From Publishers Weekly
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). (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Ethical thief, artist, and hacker Kidd and his sometime lover/partner LuEllen uncover a vast electronic conspiracy involving a corporation and a cadre of U.S. government bureaucrats in The Devil's Code. The plot involves two seemingly unrelated murders, one an old buddy of Kidd's. The dialog is entertaining and helps build the high-tech atmosphere of this Internet suspense story of greed, conspiracy, and murder. Character development is a bit shallow, and as the story unfolds, Kidd's network of hacker pals conveniently always give him what he needs. Richard Ferrone's no-nonsense reading is clear and easy to follow. Fans of Sandford's "Prey" novels will be less satisfied with this mediocre mystery, although the use of the Internet here does make it more intriguing. Recommended for large mystery collections only. Denise A. Garofalo, Mid-Hudson Lib. Syst., Poughkeepsie, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.