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Rhona MacLeod #3
Deadly Code
" The left foot had been severed from the leg ten centimetres below the patella. Both fibula and tibia bones were divided at the same place. All the toes were intact, although the nails had disintegrated or been eaten off during the foot's time in the water." Dr Rhona Macleod travels north to investigate a grisly discovery - a severed foot, caught in a fishing net off the Isle of Skye. Where is the rest of the body, and who is the dead man? What links him to a sinister secret society in America? And why is the Ministry of Defence so keen to shut down the case? Rhona's investigations embroil her in an international conspiracy from which she will be lucky to escape unharmed..
432 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
131 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
About the author
Lin Anderson
69 books370 followersLin Anderson was born in Greenock of Scottish and Irish parents. A graduate of both Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities, she has lived in many different parts of Scotland and also spent five years working in the African bush. A teacher of Mathematics and Computing, she began her writing career four years ago. Her first film, Small Love, which was broadcast on STV, was nominated for TAPS writer of the year award 2001. Her African short stories have been published in the 10th Anniversary Macallan collection and broadcast on BBC Radio Four.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
June 4, 2022
**Should Read as 4.5 Stars!**
This short but fast-paced crime story is the 3rd part of the increasingly getting better "Rhona Macleod" thriller series.
Storytelling is of a superb quality, most characters, but not all of them, are very believable and lifelike, and especially the surroundings in and around the Isle of Skye are wonderfully pictured and described by the author.
At the back of the book you'll find an explanation about Cloning.
It all starts with a decomposing foot that is found and that will end up at the inquisitive forensic scientist, dr. Rhona MacLeod, workplace, and soon afterwards more body parts will follow, so that Rhona McLeod decides to head out to her native home, the Isle of Skye, to investigate this matter.
When Rhona arrives at her Island roots, she will be involved in a conspiracy between people where cloning, drug trafficking, torture and death will be the main ingredients.
From several sides she's being used to help a certain cause, until she'll meet Spike or Donald MacAulay, and Esther, the two outsiders in this crime story but my firm favourites, but slowly and steadily the truth will come to the surface of her active mind, and thus the real reason about what this case is all about.
What is to follow is a fast-paced and action-packed crime thriller, where drug trafficking, torture, cloning and death go hand in hand, and in this conspiracy of violence dr. Rhona MacLeod must try to help the right people, and deal with the villains in her own inquisitive and humanlike fashion, and so end this deadly adventure in a most satisfying manner.
Highly recommended, for this book is another improvement across its predecessors and thus making this series even so much better, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Very Thrilling Code Of Conduct"!
This short but fast-paced crime story is the 3rd part of the increasingly getting better "Rhona Macleod" thriller series.
Storytelling is of a superb quality, most characters, but not all of them, are very believable and lifelike, and especially the surroundings in and around the Isle of Skye are wonderfully pictured and described by the author.
At the back of the book you'll find an explanation about Cloning.
It all starts with a decomposing foot that is found and that will end up at the inquisitive forensic scientist, dr. Rhona MacLeod, workplace, and soon afterwards more body parts will follow, so that Rhona McLeod decides to head out to her native home, the Isle of Skye, to investigate this matter.
When Rhona arrives at her Island roots, she will be involved in a conspiracy between people where cloning, drug trafficking, torture and death will be the main ingredients.
From several sides she's being used to help a certain cause, until she'll meet Spike or Donald MacAulay, and Esther, the two outsiders in this crime story but my firm favourites, but slowly and steadily the truth will come to the surface of her active mind, and thus the real reason about what this case is all about.
What is to follow is a fast-paced and action-packed crime thriller, where drug trafficking, torture, cloning and death go hand in hand, and in this conspiracy of violence dr. Rhona MacLeod must try to help the right people, and deal with the villains in her own inquisitive and humanlike fashion, and so end this deadly adventure in a most satisfying manner.
Highly recommended, for this book is another improvement across its predecessors and thus making this series even so much better, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Very Thrilling Code Of Conduct"!
April 9, 2021
3rd in the Rhona MacLeod series, and the weakest entry so far. The writing is up to the usual high standard, and the cast of regular characters remain strong. But the plot was too far-fetched for me, bordering on science fiction with human cloning and gene editing mixed in with racist American-Scots and drug runners on the Isle of Skye! And there were too many coincidences holding the plot together, with people conveniently interconnecting with each other and people just happening to turn up in the same places at the same time - Scotland is a small country, but it's not that small! Still, the series and characters still have enough going for them that future books will be worth reading.
March 23, 2016
This is the third book in the increasingly popular series featuring forensic scientist Dr. Rhona MacLeod.
A young man called Spike is being pursued by the Ministry Of Defence (MOD), the FBI and ReAlba. They want to bring him in alive but why?
A decomposing foot is found in a fishing net off the West Coast of Scotland. The MOD suppresses the story but why?
Rhona MacLeod is called in to investigate the case and the investigation takes her back to her roots. During the investigation Rhona becomes tangled up in international conspiracy with shadowy people, who can manipulate life and death.
As is the case for all of Lin’s books I enjoyed this one from the very first word on the very first page. Lin is a fabulous storyteller and she certainly knows how to capture your attention and not let you go until the end of the book. The reader is taken on one heck of a rollercoaster ride, with all the twists, turns and stomach churning moments.
Once again, the characters are believable and authentic. Rhona is dedicated to her work often at the cost of her personal life and relationships and she is determined & stubborn. Every time Rhona seems to turn a corner in the investigation and/ or finds evidence she is “closed down” by the FBI &/or the MOD. This has a dual result of frustrating her but it also intrigues her, which fuels her determination to solve this case. Rhona is like a dog with a bone and won’t rest until she resolves this case. I also loved the character of Bill Wilson, who is a father figure to Rhona. He cares deeply about Rhona and worries that she is putting herself in danger.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is well written and fast paced. The Rhona MacLeod series reminds me a bit of a soap opera. I think that this series would be ideal for television.
I would definitely recommend this book to others and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
A young man called Spike is being pursued by the Ministry Of Defence (MOD), the FBI and ReAlba. They want to bring him in alive but why?
A decomposing foot is found in a fishing net off the West Coast of Scotland. The MOD suppresses the story but why?
Rhona MacLeod is called in to investigate the case and the investigation takes her back to her roots. During the investigation Rhona becomes tangled up in international conspiracy with shadowy people, who can manipulate life and death.
As is the case for all of Lin’s books I enjoyed this one from the very first word on the very first page. Lin is a fabulous storyteller and she certainly knows how to capture your attention and not let you go until the end of the book. The reader is taken on one heck of a rollercoaster ride, with all the twists, turns and stomach churning moments.
Once again, the characters are believable and authentic. Rhona is dedicated to her work often at the cost of her personal life and relationships and she is determined & stubborn. Every time Rhona seems to turn a corner in the investigation and/ or finds evidence she is “closed down” by the FBI &/or the MOD. This has a dual result of frustrating her but it also intrigues her, which fuels her determination to solve this case. Rhona is like a dog with a bone and won’t rest until she resolves this case. I also loved the character of Bill Wilson, who is a father figure to Rhona. He cares deeply about Rhona and worries that she is putting herself in danger.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is well written and fast paced. The Rhona MacLeod series reminds me a bit of a soap opera. I think that this series would be ideal for television.
I would definitely recommend this book to others and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
February 5, 2023
Bookish Books Reading Challenge & #LibraryLoveChallenge
March 4, 2021
Well plotted, graphic sexual situations. Well narrated.
July 10, 2022
Enjoyable read full of tension
April 20, 2025
4.5 stars rounded down.
Continuing to love this series and Rhona MacLeod. This time we are out in the Isle of Skye, with some bonus American visitors, investigating the root cause of a foot that has washed up. I listened to this one like I have the rest of the series, and it was once again well-narrated, and the scientist in me . Would probably have made 5* if not for the fact that .
Continuing to love this series and Rhona MacLeod. This time we are out in the Isle of Skye, with some bonus American visitors, investigating the root cause of a foot that has washed up. I listened to this one like I have the rest of the series, and it was once again well-narrated, and the scientist in me . Would probably have made 5* if not for the fact that .
June 10, 2021
Ooh this one was a really good plot!!
January 25, 2022
New ( to me) mystery series featuring forensic scientist Rhonda MacLeod. Loved the mood of gloomy Scotland portrayed here, as well as the author’s slightly humorous depiction of Southern California. ( So interesting to see how people from other countries view Americans! … love of guns and perfect white teeth and extremist views to boot.) I plan to read another in the series, as this one was promising, with its twists and great sense of place.
January 27, 2015
I'm a fan of Lin Anderson. She sets the scene well, whether it be the sewers of Glasgow or the Highlands of Scotland. This time Rhona McLeod is taken back to her native Skye after body parts are found in the sea. Ms Anderson has the reader among the heather, smelling the sea, feeling the rain and wind.
Rhona finds herself caught up in an international case this time, a case that could have global repercussions and see Rhona dead.
The story may have been a little far-fetched, on the other hand who knows what governments are up to these days?
My main criticism was the use of profanities in the latter chapters. I am not a prude by any means and I do use the occasional swear word in my own works. However, I felt that some of this was designed to shock more than anything else.
Ms Anderson can set a scene and tell a story, she doesn't need to resort to shock tactics.
Apart from that, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery, dead bodies and a few twists on the way.
Rhona finds herself caught up in an international case this time, a case that could have global repercussions and see Rhona dead.
The story may have been a little far-fetched, on the other hand who knows what governments are up to these days?
My main criticism was the use of profanities in the latter chapters. I am not a prude by any means and I do use the occasional swear word in my own works. However, I felt that some of this was designed to shock more than anything else.
Ms Anderson can set a scene and tell a story, she doesn't need to resort to shock tactics.
Apart from that, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery, dead bodies and a few twists on the way.
June 8, 2015
Anyone interested in Scotland or the Hebrides and enjoys a bit of a detective story this may be your kind of book. Though the book's topic is intended to be genetic/cloning themed in fact it details very little about that aspect.
Not that I could write books like this myself, not by a long shot, but it is not that well written IMHO. there were a lot of very strange coincidences that seemed to me a little implausible, but that didn't distract me too much from our forensic scientist Rhona's investigation into the recovered decomposing foot.
Anyways, it was an interesting read overall and I did enjoy the book desire it having a bit of an amateur feel to it.
Not that I could write books like this myself, not by a long shot, but it is not that well written IMHO. there were a lot of very strange coincidences that seemed to me a little implausible, but that didn't distract me too much from our forensic scientist Rhona's investigation into the recovered decomposing foot.
Anyways, it was an interesting read overall and I did enjoy the book desire it having a bit of an amateur feel to it.
September 20, 2017
Enjoyable enough read but a bit contrived to get all the characters interacting.
April 14, 2019
A bit on the violent side for me (I like my crimes bloodless for the most part) but I still enjoy Lin Anderson and so will probably read yet another.
July 2, 2022
"The left foot had been severed from the leg ten centimetres below the patella. Both fibula and tibia bones were divided at the same place. All the toes were intact, although the nails had disintegrated or been eaten off during the foot's time in the water." Dr Rhona Macleod travels north to investigate a grisly discovery - a severed foot, caught in a fishing net off the Isle of Skye. Where is the rest of the body, and who is the dead man? What links him to a sinister secret society in America? And why is the Ministry of Defence so keen to shut down the case? Rhona's investigations embroil her in an international conspiracy from which she will be lucky to escape unharmed..
Rhona MacLeod is a forensic scientist who is investigating a severed foot on a fishing net off the coast of Scotland. It is dark and violent but an interesting read and centers in America and the Isle of Skye. The story is good enough to keep turning the pages until the very end. I look forward to reading more of Lin Anderson's books soon.
Rhona MacLeod is a forensic scientist who is investigating a severed foot on a fishing net off the coast of Scotland. It is dark and violent but an interesting read and centers in America and the Isle of Skye. The story is good enough to keep turning the pages until the very end. I look forward to reading more of Lin Anderson's books soon.
August 22, 2025
Unlike Raven Black, a crime story set entirely on a Scots island, this one moves between the islands and Glasgow. This can be disconcerting when you see tourists and peat fires and fishing nets in one scene, and the next, it's a hotel with a conference and posh people presenting papers and drinking wines.
A fishing net brings up a foot, and disagreement arises as to whether this might be all that's left of a drugs war victim, or some fisherman who got run over by a submarine. Genetic testing and a tattoo start to provide an ID.
I would have liked to get a scene at the submarine base, but no such luck, the MOD feature but just at arms' length. This story seems more readable than the earlier ones in the series.
A fishing net brings up a foot, and disagreement arises as to whether this might be all that's left of a drugs war victim, or some fisherman who got run over by a submarine. Genetic testing and a tattoo start to provide an ID.
I would have liked to get a scene at the submarine base, but no such luck, the MOD feature but just at arms' length. This story seems more readable than the earlier ones in the series.
May 5, 2020
Another book I chose from my Dad's collection on a rainy day when I needed something light to while away a few hours. The first of Lin Anderson's books I have read and I enjoyed it enough that I would happily read more. The author certainly sets the mood of the wild Scottish island of Raasay; even having only spent a short amount of time in the Hebrides, it brought back memories of magnificent windswept vistas of rugged coasts and mist shrouded hills. The story is intriguing enough to keep you turning the pages and the characters are by and large, interesting and well rounded. It probably won't set your crime novel loving nerves a-tingling but it will still entertain you.
August 14, 2021
It's quite difficult to describe my feelings. On the one hand, this book is quite boring and it's about politics which I hate. On the other hand, it's about poor people who became victims of cruel ones. And, reading last several pages, I almost cried...
One more interesting thing is that characters not only use some Scottish words but say some Gaelic sentences! I understood only separate words (I understood the word 'Sassenach' thanks to "Outlander" 😂), but anyway it was interesting.
In addition, I didn't know that remains of Dolly the Sheep are on permanent exhibition at the Royal Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street, Edinburgh. I'll definitely visit this museum next time.
One more interesting thing is that characters not only use some Scottish words but say some Gaelic sentences! I understood only separate words (I understood the word 'Sassenach' thanks to "Outlander" 😂), but anyway it was interesting.
In addition, I didn't know that remains of Dolly the Sheep are on permanent exhibition at the Royal Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street, Edinburgh. I'll definitely visit this museum next time.
November 2, 2023
The third in the series of Rhona MacLeod novels is another page-turner of a tale. This book centres its action on the Isle of Skye and author Lin Anderson certainly manages to capture the imposing beauty of the place. The story includes drugs, murder, cloning and hearty breakfasts. MacLeod is ever-interesting as the feisty forensic scientist you’d love to go down the pub with and Anderson writes with verve and panache. Another highly recommended read.
February 19, 2019
My sister had recommended this author so I bought 3 of her books on my Kindle. I have just finished this first book and it was so good to escape into a novel for a change. I enjoyed this Scottish based book and found the plot exciting and the developing storyline one that made me keep on reading. I look forward to reading more of Lin Anderson’s books.
January 10, 2020
Wasn't really sure about this one at first, but about a quarter of the way through I was hooked, wondering what the deal was with Spike and Esther's pasts. I like how brutal Lin Anderson's writing can be and although sometimes shocking - it is realistic. Really enjoying all of the Rhona MacLeod books, and looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
November 23, 2020
What amazing topics Rhona McLeod has had to deal with this time. Washed up body parts, in a loch in the Highlands. A trip to America to present a paper and problems again with partner Sean. Can they all be related? From page one I was spellbound with this book. Lin Anderson is going from strength to strength. Looking forward to book 4
December 29, 2022
This was another good installment in the Rhona MacLeod story [a bit of a shorter story, for those who wish to reach their reading target].
A foot is found and everything else rears it's very ugly head.
Rhona goes home to Skye to identify a third missing body part and she meets a few people she expected to meet and several she did not.
A foot is found and everything else rears it's very ugly head.
Rhona goes home to Skye to identify a third missing body part and she meets a few people she expected to meet and several she did not.
February 26, 2024
A fast-paced read with an interesting plot and characters. Plenty of suspense and tension to enjoy. But I did feel some clarification of connections was lost to the speed of moving the story along, and there were a few coincidences that seemed unbelievably convenient.
That said, if you're looking for a quick, exciting read, then this hits the spot.
That said, if you're looking for a quick, exciting read, then this hits the spot.
January 19, 2019
So far not the best book in the series. The main characters, Rhona and Spike were very good. But the use of the FBI and MOD, and gene manipulation just didn't work for me. The book ended well, although there is that part of me that wonders about Spike. But I wouldn't change the ending.
February 14, 2020
A bit jumpy.
I’m getting used to the fact that there is a lot of ‘jumping’ in Anderson’s novels. Maybe just a break between paragraphs would help. However, I love the stories and there’s always a twist.
I’m getting used to the fact that there is a lot of ‘jumping’ in Anderson’s novels. Maybe just a break between paragraphs would help. However, I love the stories and there’s always a twist.
August 7, 2022
Another good book in this series. The third involving Rhona McCloud and once again, an interesting plot line. I am enjoying this series set in Scotland. In this case there is some uncertainty about whose body parts have been found but overall an enjoyable book.
April 1, 2023
Audiobook: harder to get into than previous books, but still a good read.
Great forensic pathologist novel, with twists and turns, as you would expect from the rest of the series and Lin Anderson’s Writing style, based in the Scottish isle.
Altogether a great read.
Great forensic pathologist novel, with twists and turns, as you would expect from the rest of the series and Lin Anderson’s Writing style, based in the Scottish isle.
Altogether a great read.
June 18, 2025
Probably a 3.5 almost a 4. But far too many coincidences to be enjoyable - and like the last novel, so many last names thrown about it’s hard to keep track of who’s who. It is well written overall with good plots though, so I’m going to keep going through this series.
August 18, 2025
This was the first Rhona MacLeod story I read that I wasn't a huge fan of....I had trouble following the plot - I want to say its almost too complicated of a story line. However, I still loved the writing style of Lin Anderson and will continue to read these books!
May 25, 2018
Book 3in the series. A very good read but editing could have been better which was very distracting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews