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Joe Mason #2
The Demon Code
High in the Italian alps, cut off from the outside world, sits a chapel battered by winds and icy blizzards. The priests who guard this sacred place have sworn to protect the dangerous treasure that lies within their walls.
But when Joe Mason and his team are called to the remote church, they find its ancient stones reduced to rubble, the priests murdered in cold blood and their precious cargo stolen.
As Mason pursues the thieves across continents and dangerous waters, he wonders what incredible secret the priests laid down their lives for… And if he can recover it before it claims more innocent victims, and brings the downfall of civilisation as we know it…
But when Joe Mason and his team are called to the remote church, they find its ancient stones reduced to rubble, the priests murdered in cold blood and their precious cargo stolen.
As Mason pursues the thieves across continents and dangerous waters, he wonders what incredible secret the priests laid down their lives for… And if he can recover it before it claims more innocent victims, and brings the downfall of civilisation as we know it…
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2022
535 people are currently reading
350 people want to read
About the author
David Leadbeater
96 books1,102 followersInternational bestselling author of twenty one thrillers, thirteen in the Matt Drake Action/Adventure series, also The Disavowed and Alicia Myles series'. All available for the Amazon Kindle.
Website - www.davidleadbeater.com
Reader of multiple genres. Husband. Father of two beautiful girls, aged 5 and 7. Joss Whedon fan.
Website - www.davidleadbeater.com
Reader of multiple genres. Husband. Father of two beautiful girls, aged 5 and 7. Joss Whedon fan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
September 30, 2024
I eagerly rushed through Joe Mason book one, The Vatican Secret and so when book two appeared on Netgalley I just had to dive in. This time the body of Christ, a well kept secret by the church, has been taken alongside some artefacts and Joe and the team are contacted by Cardinal Vallini from the Vatican to locate the body, quietly, but there is no such thing when it comes to the team and the people desperate to stop them, including a hitman who has come out of retirement and takes great pleasure in killing anyone, including the innocent.
The book is fast paced and the intrigue flowed the more the team discovered. Again just like in the first book they are following clues and moving from place to place, always with an unwanted hit team to stop them on their tail.
I found the storyline a little harder to get into this time, part of me does wonder if that was due to reading it in ebook form rather than paperback like the first book, or maybe the plot didn't entirely grasp me. However, it certainly kept me reading and turning the pages.
I love the team and their dedication to the cause and to Sally. I also find the flip side of Marduk and the Amori intriguing, including their backstory and their backstabbing.
Overall, if you are looking for adventure, action, fight scenes, and thrilling moments then this is the book to pick up, though reading book one would be a good start first.
The book is fast paced and the intrigue flowed the more the team discovered. Again just like in the first book they are following clues and moving from place to place, always with an unwanted hit team to stop them on their tail.
I found the storyline a little harder to get into this time, part of me does wonder if that was due to reading it in ebook form rather than paperback like the first book, or maybe the plot didn't entirely grasp me. However, it certainly kept me reading and turning the pages.
I love the team and their dedication to the cause and to Sally. I also find the flip side of Marduk and the Amori intriguing, including their backstory and their backstabbing.
Overall, if you are looking for adventure, action, fight scenes, and thrilling moments then this is the book to pick up, though reading book one would be a good start first.
November 4, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another action packed and highly entertaining read in the Joe Mason series. We pick up from where we left off in book one and this time Joe and gang are trying to stop the Amori from getting their hands on something (I won't say what) that could destroy the Vatican and all they stand for. This type of read is like literary crack for me, so it is a no brainer that I enjoyed the heck out of it. If I had to be picky about anything, I will say it did drag a bit towards the end. That said, i cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in this series! 👍🏻👍🏻
**ARC Via NetGalley**
Another action packed and highly entertaining read in the Joe Mason series. We pick up from where we left off in book one and this time Joe and gang are trying to stop the Amori from getting their hands on something (I won't say what) that could destroy the Vatican and all they stand for. This type of read is like literary crack for me, so it is a no brainer that I enjoyed the heck out of it. If I had to be picky about anything, I will say it did drag a bit towards the end. That said, i cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in this series! 👍🏻👍🏻
**ARC Via NetGalley**
September 15, 2022
The second book in the Mason series. It follows very soon after the first book and there is one hell of a lot of recapping. to the extent, do i really need to read it. The action scenes are very well written but the rest seems like filler , not a great deal of plot. Although I can see, a lot of people enjoying it. However this type of book ha s been done a lot better by a few others, This was a new author to me and I will try a few of his other series, maybe a different book on a different day might work better.
Thank you for NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
Thank you for NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!
September 18, 2022
I loved The Vatican Secret so naturally I was super excited for the the next book in the series to be released. This book is just as fast paced and action packed as the first in the series, and it was lovely to see Joe back in action again with just as much detailed description that we’ve come to know. This book picks up where book one left off, and is a great set up for the next book. If you want an action packed series that leaves you on the edge of your seat then definitely check out this series.
Thank you to Avon for sending me a copy of this book.
Thank you to Avon for sending me a copy of this book.
September 15, 2022
This book was National Treasure meets The DaVinci Code.
I think Mason and his crew were like cats and used up several lives through out the book.
There were a few scenes of violence that I didn’t see the need for. It didn’t really tell us anything extra about the bad guys. It’s an action packed adventure.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
I think Mason and his crew were like cats and used up several lives through out the book.
There were a few scenes of violence that I didn’t see the need for. It didn’t really tell us anything extra about the bad guys. It’s an action packed adventure.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
October 7, 2022
The second book in the Joe Mason series by David Leadbeater is a continuation of the first episode and is remarkably appealing to readers who enjoy religious conspiracy thrillers. This book picks up straight from its prequel with Joe Mason and Roxy Banks being dismissed by their security firm for not following the right protocols. While they are attending the funeral of Sally Rusk’s father and planning a new chapter in their lives, they are contacted by Cardinal Vallini from the Vatican to assist in an important and secret mission.
High up in the Italian Alps in a secluded church tormented by snow and blizzards, the priests are guarding a dangerous treasure and secrets, which if revealed to the world would bring down a whole civilization and Christianity to its knees. A secret society called the Amori believed to have its origin in Babylon for over a thousand years before Christianity is planning a heist to steal the secrets and treasure from the church in the Italian Alps. To execute this nefarious plan, the head of Amori, Marduk has hired the world’s most nasty thief and killer, Cassadaga, his bloodthirsty girlfriend Ivana, and two other cold killers. Cardinal Vallini seeks help from Joe and his team to thwart this heist and prevent the well-guarded secret from falling into the wrong hands.
As Joe and his team reach the remote church, they are aghast at the site of the church that is nothing but rubble, the priests murdered in cold blood and the treasure stolen. A precarious car chase follows, but Cassadaga and his team make a daring escape. Cardinal Vallini informs them that all hopes are not lost since Amori’s holy book, Credo is secreted away somewhere on this planet since its origin and has since been moved around for generations. However, to this date, no one knows the exact location. Without this book in their hands, it is unlikely that the truth about Christianity and the deep secrets of the stolen treasure will be revealed to the world by the Amoris.
The problem is that when the book was moved from one location to another through millennia, there was only a cryptic clue, which when deciphered would lead them to the next location. All eyes turn to Sally, who is a student of history and ancient lingoes, to help untangle the clues. Joe preps a team of Roxy, Sally, Quaid, and Hassell to undertake this mission and is supervised by Vallini himself. However, unbeknownst to them, the Amori are covertly tracking their moments to stay ahead in this cat-and-mouse game. In solving these clues, with one leading to the other, Joe and the team are globetrotting from Alexandria to Italy’s sister structure of modern-day Coliseum, Jerusalem, Canterbury Cathedral, and Paris, thanks to Quaid’s partner, Anya who is a millionaire and owns a private jet. At each location, Joe and his team has to engage in firearm combats and face stiff resistance with some nail-biting action sequences from the Amoris trailing them.
Meanwhile, Cassadaga and Ivana are heading to the new secret HQ of the Amori, a desolate location on the east coast of Africa to help Marduk retain his deposed leadership position. The plot progresses at a breakneck speed from the very beginning and it intensifies as clues, one after the other are deciphered to arrive at the next location. Joe and the team are in a race against time, as Amori has begun their countdown to the global revelation that could bring down Christianity, and it must be stopped.
At times, it felt like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride, with many twists and turns that you will find on the ‘Snakes and Ladder board. The central theme of the story may not appeal to some as it revolves around religion, a very sensitive topic but when read as a fictional action thriller, it is well-written and superb. If you like books by Dan Brown and R.D. Shah, then this one is definitely for you. I am certainly looking forward to booking three in the series
High up in the Italian Alps in a secluded church tormented by snow and blizzards, the priests are guarding a dangerous treasure and secrets, which if revealed to the world would bring down a whole civilization and Christianity to its knees. A secret society called the Amori believed to have its origin in Babylon for over a thousand years before Christianity is planning a heist to steal the secrets and treasure from the church in the Italian Alps. To execute this nefarious plan, the head of Amori, Marduk has hired the world’s most nasty thief and killer, Cassadaga, his bloodthirsty girlfriend Ivana, and two other cold killers. Cardinal Vallini seeks help from Joe and his team to thwart this heist and prevent the well-guarded secret from falling into the wrong hands.
As Joe and his team reach the remote church, they are aghast at the site of the church that is nothing but rubble, the priests murdered in cold blood and the treasure stolen. A precarious car chase follows, but Cassadaga and his team make a daring escape. Cardinal Vallini informs them that all hopes are not lost since Amori’s holy book, Credo is secreted away somewhere on this planet since its origin and has since been moved around for generations. However, to this date, no one knows the exact location. Without this book in their hands, it is unlikely that the truth about Christianity and the deep secrets of the stolen treasure will be revealed to the world by the Amoris.
The problem is that when the book was moved from one location to another through millennia, there was only a cryptic clue, which when deciphered would lead them to the next location. All eyes turn to Sally, who is a student of history and ancient lingoes, to help untangle the clues. Joe preps a team of Roxy, Sally, Quaid, and Hassell to undertake this mission and is supervised by Vallini himself. However, unbeknownst to them, the Amori are covertly tracking their moments to stay ahead in this cat-and-mouse game. In solving these clues, with one leading to the other, Joe and the team are globetrotting from Alexandria to Italy’s sister structure of modern-day Coliseum, Jerusalem, Canterbury Cathedral, and Paris, thanks to Quaid’s partner, Anya who is a millionaire and owns a private jet. At each location, Joe and his team has to engage in firearm combats and face stiff resistance with some nail-biting action sequences from the Amoris trailing them.
Meanwhile, Cassadaga and Ivana are heading to the new secret HQ of the Amori, a desolate location on the east coast of Africa to help Marduk retain his deposed leadership position. The plot progresses at a breakneck speed from the very beginning and it intensifies as clues, one after the other are deciphered to arrive at the next location. Joe and the team are in a race against time, as Amori has begun their countdown to the global revelation that could bring down Christianity, and it must be stopped.
At times, it felt like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride, with many twists and turns that you will find on the ‘Snakes and Ladder board. The central theme of the story may not appeal to some as it revolves around religion, a very sensitive topic but when read as a fictional action thriller, it is well-written and superb. If you like books by Dan Brown and R.D. Shah, then this one is definitely for you. I am certainly looking forward to booking three in the series
March 11, 2023
This the second of the Joe Mason series was good as the first the two books reminded me of what would happen if Jack Reacher fell into a Dan Brown book definitely recommend this series
October 27, 2022
One of my favorite new series. Action, Catholic Church, good guys fight for the Church.
I am not sure David Leadbeater can write fast enough to suit me. 😄
I am not sure David Leadbeater can write fast enough to suit me. 😄
June 16, 2025
good read
A fast pacing adventure. Great characters, story line was exciting, love the history bought in. Looking forward to their next adventure
A fast pacing adventure. Great characters, story line was exciting, love the history bought in. Looking forward to their next adventure
August 12, 2022
Read via netgallery
The Demon code by David Leadbeater
2nd book in the Joe Manson series
4 paws (stars)
keywords- Action, war trauma, puzzles, clues, quest, religion
in short- A story that’s like a runaway train and doesn’t slow down even on the last page, action packed, full bodied tale with a great, engrossing quest. Although a new quest it is more like part 2 rather then completly fresh hunt but definitely set up perfectly for a whole new idea for further books.
Full review-
The Demon Code by David Leadbeater is the second book in his Joe mason series and only my second read book by him but I loved it.
This book started straight form where David's first book, Vatican secret finished with a time lapse of only three days, we quickly learn that even though what Joe and his ragtag, quickly put together team did something that benefited the world there was still negative, realistic consequences for their actions which causes Joe and Roxy to become fired from their jobs with the private security firm.
As the pair try to close this chapter of their life by attending the funeral of sally father who tragic death started their adventure with hidden religious artifacts. While paying their respects and catching up with everyone from their first quest they are quickly embroiled in another clue finding quest to stop another artifact bringing the church down and harming many innocents.
This book is just as action packed and fast pace as the first book while giving the audience a deeper look at each of the team and throwing in another cold killer baddie that I’m sure we the reader will be seeing again in further books. It was great seeing the team growing stronger together while learning more of the past that created their personalities and reactions to the situations they find themselves in. Another part of this book that I think will have the reader reeling and quickly getting through the pages is the shock surprises in the last couple.
Although I did enjoy the quest Joe and his team did go on it was very similar to the first quest but I did feel this set was done to bring the team in fully in terms of artifact hunting and to close the chapter on the first enemy of their team while introducing a new one.
Despite this book singing some familiar tunes, this story is fast, action filled with a deeper story of emotions while propelling the audience on a clue finding and puzzle breaking quest the reader wont be able to stop reading about. I am really looking forward to reading book three and working along side Joe and his team while they delve head first into more quests.
The Demon code by David Leadbeater
2nd book in the Joe Manson series
4 paws (stars)
keywords- Action, war trauma, puzzles, clues, quest, religion
in short- A story that’s like a runaway train and doesn’t slow down even on the last page, action packed, full bodied tale with a great, engrossing quest. Although a new quest it is more like part 2 rather then completly fresh hunt but definitely set up perfectly for a whole new idea for further books.
Full review-
The Demon Code by David Leadbeater is the second book in his Joe mason series and only my second read book by him but I loved it.
This book started straight form where David's first book, Vatican secret finished with a time lapse of only three days, we quickly learn that even though what Joe and his ragtag, quickly put together team did something that benefited the world there was still negative, realistic consequences for their actions which causes Joe and Roxy to become fired from their jobs with the private security firm.
As the pair try to close this chapter of their life by attending the funeral of sally father who tragic death started their adventure with hidden religious artifacts. While paying their respects and catching up with everyone from their first quest they are quickly embroiled in another clue finding quest to stop another artifact bringing the church down and harming many innocents.
This book is just as action packed and fast pace as the first book while giving the audience a deeper look at each of the team and throwing in another cold killer baddie that I’m sure we the reader will be seeing again in further books. It was great seeing the team growing stronger together while learning more of the past that created their personalities and reactions to the situations they find themselves in. Another part of this book that I think will have the reader reeling and quickly getting through the pages is the shock surprises in the last couple.
Although I did enjoy the quest Joe and his team did go on it was very similar to the first quest but I did feel this set was done to bring the team in fully in terms of artifact hunting and to close the chapter on the first enemy of their team while introducing a new one.
Despite this book singing some familiar tunes, this story is fast, action filled with a deeper story of emotions while propelling the audience on a clue finding and puzzle breaking quest the reader wont be able to stop reading about. I am really looking forward to reading book three and working along side Joe and his team while they delve head first into more quests.
August 26, 2022
Leaving Dan Brown in the dust, author David Leadbeater’s latest novel is a five-star turbo-charged, non-stop action thriller about the recovering of precious stolen cargo before it claims more innocent victims and brings the downfall of civilization.
Leadbeater will send you in hot pursuit alongside ex-MI5 operative, Joe Mason, and his team when they are called to an isolated chapel in the Italian alps and discover it in ruins, the priests murdered and the cargo stolen. Soon you’ll be globetrotting, in over your head in a conspiracy theory, sideswiping danger and following clues as the team battles members of the 4000-year-old secret society, the Amori. It reads like a movie reel, giving fight scenes and battles a blow-by-blow account and written with such vivid description that you’ll feel the breeze as the team rush past you. It’s fast-paced, action-filled and bloody. It’s also incredibly taut, only leaving room for you to be in the moment. The sense of urgency is forefront as is the sense of danger.
I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the team, see them gel, and reveal their personalities. I was left breathless, my heart pounding and eagerly awaiting book 3!
A fantastic follow-up from book one, this one is set just days following the harrowing chase in the previous book and needs to be on every thrill seeker’s reading list.
Leadbeater will send you in hot pursuit alongside ex-MI5 operative, Joe Mason, and his team when they are called to an isolated chapel in the Italian alps and discover it in ruins, the priests murdered and the cargo stolen. Soon you’ll be globetrotting, in over your head in a conspiracy theory, sideswiping danger and following clues as the team battles members of the 4000-year-old secret society, the Amori. It reads like a movie reel, giving fight scenes and battles a blow-by-blow account and written with such vivid description that you’ll feel the breeze as the team rush past you. It’s fast-paced, action-filled and bloody. It’s also incredibly taut, only leaving room for you to be in the moment. The sense of urgency is forefront as is the sense of danger.
I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the team, see them gel, and reveal their personalities. I was left breathless, my heart pounding and eagerly awaiting book 3!
A fantastic follow-up from book one, this one is set just days following the harrowing chase in the previous book and needs to be on every thrill seeker’s reading list.
September 2, 2022
Following quickly on the heels of The Vatican Secret, The Demon Code is another rip roaring adventure that begins high in the snow covered Italian Alps. I sat reading the opening chapters in disbelief and couldn't quite come to terms with how far the thieves would go to collect the treasure.
Very violent in parts which left very little to the imagination, The Demon Code is a fabulous page turner as we follow Mason and his team's attempts to restore the balance of power between good and evil. A cross between The DaVinci Code, Indiana Jones and National Treasure it's such an entertaining and fast paced read. One of the things I really enjoyed above all else was the new team's developing chemistry.
I can't wait for the next installment!
Very violent in parts which left very little to the imagination, The Demon Code is a fabulous page turner as we follow Mason and his team's attempts to restore the balance of power between good and evil. A cross between The DaVinci Code, Indiana Jones and National Treasure it's such an entertaining and fast paced read. One of the things I really enjoyed above all else was the new team's developing chemistry.
I can't wait for the next installment!
January 21, 2023
I've never read anything as far fetched as this nonsense.
I suppose it's just luck that all of the group were not only immortal but worked out the meanings and locations of the inscriptions correctly within 30 minutes every single time without sleeping? Amazing.
I suppose it's just luck that all of the group were not only immortal but worked out the meanings and locations of the inscriptions correctly within 30 minutes every single time without sleeping? Amazing.
September 26, 2022
My thanks to Avon Books U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Demon Code’ by David Leadbeater.
This is Book 2 in his Joe Mason series of action adventures with a religious conspiracy theme. While I hadn’t read Book 1, ‘The Vatican Secret’, the author provides a comprehensive recap.
As for its plot, avoiding spoilers: the Amori, a group of violent Illuminati types, are intending to destroy the reputation of the Catholic Church and discredit Christianity as a whole by revealing the Vatican’s greatest secret. Opposing them is a small group led by former MI5 operative turned security expert, Joe Mason.
After the events of Book 1, Mason is contacted by the Vatican and asked that he and his select team prevent the Amori from stealing something very secret (no spoilers) hidden in a remote alpine monastery protected by monks. However, they arrive too late. No details were spared regarding the Amori raid and the fate of said monks.
Mason and company are quickly on the trail of the baddies to retrieve said treasure. Later their quest is expanded to locate a demonic book titled ‘The Creed’. Still, somehow the baddies were always one step ahead of them. The body count of baddie mercenaries along with collateral damage was high.
This race against time given the Amori’s countdown to the worldwide reveal pretty much continued all the way through the novel. It was high octane action but so frenetic..
Somehow Mason and team managed to quip their way through one dangerous situation after another. On this tendency he reflects “the best way to handle danger, death and trauma was by remaining upbeat through camaraderie and bad jokes.” Well, there certainly was plenty of all these things.
I will admit that the central premise of the Vatican’s bombshell secret made little sense to me. I also found the level of ultra violence off putting.
Clearly, given the high ratings, ‘The Demon Code’ appeals to plenty of readers but it just wasn’t my cup of tea when it comes to religious conspiracy thrillers. I was left unengaged and felt little connection to its plot and characters.
This is Book 2 in his Joe Mason series of action adventures with a religious conspiracy theme. While I hadn’t read Book 1, ‘The Vatican Secret’, the author provides a comprehensive recap.
As for its plot, avoiding spoilers: the Amori, a group of violent Illuminati types, are intending to destroy the reputation of the Catholic Church and discredit Christianity as a whole by revealing the Vatican’s greatest secret. Opposing them is a small group led by former MI5 operative turned security expert, Joe Mason.
After the events of Book 1, Mason is contacted by the Vatican and asked that he and his select team prevent the Amori from stealing something very secret (no spoilers) hidden in a remote alpine monastery protected by monks. However, they arrive too late. No details were spared regarding the Amori raid and the fate of said monks.
Mason and company are quickly on the trail of the baddies to retrieve said treasure. Later their quest is expanded to locate a demonic book titled ‘The Creed’. Still, somehow the baddies were always one step ahead of them. The body count of baddie mercenaries along with collateral damage was high.
This race against time given the Amori’s countdown to the worldwide reveal pretty much continued all the way through the novel. It was high octane action but so frenetic..
Somehow Mason and team managed to quip their way through one dangerous situation after another. On this tendency he reflects “the best way to handle danger, death and trauma was by remaining upbeat through camaraderie and bad jokes.” Well, there certainly was plenty of all these things.
I will admit that the central premise of the Vatican’s bombshell secret made little sense to me. I also found the level of ultra violence off putting.
Clearly, given the high ratings, ‘The Demon Code’ appeals to plenty of readers but it just wasn’t my cup of tea when it comes to religious conspiracy thrillers. I was left unengaged and felt little connection to its plot and characters.
May 23, 2022
5 stars
Joe Mason and his partner, Roxy have been fired by Patricia the head of the protection company for which they worked for not following protocols on their last mission. What are they to do now?
When Sally Rusk invites them to her father’s funeral, the whole team goes, including Quaid and Hassell. Interestingly enough, they are contacted by Cardinal Vallini, who appeared in the last book. He has a problem. The Vatican is up in arms and hobbled by politics. There is a plot afoot to steal the bones of Christ that is secreted away in an isolated monastery high in the Alps.
The problem is when the team arrives, they are already too late. Someone has killed all the priests and made off with the sarcophagus and the associated relics.
Cardinal Vallini then tells them that a valuable codex was also stolen. They must get this item back.
Enter Marduk, the very evil man from the first novel. He is no longer the leader of the Amori. He was demoted after the fiasco over the Amori losing the Book of Secrets to Joe’s team. Marduk absolutely hates the man now in charge and plans to bring him down.
Casadaga and his sidekick Ivana are a very evil pair of killers. They kill for the fun of it. They are now working for the Amori.
Mason and his team now face these seemingly insurmountable odds. What will be the outcome?
This exciting action-thriller is superb. It is well written and plotted and the action never stops. Mason’s team might look a little wishy-washy, but they are anything but. I like Mason and Roxy certainly grows on you. Quaid, Hassell and Sally all add their unique skills to the story. I truly enjoy Mr. Leadbeater’s stories, and anxiously await the next in the series.
I want to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK/Avon for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
Joe Mason and his partner, Roxy have been fired by Patricia the head of the protection company for which they worked for not following protocols on their last mission. What are they to do now?
When Sally Rusk invites them to her father’s funeral, the whole team goes, including Quaid and Hassell. Interestingly enough, they are contacted by Cardinal Vallini, who appeared in the last book. He has a problem. The Vatican is up in arms and hobbled by politics. There is a plot afoot to steal the bones of Christ that is secreted away in an isolated monastery high in the Alps.
The problem is when the team arrives, they are already too late. Someone has killed all the priests and made off with the sarcophagus and the associated relics.
Cardinal Vallini then tells them that a valuable codex was also stolen. They must get this item back.
Enter Marduk, the very evil man from the first novel. He is no longer the leader of the Amori. He was demoted after the fiasco over the Amori losing the Book of Secrets to Joe’s team. Marduk absolutely hates the man now in charge and plans to bring him down.
Casadaga and his sidekick Ivana are a very evil pair of killers. They kill for the fun of it. They are now working for the Amori.
Mason and his team now face these seemingly insurmountable odds. What will be the outcome?
This exciting action-thriller is superb. It is well written and plotted and the action never stops. Mason’s team might look a little wishy-washy, but they are anything but. I like Mason and Roxy certainly grows on you. Quaid, Hassell and Sally all add their unique skills to the story. I truly enjoy Mr. Leadbeater’s stories, and anxiously await the next in the series.
I want to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK/Avon for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
February 10, 2023
The Demon Code picks up the story where The Vatican Secret left off, with Joe Mason and his team once again trying to prevent the Amori from destroying the reputation of the Catholic church.
As they travel around the world, searching for clues that will lead them to The Creed, they constantly find themselves under attack. The Amori have people loyal to them embedded in all the law enforcement agencies, tentacles everywhere, just like in the Bond films, which makes it very hard to stay one step ahead.
The characters are well drawn and believable, with Joe, Roxy, Hassell, Quaid and Sally all bringing different skills that make the team function as an effective unit. We get to know them better in this second outing. I also enjoyed the clue-solving element of the story that involved them travelling here, there and everywhere (without ever seeming to get any sleep). I was not so keen on the religious theme and tended to skip over the detail. With this in mind, I am not sure I want to carry on with this series which is a shame as they are well written and I really like the characters. I may try one of David Leadbeater’s other series instead.
Although the author fills in the gaps, I recommend you read The Vatican Secret first as that would help you to better understand the story. Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
As they travel around the world, searching for clues that will lead them to The Creed, they constantly find themselves under attack. The Amori have people loyal to them embedded in all the law enforcement agencies, tentacles everywhere, just like in the Bond films, which makes it very hard to stay one step ahead.
The characters are well drawn and believable, with Joe, Roxy, Hassell, Quaid and Sally all bringing different skills that make the team function as an effective unit. We get to know them better in this second outing. I also enjoyed the clue-solving element of the story that involved them travelling here, there and everywhere (without ever seeming to get any sleep). I was not so keen on the religious theme and tended to skip over the detail. With this in mind, I am not sure I want to carry on with this series which is a shame as they are well written and I really like the characters. I may try one of David Leadbeater’s other series instead.
Although the author fills in the gaps, I recommend you read The Vatican Secret first as that would help you to better understand the story. Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
July 4, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
I have enjoyed books by Dan Brown with their thrilling chases in search of mysterious items against a background of religious beliefs and facts and it seemed that this book is written in a similar vein. I have not read the first book in the series, and was disappointed to read so many references to events and behaviours in the past which were not fully explained, it seemed I had missed out huge chunks of meaning. There were irritating abbreviations such as 'mercs' instead of mercenaries and words which were a poor choice such as the reference to a burial niche - a niche is a recess, not an opening / entry point. Inaccuracies included mention of the Professor's gravestone at his funeral but a gravestone is not laid for several months, until after the grave has settled. Partway through the 'secret' is being explained but we are told many people studied the information - how secret was it supposed to be?
I appreciate the need to provide detail for characterisation but the excessive gratuitous violence used by Daga and Ivana did not need to be described so vividly.
I gave up reading this just under halfway through, and wouldn't read any more of this author's books.
I have enjoyed books by Dan Brown with their thrilling chases in search of mysterious items against a background of religious beliefs and facts and it seemed that this book is written in a similar vein. I have not read the first book in the series, and was disappointed to read so many references to events and behaviours in the past which were not fully explained, it seemed I had missed out huge chunks of meaning. There were irritating abbreviations such as 'mercs' instead of mercenaries and words which were a poor choice such as the reference to a burial niche - a niche is a recess, not an opening / entry point. Inaccuracies included mention of the Professor's gravestone at his funeral but a gravestone is not laid for several months, until after the grave has settled. Partway through the 'secret' is being explained but we are told many people studied the information - how secret was it supposed to be?
I appreciate the need to provide detail for characterisation but the excessive gratuitous violence used by Daga and Ivana did not need to be described so vividly.
I gave up reading this just under halfway through, and wouldn't read any more of this author's books.
November 9, 2022
The Demon Code - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Book 2 in David Leadbeater's fantastic new Joe Mason action-thriller series is The Demon Code.
The life-changing, Apocalyptic eponymous Code is hidden, (Dan Brown/The DaVinci Code-style) in a codex, stolen by Joe and his team's - Sally, Quaid, Hassell and Roxy - Nemeses, the evil Amori.
Joe et al are approached by Cardinal Vallini to recover the codex and save the world.
But who's the turncoat with a hidden agenda who gets secretly involved with the mission?
Can the team triumph over adversity to finish their quest in one piece?
To find out, you know what to do - buy a copy today - and tell all your friends!
Book 2 in David Leadbeater's fantastic new Joe Mason action-thriller series is The Demon Code.
The life-changing, Apocalyptic eponymous Code is hidden, (Dan Brown/The DaVinci Code-style) in a codex, stolen by Joe and his team's - Sally, Quaid, Hassell and Roxy - Nemeses, the evil Amori.
Joe et al are approached by Cardinal Vallini to recover the codex and save the world.
But who's the turncoat with a hidden agenda who gets secretly involved with the mission?
Can the team triumph over adversity to finish their quest in one piece?
To find out, you know what to do - buy a copy today - and tell all your friends!
January 1, 2023
Having thoroughly enjoyed the first Joe Mason thriller, I was excited for this and man, it did not disappoint. Following on from the themes of the first book, this ramped up the action, suspense and intrigue. Add in the building of a fascinating team of characters and establishing a real threat, there is a lot of potential for this series to roll on.
If an action-packed, sucker punch of a novel is what you’re looking for then you’ve found it. What a start to the year!
If an action-packed, sucker punch of a novel is what you’re looking for then you’ve found it. What a start to the year!
January 19, 2024
Well-written adventure
For some reason I don’t really recall at the moment, I recently went back and did a quick read through a few pages of David Leadbeater’s first books in the Matt Drake series. He has gotten a lot better. A lot.
As a writer myself, I can appreciate his growth and the leap forward he has made in his writing ability.
The Demon Code was fun and another page- turner. I enjoyed it very much, and look forward to the next book in the series.
For some reason I don’t really recall at the moment, I recently went back and did a quick read through a few pages of David Leadbeater’s first books in the Matt Drake series. He has gotten a lot better. A lot.
As a writer myself, I can appreciate his growth and the leap forward he has made in his writing ability.
The Demon Code was fun and another page- turner. I enjoyed it very much, and look forward to the next book in the series.
January 23, 2025
“It all went back to Mosul”, good grief. The first 2 books constantly…..
It’s one thing to build a back story, but this author doesn’t know when to quit. For the first two books I had to fast forward past the constant Mosul, Mosul, Mosul, Mosul, oh woe is me, which had little to do with the story. David, build a back story but don’t force it into every few pages for several books. I won’t be reading another.
It’s one thing to build a back story, but this author doesn’t know when to quit. For the first two books I had to fast forward past the constant Mosul, Mosul, Mosul, Mosul, oh woe is me, which had little to do with the story. David, build a back story but don’t force it into every few pages for several books. I won’t be reading another.
November 5, 2022
Brilliant plot
I've just read Vatican Secret and the Demon Code in just a few days having read the 1st and found it an intriguing story line that kept my interest I was delighted to find the Demon Code was equally riveting, it was interesting to see how the characters developed across the two books.
I've just read Vatican Secret and the Demon Code in just a few days having read the 1st and found it an intriguing story line that kept my interest I was delighted to find the Demon Code was equally riveting, it was interesting to see how the characters developed across the two books.
November 18, 2022
Fast Paced, Enjoyable
In amongst the more serious books I like some escapism and this series, although only two books so far, gives it in spades.
Fast paced, relentless action from cover to cover, good characters and a good storyline make for an enjoyable read.
Looking forward to #3
In amongst the more serious books I like some escapism and this series, although only two books so far, gives it in spades.
Fast paced, relentless action from cover to cover, good characters and a good storyline make for an enjoyable read.
Looking forward to #3
April 2, 2023
Another wild adventure with Joe Mason and his team of misfits. Something important is stolen from a church and the Vatican needs Joe and friends to try to recover the stolen item. Like the last book, as clues are presented it seems the other side is right there to cause problems. The group becomes a real team in this book.
April 13, 2023
It was a good book, fast read, lots going on and I like the team that has formed in the first book and bonded even more in the second. But I did miss more information about the clues they where after and how they solved them, what they meant and in the end what happened to the history they uncovered.
May 21, 2023
Excellent storyline following Joe Mason and his team.
Another situation where Joe and the team finds themselves up against the Amori and all their followers who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets and ultimately bring Christianity and it's followers to an end,but they didn't take into account the professionalism and dedication of Joe and the team to stop them.
Another situation where Joe and the team finds themselves up against the Amori and all their followers who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets and ultimately bring Christianity and it's followers to an end,but they didn't take into account the professionalism and dedication of Joe and the team to stop them.
July 28, 2023
Fans of Dan Brown or Indiana Jones will enjoy this series. Characters are developing from the first book and they now know what they are doing. The basis of the plot is around a secret which will devastate the Christian world. The Vatican is up against an ancient organisation determined to reveal the secret. Fast paced, bloody and high body count!
May 20, 2025
Disappointing. Felt like the author has picked half a dozen famous monuments and tried to think of ways to ger characters to visit them with Cryptic clues. Basic plot....rock up at a monument...find the clue... fight the bad guys (who always seem to get there at the same time) ....escape.....solve the clue ....next monument. etc etc through the whole book.
August 16, 2025
Very fast paced - bit too fast in places as it sometimes reads like you are on a switchback ride! Jumping from action in one country to another in seconds . Covering what could be, for some people, a delicate subject if you have a belief system (no spoiler!) Would make a good film - James Bond type!!
October 28, 2022
More of this please.
This was a great tale that never slowed down. The story was well constructed and the characters were relatable. And as always reconciliation was satusfyimg. Bring the next one.
This was a great tale that never slowed down. The story was well constructed and the characters were relatable. And as always reconciliation was satusfyimg. Bring the next one.
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