Corrupt Code

by Paige Black

Some secrets are worth dying for. Others are worth killing for.Officer Eden Mercer and her K-9 partner, Shadow, are called to investigate what appears to be a tragic fall at a corporate retreat—until forensics reveals the climbing equipment was deliberately sabotaged.

The victim was a lawyer for OptiSure Technologies, a cutting-edge company that's revolutionizing healthcare. But their life-saving mission may not be what it seems.

As Eden digs deeper into the victim's life and work, she uncovers signs that someone at OptiSure has deadly secrets worth killing for—and the lawyer who died on the ropes course may not be the only target.

As more lives hang in the balance, Eden must expose a conspiracy that reaches from corporate boardrooms to the patients who trust the system with their lives.

But when you threaten a billion-dollar operation, they don't just fire you—they eliminate you.

Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter, Michael Connelly, and corporate conspiracy thrillers.

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2026

Reviews

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. This is a high stakes, high tension thrilling mystery, that grips you right from the start. I just love this series, as the author has created a great main character in Eden, an Officer with a troubled and unique past. This gives her a different way to look at things, the determination to find answers and help others. With Shadow her K9 support dog and her friends she also has the confidence to stop the bad guys too. In this book trouble in brewing from the family cult she escaped but as it's a long running problem throughout the series, so don't expect it to get solved. As for the main case this one does get solved. As the reader you have some idea of who is involved because the story is told by multiple characters but like Eden you are never sure what is actually going on or all the players involved. The murder method was original and the author gets points for coming up with a new and terrifying way, of course with it looking like an accident it also gives you lots of questions that need answers. I can't wait for the audio book version or the next book to find out what happens with the family.

When a corporate team building exercise goes wrong, Officer Eden Mercer and Detective Hanks are called in check things out. What at first glance looks like a tragic accident, quickly turns into a murder investigation after the climbing gear appears to be tampered with. It was the first time the company used Ridgeline Adventures but with his own company closing ranks and being secretive, its up to Eden and the team to uncover the connection of who had access to the climbing gear and who wanted him dead. The more they dig the more Eden gets a bad feeling about OptiSure and if they don't figure it out quickly somebody else might and up dead.
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fundamental Cult survivor Edan is now on a police force. She lives with her younger sister, who escaped with her. They have a younger sister and brother living in a safe house after their escape from the compound. At a rope climbing work function Jared, a legal advisor for the company falls. He was afraid of heights, but went anyway. Investigation reveals his harness had been tampered with causing his death in the fall. Edan, during the investigation notices simular mentality to the camp she escaped from. Between a fundamentalist enforcer claiming to have left and is living with her younger sister and brother, she struggles to keep that life separate from this investigation. This is a gripping police investigation. Cult survivor Edan is now on a police force. She lives with her younger sister, who escaped with her. They have a younger sister and brother living in a safe house after their escape from the compound. At a rope climbing work function Jared, a legal advisor for the company falls. He was afraid of heights, but went anyway. Investigation reveals his harness had been tampered with causing his death in the fall. Edan, during the investigation notices simular mentality to the camp she escped from. Between a fundamentalist enforcer claiming to have left and is living with her younger sister and brother, she struggles to keep that life separate from this investigation. This is a gripping police investigation.

[Andrea J · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest Eden Mercer adventure, Corrupt Code, is definitely one you need to read, especially if you are a fan of the series by Paige Black. It is filled with mystery and suspense from the first chapter as Eden, Shadow and the Nightfall Police Department work to solve the murder of a corporate lawyer. This book takes you into the almost cult like devotion demanded and expected at some high powered corporations driven by greed and the love of money. This is unfortunately seen more frequently today in a number of companies. Eden is able to use her past experiences of growing up and escaping from a religious cult, headed by her father, to cypher out some of what is going on in the company where the murder victim worked. Of course Shadow, her amazing K9 companion, helps in solving the mystery as well.
No spoilers, but you see more of the growing romantic relationship between Eden and Wilder. Plus there are updates of the ongoing lives of Eden’s siblings and their life after escaping their father’s cult. Definitely a set up for the next book in this series. As always Paige Black’s books never disappoint. Be sure to read this one.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda Smock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corrupt code by Paige Black

I cannot stop reading all the pages books they’re excellent this is her I believe her ninth book in the great mysteries. Paige puts her heart and soul into every book she makes the characters develops in into real characters genuine and authentic characters. Every book that she has written at the end she gives you another like little glimpse into her next book and I can’t wait to meet her next book.In all of the books one of the strands of the book has to do with her living in a cold with her family and she and her sister got out when they were young and the rest of the family is still there. Her dad is the one that runs the cult. This next book is going to take her I believe Eden who is Eden Mercer who is the main character and her cronies Hank and watch Wilder into the adventure of possibly my guess is finally exploding the whole cult now I could be wrong but I can’t wait to read that book and see if I’m right.Wanna read it great mystery start with Paige blacks first book and you’ll never be able to put it down and you wanna read all of her books from then on

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series keeps going strong

This entry in the excellent Eden Mercer K-9 mystery series is a real nail-biter. An executive at a tech company dies during a team-building event at a ropes course. It seems like a tragic accident, but Eden suspects foul play. The book takes on the toxicity of high-powered workplaces run by tech bros who care only about the bottom line, creating a culture very familiar to Eden, who’d escaped from the religious cult run by her father, and with her heightened awareness, she’s able to get to the bottom of the rottenness. The villains are heinous in a way that might have seemed histrionic a couple of years ago but that rings true these days. A parallel narrative involving two of Eden’s siblings she’d helped escape the cult of her childhood ratchets up the tension even more. I can’t wait for the next book — but I have to.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely brilliant. It starts with a group at a management team building event on a ropes course and then leads into a tangled corporate web of computer science, healthcare and entrepreneurship with a side order of murder. But just who is responsible in this mystery needs to be uncovered and quickly.

I think what got me most about this was I found it highly believable. From the corporate ethos, to the security and nature of the business. What would t corporations do to cut costs and make tidy profits? That sent a shiver down my spine.

You will want to keep reading this book until the very last page. You’ll be hooked!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Selah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid Eden Mercer mystery from Paige Black. I was happy to be back in Nightfall with familiar characters, especially Hanks and Grandma Gloria. Wilder joining the investigation made sense, but he wasn’t given much to actually *do*, which I found a bit disappointing, especially after seeing him in action so much in “Fatal Bond.” The ongoing backstory involving Eden’s family really ties the series together and keeps me invested.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Yolanda G Moorhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Very Best

I have just finished book ten of the Eden Mercer Series and can not wait for the next book in this series. The stories are riveting, the suspense from start to finish keeps you at the end of your seat. While the main story is great, the continuing story of her family she ha to leave behind makes you want to look forward. At the end of book ten, her younger brother Daniel is tricked into to returning to the cult to save Caleb. I would recommend reading the series in order.

[Robert Foland · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Corrupt Code: Book 9 of the Eden Mercer K-9 Mystery Thriller Series" is another fantastic addition to the adventures of Eden Mercer and her K-9 partner, Shadow. Paige Black once again delivers a compelling mystery with an intriguing investigation. Fast-paced and packed with good old-fashioned police work, it’s entertaining from the very first page.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another case for Eden & the team, this time in the tech world. Always enjoy the multi pov, in first person would be great for the other characters too & not just Eden's. Still some family things to resolve with the cult too, hope they get their comeuppance soon. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alison Ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eden, Hanks and Shadow with the help of Wilder investigate a death at a corporate bonding exercise. This is a thrilling and suspense filled story as they try to find out who is responsible. They have to negotiate lies and misdirection to uncover the true culprits before another death occurs. In addition, there is family drama for Eden with her brother and sister.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series

Eden is an officer in the Nightfall PD working with a detective who is mentoring her. Shadow is her K9 partner, and sometimes they work with another detective. Each book has a complete story, such as the murder in this book. But there is also a continuing story about the cult Eden and her sister Hope escaped from to their grandparents.

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dead man in a corporate group activity. Is it an accident or there is something fishy going on? Eden and their partners in the NightFall in the police department are in a race to discover the truth before anyone else is injured. Thrilling and fast paced as always.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing story

What seems like an accident in the beginning slowly develops into so much more. Once the Investigators get confirmation that their case has escalated, their determination to figure out what happened knows no bounds. It's not a series that you'll want to miss.
I would recommend this book, series, and author.

[Rachel B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic instalment of this amazing series. It kept me guessing right until the end. Cannot wait to see what happened next!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Valerie Masters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope this series never ends-like JD Robb’s In Death where new adventures let me continue visiting these characters! If you are new to Paige Black, start at book one. If you are already hooked, grab this one!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LizJ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corrupt Code Book 9 of Eden Mercer K-9 Mystery Thriller series by Paige Black is another fantastic hit in this action-packed, suspenseful series! Loved it and can't wait for the next book!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebecca Gaddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

defeating corruption

Too bad this doesn’t happen in the real world more often. Tapping into corruption is difficult if not almost impossible. The cult theme is more pervasive in this book which is great; the connection with business is terrific & insightful!

[Misha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and engaging read. I loved it. The characters are spot on and it keeps you intrigued from the very beginning.

[carol fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book

Could not put this book down. This author never disappoints! Cannot wait for her next in the series. Super excellent

[MARIE-CLAIRE DEBONVILLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Really good 👍 story Relaxing intriguing and suspenseful Could not put it down Looking forward to the next story Thank you

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story catches your attention at the get go! There is no going back as each chapter takes you further down the path into corporate deception and smoky mirrors.
Police work in detail following Officer Eden Mercer, her K-9 Shadow and Detective Hanks checking and reviewing each lead. Heart stopping scenes and human misconceptions will keep you engrossed to the very end!