The Devil's Code

October 2, 2000
Would that Sandford, creator of the marvelous and bestselling Prey thrillers, had heeded Thomas Wolfe's advice about going home again. Instead, he's resurrected a hero from his previous crime series (The Fool's Run, etc.) in his latest thriller, which begins when the infamous Kidd--artist, computer expert and master criminal--is called in to investigate the mysterious death of a former colleague in Texas. Working with the victim's sister, Kidd slowly uncovers a massive computer conspiracy masterminded by St. John Corbeil, the president of a Texas microchip company, whose excesses spiral out of control when the company's product (after gaining a foothold in the world of intelligence) bombs in the commercial marketplace. At first Kidd is inclined to steer clear of the seamier side of the conspiracy, but when several members of his own high-powered criminal group are implicated and the National Security Agency begins scrutinizing his operation, he brings in his part-time partner and lover, LuEllen, to help with the investigation. Their probe turns dangerous when the corporate kingpin hires a pair of assassins to hunt down Kidd, eventually forcing him to focus on a mano-a-mano duel with Corbeil. Sandford pens plenty of stirring action scenes as Kidd's encore unfolds, and it's clear that the author likes playing with his hero's shady sensibility and the chemistry he enjoys with the versatile and erotic LuEllen. But despite his edgy and sometimes provocative narrative style, Sandford struggles to bring a sense of urgency to the narrative. Kidd's return will be welcome news for Sandford fans, but the tepid plot makes his comeback a pedestrian affair. 400,000 first printing; major ad/promo.

October 2, 2000
If a line like "With that skirt and your ass, he never had a chance," is your cup of tea, then chances are this is your type of thriller. The observation comes from Kidd, a computer genius and professional criminal with a penchant for painting, and it is addressed to his seductive sidekick and sometime lover, LuEllen. Sandford (Easy Prey; Certain Prey; etc.) brings back the duo after a long hiatus in this tale of computers, conspiracy and carnage. One of Kidd's high-tech colleagues turns up dead after pilfering top-secret files at a Texas microchip company with government ties. Kidd is prompted by the man's sister to investigate and, after calling in LuEllen to help, soon draws the wrath of the company's demonic owner, St. John Corbeil. Muller, a veteran reader, works well with the hard-edged narrative, and his experience on a soap opera serves him well in handling the intense though predictable action scenes and cheesy overproduction. (For example, if a character's heart is beating fast, the tape is sure to follow with a staccato drumbeat.) Sandford's fans may be giddy over the return of his popular pair, but even Muller's strong performance will do little to justify their excitement. Simultaneous release with the Putnam hardcover (Forecasts, Sept. 4).