Michael woods is one of the finest crime writers of recent years .this latest novel in the Olivia Winters saga had me on the edge. It's beautiful dark but gripping and a real page turner .
I couldn't put it down and was full of twists and surprises until the last chapter.
Definitely a recommended book for me .

Doctor Olivia Winter, forensic psychologist specialist in serial killers (and daughter of a serial killing father who also tried to kill her) is back to help with a new investigation in Newcastle. Issac McFadden is pulled over during a storm and the police find a dismembered body in his trunk. Is this his first kill? Or are there more victims to find?

PROS and CONS:
Doctor Olivia Winter is back in this sequel to Mind of a Murderer (fantastic book - I couldn’t read it fast enough!). This one, while still well written and definitely a thriller, is a bit slower than the last one. A code is discovered during the investigation, and figuring it out occupies many pages in this one - while interesting, it wasn’t quite as compelling as tracking a serial killer’s current movements, etc. Still enjoyed and can’t wait to read #3 when it comes out!

READ IT?
If you’re into graphic police investigations featuring serial killers, then this one’s for you!

4 Stars

1/3/24
It’s dreadful weather and Isaac McFadden is driving on the A1 in the North East listening to The Big O when he sees blue lights flashing behind him. Has he been speeding? Will he be over the limit? A fraught conversation ensues resulting in the officer realising Isaac does not want him to see what’s in his boot and Isaac appreciating that he shouldn’t have gone out tonight. The game is up.

14/12/24
At his trial, Isaac is inevitably found guilty. Has a serial killer in the making been foiled? Discoveries made by his daughter Eleanor suggests otherwise and she calls DI Linus Sutton who enlists forensic psychologist Dr Olivia Winter to interpret what has been unearthed. Olivia is a survivor, can her ‘luck’ hold? She’s looked evil in the eye and lived.

If you’ve read Michael Wood before, you’ll fully appreciate the anticipation of starting a new novel. I didn’t think he could better the Matilda Darke series which I love but I think he might have hit the jackpot again with this one. It grabs me right from the start, keeps my attention fully engaged and takes me on a dark, fast paced rollercoaster ride of twists, turns and shocks in another brilliant chiller of a thriller. There are so many layers to it as well as the obvious investigation pursued by DI Sutton, Olivia and very able assisted by DC Ryan Sweetland who I hope we meet again. There is a clever, devious, horrifying puzzle to crack that requires them to be at the top of their game and places them in great danger.

It’s very much character driven, obviously central is Olivia and I find her increasingly fascinating as the past very much impacts on her, she carries a great deal of pain and is permanently on her guard. Perhaps the only person she can fully relax with is her partner Sebastian Lister at the Behavioural Science Administration and I really like their relationship and the trust that lies between them. Stanley the dachshund is also very important in her life.

Another interesting layer is the impact and fallout of Isaac‘s crimes on his daughter Eleanor and how she handles this burden. Nobody knows how they would cope when placed in a terrible situation such as Eleanor finds herself in and she’s very conflicted.

I like the ‘true crime’ angle too which gives much food for thought and as this type of drama is becoming increasingly common on tv, the storyline here makes you think of its ramifications.

Overall, Michael Wood has knocked it out of St James Park and nicely set us up for Number 3. If you are a fan of mystery thrillers and haven’t read this author before, what are you waiting for?!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Dr Olivia Winter is a fascinating and complex character having survived the brutal murder of her mother and sister as a child, with the added twist the killer was her father. Her choice of career is understandable as she struggles to put the past behind her and move on in her own life. When Isaac McFadden is stopped and a dismembered body found in his carboot, she gets drawn in to assist the investigation.

As always with this author it’s beautifully written, very dark, taking you to places in your mind that you really don’t want to go but get drawn into regardless. To get into the mind of a serial must be intense and distressing but Michael Wood has done it so well, it’s a book that you don’t want to read late into the night but you find yourself pulled in nonetheless. Excellent read, very dark with surprising twists - can’t wait for,the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Devil’s Code by Michael Wood is book 2 in the Dr Olivia Winter series. It is published on 28 March. Thank you to One More Chapter, Netgalley and the author for the advance copy to review. Olivia Winter is a forensic psychologist, specialising in serial killers, having had personal experience with one. Isaac McFadden is pulled over by the police and they make a grizzly discovery. His daughter, Eleanor, finds evidence which leads to further investigations being made and DI Linus Sutton from Northumbria asks Olivia for help. This was a fascinating, gripping but chilling read, as we delve into the mind and behaviour of the serial killer, and the many mind games he plays. Olivia is obsessed with understanding the mind of a serial killer. Michael Wood is a great storyteller, and he carries you along totally caught up in the story. There is so much portrayed in this story. The complicated Olivia, the sad DI Linus Sutton, the twisted Isaac and the mystery that is Eleanor. An amazing read.

5 Stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The opening of this book is pure Michael Wood with his warped mind and clever sense of humour - I absolutely loved it!

This is the second in the Dr Olivia Winter series and in this book we find Olivia has been enlisted to help solve a code left behind by murderer Isaac McFadden. Because, if the code in the notebook is as it looks, then Isaac isn't just a murderer, he's a serial killer and the clock is ticking to find his other victims.

The Devil's Code is a classic 'race against time' thriller with many red herrings and clever diversions, there are always layers to Michael Wood's books and this one is no exception as there are several little side stories - mostly human interest - and these really bring the book to life.

It seems that Olivia has fast become a media darling, and is the tabloids wet dream of a news story - which is something that rankles McFadden's daughter who simply can't understand why she isn't worthy of the same attention. I found her to be a fascinating character and greatly enjoyed her growing frustrations with Olivia.

It seems there is peril around every corner for Olivia who has demons of her own to face along the way in her quest to unravel what could be a serial killer's code and there is many a tense moment within these pages.

Having spent so long writing the Matilda Darke series it must be hard to begin a new series and create a new police team to work on the cases but (even though I find her dog annoying...) Olivia and co are already beginning to feel like old friends. That said, if you haven't read the Matilda Darke series by the same author - then you should!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the second book about Olivia Winter. The story was cleverly developed as the book progressed. I enjoyed the relationship that developed between Olivia and Linus. I hope the character of Ryan is reintroduced in the next books as I feel he’s more to offer to help Olivia in the future.

I couldn’t wait to read this book after the first about Dr Olivia Winter and wow it was fantastic kept me reading right from the first page. In this case she has to find the code which the killer has left to find all the other bodies which is not an easy task.

As you are reading it you think you have it solved but you couldn’t be more wrong the ending is superb definitely recommend but make sure you get your jobs done before you start ireafing because there is no way you will be able to do any until the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC of this excellent book

The second book in the Dr Olivia Winter series has set the pace now! Olivia is called to assist in a suspected serial killer which brings her to Newcastle, can she break the code and confirm there are more victims when he won’t say anything to assist? This has me hooked and the book was a banger from start to finish! I hope this has the same staying power that the Matilda Darke series has as it’s one of my all time favourite series. I’m excited to see what book 3 holds. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

A chance Police stop during a storm uncovers a shocking murder - a dismembered body cut into ten pieces, on its way to being dumped. With the perpetrator charged and sentenced, all should be well - but the killer didn't start there. An impenetrable code is found - suggesting many many more victims are still out there, and there is only one person with the expertise to help the police solve this case - Dr Olivia Winter.

This is the second book in the Olivia Winter series and is another fantastic one! I really enjoyed the first (and the Matilda Darke series too) so was excited to read this one and it did not disappoint. Clever, heartbreaking and - in parts - very gruesome! 5*.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK One More Chapter for allowing me access to an ARC of The Devil's Code by Michael Wood. I was beyond excited to read this book after loving book one in the Dr Olivia Winter series.
I am a huge fan of Michael's Matilda Darke and standalone novels., having read all his published books, he is a brilliant author. You know what you are getting from his novels they are dark, complex and character driven.
In this series the main protagonist is Dr Olivia Winter a renowned Forensic Psychologist, an expert in the minds of serial killers. As the daughter and survivor of the serial killer Richard Button she is making it her life's work to understand what makes someone become a serial killer.
In this book DI Linus Sutton from Newcastle asks her to assist with the Issac McFadden case a killer who has recently been convicted of killing Sean Bridger after his car was routinely stopped and bags of body parts were discovered in his boot.
The book is fast paced with twists and turns, red herrings and occasional humour which leads you through this page turner to a tension filled conclusion.
Absolutely brilliant and nicely set up for book three.

This is book 2 in a series. I love the premise of Olivia be the daughter and survivor of a serial killer. Book 2 has Olivia aiding in an investigation once again and meeting new colleagues. Without giving too much away this was a new dimension for me regarding serial killer dynamics in method so not for the faint of heart be warned. I enjoy this writer and will continue to read this series I highly recommend him though the blood was a little much for me. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

Clearing out her father, a convicted murderer’s house, Eleanor finds a notebook and trophies. Written in code, but implying that he was a serial killer. Olivia is called in to assist the police. Slowly she and detectives Linus and Ryan attempt to decipher the code and find the victims.

This one was gory with twist after twist! I had an inkling of who might be involved, but it was still a shock to see it played out. This had me hooked throughout. I love the character of Olivia. Not only does she live her dog, but she is flawed and stronger for that. I really enjoyed reading this and look forward to the next one!

i quite liked this book its a clwver concept with the code and it made sense as it was being figured out 8 wanted to know what it all keant so kept reading it was gripping and intriguing but i just fealt it was missing something but i cant say what...

i like olivia and sebastian and i hope we read more of ryan and linus

the ending was good cant wait to read the next one

The Devil’s Code by Michael Wood is the second book in the Dr Olivia Winter series, she is a forensic psychologist. Olivia has another case to solve, another serial killer, he was stopped by the police one night and on examination of the car, a dismembered body is found in the trunk. His daughter finds evidence of further murders hidden in his bedroom, when she is trying to pack up the family home.
Olivia and Linus, the police officer in charge of the investigation in Newcastle try to break the code that was found and are able to find some more bodies that have been buried and dismembered. They cannot find a trace of the second murderer, until Olivia and the daughter return to her old family home and find one of the police team being dismembered on their arrival and find out who is the second killer.
An interesting, bloody and violent story by the author, who specialises in delving into the minds of killers.
Highly recommended

I always jump at the chance of reading one of Michael’s books as they are gritty and addictive. I enjoyed meeting Olivia again with her messed up mind and back ground and was very happy to read more about Stanley. The sub plot was very sad. The main story line was good and I did enjoy the book overall. Would definitely recommend.

Thank you to One more chapter and NetGalley for my advanced reading copy.

I’m a huge fan of Michael wood’s books. They veer towards the darker side of crime, but my god the author sure knows how’s capturing the readers’ attention from the off. You can read The Devil’s Code the second book in the series, as a standalone. But I would recommend you read both. The Devil’s Work is a dark, often brutal, gripping and unsettling psychological thriller that is nigh on impossible to put down.

The book follows forensic psychologist Dr. Olivia Winter as she faces her toughest challenge yet: deciphering a coded notebook linked to suspected serial killer Isaac McFadden, found with a body in his car. McFadden’s case grows increasingly complex as the notebooks suggest more victims.

Olivia, still haunted by Survivor guilt, faces her own vulnerabilities as she delves into the mind of the suspect. Her character brings emotional depth and resilience to the narrative, which is complimented by Michael Woods’ hallmark suspense. The coded notebook at the heart of the narrative adds a layer of mystery which I appreciated keeping the stake high and the tension palatable. It also gives the reader the opportunity to play an ‘arm chair’ sleuth and decipher the codes alongside Olivia.

Michael Wood cements his reputation as a master of crime fiction writing. He balances a gripping police procedure with the psychological exploration of a flawed and dangerous, manipulative serial killer’s mind. McFadden’s character actually gave me a couple of nightmares!!! And I call myself a hardened crime thriller reader. The pace is relentless, fuelled by unexpected twists and dark revelations. I absolutely loved The Devil’s Code, and this is a must read for fans who enjoy a dark crime thriller.

Boy this is dark! I have long maintained that Michael Wood is one of our finest crime writers and this just confirms it. His Matilda Darke series is stunning and this new strand promises much. Here we meet forensic psychologist Olivia Winter for the second time and this daughter of a serial killer has much to cope with in her private life while simultaneously helping the police in Newcastle. Absolutely enthralling!

Wow wow wow actually have chills !!
This was fantastic!!
Literally on the edge of my seat while reading this
I love Dr Olivia Winters and love how she works with different teams so we get to see more characters.
The case was truly shocking and gruesome
Michael wood’s just keeps writing better and better

This was so awesome. I was so excited to read this book and see what happens after book 1. I highly recommend this series and cannot wait for book 3.