The Killing Code

Beach & Riley

by Craig Hurren

The apparent suicide of Helen Benson, a cutting edge neuropsychiatrist with no reason to take her own life, raises suspicion with homicide detective Alan Beach. Intuition, combined with some unusual security footage, and the fact that the victim spoke the name of a notorious serial killer, Bryan Adler, with her dying breath, tell Beach her death was no suicide. Beach discovers a tenuous connection between Dr. Benson’s apparent suicide and the assassinations of a powerful US Congressman and a well known consumer rights advocate. As he struggles to uncover the truth, he’s being watched by a team of brutal mercenaries, who have been sent to permanently silence Beach, but before they can complete their mission, a mysterious and very dangerous figure intervenes. Together with Equilibrium, an enigmatic computer hacker, Beach and his new protector discover a dangerous conspiracy which runs far deeper than they could have imagined. The race is on to stop one of the most powerful business moguls in America from assuming the role of puppet-master over the entire nation.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery

258 pages, Paperback

First published February 14, 2013

About the author

Craig Hurren was the Chief Commercial Officer for a highly reputed clinical trials company, and spent many years as a sales & marketing manager and executive in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. He also has a background in commercial television and news production, and was a NAUI SCUBA diving instructor. A long held passion for thrillers by his favorite authors, such as: Campbell Armstrong, Clive Cussler, Vince Flynn, Michael Crichton, and others inspired him to write novels of his own. His use of clever plot twists, gritty imagery and crisp action sequences, reflect his interest in the thriller masters, and his knowledge of medical technology makes his stories relevant and realistic.

Reviews

[Anabelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two things I feel this book lacks: good story flow and interesting characterization. HOWEVER, there were enough exciting events in the plot to have me read it till the end - and, yes, enjoy it.

Slugging through the first half of the text was tedious. New characters entered and exited and none of them were very memorable - not even the main character, Alan Beach. He had an interesting background but I was hard-pressed to believe any of it. He's a widower who transferred to his current post because at his previous one he was ostracized by his peers for turning in his own partner. He also winds up being a loner at his new place because word of his taboo actions carries to his fellow detectives...

Okay. I get the whole sacred bond between partners thing. What I don't get is why this is such a terrible thing in Beach's case. The guy supposedly has a great track record. Wouldn't he have earned some respect for that at his old post? Why would his supposed comrades turn on him that badly? I feel like Alan's backstory wasn't explained well enough to cover all the questions I had about him, so my skepticism remained.

Sad to say I found this fault in most of the characters... but I do have a favorite: Mrs. Walker. She was funny in each one of her few appearances. I loved all the humorous little jabs at her status of "pants-wearer" in the family. I mean. Even Jake had something to say about it. That was fun.

I managed to appreciate the story better after Jake comes in, because with Jake comes all the action. As the plot involves a lot of science, some of the explanations that inevitably enter the story do get technical - but those are few and ignorable and the rest is easy to swallow. I'm no expert in those subjects so I didn't mind letting the book set down the rules.

On the ending: For all that he was a major player for half the book, I expected Jake to get a better send off. Would have liked to see a paragraph from his POV, even if it was just a short one.

Apart from that, YES BRIAN ADLER. He was an interesting villain. Nice tease into a possible sequel, I can already see all the things that will go wrong.

Final Verdict: As previously stated, the plot was enjoyable but I felt the story didn't flow as well as it could have.

[Dan Pollock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Craig Hurren makes a five-star debut with his techno-thriller, The Killing Code. A terrific book cover and an enthusiastic recommendation from an established thrillermeister, Jake Needham -- "great premise, deft plotting, and a rock-'em-sock-'em ending with a twist in the tail" - convinced me to give it a download. My small financial gamble paid off big time with several hours of pure escapist adventures. And these started fast, with a couple of shocking surprises in the first chapter--not just clever readers' hooks, but impossible happenings that launch a roller-coaster plotline full of violent surprises, all extrapolated from current bio-engineering (about which the author is clearly knowledgeable). But underlying the fantastic premise are dozens of rock-solid action sequences and fast-paced, yet detailed descriptions of Special Forces-type ops every bit as compelling as those of the late Vince Flynn. Can't wait for the sequel, The Killing Code 2, or whatever it's going to be called.

[Mat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not being a reader of fiction, I was at first 'not really interested' in picking up the book....I am so glad I did! The book for me was very well written and researched with interesting characters which kept me 'locked' in throughout.

I found myself picturing the scenes, in fact, for me, I could see the movie in my head!!

A brilliant read one of which I was surprised because I just do not read fiction. However, I couldn't put it down and have since, read it again!

Not wanting to keep this to myself, the book was soon passed around and all have reported the same, 'when is the next one out'!

Looking forward to the sequel...

[Geoff Hurren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is to report that “The Killing Code” is a first class read. Informative in several fields and an imaginative plot. The hero, detective Alan Beach, is well presented and his adventures most absorbing. By taking us with Alan Beach to places and characters touching on knowledge of such as pharmacology, computer science and gaming and even martial arts all wrapped up in a fast moving tale, author Craig Hurren leaves the reader feeling well served.
I recommend this one to thriller readers who like a clear writing style and a compelling and informative plot.

[Ray Hately · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike many more established authors who's "Thrillers" painstakingly crescendo to an all to obvious climax. A welcome refreshing change is provided by Mr Hurren. Not very often I come across a thriller where from the outset I am trying to read the words faster than my brain can process. A very well researched and intelligent novel which flows without being bogged down by jargon. I like the way the author subtly adds depth to the characters, characters I am beginning to miss already. Hats off to Mr Hurren here's looking forward to his next offering.

[Iain Whyley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Craig really surprised me. Killing Code was clearly well researched combining scientific fact with a sinister plot that twists and turns at a great pace.
One can clearly picture the scenes as you read a skill that most writers take years to develop.
Each chapter meshed well with the previous and the ending was gripping with a clear opening for a sequel.
Overall a great entertaining and sometimes educational read
Do yourself a favour
Five stars !

[Seumas Gallacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

...well-plotted debut thriller...

...compelling thriller,...loads of well-paced action... excellent unexpected twists... and a good, solid narrative bounces along admirably ... Hurren’s novel debut bodes well... enough police work and special forces mix to absorb the reader... most of all, credible, human characters with foibles and strengths... some heroes really are like the rest of us... thoroughly enjoyable read...

[Patrick G. Hultgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps One Predictably Entertained.

It's a cliche', but the plot of pursuing world domination is attractively clothed in the latest nanotechnologies of the mind and the fear of losing control of our "free" will. Craig Hurren, also creates credible rounded characters who kept my interest, even though they also seem too familiar. I think I've read too many books of this type, but I will continue to see how Hurren's stories evolve.

[Current Resident · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an exceptionally good read. The author has the knack of engaging the reader in the particularly well crafted and realistic characters. It's almost like I know some of the characters! Do yourselves a favor and set aside some quality time to enjoy this great read. I am eagerly awaiting the sequels. A thoroughly great read!

[Mike Welsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a real page turner - the plot is well thought through with lots of twist and turns, the characters are very lively and the story has a good pace, which keeps you reading page after page, unable to put it down. Craig Hurren is right up there with the established masters of the thriller genre. Can't wait for the sequel.

[Phoenix Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, thriller lovers. This one is hot! This exciting technothriller has top ranking on Amazon and over 50 reviews. I love thrillers, but this one was absolutely terrific. The characters, plotting and scenes are excellent. The techno research was so well done. Very believable. An exciting thrill ride!

Love,
Phoenix

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating read...

I love smart science and I really love when it involves the brain. This book gave me hope for future enhancement s that could do some real good in the world medically. With science growing at an exponential rate, if you can dream it, you can do it. This book was a one day read and I'm looking forward to more from this author. Enjoy.

[Mark Pemberton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read. A real page turner! The plot is well written with an unexpected climax at the end. Highly recommend this unique thriller involving the pharmaceutical world.
Can't wait for the sequel.

[Bluesrules95 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding achievement from a first time author. Craig Hurren writes endearing characters and his story line had such pace with unexpected twists and turns, it was a thrilling thriller to read. What will Special Agent Beach get up to next?

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the greats! I couldn't put it down. Loved the characters and the whole story. Well thought out and just enough technical details to make the story spellbinding. Intrigue, a little bit of romance, fastpaced. You need to read this book!

[Cathy Kelly]

Great book..can't wait for the next one!

[Mark Koller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Technical read but the author did the research. Very enjoyable read.

[Bill Gable · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Outstanding first effort and I look forward to the next!

[Tekerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two thumbs up! A captivating, intriguing, and thought-provoking story. Highly recommended.

[Nev Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent thriller.Well written and tense.

[Linda Sahlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary


The detail in this book was very good. It moved along nicely and kept the attention of the reader through the whole book.

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad read. Enjoyable reasonably paced, likeable characters you can get behind. Not so great that I would be compelled to read the remaining in the series, but not so bad that I wouldn't if they were free.🤷‍♂️

[Lynette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a lot of the reviews of this book and they are all raves. I just didn't find it all that super-duper. The overall plot was good and he obviously did a lot of good research. The connection between law enforcement, science and covert affairs was good. I just felt like the characters were all two dimensional. None of the folks ever felt fully fleshed out. So, though the plot was good, it all felt a little flat to me. If this is a genre that you really like, you won't be disappointed and I still really recommend it.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

What started out as an interesting concept and enjoyable read, quickly declined for me as the dialogue and circumstances withered away into rather cliche-ish dribble and mostly predictable outcomes. By the time the circular ending tried to pull off a twist, I had already lost interest and finished only out of commitment to the book.