Book Reviews

Book Review: The Demeter Code by Russell Brooks

Media Type: Ebook
Title: The Demeter Code
   *Series: Ridley Fox/Nita Parris Spy Series #3
Author: Russell Brooks
Publisher: Self-published
Pages: Paperback; 422
Release Date: July 4, 2014
Source: Author
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Genre: Crime Thriller
HDB Rating: 4 Keys to My Heart
Recommended to: Fans of high stakes thrillers with vividly written characters.
Add it on: Goodreads / Amazon / BookLikes

CRACK THE CODE AND YOU’LL SAVE LIVES…BUT KNOWING IT EXISTS COULD GET YOU KILLED.

When two American embassies in northern Africa are bombed, CIA operatives, Ridley Fox and Nita Parris, are assigned to track down the perpetrators. However, when their top asset is killed in a failed op, the agents suspect that there may be a new threat. Their search for the truth puts them on a collision course with a powerful multinational—which will go to extreme lengths to bury its criminal activities. However, the agents soon learn that someone with a personal vendetta against that company not only knows their secrets, but will expose them in a way that could result in the largest single-day attack against America.

It’s not often that I read novels full of espionage and politics. I’m extremely picky about those that I do choose to read. That being said, Ridley Fox is one character I’ll always happily come back to. I first met him in Pandora’s Succession, and quickly fell into step with his complex personality. In The Demeter Code he’s back for more. A little more rough around the edges, a little less willing to play by the rules, and once again caught up in a mission that extends far beyond what he could possibly imagine.

Brooks writes this tale on a global scale. I followed Fox and he traveled the world, tracking down informants and constantly putting himself in harms way. Being completely honest, this isn’t a light read in the least. If you’re an avid reader of thrillers, it might be a little easier to keep up. I found myself reading this book very carefully though. It took me extra time to dissect the overlapping plot lines, catch up with the large cast of characters, and keep abreast of all the secrets being revealed. This is a well crafted novel, but it reads in a way that assumes you’re used to this type of story. It took a different kind of attention for me to finish, but I didn’t mind. I was more than happy to follow along.
I think the thing I’ve always liked most about these books is that Ridley Fox and Nita Parris complete one another so perfectly. Fox is the one who goes underground, assuming identities and creating important connections. Parris is the intel and scientific mind. She’s just as fierce as Fox, but she chooses to use her talents to help him get what he needs. There’s always intelligent banter between these two, perhaps even a bit of spark, but the fact remains that they’re two halves of the same whole. Keeping up with them as they tried to figure out the Code was a lot of fun.
My only complaint, and it’s a small one, is that this story is much more technical than where I first met Ridley Fox. As I said, it took me a lot longer to finish it than I anticipated because I really had to buckle down and read carefully. Still, the action was plentiful, the twists well executed, and I really can’t be too upset. Just be warned that this is a story you’re going to want to settle in for. It will sweep you up, and you’ll find yourself unable to stop reading once you’ve started.




FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.