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The Killing Code: A Scottish Detective Mystery (DCI Logan Crime Thrillers Book 3) Kindle Edition

4.5 out of 5 stars 27,164 ratings

How do you catch a killer who doesn't exist?

After twenty years on the force, Detective Chief Inspector Jack Logan thinks he has seen it all.

He is wrong.

When a nurse is murdered on her way home from nightshift, Jack and his team go on the hunt for her killer.

As more victims are uncovered, Jack finds himself tracking a murderer afflicted by a unique psychosis - one that leaves him free to maim and kill without a shred of guilt or remorse.

Facing a new type of killer in an unfamiliar city, DCI Jack Logan is about to be pushed to his limits by an enemy he cannot hope to understand.

The Killing Code is the third DCI Jack Logan crime thriller, and perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Chris Brookmyre, and LJ Ross.
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07TJWWMZG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zertex Crime
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 31, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.3 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 354 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 3 of 21 ‏ : ‎ DCI Logan Crime Thrillers
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 27,164 ratings

About the author

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JD Kirk
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JD Kirk lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and a number of sturdy umbrellas. He also doesn't exist. JD is, in fact, the pen name of award-winning author, comic book writer and screenwriter, Barry Hutchison, who also, coincidentally, lives in the Highlands with his wife, two children, and the aforementioned umbrellas.

He has no idea what the 'JD' bit stands for.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
27,164 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's plot engaging and suspenseful, with well-developed characters and excellent narration. Moreover, the series improves with each book, and customers describe it as a brilliant, fast-paced read that keeps them guessing.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

59 customers mention "Plot"50 positive9 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, describing it as suspenseful and fantastic, with one customer noting its simple yet engaging mystery elements.

"...This killer is cunning, bold, fast, and very smart...." Read more

"I would recommend. Storyline and action lines very plausible. Good character development so far. Plan to continue on with the rest of the series." Read more

"...Kept me up way past my bedtime reading just one more page. Like the plots, style of writing, just everything about this series...." Read more

"I like the characters and the mysteries. The clues are fair enough that I can guess the bad guys. But the author must not like Harris...." Read more

52 customers mention "Readability"52 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a great page turner that gets better with each book in the series.

"...A Killing Code, that DCI Jack Logan must solve! Great book, that as the chapters pass, you follow along with the Detective as he solves the crime." Read more

"Oh my gosh! This series has me hooked! Love the main character Jack and all the rest of the group...." Read more

"This entire series so far has been a total page turner, can't get enough of Jack Logan and co workers! Always a shock and surprise!!" Read more

"...It is a great read with more than a tinge of horror." Read more

36 customers mention "Character development"33 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book, with one customer noting that they are easy to connect with and follow.

"...Storyline and action lines very plausible. Good character development so far. Plan to continue on with the rest of the series." Read more

"Oh my gosh! This series has me hooked! Love the main character Jack and all the rest of the group...." Read more

"I like the characters and the mysteries. The clues are fair enough that I can guess the bad guys. But the author must not like Harris...." Read more

"...The characters are well developed, if somewhat derivative of other mystery series, the tough but flawed DCI, the unsympathetic boss, the youngsters..." Read more

20 customers mention "Writing quality"20 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its excellent narration and tight structure, with one customer highlighting the author's quirky Scottish humor.

"...This killer is cunning, bold, fast, and very smart...." Read more

"...Like the plots, style of writing, just everything about this series. Keep Jack and his crew coming." Read more

"...Kirk is a fine writer and a fresh breath of air for crime thrillers. I hope the best is yet to come." Read more

"...These events could have occurred anywhere. Still, the writing is good, and the story moves quickly...." Read more

14 customers mention "Interest"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting, with one review noting that the investigations are in-depth and another mentioning that it's descriptive without being overly detailed.

"...This killer is cunning, bold, fast, and very smart...." Read more

"...It was well written and engrossing, though a lot to take in. Nevertheless, I look forward to the next title in the series." Read more

"...On the other hand, his investigations are in depth and sometimes quite brutal. All in all the best crime series I have ever read" Read more

"Started out good then kind of dragged. Picked up pace at the end. So far I like the 1st and 2nd we will see what happens wither third...." Read more

8 customers mention "Entertainment value"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and brilliant, with one customer specifically praising the entertaining dialogue.

"Having read the first three DCI Logan crime books, I found them lively and kept my interest to the end...." Read more

"...Credible scenarios, compelling characters and entertaining dialogue. Suspense, plot twists and human interest development are plentiful...." Read more

"...this series ,extremely well-written and with some genuinely entertaining banter woven into the fast paced and gritty tales...." Read more

"...Be prepared to read straight through. The characters are full and engaging. Please don't stop writing this series." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, finding it fast-paced, with one customer noting how the story moves quickly.

"...This killer is cunning, bold, fast, and very smart...." Read more

"...Still, the writing is good, and the story moves quickly...." Read more

"Well written, fast paced, awesome characters. DCI Logan has a dirty job, and he’s damn good at! I highly recommend these books!" Read more

"Just the right amount of suspense, action and humor. Likeable characters will keep you hooked on the series and keep you reading well into the night." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2023
    As a string of rapes and murders happen around a hospital, Jack Logan and his team of DCs are looking for a mad man that will not stop. This killer is cunning, bold, fast, and very smart. Those that may have lived through the attacks say the same thing, the killer would keep telling them " its not real, their all FAKE". Those that didn't make it, had FAKE carved into their bodies.

    So is this a parallel universe, that everything is fake, A Code, if you will? A Killing Code, that DCI Jack Logan must solve! Great book, that as the chapters pass, you follow along with the Detective as he solves the crime.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2021
    I would recommend. Storyline and action lines very plausible. Good character development so far. Plan to continue on with the rest of the series.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2023
    Oh my gosh! This series has me hooked! Love the main character Jack and all the rest of the group.
    Kept me up way past my bedtime reading just one more page.
    Like the plots, style of writing, just everything about this series.
    Keep Jack and his crew coming.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2025
    This entire series so far has been a total page turner, can't get enough of Jack Logan and co workers!
    Always a shock and surprise!!
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2021
    While I would consider this book as filler, it moves the whole DCI Logan saga forward incrementally and needed. Kirk is a fine writer and a fresh breath of air for crime thrillers. I hope the best is yet to come.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2022
    If nothing really exists does anything really matter?

    The mad ravings of an insane killer? No, they are words debated in philosophy classrooms around the world.

    In this case they allow a mentally disturbed genius to justify his actions to his own sick mind. Or maybe they are only spoken to confuse his victims and the police.

    This plot device has been used before but not as effectively as JD Kirk uses it in THE KILLING CODE. It is a great read with more than a tinge of horror.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2023
    I like the characters and the mysteries. The clues are fair enough that I can guess the bad guys. But the author must not like Harris. He kills his parents, has him kidnapped by a psycho, and has his sister abducted. What will he do next to this poor kid?
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2024
    Love this series. First in a very long time that I've enjoyed so thoroughly. Can't wait to keep reading the rest of the books in the series!

Top reviews from other countries

  • Julie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great story
    Reviewed in Canada on June 12, 2020
    I am reading this for the second time. Even though I know the outcome, the story and characters are so great I wanted to see them all again. I highly recommend the series for an interesting mystery with just enough humour thrown in to keep it from being to dark.

    I also highly recommend his other series Space Team (Barry J Hutchison) if you want an original, highly entertaining, laugh until you cry set of books to read. The audio books are fabulous too.
  • jon robards
    5.0 out of 5 stars CrimeThriller/Mystery
    Reviewed in Australia on October 4, 2019
    Just Brilliant! I have read all three books in the DCI Logan series - I enjoyed the first two and found this third book the "best so far"! Very readable with a cunning plot and lots of twists and turns. The characterisation is amazing - I feel that I know them all. The interplay and humorous asides between Logan and his team - DI Ben Forde, DC Tyler Neish and all the other DCs is both relevant and brings a strong sense of humanity to the difficult, often soul-destroying role of the police force. I am looking forward to Book 4 in the series......
  • Books, Food, and Me
    4.0 out of 5 stars Once again a page turner
    Reviewed in India on December 2, 2020
    Loved reading this too. Another completely different mystery this time which was equally interesting. However in this one, they don't really explain the motive of the murderer for doing whatever he does. There's no confession. Apart from that, a fun read.
  • Highlander
    5.0 out of 5 stars (Another) Very good Scottish crime author
    Reviewed in Germany on February 10, 2022
    Healthy use of the f-word, but Glasgow has a raw climate - realistic polis atmosphere. Feels like home.
    They breed us tough in Scotland. Well, some of us ......
  • GT Cardiff
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great police thrillers
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 18, 2025
    Very well crafted characters with a lovely sense of humour. Logan is the classic anti-hero.
    Thoroughly enjoyable yarns. Will read the whole series.

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