Discover new kitchen selections
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
$3.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.

Audiobook Price: $17.46

Save: $9.97 (57%)

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Shantel Tessier
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Code of Silence: A Mafia Romance (The Dark Kingdom Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Shantel Tessier (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 15,019 ratings
AN AMAZON TOP 80 BESTSELLER

#1 BESTSELLER IN ORGANIZED CRIME

Dangerous and feared.

Those words describe my future husband. Who just so happens to also be my ex-boyfriend.

It’s complicated. Two years ago, he broke my heart when he left me to do his father’s bidding. After months of crying, I finally accepted he was gone and wasn’t going to look back. That maybe he’d never loved me at all. I never wanted to see Luca again.

Now a cruel twist of fate has signed me over to him in a heartless deal. I’m his. He thinks he did me a favor, but I feel like I’ve been given a death sentence. He doesn't want to get married because he still loves me. No, he did it for money. More power.

I’m going to be a mafia wife. And there’s only one way out of it. Death.

But as it turns out, someone else doesn’t want me to marry the ruthless Luca Bianchi. And if he has his way, I’ll see that early grave.

Due to mature content and themes this book is recommended for readers aged eighteen and over. Code of Silence is an arranged marriage and a complete standalone. This novel may contain triggers.
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 5
    The Dark Kingdom
  2. Print length
    247 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    January 13, 2020
  5. Grade level
    12 and up
  6. File size
    2.1 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 5 books in this series.

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
  3. Slaughter
    Kindle Edition
    $4.99
  8. Selfish (Selfish Series Book 1)
    Kindle Edition
    $3.99
  11. Den of VipersBest of #BookTok
    Kindle Edition
    $5.99
  19. Where's MollyBest of #BookTok
    Kindle Edition
    $2.99
  25. Chaotic
    Preorder
    Kindle Edition
    $4.99
Next page
Loading...
Popular Highlights in this book
What are popular highlights?
Previous page
  1. Another lie. I haven’t been with anyone else since her. And it’s going to stay that way.
    Highlighted by 1,631 Kindle readers
  2. She gives me a soft smile. “Luca was always supposed to be where you were.”
    Highlighted by 1,291 Kindle readers
  3. I lied to her. It’s easy to feed someone lies when you know they’re starving.
    Highlighted by 1,175 Kindle readers
Next page

Editorial Reviews

Review

  • "Deliciously dark and devious. This book is one of Shantel's finest works yet. Nite is mine!" - Author CoraLee June
  • "The writing was flawless, the story flowed smoothly and for someone who loves mafia romance, this one was bloody magnificent." - Bookish.owl26!
  • "My favorite Shantel book to date. A riveting story." - Author MA Foster
  • "A Mafia masterpiece that leaves you wanting a King of your own." - Author C.M. Radcliff
  • "HOLY HOTNESS!!!! Code of Silence is everything a mafia book should be! The men in this book are dark and twisted. These guys OWN what they are and make no apologies. I freaking love that."- The Masque Reader
  • "OMFG!!!! This book was so damn good!!!!!!! Luca and Haven my goodness!!! Typical Shantel to have you trying to figure what's next and with no clue on how things will turn out and it was just perfect!!!!!!!"- Tania's Book Blog
  • "Code of Silence is darker than her earlier work, but I love how Shantel makes you fall for the 'bad' guys."- Rita
  • "I've loved everything I've read from Shantel Tessier, and Code of Silence was no exception. And Mafia romance? Sign me up!"-Author Becca Steele
  • "What a freaking book! Shantel Tessier has done it again! Her mind is a wonderfully scary place I want to live inside. Code of Silence is absolutely flawless, and phenomenal!"- Ashley Estep The Art of Reading

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B083C3VKPW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amazon Digital Services
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 13, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.1 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 247 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 12 and up
  • Book 1 of 5 ‏ : ‎ The Dark Kingdom
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 15,019 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Shantel Tessier

Shantel Tessier

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Shantel is a USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author. Who lives in Oklahoma with her high school sweetheart, who is a wonderful, supportive husband. She loves to spend time cuddled up on the couch with a good book.

She considers herself extremely lucky to get to do what she loves while wearing pajamas. Going to concerts and the movies are just a few of her favorite things to do. Although she has a passion to write, her family is most important to her. She loves spending evenings at home with her family, watching Netflix.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
15,019 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers enjoy Luca and Haven's story in this Mafia romance, praising its excellent twists and turns and fast-paced narrative. They appreciate the character development, with one review highlighting the emotional connection between the characters, and find the writing slick and easy to read. The book receives positive feedback for its spicy mafia elements, though some find the pacing slow at the beginning. The descriptions receive mixed reviews, with several customers noting that explanations were cut short and the story felt incomplete.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

233 customers mention "Story quality"225 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the story of Luca and Haven, finding it astonishing and among their favorite Shantel books.

"...I am not going to spoil it, but it is ABSO-FREAKIN-LUTELY PERFECT! This book is Pure Pleasure. Dirty. Decadent. Devine. Provocative...." Read more

"I really enjoyed this book! I wanted to read this because I loved Ritual and wanted to try something new! I was not disappointed...." Read more

"good book but really expected more at the ending.. i’m sure it will be in one of the next books" Read more

"...just brushed by that could have been more developed but overall really solid." Read more

166 customers mention "Suspenseful"131 positive35 negative

Customers find the book suspenseful, describing it as a Mafia-style love story with excellent twists and turns and thrilling action.

"...You feel every ounce of pain, every slice of betrayal, secrets, lies, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat to find out what happened next...." Read more

"...Luca was 🥵 and I love the actually plot and twist and turns in the story. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series...." Read more

"...Code of Silence is such an amazing beginning to the Dark Kings. This book is a dark mafia romance that follows Luca and Haven...." Read more

"...I would definitely say this is the least dark (still a dark romance though) of her books I’ve read so far...." Read more

65 customers mention "Character development"53 positive12 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one noting the amazing emotional connection between them and another highlighting the strong heroine.

"...and twisted plots centered on romantic ideas with artfully developed main and secondary characters. This is a MUST READ!" Read more

"...But overall I loved the spice, the characters were all likable and you it really gives you enough to want to read each of their stories...." Read more

"...I loved that she was a kickin’ character and a risk taker and had no problem popping off at the mouth at Luca. She wasn’t going down without a fight...." Read more

"...I really loved all the characters in this book and can't wait to read more about them." Read more

51 customers mention "Writing quality"47 positive4 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as slick and easy to read, with a fast-paced story.

"...Shantel has a way with words that keeps you on the edge of your seat. If you like mafia, romance, and suspense this is a must read for you!" Read more

"...It was a quick and easy read with how fast the story moved along. Haven and Luca are perfect for each other...." Read more

"Loved this book it was a quick read for me" Read more

"Entertaining! Definitely a fast read!..." Read more

29 customers mention "Spice level"21 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the spice level of the book, particularly appreciating Luca and Haven's chemistry, with one customer describing him as a delicious dominating alpha.

"...But overall I loved the spice, the characters were all likable and you it really gives you enough to want to read each of their stories...." Read more

"...Luca is strait up licious!😋 Haven is gorgeous and sassy...." Read more

"...Spicy parts are limited with not much description. Cute vanilla romance book." Read more

"...’re coming here from ‘The Lords’ series, it’s not THAT 🌶️, but it does have spice...." Read more

25 customers mention "Storyline"25 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, finding it engaging from the first page, with one customer noting how it builds anticipation from book to book.

"...This dark suspenseful Mafia romance is sexy, appealing, engaging, and awe-inspiring...." Read more

"...Other than that, the storyline was great and I NEED Nites book! That man is a man of few words but dang I can’t wait to have a book about him!!..." Read more

"...But it did keep me on my toes, and I finished it in one sitting!! So that's got to count for something, yea?" Read more

"The story was short and sweet. Had a few curve balls and things happening that you have no idea about...." Read more

55 customers mention "Pacing"23 positive32 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some saying it kept them on their toes and others noting it started off slow.

"...loved how dark the novel was but the FMC was a little naive and slightly frustrating. Also the amount of times she said “Luca..” was a bit much...." Read more

"...dark suspenseful Mafia romance is sexy, appealing, engaging, and awe-inspiring...." Read more

"...There are scenes where there is no follow up/no point...." Read more

"...Nite is the major story you want from this book. Silent and deadly is what all of us book girls need to wet our curiosity...." Read more

Code of Lifelessness
3 out of 5 stars
Code of Lifelessness
⭐️⭐️.7️⃣5️⃣ The writing is good, at least. This makes the 2nd Shantel Tessier book I've been thoroughly disappointed in. There's no way around it, so I'll just say it... this book bored me out of my ever-lovin mind. So many words and hardly a shred of excitement. It's basic and dull. Man, I hate that it turned out to be a dud. The fmc is like a petulant child with too few braincells. The mmc is just a big pile of macho - lacking charisma. And that book cover, 🙅‍♀️. Nope! I love me a good ole hot man cover, but he does nothing for me. He almost looks like he's on the spectrum. I made it about 65% of the way through (page 235 of 312 pages) before I had to skim read the rest. I'm ticked off at myself for not throwing in the towel sooner so I could've already moved onto something else. It was just so darn lifeless!
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

  • Beauty95
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awe-inspiring!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    OMG! To say I love this story is an understatement! I am not going to spoil it, but it is ABSO-FREAKIN-LUTELY PERFECT! This book is Pure Pleasure. Dirty. Decadent. Devine. Provocative. Scintillating—sums up this book. This dark suspenseful Mafia romance is sexy, appealing, engaging, and awe-inspiring. It oozes with lust, desire, murder, mystery, and danger and drags you deep into its darkness, intrigue and suspense that is all rolled up into one deliciously dark and twisted package. I wasn’t expecting the turn this story took; it has quite an unexpected revelation that may leave you flabbergasted but it is jaw-dropping good! The author effortlessly transported me to the turbulent and violent life of the Mafia world (Bianchi family). Luca Bianchi is an enigma of a man who is the heir to Las Vegas Italian-American Mafia and he is very handsome, sexy, ruthless, cold-hearted, arrogant, dominant, violent, sweetly, contrite, and a notorious boss that no one says no to him and mess over any of his family and gets away with it! Luca can be the man of your dreams and nightmares all at once if he is crossed. The turbulent mystery of what happened two years ago when Luca left Haven to prove his worth and loyalty to his father to take over the Mafia business brings out the beast in Luca when he encounters his prey—Haven again. Luca is also best friends with the Dark Kings (Bones, Grave, Titan, and Cross). Haven soon starts to show Luciu what she is made of—she is a force to be reckoned with, but she is also the kind of woman Luca would go to war for and discard all the rules. Their contest of wills never waivers with their love/hate relationship. You feel every ounce of pain, every slice of betrayal, secrets, lies, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat to find out what happened next. The darkness inherited in the characters will make you afraid to turn the pages, but the sexiness of it all will assure that you do. As the secrets unfold, the masks that they hold in place slips off notwithstanding being tortured and broken—they seemed perfect for each other… until they weren’t. What happens next? Well, read this amazing story and find out—you won’t regret it! Shantel Tessier manages to weave dark and twisted plots centered on romantic ideas with artfully developed main and secondary characters. This is a MUST READ!
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 ⭐️
    Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book! I wanted to read this because I loved Ritual and wanted to try something new! I was not disappointed. I loved how dark the novel was but the FMC was a little naive and slightly frustrating. Also the amount of times she said “Luca..” was a bit much. But overall I loved the spice, the characters were all likable and you it really gives you enough to want to read each of their stories. Luca was 🥵 and I love the actually plot and twist and turns in the story. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Cheyenne
    3.0 out of 5 stars good book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    good book but really expected more at the ending.. i’m sure it will be in one of the next books
    Helpful
     Report
  • kayla
    5.0 out of 5 stars good book
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Read this in 1 day lol. Didn’t like how I didn’t get to see what happens after the ending .
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kayla Reid
    4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Introduction to the Dark Kingdom
    Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I'm really kicking myself in the butt for waiting so long to read the Dark Kingdom series. If you know me, then you know my obsession with Shantel and all things the LORDS and with all of the teasing about the next LORDS book, I knew I needed to read Dark Kingdom and I am so glad I started this series.

    Code of Silence is such an amazing beginning to the Dark Kings. This book is a dark mafia romance that follows Luca and Haven. Luca is an heir to a mafia empire and he is also best friends with all of the Kings (Bones, Titan, Grave and Cross). Haven and Luca dated in college and they are now in a contract marriage. But like is it really a contract if they both love each other? Now I will say there were moments in this book that made me want to scream at both Luca and Haven but at the end of the day I did love this book.

    If you have read the LORDS series then the Dark Kings are not new to you. I will say I am going into this series with a very different mindset because I have read the LORDS series and I am reading this series to find clues on the next book because of the crossover between these two worlds. And I am so excited to complete this series to see where things go!
    Helpful
     Report
  • Jessica Smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars a great read!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I was so excited to dive into the Kings books after reading madness and I absolutely devoured this book in less than 24 hours!
    Helpful
     Report
  • Legalese
    3.0 out of 5 stars Writing was good, Plot and Character Development meeeh
    Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    - FMC was so bratty and all over the place, just like the plot. She had no redeeming qualities and in the end I'm so bewildered why MMC loves her. FMC also puts herself in harm's way 2x. Very dumb. Worst kind of heroine imho.

    - There are scenes where there is no follow up/no point. Example, MMC takes away the FMC's phone cause she said she said she slept with other men (it was a lie). MMC makes a promise that if he discovers shems lying, there will be hell to pay. But he didn't punish her. They just--- left it like that.

    - After a heavy character introduction, Mateo the brother of MMC doesn't make a reappearance. Luca is running around with the Kings. Same with Luca's dad. Dude was built up as a villain who opposed the marriage between MMC and FMC but he does nothing to break that up.

    - A lot of the scenes made me go HUHHH?? See below the spoilers line for details

    SPOILERS. SPOILERS. SPOILERS.
    - FMC suggests to MMC to get married early so they can thwart the plans of the main villain. MMC reveals that they've been married all along. And the planned "wedding" was just going to be a formality. FMC goes ballistic, lashing out at MMC. Why tho? Girl literally suggested to do that a couple of lines ago.

    - Luca's aunt (A) was a mole against the Biancis and has been sleeping with the main villain. (MV). A confesses to MV that she went to the cops, which prompts MV to abandon her, ABANDON HER, because he knew she was about to be gunned by Biancis. Years later, MUCH LATER, MV starts picking fights with the Biancis and does a revenge plot cause he was mad the Biancis STOLE the aunt from him. Umm, brother literally abandoned her years ago, what?
    14 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Luisa Andrade
    5.0 out of 5 stars good
    Reviewed in Brazil on July 26, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I like it, it was good. Everything could be solved with a little bit of communication of both parts, but it was entertaining! I like it!!
    Report
  • Khushali Gajjar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining read with dark aspects & lots of action!!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    SPOILERS AHEAD **dark kingdom**

    Luca left Haven 2 years ago after lying to her about running away. When he returns & their families sign a contract for the marriage, Haven is understandably against it as she sees what Luca did as a betrayal. What follows is a timeline of what happened while they were apart and the present day as Haven accepts her fate as a mafia wife.

    I just finished reading Code of Silence having started yesterday, I do love mafia romances! First thing, my brain the entire time is like “are they going to do it yet?” Oh wait no, they’re just talking. 😂 especially after reading the Lords series where they do it at every possible moment, but the book kept me entertained & I love all the flashbacks which gave me their backstory plus that of the other characters too. I love Luca & Haven & hope to see them in other books in the series
    I am curious by Nite and Emilee’s story too! It definitely had more dark action than pure smut but I love it as that part of the story definitely kept me reading on!
    And Shantel always manages to add in twists unexpectedly which just make the story that much more perfect!
    Report
  • Dipika Singh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mafiosi Romance - 👍🏻
    Reviewed in India on May 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I am a fan of Shantel Tessier's work, but this one feels dragging beyond reasons. To make FMC strong, it made her head-butted and even acting weird at times. Knowing she comes from the mafia and knows the ways of that lifestyle, she still acts immature and is super rigid despite knowing Luca did everything to get married to her. I feel this was forced chemistry.
    Report
  • Kathryn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Drama, and spice
    Reviewed in Australia on February 3, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This was the novel that kept on giving. Arranged marriage isnt a favorite from the mafia troup, but this was arrange marriage with a twist. The suspense and drama kept me guessing, and I couldn't put it down. I love that when Shantel writes mafia, its actually mafia not just mafia adjacent. You get the gore, the combat, and the spice we have come to expect.
    Report
  • Kristina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it 😍
    Reviewed in Canada on May 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Absolutely amazing! I can't believe it took me so long to read it. Im totally not disappointed 'cause this book is hot 🥵 ..I mean great! Theres action, suspense, steam of course, hiliarious bff, family secrets and more. Can't wait to read whats next with these Kings.
    Must read this Now
    Enjoy 😏
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report