I have read all of Katerina Diamond's books and each one of them has gripped me right from the first page. This story was no different!
I love Katerina's style of writing, the characters are fantastic and a thrilling storyline as always.
Thank you to Katerina Diamond, Net Galley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I loved this book, so many twists and turns and so much betrayal, all in the name of money! Loved it!

Trick or Treat Katerina Diamond
4 Stars

Fast paced and an intriguing story

This is the first book that I have read in this series and this may be why the book did not get 5 stars instead of 4. It is perfectly possible to read this as a stand-alone book and very enjoyable but I did not really feel too much empathy with Detective Imogen Gray and her partner Adrian although it would appear that they have been in a relationship for some time.

The story starts when a 6 year old boy outside his house on his bike is bundled into a car and whisked away. His mother has literally turned away from watching him only moments earlier. It would appear that the parents have been told not to involve the police and wait for the ransom demand. However by pure coincidence a teenager in the house opposite had actually seen the kidnap and taken a photo. His anonymous telephone call sends Detective Imogen Gray round to investigate. However the parents are adamant that all is well. Imogen with her detective’s intuition feels that the father Peter Carlyle is somehow involved.

Imogen’s partner Adrian has left the police after a horrific sexual attack that he has been subjected to. He is unable to tell anyone about it and Imogen is thinking that their relationship will soon be over due to his withdrawn behaviour.

Adrian now works for a slightly shifty security company and during the course of his job discovers the man who had been driving the van in which he had been attacked. In an effort to discover his attacker he beats this man up leaving his house full of his DNA. When this man is subsequently discovered dead Adrian is arrested for his murder. The only way he can free himself is by telling Imogen about the attack.

As the story progresses it becomes clear that Peter Carlyle is implicated in some way but even Imogen cannot believe the extent of his involvement.

The story is fast paced and very readable bit I did think it was a little too long. The other area that I found slightly disturbing is Imogen’s feelings towards one of her colleagues in the force. The author portrays the horrendous emotions that Adrian is going through extremely sensitively and when Imogen finally discovers the truth she is very sympathetic and determined to rebuild their relationship so I found it slightly strange that we keep getting told about her potential attraction to another man.

However apart from this one issue I really enjoyed this book and the way the whole story unravels.






Dexter
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

This one fell completely flat for me. I was expecting so much more, and I got so much less. The writing style irked me, I felt like the editor could have pushed the author to vary their speech more, seeing as the repetition of "he said", "she said", "Imogen said," etc. It's my first book in the series, but this didn't leave me wanting to go pick up the rest of the series - that should say something.

This is a series that I have religiously followed from the very start, each time a small part of me expects the next in the series to be 'less' BUT every single installment just gets better and better!

I still cant believe we're onto book #7.. fir those who haven't yet read the previous books in the series.. STOP NOW.. go back and read them.. this is definitely not a series you can just dip into.

Book number 7 is the most powerful by far. It's so raw, emotional, traumatic and hard hitting. It's bloody amazing.

This is definitely the epitome of crime thriller. It's multilayered story is so intricately woven it is so easy to get completely and utterly encompassed in it, leaving the world turning around you.

Katerina Diamond has a really unique writing style that literally sucks you into it's pages. I devoured this is one sitting, staying up until the early hours to finish.

DI Imogen Grey is the most readable character you could wish for and her relationship with her team is such a joy to watch.

Without spoiling I've got to say that I had a couple of tears roll down my face in one part when Adrian finally managed to open up to Imogen. My heart actually broke for him.

This is a relentless tale full to the brim with suspense and packed with real emotion that you will not want to put it down.

Round of applause for Katerina Diamond... now where's the next one???

Huge thanks to netgalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC.

A good addition to the series. This was a bit of a rollercoaster with lots of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages.

This book is the latest addition to the Grey and Miles series. I haven't read any of the other books in the series but this book was excellent. I feel there's no need to read the others in the series and this can be read as a standalone.

It was quite straightforward from the beginning. It was obvious it was going to centre on a kidnapping. From the first scene we see a teenager - Jason who is angry at his girlfriend for dumping him. Deciding to trash her house since her parents and her are on a vacation, he sees something he can never unsee. A young boy being kidnapped from just across the street by two hooded men in a white van. Jason quickly calls the cops anonymously and Detective Imogen Grey is soon called to the scene.

From there, investigations begin and pretty much only ends towards the epilogue. I like Imogen's character, she's tough, bossy, strong willed and dedicated to her hob. Her boyfriend and her are quite solid even though he was dealing with his own problems unknown to her. Jason's household is also included, their problems increasing by the day. From his aloof dad returning, to his brother coming out of jail. The only person not really in the book is Marcus himself. I feel reading about Marcus in his captive state would have been really good since the whole book is centred on him. Besides, he's not that young. So reading his thoughts and what he went through should have been part of the story.

Thanks to Netgalley, the Publisher and the author for the arc copy of this book.

I was really looking forward to this book and it didn’t disappoint! Trick Or Treat is the 7th instalment in a series that I’ve read no other books of which would usually irk me however that didn’t matter in this case as it can be read as a stand-alone.

The Halloween setting was the perfect vibe for this time of year, the chapters were short and snappy which is something I love in a book as it keeps my interest piqued more and there are multiple strands to the story which kept me guessing all the way until the end!

This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and like an idiot, I didn’t actually realise this was the seventh in a series.

As with many of these things, I have no doubt I would have enjoyed the characters more, understanding their backstories etc had I read previous books; however, it was not essential for getting to grips with this novel. In fact, given the amount of repetition and explanation of things that had happened before, I think had I read other books, I might have found this quite tedious.

The book focusses on the kidnapping of young Marcus, with a side story following an accidental witness, and an ongoing issue with Imogen’s boyfriend (I’m assuming from a previous story). Personally, I found there was far too much going on with these intertwining stories, and it all seemed very convenient they would be related in some way.

I believe I may have rolled my eyes on more than one occasion.

Generally, I found all the characters boring or unlikeable (obviously, some were meant to be the latter), but I couldn’t even get to grips with the main characters. I didn’t gel with Imogen, and her boyfriend really infuriated me.

The dialogue between characters was awful in parts, and felt really uncomfortable to read. It seemed quite amateurish to me, with a lot of He said, she said, Imogen said, Jason said. I encourage my children to find alternative ways of presenting dialogue and most of them are still in KS2. I expect better from an author with a significant catalogue to her name (and I certainly demand better from an editor).

All in all, an OK story but it just didn’t really hold my attention and I felt no suspense, interest or excitement in any element of it. For those who are already invested in the series, no doubt you will feel differently.

I had never read any books in this series, but found I could still follow this story. The cover attracted me to read the book. I really enjoyed the multiple plot lines occurring, and I also liked how they all had subtle connections. The characters were relatable and interesting. Having read this one, I can't wait to read the previous ones I missed!

I have not read any of the other books in this series but I need to know. This book was amazing and its very rare that I say that about books. Witnessing a kidnapping from your bedroom window is scary and now the mother is receiving ransom notes to get him back. The plot is really good and twisty. There are a lot of different parts of the investigation and that makes it very difficult for the police. I think I would understand it more if i were to read the other books in the series.

While I hadn't read the previous books in the series, this one was easy to follow and it was so good. I was hooked right from the beginning. I did predict most of the twists but the book was enjoyable despite that.

Book 7 of the DS Imogen Grey series starts with the kidnapping of 6 year old Marcus Carlyle. Jason Hitchin has broken into the house across the road, it’s his ex girlfriend’s place and he just wants to mess it up a bit but he witnesses the kidnapping and, because he’s not all bad, he calls it in to the police. When Imogen arrives at the house the parents insist everything is fine but Imogen can see the stress in the mother’s face and brazens her way inside. Soon everything is out in the open and plans are being made about how to handle the case. Imogen feels there is something ‘off’ in this family though.

Meanwhile her boyfriend Adrian Miles and former police partner who now works private security is wondering how he’ll face another day. In this book Diamond deals with the difficult topic of male rape. Adrian’s ordeal which was 10 months ago is still fresh in his mind and he has not been able to confide in anybody. The author handles this topic with great sensitivity and you can clearly understand how hard it must be for an adult male to report such a thing. He hasn’t even told Imogen who is wondering why Adrian is so distant to her.

The kidnapping quickly becomes very much more complex as the ransom money disappears and the boy’s mother, Sara Carlyle, is viciously attacked on her her way back from the failed drop. Poor Jason gets much more involved in the whole drama than he would like as his wayward father and brother constantly lead him astray.

And Adrian is trying to find the men who attacked him. He is working through a list when he gets to the last name and realises this man was the driver. He didn’t directly assault Adrian but he might know who did. Even this interaction goes sideways and the twists keep coming. Meanwhile, little Marcus is still missing and hopes are fading for finding him alive.

This was a very tense story. The lengths Adrian goes to to keep his secret from coming out are staggering. And the lengths the kidnapper will go to get a pay day are shocking. I really enjoyed this story and can recommend the series. I haven’t read them all but I have read a few and now I really want to fill in the gaps. Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

Katerina Diamond has struck gold with her series of books featuring Adrian Miles and Imogen Grey. I was captured from the first page and didn’t stop until I was finished. Riveting storyline and fantastic cast of characters.
Following an anonymous phone call DS Imogen Grey and her team attended a house in the suburbs to investigate the report that a little boy had been kidnapped and driven away in the back of a white van.
Although the parents were in denial at first it soon became clear that their little boy had been taken and the kidnappers had already been in contact telling them not to involve the police. They requested £700,000 cash ransom and confirmed they would be back in touch to arrange drop off details.
At the same time we continue to follow the strained relationship between Imogen and Adrian and all the complexities that involved.
Extremely clever storyline and lots of excitement - not one to be missed.

I do love this author, her stories keep you turning the pages with great charectors and good pace. Everything appears very normal this morning when a boy is snatched but the only reason they know this is because someone was in another house who shouldn't have been and they saw it. What is going on and who has got the boy? Twists and turns plus surprises that I did not guess. A great book and recommended.

So this is part of a book series, which I didn't know when I requested it on Netgalley. But thankfully, while reading it, there wasn't really a single moment where I felt like I was missing something. It definitely works as a standalone too! However, I do think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read all the other books in the series first. Because sadly, it was pretty hard for me to fully get into the story. I think that was mostly because I expected there to be more of a focus on the kidnapping and solving the case and less on the relationship between the detective and her boyfriend... I would have preferred to see Marcus' POV. It would have been intriguing to see what he went through and how he experienced his kidnapping. I also somehow expected it to be way creepier than it actually was.

I did appreciate that in the second half of the book, tension rises and the tempo gets a little faster. I enjoyed the big "showdown" at the end and thought it was pretty clever how everything (that seemed a bit of a mess at the start) came together. Oh and the Adrien side plot definitely had me intrigued, I thought it was very well done and it's definitely important for representation. I'm not gonna add too much detail about that here because it's a bit of a spoiler. So if you wanna find out what it was, go read the book.

Thank you to Avonbooks UK, Katerina Diamond and Netgalley for providing me with me an e-ARC of this book.

Overall rating: ★★½

I love Grey and Miles they are such a great team and keep me immersed in the story till the end. I was worried after the last book where the story of the main characters would take them but I was so pleased to see the emotional journey this book goes on and with the return of an old character (no spoilers) the brilliant ending has left me wanting more. It is not essential but it would help to read the previous book in this series no.

I read this book near Halloween and it was just the perfect book for the time. It was such a fun thrilling story and I had a blast with it.

Love this author
And she didn’t disappoint with this book
An absolute page turner
Love Detective Imogen grey and her team
This series is fantastic
Thanks NetGalley

Thankfully, although this is only the second book in this series that I have read, this time around I didn't feel as though I was missing anything. And although a past case was referenced quite often, I didn't feel as though I needed those details as the outcome (and the long lasting effects) were plain enough.

However, this book was so hard for me to get into. For one thing, there was a lot more emphasis placed on Imogen and her boyfriend Adrian that I felt took away from the kidnapping portion. I understand it was most likely the author's intent to use this as a way to create depth to the characters (and to bring to light a rather taboo subject), I didn't feel as though it came across that way.

The policing aspect was also longer and more drawn out than I felt it needed to be with a surprise twist that honestly didn't make much sense. I also wish we would have gotten insight into Markus and his state of mind during his captivity. What did he see? What did he hear? I understand it might have been difficult as he was only six years old, but I feel like this would have given the story the depth the author was looking for.

Also, potential spoiler, but it needs to be said, this story does end on a cliff-hanger which encourages the reader to continue on with the series, however, at this time I am unsure as to whether or not I will be doing so.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.