The Devil's Code is book number two in the Dr Olivia Winter series and what a cracker of a book it is.
After a police stop, a body is found dismembered in the boot of a car, and the driver arrested and found guilty of murder. His daughter finds a notebook hidden in his house containing a code so the local police enlist the help of psychologist Dr Olivia Winter to help crack the code as they suspect there are more victims.
This is a cleverly written compelling read with an imaginative and well paced plot that will hold your attention from the very first page to the last. It is the perfect read for readers who prefer their crime thrillers gory, gruesome and dark. I loved it and can't wait for book number three.
Easy 5 stars *****

Michael Wood is the master of horror. When Isaac McFadden is pulled over by the police there is a horrific surprise waiting in the boot. This is a story of murder, control, manipulation and just pure mind bending nastiness. A riveting read.

Another brilliant story by Michael Wood and all bets are on to discover who might be continuing to use the same modus operandi to murder men. The story is set in the north east of England and calls on a specialist serial killer analyst Olivia Winter who was the lead character in Michael Woods previous book. So a number of the characters are familiar which gets the old grey cells working remembering the previous book and how the story played out. This new book is every bit as good and in some ways better, the suspense is maintained to the end of the book. Olivia travels up to Newcastle to help inspector Linus solve a mysterious puzzle left by a convicted murderer which alludes to there being a lot more bodies hidden around the area. Olivia and Linus and a new recruit uncover the real meaning left in the puzzle. Recommended

Michael Wood delivers a clever and superbly plotted mystery. With the return of Dr Olivia Wood.

Who after surviving a harrowing attack by a serial killer sent by her notorious father, Richard Button is back at work and navigating the challenges of her connection to Richard being public knowledge, especially with an ITV drama soon to air recounting her father's crimes.

But luckily for Olivia DI Linus Sutton has arrived in London from Newcastle seeking her expertise on a perplexing case.

As Isaac McFadden is in prison for murder after being apprehended on the A1, where a dismembered body was found in his car.

However, his daughter has discovered troubling evidence in his home that suggests there could be more victims involved. This evidence takes the form of a coded notebook and a bag of chilling trophies.

And as the police find themselves grappling with the intricacies of the clues, the responsibility rests on Olivia to decipher the hidden meanings and provide insights that could lead to the truth.

And as the plot thickens with red herrings and misdirection, the pacing and tension escalate. Leaving me utterly gripped and guessing until the very end. But that's nothing new when it comes to Michael Woods's books, and if you're yet to read this amazing author, do! You really won't be sorry.

The second book starring the troubled Psychologist Dr Olivia Winter I thoroughly enjoyed the first, but this surpasses it. It hooks you from the first page and if you enjoy procedurals with dark twists, you will enjoy this. The code of the title needs to be solved. At first sight it is impenetrable, but Olivia needs to solve it to identify victims. There are other strands to the story and the whole is totally enthralling. For me it was a definite 5* read.

Another blood soaked outing for Doctor Olivia Winter, this time investigating a mysterious code hidden by a convicted murderer that may indicate he is a serial killer. Set in Newcastle after meeting the lead detective on the case in London the gradual breaking of the code is cleverly outlined and the revelation that maybe he didn’t act alone ratchets up the tension. Characters from the first story appear and more new ones added that will hopefully appear in what threatens to be a bloody but brilliant series.

This is the second book featuring Dr Olivia Winter, following on from the cracking series opener - The Mind of a Murderer - so for full enjoyment I do suggest you read that one first.
This book begins with Isaac McFadden driving furtively during a storm. He is stopped by the police and, long story short, is convicted after what they find in his boot - the dismembered body of a young man. It's an easy conviction as all through the process he refuses to speak. Case closed you would think. Until that is, when his daughter is clearing out his home, she finds a notebook written in code which suggests quite strongly that this body is but one of many. Could Isaac be a serial killer? Where are the other bodies? Why has no one noticed this, if the body count is as high as the notebook suggests? The police are flummoxed by all this and, with Isaac still staying shtum, they turn to eminent Forensic Psychologist Dr Olivia Winter to assist.
And so begins a rather convoluted and interconnected tale both of Isaac and his shenanigans as well as Olivia still trying to come to terms with her own brutal past and and how exposure of which is affecting her present but personally and professionally. I won't go into detail just in case you haven't read the first book but, if you haven't maybe quit reading reviews for this one just in case...
As with the previous book, my bond with Olivia was strong and grew during our time together. I felt for her even more herein cos of the way that a lot more people treated her, used her, I can't go into detail here, obviously.
And the crime itself was brilliantly plotted. I also tried my hardest with decoding the notebook but, although I did have a few shots on target, most of them went wide. But I did kick myself when certain things were revealed, and how close I had actually got. And when it was all finally revealed, well, I sat back and applauded the author for a job well done.
All in all, a cracking follow up to what's shaping up to be a cracking series. Luckily I have a few more of this author's Matilda Darke series to catch up with whilst I wait for book three. Another series I wholeheartedly recommend.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

My thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Devil’s Code’, book 2 in the Dr Olivia Winter series written by Michael Wood, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Isaac McFadden is driving at night in stormy weather when he gets stopped by the police for having a faulty rear light. He’s asked to open his car boot where they find sacks containing dismembered body parts. After being found guilty, his daughter Eleanor is clearing his house and finds a hidden box containing a notebook with a chart written in code that leads DI Linus Sutton to suspect that McFadden is a serial killer. He requests the help of Dr Olivia Winter, a forensic pathologist who has a greater knowledge of serial killers having survived the killing of her mother and sister.

‘The Devil’s Code’ is a dark and compulsive murder thriller where Dr Olivia Winter is drawn in to help DI Linus Sutton and DC Ryan Sweetland of the Newcastle Police in deciphering a code written by Isaac McFadden made up of columns of numbers and letters. To learn more about the killer she visits him in prison where she needs to delves into the dark recesses of his mind without being dragged into places she’d rather forget. The story is fast-paced with bloodthirsty twists and turns that get darker and more gruesome the further I read, with a final shocking conclusion that had me cringing in terror while dreading the outcome. This is a fantastic thriller with excellently described characters written by a very accomplished author who never fails to leave the reader wanting more.

The second book in the Olivia Winter is simply fantastic!!
It builds upon the first book/story arc but with a new case that is fascinating and I finished it in no time.
The story, characters, pace and tension are faultless and Michael Wood deserves to be recognised as one of our best crime writers.
Can't wait for book 3, although a new Matilda Darke novel in the meantime will be great!

Michael Wood is one of my favourite authors, and I could not love this book more, even if I tried! Not convinced yet? I get it, but if you have not read a book written by Mr Wood, and you are an avid fan of detective series, you are missing out on more than you know.
The main character is the daughter of a serial killer, a serial killer who tried to kill his daughter as well, but she survived. She is specialized in serial killers, and her special skills and knowledge are needed when a horrible serial killer (are there any others?) get caught. He is not talking. His daughter finds a book filled with codes, and her father seems to have killed more people than expected.
I don't think I need to convince you anymore - it's time to read the book now! Enjoy!

So-o Tragic!
Twisted killers, damaged daughters😰

This is one twisted but addictive read. Dr. Olivia Winters, daughter of a serial killer who survived her own father's attempt to slay her, helping Newcastle police piece together the meaning of convicted local serial killer Isaac McFadden's notes, found by his daughter Eleanor in a hidey-hole in her father's closet. Was there proof of other victims? A co-conspirator? A purpose for his killing? And Olivia can't escape her own trauma, her imprisoned father and the constant curiosity of reporters stirred up by a docudrama about her father.

This author is really adept at building suspense and urgency in a fascinating tale of good versus evil. Plus plenty of surprises and heart pounding danger. His Matilda Darke series is great and this Olivia Winter one is too!

For me, the subplot involving young Thomas Landy moved me the most and was truly tragic. In the total scheme of things he wasn't a major character but his descent had a tremendous impact.

Thanks to Harper Collins/One More Chapter and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 3/25/25 on Waterstones, Goodreads, Bookbub, and with Barnes & Noble and BAM. To be shared with kobo and Google Play when published.

Wow! Another fantastic book by Mr. W. A long book but not a single word is wasted in this gripping book I think there is a lot more to come and to find out about Olivia and how the book ended I’ve got a feeling that we may find out! The whole story was very hard to put down and how the bodies were found with very clever With thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an early copy ..

Another win for this author because this book was even better then the first one , which I thought would be impossible today but is surprised me. Because right from the story we get twisted and turns that not only shook you but will have you setting on the edge of your set the entire time .

4.5 ⭐️

I really love everything Michael Wood writes and I loved the second installment of the Olivia Winter series. This book kept me on my toes the entire time. I loved the plot and enjoyed trying to figure out the serial killers code with Olivia. I cannot wait to read more in this series!

This is the second book in the Dr. Olivia Winger series and hell yes what a read it was, I didn’t think the first book could be beaten but this certainly did that and more. The pacing of the book was spot on feeding little bits of information making it so damn compulsive and difficult to put down but what I really loved the most was the cdde and I spent ages and ages trying to work it out needless to say I didn’t and wow it was clever and so satisfying when it was revealed.
The characters were all brilliant especially Olivia who I have come to really love and I’m so looking forward to the next in this wonderful series, I hope we won’t have to wait too long.
So a book I can’t fault it had everything you would want in a crime novel and one that will keep you guessing from beginning to end and if you want a gory serial killer then this is most definitely the book for you , thank you Michael Wood it was superb!
My thanks also to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

If Michael Wood writes a book I will be reading it. If Michael Wood writes a tweet I will be reading it. If Michael Wood shares his shopping list I will be reading it.

The only other authors I’ve read and consistently rated their books 5 stars are Agatha Christie and Chris Carter. I devoured this book and can’t wait to buy it on release day and read it again.

Forensic psychologist, Dr Olivia Winter is back in the second book in the series. This book can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading the first book as that is brilliant as well.

When the police pull over Isaac McFadden for a broken break light they find a dismembered body of a man in his boot. 9 months later, Isaac is sentenced and his daughter Eleanor finds a notebook written in code and possible trophies from other victims.

DI Linus Sutton travels to London to ask Olivia for her help decoding the notebook and identifying the victims and finding where they are buried.

Olivia, herself the daughter of a serial killer behind bars is keen to get involved travelling to the North East.

The book follows the Police investigation and Olivia working to figure out the code. Pages of the notebook are included between chapters and the code itself is really clever.

Whilst in the midst of this Olivia is also forced to face up to her past when the story of her father is made into a TV drama.


I absolutely love Olivia as a character and can’t wait to read more about her. She is a successful, independent woman but due to her past she struggles with intimacy and trust. Her sausage dog Stanley is probably the closest one to her. Whilst she struggles herself she is very good at helping other people with their problems. Overall she is a likeable character with depth and she feels like a real person.

The second book in the series and it had me trying to figure out the code. It did feel like 'only connect'. I didn't work it out.

I was kept guessing throughout and on the edge of my sear for most of it. It was everything and more.

I can't wait to read more from Michael

It seems strange to say but The Devils Code is a great read as long as you don’t mind gruesome serial killings, the story has you thinking all the way through as to how to crack the code and as always who the perpetrators are, cleverly written with strong characters Michael Wood has created a great series which I look forward to reading the next one.

When Isaac McFadden is found with the dismembered body of a young man in the boot of his car, he is promptly arrested and goes down the ‘No comment’ route.

After his sentencing, his daughter clears his house and finds a hidden diary all written in code.

DI Linus Sutton needs help and knows that Dr Olivia Winter is the best person to speak to, so he travels from Newcastle to London for her help.

Olivia is fascinated by the case and heads off to Newcastle to try and help.

When a body is discovered, the police need to work out if this is a copycat killer, or if Isaac McFadden is a serial killer. The code in the diary is their only hope of getting to the bottom of the case.

What a read this was, it chilled me to the bone, the darkness was intense and downright scary!

The code was cleverly done and I spent ages trying to figure it out myself, but to no avail.

I do wonder where the author gets his ideas from, they are well-thought-out, as well as a lot of research being needed. If the stories play on my mind, I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like to write them.

My thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.