From the first page I was hooked. Spent a long lazy day devouring this. Have bought copies for friends Christmas gifts. Definitely read this! Will be buying more by this author.

The Promise is a slow burn of a novel featuring the troubled detectives Grey and Miles. Women are being murdered by a predator that meets them via an internet site. A slightly disappointing read due to.the lack of pace.

Another case for D S Imogen Grey and D S Adrian Miles. This time they are hunting a serial killer who seduces his victims online before murdering them. Quite a few strands running through this story, several characters who have plenty to say, not to mention police work. Not everything is neatly tidied up, so maybe answers will be found in future books. The story was engaging and quite exciting, especially later on. I liked the style of writing which was easy to read and the cover was intriguing. My first book by this author and I look forward to reading her others too.

My Review: 5/5

How is this the first book I’ve read by Katerina Diamond? I cannot believe I haven’t read any of her books before The Promise. I enjoy mysteries/psychological thrillers, and I’m happy to have discovered this author to add to my reading collection.

This book is a great who dunnit. Like most other mysteries I read, I put my detective hat on and tried to solve the case before it is revealed. This one is a little different. There are a couple of different stories going on at the same time. At first I was a little confused as I tried to figure out how each one was relevant, but when I figured it out it was the huge lightbulb over my head that illuminated! Wow! It took me by surprise and I loved it!

Since this is the first book I’ve read in the series, it can definitely be read as a stand alone. However, I will be going back to read all of the books that lead up to this point. I definitely recommend this book if you’re wanting a great mystery that will keep you on your toes!

*Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.* 'The Promise' is the 4th book in the DS Imogen Grey series and picks up from where 'The Angel' left off. I have also read the first two books in the series and enjoyed the build up of tension as the plot developed. This novel follows two seemingly separate plot lines, that one can't help but wonder how they connect. One storyline follows young Connor, who has just returned to England after many years in the UK. He is a young man with a troubled past and a cruel father. The other storyline is the police investigation into a series of brutal murders. A fast-paced and engaging read. I look forward to the next instalment and really must go back and read #3 in the series.

Another brilliant read by Katerina Diamond! Enjoyed the interweaving of the diary entries and trying to work out who was narrating and where they fitted into the two main plots. This time around, I did have a strong inkling who the killer was but there was always room for doubt so not an anticlimax. It's a thrilling and action packed read as the killer moves from one victim to another and Imogen and Adrian race against the clock to catch them. Great to catch up with Imogen and Adrian again and having read all of the books to date, I was hoping they would get together in this one. Maybe next time!

I have enjoyed the previous books in this series so I was looking forward to reading this latest one & I was not disappointed.

Connor & his father have returned from America. Hints are given that they left under a cloud due to something Connor was involved in. In his new school the 'in' crowd are keen to have him in their clique with his all American surfer good looks. Connor does not seem comfortable in this role. The story is told from his perspective at times we are made aware that he is a troubled young men.

In the area that forms part of detectives Imogen Gray & Adrian Miles patch young women are being strangled. They are found in their own homes but the scene has been expertly cleaned up. When a connection is found to an online game Imogen is set up as bait.

The connection between these stories have the reader guessing. I did guess the murderer but I didn't guess the reasoning behind it.

All in all it was a good read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

I haven't read the books that have come before The Promise and although I'm sure that if I had, it would have added a little "something" to my reading experience, I don't feel that I have missed out.
This book stands alone very well indeed.

I enjoyed it very much and shall be going back to the beginning of the series to read everything in order now.

It’s not hard to see why Katerina Diamond has been hailed as the new queen of crime fiction. Her books are densely plotted, wonderfully intricate, deliciously terrifying and packed with heart-pounding twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats and in her latest novel, The Promise, featuring DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles, Katerina Diamond has outdone herself once again.

DS Adrian Miles is going through a difficult time. Still grieving for his girlfriend, Adrian feels as if he has fallen down a dark abyss of misery and anguish he simply cannot climb out of. Sick and tired of being treated with kid gloves by his colleagues and forced to share his house with his ex and their teenage son, Adrian finds solace and comfort in his job as a police officer. Working enables Adrian to forget about his problems and to momentarily put aside his grief and despair – despite the pitying looks and concerned glances his colleagues seem to be giving him every other minute. When he is called to investigate the case of a woman found strangled in her bedroom alongside his colleague DS Imogen Grey, Adrian cannot wait to get stuck into this perplexing and disturbing case – even though this investigation might prove to be the toughest one yet!

Imogen cannot help but be worried about her colleague. She can tell that Adrian is not coping after his girlfriend’s death, but with a dangerous perpetrator on the loose targeting vulnerable women and leads being thin on the ground and time not being on their side, she finds herself having to put all of her time, energy and effort into solving this case. As the two of them begin to dig deeper into this case, they realise that this was not a random killing, but a cold-blooded murder by somebody the victim had trusted whom she had let into her house. But who was he? And what was his connection to the victim? As Grey and Miles’ investigation leads them to discover that the murdered woman was living a second life online, they realise that if they are to catch the twisted killer wreaking all this damage and destruction, they need to play him at his own game and become a part of the bizarre virtual world where he befriends and seduces the victims he subsequently murders.

Determined to catch him before he strikes again, Imogen reluctantly agrees to act as bait. But does she know what she is letting herself in for? Or will she end up paying the ultimate price with her life? As suspicion falls upon Connor, the strange new boy who has just come to town, who spies on his neighbours through the windows of his tree house, Grey and Miles find themselves entangled in a web of sordid desire and perilous danger. But could all the answers to their questions be much closer than they actually realise? Will they find the killer before another woman’s life is claimed? Or will they be too late?

Crime fiction does not get any better than this! The Promise is a white-knuckle ride that grips from the very beginning and keeps readers absolutely riveted to the page. Katerina Diamond ramps up the tension with ease and flair and takes readers on a terrifying and twisted journey where nothing is as it seems. The pace never flags, the action never stops and the suspense is so chilling and nail-biting that readers won’t be able to sleep as they find themselves completely and utterly consumed by The Promise.

Dark, tense and absolutely brilliant, The Promise is a must-read for crime fiction aficionados the world over.

Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book.

WOW Is all I can say! This was a highly gripping read. I loved the style of this book, stories told by three different narratives / people, who were all very different. The author dropped in little bits too link the three peoples stories along the way, but the stylistic nature of writing kept you guess until about a third of the way through the book, where the author starts bringing all three people together.

I was shocked by the outcome and ending of this book, seeing twists and turns I didn’t expect throughout. You really felt like you got to know The characters too. I couldn’t put this book down!

This book was not as good as Katerina's previous books, especially the last one. I found the beginning and the middle a bit long winded but I enjoyed the ending. Connor was a great character because I found myself liking him despite his flaws and feeling really sorry for him. I did guess the ending but still found it an ok read.

I quite liked this book having given the first book in the series only 1 star. The three strands of the book were obviously going to be drawn together. It was definitely a page turner but I felt it was brought to an abrupt end. The team investigating the strangulation of women who meet a murderer online is investigated by police officers with their own problems - Adrien Miles is sill struggling to cope with the death of his partner and Imogen Grey has parted with her bad-boy boyfriend. I liked it enough to decide I will read books 2 an 3 in the series.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Katerina Diamond/Avon Books for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Promise is the fourth book in the Imogen Grey series by Katerina Diamond but only the second one I have read. That said, it can easily be read as a stand alone and I didn't feel at too much of a disadvantage having not read other books. You do get a good recap of what has come before, but not so much as to spoil the other reads completely, although, as always, exercise caution as there is one element which I think will give away book three quite a bit.

The story is one which many people will recognise - women being murdered by someone they have met through a dating app. The only problem is for Imogen and her partner Adrian Miles is that descriptions of the potential suspect differ greatly and there is no discernible link between the victims and the men they may have been dating. The killer is clever, ensuring that any electronic trails are eliminated and leaving no trace of themselves at the scene. So just how will the pair catch this cruel murderer before he, or she, can strike again.

This is really a triple narrative story, part focusing on Imogen and Adrian as they investigate the murder and navigate their own complicated personal and work relationships. It also focuses on a teenage boy, Connor, who has just moved to Exeter with his father. Connor is a curiosity in his new school - American, good looking, easily fitting in with the 'in-crowd', but he is clearly harbouring a dark secret, one which is slowly revealed through the course of the story. Connor should be at ease with the popular kids but he is more fascinated by his next door neighbour, a young girl called Selina, who Connor recognises as a kindred spirit. It is initially hard to see where Connor's story fits in with the main murder investigation but as you read on things become a lot clearer and Katerina Diamond has done a brilliant job of pulling the seemingly separate threads together.

Now I mentioned this was a triple narrative story, and it is, with the third segment being told through a series of flashbacks. I don't want to say too much about this part of the book, but I will say that it is very dark and quite harrowing to read, full of manipulation and abuse and very skilfully helps to build an element of back story which will lead the reader to draw all manner of conclusions along the way about what is really happening. It creates a kind of misdirection, pointing the finger of suspicion to many potential perpetrators as you read, whilst cleverly disguising the truth of what is happening.

I really like the way in which the author builds pace and urgency into the novel. As a reader you feel like the ultimate voyeur. You can tell immediately what will happen and feel the tension building inside you, but are powerless to change what is about to happen. You will curse the victims for their naivety whilst willing them to find a way to fight back. You will want Connor to come good, and yet be horrified by his actions, and you will pray that Imogen and Adrian find a way to stop the killer before it is too late, perched, as you inevitably will be, on the edge of your seat during those final few nail biting chapters. got to be honest, if you are looking for a read where the author takes it easy on their protagonists, then this really isn't your read. Katerina Diamond is just plain mean. I love it.

Fast paced, full of heart-stopping tension intertwined with more poignant and tender moments, this book is highly recommended. If you haven't read any of this series yet you are missing a trick. Get and fix that now. If you are already a fan then rest assured, this is another brilliant read.

Another cracking read from Katerina Diamond! This is one of my favourite series. The pacing is good and the story keeps you gripped. I loved how there was a story within a story with the diary entries. I am desperate for Aiden and Imogen to get together man! Make it happen!!! Roll on the next book :-) Thanks to Netgalley, Avon and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

4☆ A Gripping Dark Page Turner

The Promise is the forth book in the series, but my first book I have had the pleasure of reading. Even though this book is part of a series I do believe it can be read as a standalone. Although you do miss out on the characters build up.

This is the first time meeting Detectives Imogen Grey & Adrian Miles, I really liked their chemistry and how focussed and determined they were to catch the latest serial killer. Even going as far as luring them into a Catfish style trap!

They are hunting down a psychopath who lures women via the internet for dates, then beds them and murders them.
Gave me chills as it's all a lil too real! You just never know who your talking too online!

The story also focuses on Conor. Conor is a young teen who has moved to the UK for a fresh start. Conor doesn't have life easy and he really struggles to fit in.

Each of the stories connect but how & why you will just have to discover for yourself.

The Promise has a eerie cover that is so striking it draws you in!
It's a compelling and addictive read, I loved the characters they we're well written and engaging.
It's a pacy crime thriller that will have you turning the pages.

Thank you to Avon Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This is such an easy book to recommend. Diamond has pulled out yet another belter, and I’m hugely grateful to NetGalley for granting me access to this.
There’s a number of strands that run throughout the novel and it was great fun trying to work out just how they linked.
Yet again the detectives get caught up in a rather horrific series of crimes and it all gets just a little personal. There’s hints of a developing relationship but the focus throughout was on the crime and attempts to solve it.
If you like well-plotted stories this is worth a look. Fans of the series will love it.

This was a great crime thriller with two stories which individually held my interest while I waited to see how they could possibly relate to each other. I hadn't realised before reading that it was the fourth in a series and I do think that would have been good to realise beforehand as there were a lot of references to things that had happened in the past. However, I do look forward to reading more from Katerina Diamond as her style of writing definitely held my interest!

The fourth instalment in DS Adrian Miles and Imogen Grey series is an absolute corker! The story follows a serial killer who finds his victims via a social media game and plays to their weaknesses, making them fall in love with him then ultimately meeting them and committing his hideous crimes.

Alongside this we meet Connor, a troubled teenager who has recently arrived in England from the USA to start a new life with his father. Connor is escaping his past and hoping for a clean slate but finds his demons making it just as hard to fit in here as in the US.

This is a brilliant story; intriguing from the start, it pulled me in wondering how the various threads would link together - it was a marvellous light bulb moment when I realised! This is a book that would easily be devoured in one or two sittings, for me it took a little longer as I’ve been unwell but nonetheless it kept me utterly absorbed throughout. Upon finishing it I’ve been left still thinking about certain characters and their fates, (nothing I can mention as I do not want to give any spoilers) and I think they will stay with me for a while.

If you enjoy a crime thriller full of suspense, fascinating characters and a twisted perpetrator – then you will love The Promise. I do recommend that you read the series in order if you can as it provides so much background to the leads. I have the previous book, The Angel, but for some silly reason hadn’t read it and felt a little on the back foot on the odd occasion – nothing that significantly spoilt the read for me, I just wish I had read it before to give me the full picture. I will most certainly have to read it now. Anyway, the upshot is that I thoroughly recommend this book – give it a go!

My thanks to #NetGalley and Avon Books UK for a copy of #ThePromise in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! What a great book! Everything I ask for in a crime thriller. I'll certainly be recommending this one and definitely checking out the author for more!

I have been a fan of Katerina’s books since the moment I picked up her first book called ‘The Teacher’. The series just seems to get better and better. As soon as I finish the most recent book, I immediately look forward to the next book. It seems like forever (in reality it was only a matter of months) that I have been waiting for ‘The Promise’ to be released. The wait for ‘The Promise’ has been well worth it. I absolutely loved reading ‘The Promise’ but more about that in a bit.
I have to admit that I love the work partnership between DS Adrian Miles and DS Imogen Grey. Miles is a policeman, whose dedication to his work has cost him dearly. His personal life has been messy and he already has a broken down marriage. It seemed as though he had found happiness but sadly his girlfriend died. Not surprisingly her death has hit Miles hard. He seems depressed, distant, his concentration is shot and his mind wanders to places unknown. His ex-wife and son are currently living with him as they have nowhere else to go. Miles is finding this arrangement hard to cope with. He needs to have his own space and privacy to grieve for his late girlfriend. Miles and Grey work really well together and Grey can’t help but feel concerned about her friend and colleague. It seems strange to Grey that she is the one doing the worrying because it is usually Miles who is worrying about her. The boot is on the other foot. Grey herself also has a bit of a messy personal life. She was in a relationship with a former criminal but the beginning of the book sees them in the midst of a trial separation. I did feel a bit sorry for Grey because on the one hand she is a career police officer but she is in love with a man, who has broken the law on more than one occasion. She loves him and she doesn’t want him to change as his previous offences have made him into the man he is today and the man she fell in love with, but if she wants to remain a police officer, then she thinks that she can’t stay with him because her bosses would see her relationship as her condoning his behaviour or even colluding with him. Grey does have a bit more stability going on in her work life. She is impressing the bosses and she has been recommended for promotion to Detective Inspector level. At first she seems unsure about the possible move and feels as though she is betraying Miles in some way. That’s what I think anyway.
Oh my word this latest instalment of the DS Miles & Grey series has to be my favourite book of the series so far. The story hits the ground running and maintains the pace throughout. The beginning of the book was memorable in more ways than one. It’s no word of a lie to say that I was literally hooked on this book from the moment I read the synopsis, never mind began to read the book itself. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start and much like a fisherman reeling in a fish, Katerina reels you into the story and keeps your attention throughout the book. For me, ‘The Promise’ really is a ‘can’t put it down book’. The book wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it came everywhere with me and I begrudged having to put the book down. If I did have to put the book down then I was counting down the time until I could pick it up again. I also found any excuse that I could to simply get back to reading ‘The Promise’. The book certainly kept me reading into the early morning hours. I decided that sleep was for wimps!!
‘The Promise’ is brilliantly written with fantastic storylines and believable characters. The chapters do often finish on a bit of a ‘duff duff’ moment (think the end of an episode of ‘Eastenders’), which of course means that you simply have to read on and on. I would pick the book up, only intending to read a couple of chapters and before I knew it, I had spent a couple of hours reading and I had read several chapters never mind one chapter. The author writes so convincingly that I really did feel as though I was part of the story and not just reading it. I felt as though I was an invisible member of Grey and Miles’ investigation. I know ‘The Promise’ is a work of fiction but if I am enjoying the book and the story and the writing is that good, I start to interact with the book and randomly shout out certain things, which certainly got me some strange looks on the bus. ‘The Promise’ is one hell of a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride of a read with surprises, twists and turns galore and I blooming well loved it.
It’s fair to say that I blooming well loved, loved, loved reading ‘The Promise’. As I mentioned at the beginning of this review the series just goes from strength to strength and each book is better than the last. I can’t wait to read what fate has in store for Miles & Grey. Here’s hoping that we don’t have too long to wait. I would definitely recommend this author and her books to other readers. Believe me, you won’t be disappointed. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a hugely deserved 5* out of 5*.