My second book of the series and I was already captivated by the previous story. I could not wait to see what happened next and yes, yesterday was the day I was finally able to snuggle up under a blanket and start reading.

Sometimes my body loses the battle agains sleep but not with this book. There was no stopping me. I was going to finish it no matter what time it was.

And OMG the author certainly knows how to capture a reader's attention. My brain went in overdrive trying to figure out who was the master mind in this book and in the meantime my heartstrings were doing an up-tempo aerobic workout.

I was very nice meeting up with detective Boateng and his sympathetic crew and I like the fact that he is so very human. He certainly wears his heart on his sleeve.

The only thing I would like to add is grab your copy, because you will not be disappointed. 5 stars.

Thank you Chris Merritt, Bookouture and Netgalley.

Life or Death, the third novel to feature DI Zac Boateng of the Metropolitan Police, is yet another classy, well rounded and massively accomplished police procedural by Chris Merritt. His books simply keep getting progressively better and testament to that very fact I had flown through this in a short, nail-bitingly entertaining few hours; I hadn't planned on devouring it quite so quickly as I knew if it were anything like the preceding three I would want to savour it, but unfortunately, that didn't happen. Once you've read the opening page then there's no chance and resistance, as they say, is futile! This is the epitome of a fast-paced, intricately plotted and deftly characterised page-turner.

There are twists and turns galore and the tension is palpable, so much so that while you're reading your pulse is pounding harder and harder, faster and faster. With regards to Zac I like that he is a particularly realistic character; not only is he fiercely independent, intelligent and tenacious, but he is a very likeable protagonist too. Anyone who happened to enjoy the first three novels can expect more explosive stuff here with Life or Death. Although it's always beneficial to have read chronologically from the series opener, it's by no means essential in respect to this one. This is a novel that exemplifies exactly why crime fiction is so big around the world right now. I'm already eagerly anticipating the next instalment and starting to realise just how immensely talented this author really is.

Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.

This is a fantastic book that I simply couldn’t put down.
Zac is still dealing with the death of his daughter and knowing the name of the killer hasn’t helped him, until now.
Following a shoot out in London and the death of an officer, the witness they have in custody is willing to talk.
Off the record Zac manages to get some information out of him and gets to work on finding both his daughters killer, and the arms dealer wanted by his boss.
Zac keeps some of the investigation to himself but soon people start to notice his secrecy and become suspicious of him. Even his deputy, Kat, questions what he’s up to.
Before long Zac has a new problem to deal with, as his son is kidnapped and Zac and his wife struggle to cope.
The investigation is becoming more and more complex so Zac has no choice than to ask for help.
I really felt for Zac in this book and desperately wanted to know who Kaiser was and to see Zac get justice for his daughter.
This is a real page turner and the final few chapters will have you on the edge of your seat.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

OMG THIS author has done it again.
I am an avid reader of this author and I know that when he has a new release I am in for a thoroughly entertaining and rollercoaster of a read. For a start this book had me gripped from the first page and had to read it in one sitting. There was no way I was putting this book down.
Zac is a detective who lost his daughter, she was murdered and Zac has made it his mission to find the man responsible. When one of his informers is brutally murdered and his son is put in danger the gloves are off Zac needs to find this man. He can't lose another member of his family.
This is fast paced crime thriller that only has one speed Supersonic. After reading this book I was exhausted and felt like I had run a marathon. I have never been disappointed with a book from this author I am a very happy reader. Thank you highly recommended.
I would like the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for the advanced copy in return for giving an honest review.

I had a really hard time getting into this book. So many cops names and who is working with who and who doesn't like who. Cops wanting to set up other cops that it took away the story for me. I liked Zac and his wife Etta. They had lost a daughter a few years ago and now dealing with a problem with their son made me keep reading the book. Drug dealers and gun runners was what the police are looking into in this 3rd book of the series.

Life or Death is a fast moving police thriller by Chris Merritt and was a book that I fully enjoyed reading it in a day!!

I have not read any of the previous books in this series but that did not detract from understanding or enjoyment. In fact it made me want to go and find the others to add to my growing TBR pile of books.

If you like action packed storylines then this the book for you

Highly recommended.

Another incredible instalment in the series about Detective Boateng.

This book starts off with two small-time crooks, in over their heads. Then it just builds and builds and I found myself hardly drawing breath the whole way through. So much going on - corrupt police, colleagues who can't be trusted, politics amongst higher-ups in the police force. And in amongst all of that, is Zac's family: his wife and child, and of course Amelia who died years earlier but who never leaves any of their thoughts.

Powerfully written book, great characterisations.

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

This is book #3 of the D.I. Zac Boateng series. It can be read as a standalone book, but it does have references to the previous books, so I would recommend to read in order.

Detective Inspector Zac Boateng is still on the hunt for the person who killed his daughter, Amelia. He believes it to be Kaiser, an unknown killer who Zac also believes is a corrupt Metropolitan Police Officer. As usual, Zac does his own thing in investigating the case, but when one of his informants is killed, he knows he’s getting nearer to finding out who Kaiser is. When his son, Kofi goes missing, Zac realises he will need share the task of finding Kaiser with the rest of the team….but who can he trust?

Hooray!! Zac is back!!! I have read the other two books of the series and have loved them but this one knocks the spots off of those!! I flew through this book and finished it in just under a day!! Zac is such an intriguing character and I’ve so enjoyed trying to work him out through this series. He is still grieving over the murder of his daughter and won’t rest until her killer is found. All throughout the series he has ‘gone rogue’ and done his own investigation off the record, but in this book he gets help from DS Kat Jones, who is definitely a well-needed ally! I do like Zac’s character and really feel for him in this book. Nothing ever seems to go right for him despite so much hard work he puts in to get the results needed. Kat Jones is another great character in this book, being cast as Zac’s loyal sidekick. She obviously has admiration for her boss and would do anything to help him, even if it means breaking his trust sometimes.

The book is fast paced and gripping from the very first page. Obviously it helped that I had read the previous two books, so understood the story, but even if you haven’t it’s all easily explained. I found myself not trusting anyone, and I loved how Kaiser could be a serving police officer, and even one of Zac’s team. For me, it just added that extra bit of suspense of who could be trusted and who couldn’t. I suspected almost everyone, and still got it wrong! I loved the twists and turns in the story and how it never gave me any clue whatsoever as to who Kaiser was until it was almost at the reveal!

This was a great mix of Zac’s personal and work life, balancing it out perfectly so they come together to give us one high-action police thriller. The book was very well researched with great detail going into the descriptions of some parts, particularly with the guns where there was great expert knowledge, and it gives a glimpse into some of the shadier places of London! It covers police corruption, murder, child abduction and gun-running….what more could you want!!

I really hope this isn’t the end of this series and there is more from Zac Boateng to come! It definitely was, for me, the best book of the series so far! Highly recommended!

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

where to start a police drama...zac an experienced cop married with two children, one daughter dead and a son that is kidnapped with a case that is challenging to say the least

who is kaiser....and why has he kidnapped his son, where will it all lead

a mad dash with red herrings galore will keep you on your toes

not a bad read, though i did guess who kaiser was before it was revealed

If you love crime thrillers. you will enjoy this series featuring detective Zac Boateng. I immediately became embroiled in the story line of this book and read it in two days. This is book three in the series, although it can be read as a stand alone, i recommend beginning with the first book. You will become addicted! A really good thriller to keep you on the edge. My thanks to Net Galley for my ARC. Reviews on Goodreads and Facebook.

I enjoyed this gripping read, which had me racing through the last few chapters, desperate to see what would happen. Everything is conspiring against DI Zac Boateng. He has allowed a dangerous criminal to escape from prison, his young son is in grave danger, his closest ally in the police is spying on him and he has a government minister trying to frame him. It couldn’t really get any worse, particularly as he has already lost his daughter to violence. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, however, he takes action, often on his own. An assortment of officers from various police departments is brought in to investigate after a gun-runner’s consignment is confiscated. There are rumours that the gun-runner, known as Kaiser, is a policeman – and Boateng is convinced he also has something to do with his son. Police corruption, gun running and multi-disciplinary police work all form part of this fast-paced story. Is one of the officers co-opted into the investigation at the heart of everything that’s going wrong for Zac? This is the third and final book in the series, but I read it as a standalone and don’t feel as though I missed out on anything.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Life or Death, the third novel to feature DI Zac Boateng of the Met.

When the police arrest a gun runner Zac gets a vague hint about Kaiser, the alleged police officer behind the murder of his daughter, Amelia, five years ago and multiple other crimes but before he can take it further the informant dies of a drug overdose. When Kaiser ups the stakes Zac finds himself in a desperate fight for survival.

I thoroughly enjoyed Life or Death which is an exciting thriller with several twists and a well concealed perpetrator. I found it very moreish, itching to get back to it when I had to put it down. Mostly it is told from the points of view of Zac and his sidekick, DS Kat Jones with situational updates from other characters as required. I didn’t find the multiple points of view distracting as I often do but enticing in that it all moulds together seamlessly and each change offers an update to the ongoing plot line and a further opportunity for the reader to speculate on what’s coming. The novel is fast paced with plenty of action and events to keep the reader occupied and yet it doesn’t seem rushed or frenetic as the “logic” behind it is well reasoned and while not predictable in any way none of the characters’ actions seem unexpected. It all just seems to fit together.

There is an overarching theme to the series, Zac’s determination to catch all the perpetrators of his daughter’s murder. It is not necessary to have read the previous novels in the series to enjoy Life or Death as it is complete within itself but for those readers who like to have the full picture I would suggest reading the books in order.

Zac Boateng is a very likeable protagonist. He is smart and tenacious but has a tendency to investigate off the books and keep his activities secret. This is not the face of modern policing but it makes for good reading. He seems more open to sharing in this novel, enlisting Kat Jones to help him. This involves her in a moral dilemma of her own when the big boss asks her for updates on Zac’s activities. I liked her decision making making on this over the course of the novel as it seems very realistic.

Life or Death is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

A shipment of illegal guns is confiscated by London police, and their "owner" who goes by the nickname "Kaiser" needs lots of cash to pay back his unsavory suppliers or face the consequences. Enter Detective Zac Boateng, who lost his young daughter to street violence 6 years ago and now finds his 11 year old son, Kofi, in perilous danger from this Kaiser villain. And to top if off there are very strong rumors that Kaiser is actually a police officer. Zac breaks all the rules in this heart wrenching tale of how far you go for family in a story where no one can be trusted.

This is the third book of Chris Merritt I've read so far, and even though I've just said it, I will say it again. They just get better and better. The character development from the first book of our main character Detective Zac is well done and I can't wait to see where he will still go in future books. Recommended.

This is the third book to feature Zac and yet another edge of your seat thriller.

This story is all about how far you would go for your loved ones. Not only has Zac and his wife already lost one child, their son Kofi, also now finds himself in danger. I had so much empathy for Zac and his wife. If one thing I have come to learn from this authors books is that if it doesn’t rain, it pours. Poor Zac certainly never seems to get a break that’s for sure.

Kat really stands out in this story. She has to go above and beyond in what to do for the best. It’s always good to get a better feel for other team members and Zac is pretty lucky to have her fighting his corner.

I liked seeing a character from the previous novel turn up in this one. It really added to the whole essence of this story and made it feel more personal. The author keeps us dangling on as to who is behind everything though, making for some gripping reading.

Life Or Death is an absolute nail biter of a read. I think I was more of an emotional wreck than Zac and his wife through out what was happening. I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough to see if things end well for them and Kofi. Kofi certainly pulls on the readers heart strings making you route for Zac in finding the villain. This authors books always leave me on a high and desperate for more. A series that every crime lover should have on their book shelves.

Third book in the series. I would have gotten into the story quicker if I’d read the others, but it still worked for me. Zac is an excellent character who is able to juggle personal needs and agendas with the demands of the police force. Current events are addressed as civilians and police officers are shot. Gun control issues are raised, but Zac’s special skills help him navigate a tricky maze of personnel, and potential pitfalls.

Life or Death is the 3rd in the Det Zac Boateng series but my first read. I do feel you have to have read the first two in order to get some of the background information as to the death of Zac's daughter Amelia which I presume is covered in the first two but despite this, the author has given a fair bit of information for you to be able to read this as a standalone. However, I will be going back to the beginning as I love a good detective series and am always happy to find another to add to my ever growing list.

When two young lads are stopped by the police, a shoot out occurs, one occupant dies leaving another policeman dead, there is an outcry from the public for the shooting despite the fact they discovered loads of guns in the boot of the car ,Skorpians to be exact, imagine if they had gotten into the wrong hands on the streets? A special task force put together and named Operation Pluto to find the gun dealer and get him off the streets, a man only known as Kaiser. They have an informant in the other occupant of the car, Mensah but he dies of an apparent overdose in prison while on remand, there are leaks within the department, talk of Kaiser being in the force? Can they flush him out

Det Boateng is an achieved detective, having dealt with the death of his daughter Amelia who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and got caught in the crossfire, Boateng has vowed to track down the culprit who murdered his daughter. Boateng doesn't exactly play by the rule book and goes off investigating by himself leaving his partner, Jones in a difficult position covering for him but screw the rules especially when his son goes missing, Boateng knows hes been abducted as he is getting close to the truth, to finding out who Kaiser is, will he live to tell the tale though?

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, its a well bedded crime thriller mystery, you become embroiled in the storyline, in Boateng's personal life, if you love a good detective series, you should definitely add this one to your list, I certainly will be.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Zac is back and better than ever! I have enjoyed this whole series and would definitely recommend if you are a fan of crime books.
From the first page it had me hooked. Zac is a brilliant character and I am hoping to read more books featuring him. This was an action packed page turner of a book.
One thing I really enjoyed about this book were the other characters that featured heavily in the story, weren't just there to make up numbers, they all had a part to play in the story.
I look forward to reading more of Chris Merritt's work.