlin, Sam Taylor is sent to find her. But this isn’t just a missing person case—Alexandra’s disappearance threatens a critical deal.

Soon, Sam becomes a target of Russian agents and uncovers the embassy’s betrayal runs deeper than anyone imagined. Forced to team up with the mysterious Caretaker, a deadly operative from a covert unit, Sam must navigate corrupt diplomats and brutal assassins to expose the real traitors.

As they close in on the mastermind, the stakes turn personal. Betrayed at every turn, hunted by enemies on all sides, and haunted by the sins of their past, they face their greatest test yet. But when the final move is played in Berlin’s shadows, it’s not just their lives at risk—it’s the balance of global power…<

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 27, 2025

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Taylor is back and in a thunderous 2nd book that was exciting to read and be a part of…

This time Sam is trying to find a British employee from the embassy in Germany who has disappeared,is she a traitor running with secrets or has she been kidnapped or is there even more to the tale?….Sam is tasked to find out…..we also learn about his relationship with his brother Jake,last seen in Afghanistan….

Loved it all,the descriptions of embassy life,the espionage,the hunt and chases and action and there is not a second to lose as ‘things’ are closing in….on everyone

I read a lot of spy action thriller books and got to say this is up with the best for writing,story and imperfect characters

A great read and more than look forward to the next instalment

[Sean Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the series of Sam Taylor, and second book from the author Ben Baldwin, only recently finishing the first in the series.

A great character, filled with some great supporting characters, in this fast paced thriller.

Action thriller or Spy thriller ?

When Kate May, the secretary to the British ambassador vanishes in Berlin, Sam Taylor is sent to find her. But this isn’t just a missing person case—Alexandra’s disappearance threatens a critical deal.

Soon, Sam becomes a target of Russian agents and uncovers the embassy’s betrayal runs deeper than anyone imagined. Forced to team up with the mysterious Caretaker, a deadly operative from a covert unit, Sam must navigate corrupt diplomats and brutal assassins to expose the real traitors.

As they close in on the mastermind, the stakes turn personal. Betrayed at every turn, hunted by enemies on all sides, and haunted by the sins of their past, they face their greatest test yet. But when the final move is played in Berlin’s shadows, it’s not just their lives at risk—it’s the balance of global power…

An easy four stars.

[Susan Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the exciting Sam Taylor series. Sam is in Germany searching for a missing secretary from the British Embassy. This spy thriller had me hooked from the start . The tension, intrigue and action makes this a cracking read

[Ricki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The secretary (Kate May) to the British Ambassador to Germany vanishes & Repatriation Officer Sam Taylor is sent to Berlin to find her. The embassy's security & German police have found no hints nor evidence of where she is but of course Sam locates her within the first couple of days.

It's not that simple, Sam discovers she has taken something important from the embassy & both the Russians and the British Embassy (believing her to be a spy) are hunting her.

Once he finds her, she & Sam try to discover what it is she has but not before being hunted by a "Caretaker"- the last resort sent by the British to take care of problems. However the "Caretaker" seems to be on their side- what's going on?

The hunt leads to a mole at the Embassy that's working with the Russians but Sam, Kate & the Caretaker take on fixing "the problem"

[Tina Lincoln · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lt. Sam Taylor and Sgt. Jake Taylor are two brothers who have not spoken in years and who also work hard to avoid seeing each other. However, they are both in the military, with different agendas, except for being exceptional at what they do.
When things get crossed and their lives cross because of their military jobs, sometimes they are all military, and sometimes it comes down to protecting your family, period.
This kept me entertained, wanting to know what was next and what is happening.
Thank you, Ben Baldwin, for a great story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Vivian]

On the second book of the Sam Taylor series, we find Sam being sent to Berlin to find Alexandra May, the ambassador's secretary, that has disappeared without a trace, what he finds is a web of deceit, espionage, and lies, not only from the people you suspect about, but from the personel of the British embassy. Who is framing Ms. May, and why?
In a race of time to find her, Sam gets paired with his estranged brother, can they work together and put aside their differences?
This was a high caliber thriller, very hard to put down, it will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a brilliant read. I loved everything about it. The search for a missing woman Kate, the whole embassy side of things, and the relentless thrill of the chase as Sam and Kate are pursued by foreign agents as they try to figure out what exactly is going on. There's even a family reunion albeit not in the way you'd imagine.

The first book was great and this was even better. I can't wait for the next one.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit that at first I was a little confused as this book did seem to jump around a little but it all sorted it's self out as the story unfolded. A good solid thriller read with enough twists to keep you reading. As a debut novel it is a brilliant start to Ben Baldwins writing career, I am looking forward to more from him.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to this thrilling series. Loved the first book Code Red. This one, Spy Code, was equally as good, if not better. Sam is called to Berlin to find a missing secretary and ends up in more trouble than expected. He also meets up with someone he hasn't seen for years and hopefully bridges are mended. An action-packed story that kept me turning the pages.

[Taunya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend Spy Code

The book is well written with interesting characters and an engaging storyline. The story is easy to follow, for the most part. Some of the flashbacks are not easily recognized, initially. But overall Spy Code is a delight for readers who enjoy a good spy plot with some intrigue and a blossoming love story in the mix.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Taylor is at it again.

Fast paced, full of action and more of the excellent character development I have now come to expect from Baldwin.

Set in Berlin, we meet new faces and some previously acquainted with in Book 1.

Absolutely loved it. Looking forward to Book 3!

[Alison Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled at first with the book and thought the beginning was a 3 star review - the end however was brilliant and definitely 5+ stars. The main characters on the side of the good were well described and the action between them believable.

[Seth Sulkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

good start but deteriorated into formulaic mess

After the first few chapters, I was optimistic this book would turn out well but unfortunately, it just became a formulaic procedural. The author has potential but needs to stretch himself further

[Sue Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 and Sam Taylor is back. Another heart pounding thriller from this ‘new to me’ author and I thank fb Book Mark reviewer Mark Fearn who introduced Ben Baldwin to me through his amazing reviewing skills. Thoroughly enjoyable second book.

[Joseph Wild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant second edition to follow on from Code Red. Really enjoyed this, flew through it. A real page turner. Well written, good storyline, standout descriptive writing. Felt a real connection with the characters

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant action packed thrill ride! Sam Taylor is fast becoming one of my favourite fiction heroes. Can't wait for the next instalment.

[Richard Outram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. Sam Taylor is growing as a character, and in this book we meet his brother, Jake Taylor.
No spoilers here. it's an explosive, fast paced read. Looking forward already to book 3...