Cover Reveal: A First Look at Moral Code

After months of hard work, sleepless nights, and endless drafts, I’m incredibly excited to reveal the cover for my latest Michael Donatello novel, Moral Code. This has been one of my most intense writing experiences, and I can’t wait to take you on this thrilling ride with Michael, where betrayal, loyalty, and survival are put to the ultimate test. Before we dive into the cover itself, I want to give you a little bit of the story behind both the book and the design, which I think perfectly captures the essence of what’s to come.

The Story: Michael Donatello Faces His Darkest Challenge Yet  

In Moral Code, Michael Donatello, a Caporegime in the Marcuccio crime family, is faced with threats from all sides. A hit list surfaces with Michael’s name on it, alongside those of his closest allies. Someone is coming for him—and they’re going after the heart of the Marcuccio family. As Michael races to protect his own, he finds out that a highly skilled assassin has been contracted to take them out, one by one. But as the bodies pile up, Michael begins to suspect that this goes deeper than a simple power struggle between rival families. There’s someone feeding inside information on the Marcuccio family’s operations, and the rat could be one of the people closest to him.

With time running out and lives on the line, Michael has to make impossible decisions that challenge not only his loyalty but also his moral code. How far will he go to protect his family? And what happens when the person you trusted most is the one holding the knife?

Stay tuned for the full release of Moral Code, coming in March 2025.

The Cover: A Glimpse into the Darkness

Now, let’s talk about the cover because I’m sure you’re eager to see what we’ve cooked up. Designing a cover that fits the tension, the stakes, and the gritty world of Moral Code was no easy task, but I think we nailed it. Without further ado, here’s the first look at the cover for Moral Code:

Let’s take a closer look at the elements.

The scene is set in a dimly lit room, with a table at the center, flanked by empty chairs. Immediately, you get a sense of isolation and foreboding. This was intentional. Michael Donatello has always been surrounded by people—whether they’re allies, enemies, or family—but in this story, he’s increasingly isolated, with betrayal lurking in every corner. The empty chairs are symbolic of the people who have fallen along the way, those who once sat at his table and are no longer there, either because of their own choices or because they were taken out.

There’s also a subtle detail in the lower part of the cover: a pool of blood on the floor. The bloodstains are faint, but once you notice them, you can’t unsee them. This represents the violence and loss that surrounds Michael throughout the novel. He’s no stranger to bloodshed, but in Moral Code, the stakes are personal. The blood isn’t just from enemies—it’s from people he once trusted, people who’ve betrayed him, and maybe even people he’s had to betray in return.

The deep red tones in the background give the cover a sense of claustrophobia, as if the walls are closing in. This mirrors the pressure Michael is under throughout the novel. As the world around him becomes more dangerous and unpredictable, his options narrow, and the choices he has to make become darker.

Finally, there’s the title itself, Moral Code. This isn’t just a throwaway phrase—it’s the theme that runs through the entire book. Michael has his own code of ethics, a moral compass that’s been shaped by years of living in the criminal underworld. But as the walls close in and the betrayals pile up, he’s forced to confront his own limits. What will he do when that code is tested? What happens when following it could mean the end of everything?

What the Cover Means for the Story  

I wanted the cover to reflect the story’s emotional and physical stakes. Michael is on his own in ways he’s never been before, and the hits coming at him are more personal than ever. With a highly skilled assassin hunting him and someone inside his inner circle feeding information to the FBI, Michael is caught in a web of deception. He doesn’t know who to trust, and worse, he’s starting to question his own decisions.

The empty chairs symbolize the void left by those who’ve fallen, but they also represent choices—who will sit with him at the end of all this? Who can he rely on? As the tension rises, Michael has to figure out who’s loyal and who’s ready to put a knife in his back. And sometimes, loyalty comes from the most unexpected places.

What’s Next?  

I hope this cover grabs your attention and gives you a sense of the dark, thrilling world Moral Code will throw you into. The story is about more than just power plays and hits; it’s about loyalty, family, and what happens when your own moral compass is pushed to its breaking point.

Moral Code will be available around March 2025, but until then, I’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes content, sneak peeks, and a few surprises. If you’re as excited as I am, make sure to sign up for my newsletter to stay updated!

In the meantime, what do you think of the cover? Drop a comment below and let me know your thoughts!