This book is my introduction to the writing of Liz Mistry. The two lead characters Jazzy and Queenie were well formed and the setting of Scotland is well known by the author. A PhD in creative writing is indicative of a talented and well schooled author. I am sure many readers who enjoy this genre of writing will find this a difficult book to put down.

I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of The Blood Promise, the first novel to feature DC Jasmine “Jazzy” Solanki and DC Annie “Queenie” McQueen, set in and round Livingston.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Blood Promise, which made me laugh, frequently, and, as a bonus, has a well executed murder plot with a few surprises. Jazzy and Queenie have recently been demoted for separate reasons and are part of the misfit D squad, so it is a last resort to send them to a double murder scene. It quickly becomes apparent that the victims are collateral damage in an effort to destroy Jazzy. It is all bound up in her past. I really like the way the author drip feeds information at this past, giving the reader enough for a short term fix while instilling a hunger for more. It kept me turning the pages. I was less enthusiastic about the resolution which involves a cliffhanger and a hint of more of the same. I’d rather see the ladies in their full glory, investigating a less personal case that allows their talents to shine.

Above all this is a story about friendship. Jazzy and Queenie are forced together by circumstance and soon these two very different personalities have formed a close bond. It gives the novel a warmth the subject matter doesn’t suggest. Queenie is the star of the show with her bawdy humour and unbridled opinions. I found her very funny, but non Scots may struggle with vernacular.

The Blood Promise is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Such a fantastic start to this gritty, new series that hits the ground running. Jazzy and Queenie are such great characters. I'm already looking forward to reading the next book in this series

Detective Constables Jasmine (Jazzy) Solanki and Annie (Queenie) McQueen have recently been demoted and put on the D (Dunce) Team in Inverness. Jazzy has learned that telling the bald truth isn't always the best line of action and avid knitter Queenie is famous for "Needlegate". In The Blood Promise, Liz Mistry has teamed two diametrically opposite characters into a strong serial killer mystery.

Although I did like the story, I did have problems with the two main characters. At first, Queenie was in-your-face comic relief with her non-stop knitting, flatulence, and garlic breath. When some of her backstory was revealed, I found that I could accept Queenie, but I still didn't like her.

On the other hand, Jazzy, daughter of a Hindu mother and Muslim father, is portrayed as an often brilliant investigator who doesn't always know when to keep her mouth shut. Although my heart went out to this character as her tortured backstory was revealed, she had so many instances of PTSD meltdowns, I wondered how she could be such a good police officer. She experienced so much angst that it often bogged down the pace of the story. (I also wondered how two disgraced and demoted officers could so quickly be put in charge of major parts of the murder investigation.)

The different angle to an often-tired serial killer investigation certainly made it interesting, and I did like the setting. Even though I did have problems with the two main characters, I find myself wanting to read the next book in the series. With the origins of so much of Jazzy's troubled past revealed, I really want to know how she'll behave in a new investigation.

This book didn't take long before a gruesome murder was committed, which kept me reading at speed. The characters gradually developed back stories throughout the book so you felt you were getting to know them rather than all at once. The twists to the plot weren't easy to guess, but it finished with a lead up to possibly another book. Fingers crossed!

This is the first in a new series by an author new to me, so I cannot compare it with her other series.
The main characters are both demoted police officers who are portrayed as rather over the top Scots but they are quirky and interesting. Both officers have quite dramatic backgrounds, both present a tough exterior and other officers are very wary of them.
The plot is not for the faint hearted but there is plenty of humour for light relief.
Three and a half stars.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Liz Mistry/HQ for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

The plot of the book was absolutely great. fast paced, mind boggling and this book very entertaining. roller coaster of a book. i thoroughly enjoyed the book. Cannot wait for the rest of the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and HQ so much for the opportunity to read The Blood Promise by Liz Mistry. Wow! I could not put this down, and now already impatient for the next one!

What a wonderful read, I have loved the Nikita Parekh series, but this is another level. The characters are amazing, of course Queenie is the favourite. The dark of the murders is perfectly balanced with the humour of the police characters and the rewriting of the Killer Queen lyrics. It’s a brilliant police procedural and then some. Congratulations to Liz Mistry for writing this stunning book, which deserves to be a massive hit.

Wow! How good is this?! Having walked us through the mean streets of Bradford in the company of Gus Maguire and then Nikki Parekh, Liz Mistry now introduces us to Police Scotland and, in particular, two wonderful cops, Solanki and McQueen, two wonderfully tough ladies! This is dark and gritty stuff, starting as it does with a girl finding her parents dead at the breakfast table. And the case becomes personal for Jazzy...Tremendous!

I’d like to thank HQ and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Blood Promise’, book 1 in the new Solanki & McQueen Crime Series written by Liz Mistry, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

DCs Jazzy Solanki and Annie McQueen at Livingston Police Station have both been demoted from DS and as their boss DCI Dick hates them he puts them in ‘D’ team, D for Dunce, where they join forces with DCs Geordie McBirnie and Fenton Heggie. As there’s no one else available, they’re sent to Azalea Close to investigate the gruesome killing of Bob and Shirley Clark but from the start Jazzy gets the feeling that this killing is somehow personal to her past.

As a fan of this author’s previous thrillers I‘ve been looking forward to reading ‘The Blood Promise’ and can honestly say that I haven’t been disappointed. I can definitely recommend it for those who enjoy Scottish crime with satire and humorous characters who aren’t your regular run-of-the-mill police officers. From the start I’ve warmed to Jazzy and Queenie who form a rapport that gradually grows until they have a close partnership with an underlying respect for each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The storyline has had me gripped and I found it hugely entertaining although gruesome and bloodthirsty at times. I’ve loved all of the characters but especially Jazz and Queenie who both have past history, and I’m very much looking forward to reading more in this delightful new series and watching as their characters develop.

3.75*
My first Liz Mistry book. I enjoyed the gruesome, thrilling element to the story and the killings themselves were not for the faint hearted. The characters worked well together and there was a great comedy element between their interactions.
I enjoyed the Scottish slang and jokes as it made the story come alive more. The mention of certain areas within were good to read about as they are well known to me.

It has good depth and it kept me interested for the most part. For me there were little chapters that didn't work for me as well as others but on the whole and enjoyable read.

Many thanks to the Author, HarperCollins publishers and Netgalley for an ARC.
Publication Date 23/5/24

Imogen was living out every young persons worst nightmare. I wasn’t sure where this one would be going but I’m obsessed with the storyline and true crime vibes.

The Solanki and McQueen Crime Series Book 1.

A deadly gift.

Imogen Clark wakes up on her sixteenth birthday to find her parents dead at the breakfast table, along with a message from their killer.

A twist of fate.

Detectives Jazzy Solanki and Annie McQueen join the investigation, but the more they discover, the more Jazzy suspects that the killings are a twisted message for her. Jazzy shares the same birthday as Imogen, and believes that this is more than a coincidence.

A race to catch a killer.

When Jazzy discovers the connection between the killer and the stalker who has been following her for years, she is forced to confront the dark past she was desperate to keep hidden. She must stop at nothing to solve the case, before she becomes the next victim.

This is the start of a new series from Liz Mistry, and it does not disappoint. The two main characters are both troubled souls, but have great camaraderie and banter together. They have both been demoted from Detective Sergeants for separate disciplinary offences. They are investigating the murder of the parents of Imogen Clark. Connections are made between the murders and previous murders that were somehow linked to Jazzy. This is quite a gruesome read., but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Published 23rd May

I would like to thank #NetGaLLEY #HQ #HQDigital and the author #LizMistry for my ARC of #TheBloodPromise in exchange for an honest review.

A good solid start for this new series from Liz. Set in and around her home area, you can feel the passion in her writing as she describes the locality and both McQueen and Solanki are certainly headed for the higher echelons in the police force, both - like the others in the team - having been recently demoted to the D team. Having met the author, I really do wonder at how such a lovely lady has the capacity to get so gritty in her writing ( this also applies to her other series')but she does and does it well too. Look forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the ARC to review

What can I say, I loved the dynamic duo of Jazzy and Queenie. What a group of what at first seems to be misfits, but that soon changes. A well written storyline that had me gripped from the start. I had some inclinations but most of them so far off the mark, just as I like it. Cracking police procedural, and I hope there is much more to come from the Jazzy Queens.

I enjoyed the Nikki Parekh series so I was pleased to receive a copy of the first in a new series. I am Scottish but I found it just a bit over the top and not really how anyone would speak to this degree. I enjoyed the storyline and plenty of suspense to keep me guessing. I would definitely read her next book . Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it

What a fantastic read and a blinder of a start to a new detective series! Utterly brilliant!

The first couple of chapters had me wondering about Queenie, fully prepared to hate her, but nope! WOW! What a woman! With someone like Queenie in your tribe, you can’t fail. Jazzy’s not sure about her new partner either, but they very quickly form a breakable bond, which goes far beyond the fact that they have both been recently demoted.

The plot is detailed and flawless with some clever read herrings and some mind blowing twists. A gruesome murder on a young girl’s 16th birthday, the message left for her, written in blood, the same as the message received by Jazzy in her birthday card on the same day. There's no obvious link, but the coincidence can’t be ignored and so Jazzy is forced to share her horrifying past with her colleagues, leading them to realise that a terrifying serial killer is at large and the crimes are more closely linked to Jazzy than they could ever have imagined.

I found all of the main characters relatable, Queenie, Jazzy, Haggis, Geordie and Elliot; there is so much more to come from them and a very important loose end still to be tied up, so I am very much looking forward to the next installment in this fabulous series.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Liz Mistry and HQ for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Liz Mistry’s “The Blood Promise” is a fantastic Scottish noir that had me hooked from the very first page. Buckle up for a thrilling ride with two phenomenal new lead characters: DC Jasmine “Jazzy” Solanki and DI Annie “Queenie” McQueen.

Mistry masterfully weaves a suspenseful plot that’s equal parts police procedural and personal vendetta. As Jazzy and Queenie, relegated to a less-than-glamorous unit, tackle a complex murder case, it soon becomes clear that the investigation cuts a little too close to home for Jazzy. The past and present collide, leading to a shocking revelation and an ending that will leave you wanting more.

Mistry’s strength lies in her characters. Jazzy and Queenie are a brilliant duo. Jazzy, with her sharp mind and troubled past, is a compelling protagonist. Queenie, the seasoned and no-nonsense detective, provides a perfect counterpoint with her dry wit and unwavering determination. The supporting cast is equally well-developed, adding depth and humor to the narrative.

“The Blood Promise” is a must-read for fans of Scottish crime fiction. Mistry’s sharp writing, combined with the captivating plot and unforgettable characters, make this a truly exceptional debut in what promises to be a fantastic new series. Can’t wait to see where Jazzy and Queenie take us next!

The Blood Promise Liz Mistry
5 stars

A new detective partnership

I have read a lot of Liz Mistry’s previous books and have always enjoyed them.

This book introduces us to a new partnership, DC Jasmine (Jazzy) Solanki and DC Annie (Queenie) McQueen, two totally different characters. They have been put together as a result of demotion into the ‘D’ squad and due to the A, B and C squads being otherwise engaged they are allocated a horrific murder to investigate.

Imogen Clarke is celebrating her 16th birthday and is waiting in her bedroom for her parents to prepare her traditional birthday breakfast. When she eventually goes down to the kitchen she discovers both her parents murdered, decapitated and with various mutilations.

This is the horrendous crime that Jazzy and Queenie are confronted with but the situation is made even worse when Jazzy recognises parts of the murder scene that relates specifically to her own mother’s murder many years ago. Jazzy had been 10 and was left with her twin sister and brother who were 6, in the house with their mother’s body. Social Services had split all the children up and despite Jazzy’s best efforts she had been unable to trace them. However she has had a stalker sending her letters for the past 18 months. Is this all connected in some way?

The plot moves quickly and as is usual with this author there are quite graphic descriptions but they are always in line with the plot which moves very quickly, jumping between the present and Jazzy’s horrendous childhood.

I really enjoyed the interaction between the two main characters and the difficulties for female police officers which drew two totally different people together.

There were two shocks at the end of the book, one of which was completely unexpected. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Karen Deborah
Net Galley