The Iris Code

A Tracker Novel

Fiction - Thriller - Medical
318 Pages
Reviewed on 05/17/2025
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    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Iris Code by Anita Dickason plunges readers into the heart of a chilling mystery. Journalist Riley Phillips discovers a corpse on a canine training exercise, only for the body to vanish shortly after. Armed with her camera, her crime-scene instincts, and a tenacious cadaver dog named Milo, Riley finds herself entangled in a web of secrets that draw the attention of the elite FBI Tracker Unit. As Riley teams up with Tracker Cody Lightfoot, she’s pulled into a dangerous hunt to uncover the identity of the victim and the dark plot behind the murder. Dickason weaves a fast-paced, high-stakes thriller where journalism meets federal investigation, and where every photo might hold the key to the next twist. Smart, suspenseful, and full of heart, The Iris Code keeps readers guessing to the very end.

Author Anita Dickason has a keen sense of timing crucial to the way this brilliant novel is structured, and that results in a pulse-pounding blend of investigative journalism and suspense that is a cut above most of the genre. The attention to detail is everything in laying out interesting clues and surprising conversations that always make sense in the end. Dickason delivers twist after twist with expert precision in a confident, strong narrative voice. For a thriller this complex, there’s never a moment when I had to double back or check anything because the right reminders are always in place. Riley’s dialogue and thought process make you feel like you’re solving the plot right on her shoulder. She’s also impressively brought to life as a tough, relatable heroine with brains and grit. Milo is a great dog, adding much-needed levity in a genuinely dark story. Overall, I’d certainly recommend The Iris Code to fans of crime thrillers. Readers will surely want more of Riley and the Tracker Unit, so I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.

David Jaggart

The Iris Code by Anita Dickason follows the thrilling story of Riley Phillips, a photographer and journalist for a local Texas newspaper. During a standard canine training activity at an abandoned farm, Riley's dog, Milo, discovers a dead man. Riley quickly documents the crime scene before the arrival of the police. When the body mysteriously goes missing and the police do not appear motivated to discover what transpired, Riley realizes her photographs might bring her closer to uncovering the identity of the dead man. Soon enough, the crime scene catches the attention of the FBI Tracker Unit. Cody Lightfoot, a tracker agent with a keen photographic memory, is sent to investigate this mystifying case. Danger looms around them, but with the help of Nicki Allison, the unit’s computer guru, it is up to Riley and Cody to crack this mystery open before they end up as cadavers!

In The Iris Code, Anita Dickason compellingly delves into the world of canine search-and-rescue teams, medical dramas, drug cartels, technological intrigue, and iris scans. Her thorough research and in-depth knowledge of these components are evident in every chapter. The scientific and technological details that work their way through the plot are delivered with great poise and accuracy, making this tale both authentic and highly captivating. As for character development, Riley stands out as a relatable heroine, Cody is the ever-perceptive and resilient FBI tracker agent, and Milo flawlessly plays the role of a lovable and clever pooch. Overall, the main characters are extraordinarily nuanced and engaging, the plot is teeming with unexpected twists, and the ending will leave you open-mouthed and stunned. Dickason's ability to create original and intricate characters and criminal elements will undoubtedly keep readers on the edge of their seats. The Iris Code is a remarkable novel, and I recommend it to readers who enjoy a good murder mystery and medical thriller.

Emma Megan

The Iris Code by Anita Dickason is a highly engrossing, fast-paced thriller. One morning, while on a search and rescue training run with her dog, local reporter and photographer Riley Phillips discovers a body at an abandoned farmhouse. Shortly after, she learns that someone broke into the funeral home to steal the body. When someone breaks into her house and destroys her computer, Riley realizes that someone might be after the pictures she took of the corpse because they don't want the person to be identified. She begins to wonder who stole the body and why local law enforcement does not seem to care about it. Yet it becomes clear that the crime is more than a local murder. Luckily, an FBI agent comes to help Riley uncover the truth behind the crime. Will they discover the identity of the dead man and who killed him? Are they the next victims?

The Iris Code by Anita Dickason is undoubtedly a page-turner and the best thriller I've read in years. Everything flows flawlessly, and the suspense is sustained to the last page. The thrilling mystery and investigation around the missing body, the relentless action, and the fantastic characters with unexpected excellent skills reflect the author's extensive law enforcement experience and knowledge, making the story unique, impossible to put down, and one you should not miss. Readers looking for realistic, compelling writing and a heart-pounding and well-developed tale centered around a talented, clever female protagonist and her canine friend who stumble upon a dead body must read this novel. I highly recommend it.

Jefto Pierre

Anita Dickason's The Iris Code is the latest addition to her Tracker series. The novel centers around Riley, a persistent reporter, performing a search and rescue exercise with her training partner and dog, Milo. Thanks to Milo's acute sense of smell, they stumble upon a body, prompting Riley to alert the local authorities. Through a suspicious chain of events, the body goes missing from police custody. But fortunately, Riley already has photos of the crime scene. Nonetheless, who would want to conceal the victim's identity? Her snapshots cause the FBI Tracker Unit to become hypervigilant about the case. FBI Tracker, Cody Lightfoot, joins her investigation efforts. It's up to Riley, Cody, and his highly proficient tech team to shed much-needed light on the nefarious events surrounding the missing body. Can they track down the killer before the body count grows?

The Iris Code is a spellbinding crime thriller, aptly blended with technological and medical intrigue. It's the kind of novel that is hard to put down after you have read past the first five pages. Fast paced, character-driven, and action-packed, this captivating narrative will take you on an unforgettable journey into the criminal underworld where lawbreakers assume they are above the law, until they ultimately butt heads with a highly competent FBI Tracker Unit who skillfully reminds them they are not. Anita Dickason is incredibly creative, and her imagination is boundless! The painstaking research is evident as she merges a fictional storyline and factual details related to criminal investigations, technological support in the FBI, and illicit drug operations. The characters (Riley, Cody, and the Tracker Unit, in particular) are complex and relatable as they navigate this pulsating investigation together. The tension and edge-of-your-seat suspense make this book a definite must-read!

Alma Boucher

The Iris Code by Anita Dickason tells the story of Riley Phillips, a local journalist and photographer, along with her search and rescue dog, Milo. While participating in a training exercise, Milo stumbled upon a body with a bullet wound to the forehead and a notable ring that could reveal the identity of the deceased. Shortly after, the body went missing, leading Riley to suspect that someone was intent on preventing its identification. Riley took photos, which raised the alarm for the FBI Tracker Unit and put her directly in the sights of the murderer. Soon after, someone broke into Riley's home, and the Fredericksburg Register's office was set ablaze. Cody Lightfoot from the FBI Tracker Unit was dispatched to investigate and also keep Riley safe. Despite Cody's warnings, Riley insists on accompanying him as he conducts his investigation. Will Cody and Riley be able to uncover the identity of the victim before they find themselves as the next targets?

The Iris Code by Anita Dickason captivated me and was difficult to put down. The storyline moved fast and was filled with action right from the beginning. The tension kept me alert, and I found myself flipping through the pages as quickly as possible. The writing style was gripping and provided me with a glimpse into the world of iris scanning and canine search and rescue. I struggled to set the book aside, worried I would miss something crucial. The characters were well-crafted and genuine. There were a few characters I disliked completely. It was clear that the sheriff and Riley shared a troubled past. The story was superbly written, and the scientific aspects of iris scans were both enlightening and engaging. The conclusion was a significant surprise that caught me off guard and was not what I anticipated.