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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.