The Devil's Code

By: John Sandford

Narrated by: Frank Muller

Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's Summary

Before Lucas Davenport and the brilliant Prey novels, there was Kidd (artist, computer whiz, and professional criminal) and his sometimes partner/sometimes lover, LuEllen. The army left Kidd with a dislike for bureaucracy and the skills to do something about it, but it didn't prepare him for the day a woman would call and tell him his colleague Jack Morrison is dead. Jack was supposedly killed by a jittery security guard when he was caught raiding a company's files in the middle of the night, but that story just doesn't sit right with Kidd. The more he investigates the company and its ambitious owner, the more convinced he becomes that Jack stumbled onto something that got him murdered. And that unless he and LuEllen get to the bottom of it all quickly, the next bodies might very well be their own.

Saturated with the atmosphere, characters, and exceptional drama that have made John Sandford one of America's best-loved thriller writers, The Devil's Code is a masterpiece of suspense, a richly layered novel, filled with the unexpected. It is truly vintage Sandford.

©2000 John Sandford (P)2000 Putnam Berkley Audio, a member of Penguin Putnam Inc.

Critic Reviews

"The thriller, a high-tech suspense novel in which superior intelligence defeats money and power, is augmented by Frank Muller's flawless narration....Muller is particularly effective in distinguishing the voices and personalities of the characters, and gives each scene the drama it deserves." (Publishers Weekly)
"Kidd is a unique protagonist whose toughness is derived not from flashing fists or big guns but from superior intellect and moral certitude." (Booklist)

Sandford and Muller

This is early John Sandford and not as slick as his Lucas Davenport character, and thats both good and bad, I find it refreshing to see Sandford with a different main character and one that is different while at the same time shows the promise of the Davenport that is to come, the books moves quickly and smoothly into Sandfords world of not so nice people on both sides of the law. Also I love hearing Peter Mullers voice once again, among readers for me, Muller, Brick and Dale are in a league of their own and Mullers readings will greatly be missed. I give this audio book 4 stars for its storyline and narration, while holding back that 5th star only because it is rough around the edges compared to his new attempts, but i highly recommend it to all Sandford fans.

5 people found this helpful

Save your money

I bought this solely because it was performed by the late Frank Muller. Muller did his usual fine job, but it was not enough to rescue this tedious story. The computer code stuff left me cold, and the boy girl search team was trite. This is the only book read by Muller that I could not finish.

1 person found this helpful

Great Story

This is the first of the Kidd novels that I have listened to and I loved the story and the narration. Frank Muller does a great job voicing the characters.

Kidd is one of my favorite Characters

I love the entire Kidd series and wish Sandford would write more books in the series. I was happy to see Kidd make a cameo in the latest Prey book.

Wasn't what I expected, very disappointed

What would have made The Devil's Code better?

I couldn't even make it throught the 4th chapter. I would not keep my attention.

Would you ever listen to anything by John Sandford again?

If its anything like this book, NO.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Frank Muller?

No

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Devil's Code?

Could listen to eonough to answer this question. The book was too boring.

Any additional comments?

Not my type of book, very disappointed.

A Good Read

I am a John Sanford fan. I thoroughly enjoy his work. I've read a couple of his books with Alex Cross as the main character.
There were moments in this book, however, where my attention waned. I was occasionally a bit bored - but, all in all, I enjoyed listening to "The Devil's Code" - ridiculous music snippets aside.(What's up with that anyway?). Frank Muller is still one of my favorite narrators along with George Guidall. I agree with the other review - he will be sorely missed by me and, I am sure, a multitude of other listeners.

Good story poor narrator.

Could not stand narrator. Had trouble understanding who was talking. I will avoid all of Frank Muller's narrations.

Good Story; Terrible Narration

Pretty good technology thriller complete with hackers, slackers and thieves. But the narrator tries way to hard to sound like a tough guy with his "grovely whisper" - which makes it a hard listen. I did not finish listening to it, but I will buy the book. Thankfully the good folks at Audible.com re-credited my purchase.
I would suggest listening to the sample before purchasing. If you like the narrators style, then it's worthwhile.

2 people found this helpful