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The Killer Code
Nothing is what it seems. Not even you.
In order to spare his latest victim, a serial killer specifically asks for Anne Anderson to solve his sick game of puzzles — or his victim dies.
But why Anne Anderson?
She is neither police nor FBI, but a professor of folklore origins.
Then charming businessman, Max Bauer, enters the picture to help her solve the Killer Code. Only to leave Anne shocked that the killer knows more about her secret past.
Slowly the line between justice and personal interest blurs, and Anne is left to make the hardest decision of her— and the victim's — life.
* This is a standalone story with a solid Twist ending.
No cliffhanger.
However, it's a great introduction to a larger-than-life thriller character of Folklorist Anne Anderson's series in case you liked the first book. Otherwise, you can easily enjoy this roller coaster thriller as a Standalone story.
In order to spare his latest victim, a serial killer specifically asks for Anne Anderson to solve his sick game of puzzles — or his victim dies.
But why Anne Anderson?
She is neither police nor FBI, but a professor of folklore origins.
Then charming businessman, Max Bauer, enters the picture to help her solve the Killer Code. Only to leave Anne shocked that the killer knows more about her secret past.
Slowly the line between justice and personal interest blurs, and Anne is left to make the hardest decision of her— and the victim's — life.
* This is a standalone story with a solid Twist ending.
No cliffhanger.
However, it's a great introduction to a larger-than-life thriller character of Folklorist Anne Anderson's series in case you liked the first book. Otherwise, you can easily enjoy this roller coaster thriller as a Standalone story.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2022
27 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Cameron Jace
96 books2,045 followersBestselling author of the Grimm Diaries and Insanity series. A traveller and collector of out-of-print books from all over the world, obsessed with the origins of folk tales and the mysterious storytellers who spread them. Many of his books made Amazon's Top 100 Customer Favorites in Kindle 2015 & Amazon's Top 100 kindle list. Cameron lives in Yerba Buena San Francisco California. When he isn't writing or collecting books, he is playing music or enjoys the silence.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 4, 2022
I found this to be an interesting intro to the Anne Anderson Fairytale Code series. Cameron Jace provides a fast paced story and, as always, includes some fabulous puzzles to be solved. While this book is advertised as a standalone story, I am glad that I have already read “The Fairytale Code” as this prequel provided some interesting information about our protagonist and filled in some blanks, which I appreciated more having known about some of the characters already. I almost wish this had been a longer story, as I enjoy Cameron Jace’s puzzles and would have loved to have some more. All in all, a nice prequel and gets me even more excited about the next book in the Fairytale Code series.
October 30, 2022
4.6 ⭐'s. I received an advanced copy of this and I enjoyed this prequel. I don't do spoiler reviews but it gave a great insight on Anne Anderson for the rest of the series. And the twist was unexpected. I was in the middle of The Fairytale Code when I received this so I can't wait to get back to that one after finishing this one. I am interested to see how this one may or may not change my perspective on the rest of the book/series. I found this to be a quick read with characters that I wanted to root for. And some that I questioned. I knock it a couple points only because of the noticeable errors that need editing.
November 28, 2022
I received this book as an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
I loved all of the Cameron Jace books I've read so far, especially the Insanity series (!!), so starting The Killer Code, I already knew I'd be in for a journey.
We meet Anne, an American folklorist living in Kassel, Germany:
"Like most cities in this region, Kassel was picturesque eye candy. To say it was cut out of a fairy tale was an understatement.
Fairy tales were fantasy, yet these half-timber houses, colorful cafes, and lush greens were real. Even the traditional way locals dressed reminded her this was the city where The Brothers Grimm first documented folklore.
Names like Volkswagen meant the 'folk's car.' Folk, derivative from volk, meant locals. Folklore was simply the lore of the locals. It all started with the people in this region telling their own humble—yet morbidly dark—stories. "
Anne was proactive and smart, surprising me with her deductions and special insight.
I loved all the weird and unusual facts in this book. They felt intuitive but also surprising at the same time. I didn't see the twist coming in the end, but in hindsight the clues were there. The balance between tension and mystery was well executed and the puzzles and twists kept coming.
No character could be trusted, including Anne herself which I also liked.
Here's some of my highlights:
"Our present is nothing but an attempt to correct the past, be it in ourselves , in our children, or the world around us. We're prisoners of yesterday, dreaming of tomorrow."
"We all turn a blind eye when faced with the truth, Anne, don't we? All the time."
"Proximity was deceiving but looking at the whole picture created distance. There was truth in the distance because it was somewhat objective. Rachel used to say that truth wasn't discovered with a magnifier but with a God's eye view."
"Hit me once, and I'm in pain; hit a thousand times, I'm almost immune to it, and I'm determined more than ever."
I've really enjoyed this book, and will be purchasing the rest.
I loved all of the Cameron Jace books I've read so far, especially the Insanity series (!!), so starting The Killer Code, I already knew I'd be in for a journey.
We meet Anne, an American folklorist living in Kassel, Germany:
"Like most cities in this region, Kassel was picturesque eye candy. To say it was cut out of a fairy tale was an understatement.
Fairy tales were fantasy, yet these half-timber houses, colorful cafes, and lush greens were real. Even the traditional way locals dressed reminded her this was the city where The Brothers Grimm first documented folklore.
Names like Volkswagen meant the 'folk's car.' Folk, derivative from volk, meant locals. Folklore was simply the lore of the locals. It all started with the people in this region telling their own humble—yet morbidly dark—stories. "
Anne was proactive and smart, surprising me with her deductions and special insight.
I loved all the weird and unusual facts in this book. They felt intuitive but also surprising at the same time. I didn't see the twist coming in the end, but in hindsight the clues were there. The balance between tension and mystery was well executed and the puzzles and twists kept coming.
No character could be trusted, including Anne herself which I also liked.
Here's some of my highlights:
"Our present is nothing but an attempt to correct the past, be it in ourselves , in our children, or the world around us. We're prisoners of yesterday, dreaming of tomorrow."
"We all turn a blind eye when faced with the truth, Anne, don't we? All the time."
"Proximity was deceiving but looking at the whole picture created distance. There was truth in the distance because it was somewhat objective. Rachel used to say that truth wasn't discovered with a magnifier but with a God's eye view."
"Hit me once, and I'm in pain; hit a thousand times, I'm almost immune to it, and I'm determined more than ever."
I've really enjoyed this book, and will be purchasing the rest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2022
Fairytales:fact or fiction
I enjoyed the two books I read in this series so far. This one got a little confusing at times as I read Fairytale Code first. The main issue I had was it apparently didn't have a proofreader as there were quite a few errors in wording and names. I figured it out but it does need a proofreader. I've really liked the fairytale based on fact angle and other secrets that come out in the next book. Looking forward to the next installment that I prepaid for, which I never do, should speak to how the story gripped me.
I enjoyed the two books I read in this series so far. This one got a little confusing at times as I read Fairytale Code first. The main issue I had was it apparently didn't have a proofreader as there were quite a few errors in wording and names. I figured it out but it does need a proofreader. I've really liked the fairytale based on fact angle and other secrets that come out in the next book. Looking forward to the next installment that I prepaid for, which I never do, should speak to how the story gripped me.
October 24, 2022
Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe - saw the pics on the web. Mesmerising.
Your stories makes me want to visit the fairy tale road. I can imagine reading them and being in those places at the same time.
Read a new word today - pergola
I love the puzzles. I'm as lost as Max. Took me a while to understand anguish English.
I think I now understand a little about why Anne acts the way she does.
Your stories makes me want to visit the fairy tale road. I can imagine reading them and being in those places at the same time.
Read a new word today - pergola
I love the puzzles. I'm as lost as Max. Took me a while to understand anguish English.
I think I now understand a little about why Anne acts the way she does.
November 1, 2022
This book was was so twisty and had turns that blew your mind. I couldn’t read it fast enough. It had me guessing the whole way through. Anne had an obsession with fairy tales. But when she came upon a new tale that should had to figure out, it was a mystery that would shock her to her core. This prequel has my interest peaked and now I can’t wait to The Fairytale Code.
November 15, 2022
True Cameron Jace
I was thrilled to see that this book had all the compelling reasons to read it reminiscent of the classic Cameron classics - a strong heroine with flaws, an extremely vile villain and plot twists you won't see coming. This book is so much more than a prequel and holds it own beautifully. So glad I chose to read this, and couldn't stop once I started.
I was thrilled to see that this book had all the compelling reasons to read it reminiscent of the classic Cameron classics - a strong heroine with flaws, an extremely vile villain and plot twists you won't see coming. This book is so much more than a prequel and holds it own beautifully. So glad I chose to read this, and couldn't stop once I started.
October 30, 2022
Cameron has done it again!!! This gave me more insight to Anne’s character and what she has been through. It shows that sometimes you have to face your own inner demons to fight the ones in front of you.
Kudos as this may be my new favorite series to come.
Kudos as this may be my new favorite series to come.
November 6, 2022
The puzzles in this prequel had me on edge. They were convoluted and every time I thought I was on the right track I'd find myself wrong. I'll have to go back and reread The Fairytale Code now so I can mentally tie them together better. But I'm stoked for more books about Anne!
March 21, 2025
This is an interesting introduction to the Fairytale Code Series, cantering on the fairytales from hundreds of years ago and a modern twisty mystery, where we meet Anne Anderson. Plenty of twists and turns, especially as we reach the ending, setting up the series.
October 30, 2022
New author for me. Great read very interesting. Read it in one day.
December 15, 2022
Loved the deeper insight into who Anne is and what her life entailed. This was a great prequel and I feel much needed. Although personally I've enjoyed reading this after the first book
November 5, 2022
I absolutely enjoyed this prequel to The Fairytale Code and getting additional insight into Anne Anderson's backstory. This story made me want to visit the fairy tale road even more than I already did. I love the puzzles and the twists that Cameron Jace is known for weaving into his stories. He clearly does his research and includes little known historical facts that make his stories even more interesting. His attention to detail makes you feel like you're in the story or at the very least watching it like a movie. He writes amazing characters that you can't help but root for and I'm incredibly excited about reading more of this series. I received a copy of The Killer Code in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and have not been affected by this.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews