Assassin’s Code

Maberry’s fourth genre-bending Joe Ledger supernatural horror-thriller (after 2011’s The King of Plagues) pits U.S. Department of Military Sciences agent Ledger against a variety of foes. After successfully rescuing several American tourists from Iranian prison, Ledger is called into a surprise meeting with a high-level Iranian operative who asks the DMS to locate and disable a number of missing nuclear devices. Somehow involved is Hugo Vox, a friend turned traitor and evil genius. Ledger soon discovers the true extent of a conspiracy stretching over centuries, involving multiple secret organizations and a vicious race of superhuman assassins. Backed by the mysterious agent known as Violin, Ledger struggles to stay alive while tracking down Vox and the nukes. Maberry delivers plenty of action, intrigue, and navel-gazing in a messy but fun story. Agent: Sara Crowe, Harvey Klinger. (Apr.)