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The Devil's Code
DCI Matthew McCallum is a cultured copper, overseeing major crime for Police Scotland in Edinburgh and surrounding areas. A few months from retirement, he is hoping for a quieter life, but another case of murder hits his desk, closely followed by two more cases.
A man hanging in his house, a woman brutally stabbed to death and an arson attack on a community centre stretch his team to the limit. Devil symbology is left at each crime scene, leading them to conclude that they have a serial killer on their hands.
Just as the situation threatens to get out of control, they catch a break and apprehend a suspect. However, it soon becomes clear that the person they have in custody is only one small part of a dark and disturbing plan.
The killing doesn’t stop, leading Matthew and his team on a wild and frightening journey to discover the real reasons behind the murder spree.
Will Matthew be able to crack The Devil’s Code?
A man hanging in his house, a woman brutally stabbed to death and an arson attack on a community centre stretch his team to the limit. Devil symbology is left at each crime scene, leading them to conclude that they have a serial killer on their hands.
Just as the situation threatens to get out of control, they catch a break and apprehend a suspect. However, it soon becomes clear that the person they have in custody is only one small part of a dark and disturbing plan.
The killing doesn’t stop, leading Matthew and his team on a wild and frightening journey to discover the real reasons behind the murder spree.
Will Matthew be able to crack The Devil’s Code?
320 pages, Paperback
Published September 28, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 22, 2023
My last review before Christmas & what an excellent read. Scottish crime & devil worship make a fabulous combination.
DCI McCallum hopes things are winding down as he is on countdown to retirement. The phrase be careful what you wish for springs to mind. Three murders, all with devil symbology left at each crime scene, lead the team to believe they are on the hunt for a serial killer. They apprehend a suspect but the killing continues…
Taut writing but fast paced, my detecting brain was working overtime. Thank goodness it was a relatively short read as I’m not sure my heart could’ve taken much more. Recommended.
DCI McCallum hopes things are winding down as he is on countdown to retirement. The phrase be careful what you wish for springs to mind. Three murders, all with devil symbology left at each crime scene, lead the team to believe they are on the hunt for a serial killer. They apprehend a suspect but the killing continues…
Taut writing but fast paced, my detecting brain was working overtime. Thank goodness it was a relatively short read as I’m not sure my heart could’ve taken much more. Recommended.
September 27, 2023
I received a First Reader copy of this book via Troubador Publishing, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
In The Devil’s Code, we follow DCI McCallum as he tackles a case that proves itself to be more difficult than he originally thought. As an assumed Devil worshipper works his way through the nine circles of hell, DCI McCallum and his team find themselves a step behind all the way.
Going into this book, I expected your stereotypical murder mystery/detective thriller - I was very wrong! I enjoyed all the plot twists and turns, and it contained surprises I wouldn’t have seen coming from a mile away. I thought the plot was quite unique, and I have only read perhaps one book covering a few of the same topics before. I did, however, find it very difficult to get invested with the characters until perhaps the last third of the book. Whilst I did enjoy the storyline, the characters just weren’t developed enough for me personally. I would have liked to have gained a deeper insight into each character's life, instead of just small snippets of Joshua’s and Matthew McCallum’s. Saying this, I do think a part of the investment ‘problem’ with characters was that the book was written in 3rd person, whilst I usually read in 1st, and think this would have helped me understand the emotions of the characters.
At 313 pages, this took me just under 3 and a half hours to read. I will read books by Colin Wade in the future and can’t wait to see what he comes up with next. Thank you to Meera at Troubador Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book.
7/10
In The Devil’s Code, we follow DCI McCallum as he tackles a case that proves itself to be more difficult than he originally thought. As an assumed Devil worshipper works his way through the nine circles of hell, DCI McCallum and his team find themselves a step behind all the way.
Going into this book, I expected your stereotypical murder mystery/detective thriller - I was very wrong! I enjoyed all the plot twists and turns, and it contained surprises I wouldn’t have seen coming from a mile away. I thought the plot was quite unique, and I have only read perhaps one book covering a few of the same topics before. I did, however, find it very difficult to get invested with the characters until perhaps the last third of the book. Whilst I did enjoy the storyline, the characters just weren’t developed enough for me personally. I would have liked to have gained a deeper insight into each character's life, instead of just small snippets of Joshua’s and Matthew McCallum’s. Saying this, I do think a part of the investment ‘problem’ with characters was that the book was written in 3rd person, whilst I usually read in 1st, and think this would have helped me understand the emotions of the characters.
At 313 pages, this took me just under 3 and a half hours to read. I will read books by Colin Wade in the future and can’t wait to see what he comes up with next. Thank you to Meera at Troubador Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book.
7/10
November 7, 2023
Colin Wade has substantial gifts as a writer. Reading a new novel by him is always an absolute pleasure. His detective novels are more than a cut above the average thriller.
DCI Matthew McCallum is an extraordinary creation: a maverick, intellectual, flawed, vulnerable, but with layer-upon-layer of inner strength.
The plot is atmospheric and arresting with its dark complexities and pacy, inventive, assured crafting.
I can't help thinking that this novel with its evocation of Dante's Inferno would have been praised by Dorothy L. Sayers - the renowned crime writer and founder member of the Detection Club - who devoted the last twenty years of her life to its translation.
This is a scorching hot crime mystery tale executed with dexterity and deftness.
DCI Matthew McCallum is an extraordinary creation: a maverick, intellectual, flawed, vulnerable, but with layer-upon-layer of inner strength.
The plot is atmospheric and arresting with its dark complexities and pacy, inventive, assured crafting.
I can't help thinking that this novel with its evocation of Dante's Inferno would have been praised by Dorothy L. Sayers - the renowned crime writer and founder member of the Detection Club - who devoted the last twenty years of her life to its translation.
This is a scorching hot crime mystery tale executed with dexterity and deftness.
September 29, 2023
I really enjoyed The Devil's Code. A great British police procedural / detective story. I really hope there 'll be more to come.
DCI McCallum and his team come up against a truly twisted psychopath. With good detective work and a great team, they slowly but surely solve the case. Although, there's still a twist or three to keep things exciting! McCallum is a great character. He's human, he takes a lot of strain during the case, he gets grumpy and stubborn, but he's a good guy! I look forward to seeing his character develop further.
DCI McCallum is one of the better detective characters I've come across recently. There seems to be an awful trend of making detectives/PI's so flawed they become unlikeable. They seem to have some haunted past that affects every single case they work on, or they're popping pills or shots to the extent they can barely stand up. Yet, they have amazing flashes of brilliance which miraculously solves the case 10 pages before the end of the book with the reader none the wiser how they got there! That isn't the case with The Devil's Code. Good policework, diligence and persistence pay off. And the reader is along for the ride every step of the way.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
DCI McCallum and his team come up against a truly twisted psychopath. With good detective work and a great team, they slowly but surely solve the case. Although, there's still a twist or three to keep things exciting! McCallum is a great character. He's human, he takes a lot of strain during the case, he gets grumpy and stubborn, but he's a good guy! I look forward to seeing his character develop further.
DCI McCallum is one of the better detective characters I've come across recently. There seems to be an awful trend of making detectives/PI's so flawed they become unlikeable. They seem to have some haunted past that affects every single case they work on, or they're popping pills or shots to the extent they can barely stand up. Yet, they have amazing flashes of brilliance which miraculously solves the case 10 pages before the end of the book with the reader none the wiser how they got there! That isn't the case with The Devil's Code. Good policework, diligence and persistence pay off. And the reader is along for the ride every step of the way.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2024
A very entertaining thriller that I finished in a couple of days. I appreciate that it has a lot of chapters from the killer's point of view because I always like to read that in a book and in this case he was totally unhinged which is just what I like to read about with a serial killer, the violence never felt gratuitous and I loved all the literary references that were inspiring the murders, and the love hate relationship with his mother which gave the character a lot of depth. My only criticism would be that the ending felt slightly rushed and I would be interested to see more of the motivations of some of the people who were helping the killer and a bit more detail on , maybe I need to read that part again, but I did not fully understand. That said, it was incredibly entertaining and easy to read and I'll remember this book for a long time.
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September 20, 2025
I liked the book. I feel that it has enough gripping suspense and thrills to the plot. All the characters were introduced to the book with awesome detailed descriptions. The addition of their background stories was a bonus addition. I will say this.The book seems to much in a rush. Diving into the villain, if we could have more point of view narrative. Also if you can have the villain play out more with his or her prey. Maybe also have DCI Murphy sometimes in close capture of the suspect. Basically add more details of everything to the book. Except the CSI part of it. Having the Pathologistis’ great. Just add more realistic elements to the process of tracking down and pursuing a suspect. Also, the same could be said for the suspect. Add more narrative of what’s happening to the short chapters.
November 7, 2023
Colin Wade has substantial gifts as a writer. Reading a new novel by him is always an absolute pleasure. His detective novels are more than a cut above the average thriller.
DCI Matthew McCallum is an extraordinary creation: a maverick, intellectual, flawed, vulnerable, but with layer-upon-layer of inner strength.
The plot is atmospheric and arresting with its dark complexities and pacy, inventive, assured crafting.
I can't help thinking that this novel with its evocation of Dante's Inferno would have been praised by Dorothy L. Sayers - the renowned crime writer and founder member of the Detection Club - who devoted the last twenty years of her life to its translation.
This is a scorching hot crime mystery tale executed with dexterity and deftness.
DCI Matthew McCallum is an extraordinary creation: a maverick, intellectual, flawed, vulnerable, but with layer-upon-layer of inner strength.
The plot is atmospheric and arresting with its dark complexities and pacy, inventive, assured crafting.
I can't help thinking that this novel with its evocation of Dante's Inferno would have been praised by Dorothy L. Sayers - the renowned crime writer and founder member of the Detection Club - who devoted the last twenty years of her life to its translation.
This is a scorching hot crime mystery tale executed with dexterity and deftness.
November 26, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy. If you want a synopsis, click on the book.
This is an entertaining easy read with an unusual and unexpected ending. However, some of the characters and their relationships didn't gel for me. For example, the main character enjoys classical music, is best friends with a university professor and is meticulous and pedantic in his professional role. I don't see him using speech like 'gonna'. Also, his relationship with his immediate subordinate didn't feel right, changing from close to distant and back in a moment.
Nevertheless, as stated above, I found the book enjoyable.
This is an entertaining easy read with an unusual and unexpected ending. However, some of the characters and their relationships didn't gel for me. For example, the main character enjoys classical music, is best friends with a university professor and is meticulous and pedantic in his professional role. I don't see him using speech like 'gonna'. Also, his relationship with his immediate subordinate didn't feel right, changing from close to distant and back in a moment.
Nevertheless, as stated above, I found the book enjoyable.
November 14, 2023
This was a great spin on psychological thriller/crime thriller. Brutal, with devilishly good twists and turns. Wade takes the overwritten, basic bitch criminal drama and adds a flair of debauchery and occultism to boot. As other authors struggle to make their cookie cutter characters stand out in a genre that continually uses the bland "bad cop with a chip on the shoulder," Wade makes a cast of characters that are believable, unique, and sometimes utterly atrocious. I have to give credit where credit is due and this is one mean hell ride, with an extraordinary feeling of unease throughout.
October 4, 2023
This was a strange one. I started reading it and was thinking it was lightweight. The story didn’t dwell on detail, everything moved along at a rate of knots.. I had worked out a major theme in the plot about a quarter of the way through. I was tempted to give up. I persevered and found that the second half of the story was much better. I ended up ready the whole book in one day! The ending suggests that there is a possibility of a sequel. I will look out for more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and The Book Guild for a prepublication ebook in return for an honest review.
March 8, 2026
I just don't enjoy crime investigations 🤷🏻♀️
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews