This Mari Hannah book was probably one of my favourite ones so far. Love the characters of Oliver and Stone and their relationship that Mari portrays so well. The plot kept me guessing throughout and I really enjoyed reading it.

#TheInsider #NetGalley I was unaware when I started this book that it was the second in the series, although I had my suspicions when there was obviously a lot of history for DCI David Stone and DS Frankie Oliver, this was confirmed in the authors note at the end. Although a little confusing at first, there was soon enough of an explanation of previous events to enable this to be read as a standalone book. And boy, what a corker it was!! I loved the characters of David and Frankie and the interaction and history between the two of them. It was easy to read and fast paced with lots of turns. I guessed the 'offender' towards the end of the book but it didn't matter, the last quarter of the book was forensically phenomenal!! and I couldn't put the book down waiting to see how they would finally gather the evidence they needed. The setting in the North East of England was and extra bonus. I cant wait for the next in this series which, if as good as this book, will certainly be up there with my favourite crime series.

The Insider is the 2nd in the Stone & Oliver series although my first read in this and by Mari Hannah.

In this book, DCI Stone is appointed SIO on a triple murder case after the SIO that was in charge takes early retirement. Coming in the backfoot and having to deal with yet another body, they are against the clock, who is killing these women and why? With both Stone & Oliver dealing with some personal issues which has left some lasting damage, can they put it to one side and deal with the case in hand.

I love police procedural series and was delighted to get my teeth stuck into this one, it was an easy quick read with some twists thrown in to keep you guessing. I will definitely be recommending this to my friends to read.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Orion for an advance copy of The Insider, the second novel to feature DCI David Stone and DS Frankie Oliver of the Northumbrian police.

When the SIO on a triple murder retires Stone and Oliver are parachuted in to rescue the case and are immediately faced with a fourth killing. With a reluctant team, a possible leak and the past casting a long shadow they have their work cut out.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Insider which is a gripping procedural with several unexpected twists and turns. The novel is mostly told from Stone and Oliver's points of view but there are occasional forays into the unnamed killer's thoughts. Normally I'm not a big fan of this approach but I thought Ms Hannah's depiction of his overweening narcissism and arrogance excellent, really getting into his mindset convincingly and realistically- so often it is poorly done. I love the framework of a procedural where the detectives have to work to certain boundaries and tax their ingenuity to get a charge that will stick. This is a a great example of this ingenuity at work and surprisingly it is the hot headed, impulsive Oliver who keeps them on the rails and constantly has conviction on her mind.

The plot is compulsive reading with small incremental discoveries contributing to the development of a prime suspect. It is well judged and compulsive as the reader wonders what is coming next.

This is the second novel in the series so many of the unanswered questions about their pasts and secrets are laid bare in this episode. I must admit that I found it the least convincing part of the novel. Trauma does cast a long shadow and Stone and Oliver are both damaged individuals but I thought the links to introduce these secrets tenuous at best. Somehow it doesn't gel but does set up the next novel nicely. Stone and Oliver are a good team with absolute trust in each other. She is the impulsive, hot tempered lateral thinker and he is the steady hand although he too has his moments of inspiration.

The Insider is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

This is a cracking read from start to finish. Mari Hannah really does seem to just get better and better as this outing for Stone and Oliver really cements them in the readers mind and in the North East literary landscape!

What's lovely about this book is the way it highlights a lovely part of the NorthEast and mixes in a touch of heritage, a sprinkle of history and stories and legends of the past. Trademark Mari magic but there was something really fascinating about this one.

Don't think that the above gets in the way of a plot - no sirree - you might not want to read this on a train though! You'd think a local and remote railway line was safe, that the bridges over the Northumberland rivers were nice places to look....well they are normally. In this novel, they're crime scenes and places with hidden secrets. (There's a particular legend which was really fascinating!)

Oliver and Stone are back with a vengeance and even though this is only book two, I feel I really know them now. There's lots of character development here, banter and an insight into their work ethics which was very interesting. There's an added frisson when someone seems to be tailoring them from the inside. Added tension all the way.

The scenes Mari writes are so vivid and clever the way conversations can build such a picture between Oliver and Stone. I loved their way of working together, their team work and the fear that there may be a mole.

Interesting investigation into why four women have been apparently stalked and then killed. Who and why? Why are the crime scenes significant? It's a race around Northumberland to find out...

Bring on book 3

The Insider is the second in the Stone and Oliver crime series. Having been introduced to Stone and Oliver in The Lost, I couldn't wait to see where Mari Hannah was going with this series. And so in this novel there is a killer on the loose, Stone is asked to take over the investigation as it has stalled, and Oliver finds herself struggling with the past.

Once again Mari has proved herself as a great crime novelist, this is procedural crime at its' best, it is such a relevant book, dealing with the "glass ceiling effect". Loved it. Mari is up there with Val McDermid/Peter Robinson.