Very good start, drifted in the middle and a muddled ending to this police murder/serial killer book.

Besides trying to solve the murders (very descriptive), there was also the 'will they/won't they' relationship of the two detectives. Plus, of course, the slightly weird relationship with one of the 'baddies' - no spoilers from me!

I have not read any of the previous four in the series, and not keen to do so.

Thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books for the chance to read and review.

"sometimes the past comes back to kill you" Truth or Die is book 5 in the DS Imogen Grey series. While this can be read as a stand alone I would highly suggest you read the previous books to get the history of this team. As always Katerina Diamond has written a great police procedural with graphic murders and a complicated story. This time there is also a lot going on in the lives of the detectives. It is an enthralling read that I powered through wanting to see how it was going to end.

The bodies are piling up at Exeter University. Grey and Miles are called to the horrific scene of the murder of a professor in his rooms. He seems to be an innocent man, well liked and popular. Who would want him dead and why? And this is not the first - or last murder of people involved with the university. It is a race against time to stop the killer before the strike again.

Thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.

Truth or Die (D.S. Imogen Grey, #5)
by Katerina Diamond

Kindle Edition - Avon Books UK
Expected publication: July 11th 2019


Goodreads synopsis:
‘All hail the new Queen of Crime’ — Heat magazine

Their darkest secrets won’t stay buried forever…

The butchered body of a professor is found in a private office of Exeter University. It is the first in a spate of horrific murders that shakes the city to its core.

Who would target a seemingly innocent man, and why? DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles turn to his students for answers, but their investigation turns up no leads. Someone must know more than they’re letting on…

As the body count rises, the police have to look into the past to uncover the person responsible before it’s too late.

But are they brave enough to face up to the truth?

Smart, gripping, dark. The Sunday Times bestseller is back in a twisty crime thriller, perfect for fans of M.J. Arlidge’s EENY MEENY and Angela Marsons’ KIM STONE series.

***

4.5 Stars

This is the fifth book in the DS Imogen Grey series.

This is basically a British police procedural type of story. Think Midsomer Murders. It has that feel but with a female lead. I thought this was great. I am really liking these British dramas lately. They are really ringing my bells.

This story is about a group of professors who are playing a dangerous game and using students as pawns. It is very sad really. Very disturbing at how unaffected these people are while playing with people’s lives. Add to that mess the fact that a serial killer named Parker is back from previous books. He plays a part in this but didn’t really start anything. The teachers had drawn his girlfriend into the possible pawn mix and he went after them to protect her.

Then DS Adrian Miles, Imogen’s partner has a bit of a problem with telling the truth. He knows of Parkers involvement but keeps quiet. Imogene knows a bit of what is going on and he is even lying to her. Adrian and Imogen do become closer during this time which puts an urgency to the mix when Adrian goes missing at the end of the book.

This book really kept you hoping. I am pretty sure I didn’t explain it all very well but you will just need to read this to fill in any of the blanks I have missed. Quite an excellent police procedural and I plan on reading all four of the previous books in this series since I am so intrigued.

Highly recommended.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

While this book is part of a "series," you do not need to read the others to understand what's going on.
This is your typical crime fiction storyline with a "whodunnit" theme. overall, a good read, but nothing totally unique in here.

# Truth Or Die # Netgalley
ONG, I was totally hooked once again with Katrina Diamonds truth or Die, although I was extremely tired I could not put the book down, it’s a fast paced novel full of twists and turns, I was sat at the edge of my bed at one point, I was thinking perhaps I should get some sleep, so I sat up and no way could I genuinely put the book down I devoured it. Being so intense and compelling storyline It’s Now Miles and Grey police partnerships. They actually make brilliant partners. It’s the 4th instalment and cant wait for the next. I am actually glad that finally Miles and Grey are actually coming together as excellent partners.. I like the fact a few corners are cut!!!!!!! Awesome a must must read, best one so far, I thought the Teacher would actually take some beating although the other where just as good as the Teacher, definitely this one now has just got the edge on the others.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books UK for an advance copy of Truth or Die, the fifth novel to feature Exeter based DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles.

When Dr Morris is found in his university office with his head bashed in Grey and Miles are sent to investigate. What they find is a twisted web of interconnecting relationships where no one is talking. As the body count rises they find that someone from their past has an equal interest in their investigation.

I thoroughly enjoyed Truth or Die which is an exhilarating read with plenty of twists and turns, a high body count and a good set piece at the end although I was disappointed with the result which seemed like a bit of a cop out. It is, however, a much more engrossing read than its predecessor, The Promise, which I found very disjointed. The novel is told mostly from the detectives’ perspective with some side trips into a third party’s exploits over the past six months. Normally I prefer a straightforward single point of view narrative but this third view is excellent, giving the reader a wider read and more information on a complicated scenario than they would have got from the investigation alone. It all fits together seamlessly. When I put the book down I found myself itching to get back to it to see what was coming next.

I like Grey and Miles who are smart, dedicated detectives. There is a fair amount of the personal in this novel and I’m not quite sure what to make of it as it doesn’t entirely ring true to me. I thought the concentration on Miles’ emotional quandary was good with his guilt driving his actions. Guilt doesn’t always make sense but it’s understandable. Grey I can’t get a read on as a personality.

Truth or Die is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

A brilliant crime thriller which is the fifth in the Miles and Grey series, I haven’t read any of the other books in this series but I didn’t feel like I needed them to appreciate the story. The characters are very likeable with a checkered past and have a interesting relationship. I was hooked and for a change couldn’t figure out who was behind it all until end. It is based at Exeter university and starts with the murder of one of the professors in his office. It is the first in a spate of horrific murders, who would target a seemingly innocent man? I will definitely be picking up The teacher and catching up from the beginning 👌

Whilst Truth or Die is the 4th book in the series by Katerina Diamond it is the first one that I have read and overall it wasabi enjoyable police procedural thriller.

The main characters clearly have a lot of backstory and it would probably have been beneficial to have read the previous books in the series to get full enjoyment from Truth or Die.

This book in itself had a good underlying crime although the first part of the book didn't flow as easily as the latter part probably due to the focus on the two main characters relationship.

The ending though was good and I would recommend the book

When a seemingly innocent professor is found butchered in his office at Exeter University, DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles are called in to investigate.

As more bodies are discovered it becomes clear there is a link between the victims, but with everyone being tight-lipped it proves to be a difficult race against time.

But are the people being questioned the only ones keeping secrets?

I find it disappointing that I enjoy each instalment slightly less then its predecessor. When I first picked up The Teacher back in 2016, I was hooked. The chapters were short and snappy, making it easy to read “just one more”, but somehow, I have lost that feeling of eagerness. Diamond no longer shocks me, her once funny and likeable protagonists have become a little stale with none of the rapport they once had. I found the developing relationship between Imogen and Adrian took up far too much of the book and therefore my headspace, which made it difficult to focus on the crime.

However, after all that negativity I do still really like this series, and hope Diamond can bring back the suspense and grittiness that made the first few books stand out from the crowd. I would not recommend reading this book as a standalone, start from the beginning and devour them all.

Some series you can jump into at any point and feel like you haven’t missed anything. This wasn’t one of them, for me anyway. Don’t get me wrong, the story was interesting and I liked the characters but I felt I like I would have enjoyed this more had I been privy to more of the backstory of Adrian and Imogen.

The mystery part was good. There were some decent twists. I didn’t guess the conclusion which is always fun. I liked the characters and writing. I would check out more by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Avon Books UK.

I really enjoyed this for the most part, but I have one big grumble that shall stay unmentioned as it's a spoiler. Very frustrated, fingers crossed that things improve in the next book.

*I really liked the fact that there wasn't a romantic element between the two lead characters. There was obviously a good friendship that stepped in to some muddy waters, but now it's going down a well established stereotypical path. Very annoyed that it's happened, the unconventionallty was what I really loved about the first books.

This is the first book I have ever read by this author and I enjoyed it. The story is based around a series of murders connected to Exeter University. One after the other people are ending up murdered and DS Grey and Miles need to figure out why. Is it a serial killer called Parker or are they part of a larger murderous game ? I never guessed who it was and was surprised by the ending. I will definitely be reading more books by this author in the future.

It was nice to be back with Imogen Grey and Adrian Miles again. However, I felt like too much of this book focussed on the blossoming relationship between Grey and Miles, and unfortunately I didn't care too much for this element of the story.

The crimes themselves were good but the reveals for the crimes (crimes I would usually enjoy) left something to be desired and it became drawn out in places.

The killer reveal wasn't particularly suspenseful. I also found it odd that the opening chapter was only relevant when recalled as a previous incident later in the book.

The story as a whole lacked the suspense of previous books in the series (The Teacher, The Secret & The Promise). Nevertheless, I'll probably pick up the next one to see what Diamond has to offer.

Sometimes the past comes back to kill you...

Truth or Die is the fifth offering from Katerina Diamond, and the latest in her DS Miles and Grey series. Initially, I was surprised to learn this was a continuation of her previous works as the title doesn’t follow the singular noun style of the others (The Teacher, The Secret, The Angel and The Promise), so this was very much a literal case of don’t judge a book by its cover!

Miles and Grey are called in to investigate the death of an innocuous professor at Exeter University and soon find themselves racing against time to stop the play of a deadly game. As per usual, Diamond feeds the reader just enough information that they can begin to think along the lines of the detectives before throwing in a great twist to knock us off course. It was also great to see the recurrence of some earlier characters to throw a spanner in the works.

Whilst a gory thrill of a read for fans of murder and intrigue, I was also delighted to see the development of regular characters and their relationships with one another, not only Miles and Grey as they move from professional partners to something more, and I have a feeling this series of novels could be in for the long run!

I was given an ARC copy of this novel by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have to say I just love this detective series by Katerina Diamond and this is another great instalment….. the fifth book in the series and the prologue begins with a student climbing a cathedral whilst videoing himself, as a dare? He loses his foothold and falls to the concrete below, how does this fit into the story I hear you say…. Patience!!!

A professor is found murdered in the most horrific way in his private rooms at Exeter University, DS Grey and DS Miles are called to the scene, as the investigation ensues and more bodies turn up, Grey & Miles feel some past decisions may come back to haunt them and end their careers…. As and aside Miles is also accused of rape and torture of a young girl who he had interviewed about the Professor’s demise…. Just what is going on at this university, the more clues uncovered, the more questions needing answering, can Grey & Miles figure it out…. Can Miles prove his innocence of the charge against him? So much going on, how does it all tie in together, that’s the brilliance of these books, you will know only when Ms Diamond wants you to know!

Ooooooh and finally Grey & Miles finally knocking down that invisible boundary wall, how will this effect their relationship work wise, I love the way their relationship has now gone to the next level, I was hoping for this after reading “The Promise”, delighted with this development!

This book is not for the faint hearted, graphic, gripping and full of gore so don’t say you haven’t been warned but if you can stomach it, you will reap the rewards, I would have no hesitation recommending this book to anyone!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Really good read. Dark and gripping with plenty of action. I liked the characters and the writing style. Katerina Diamond really knows how to write a great book.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

A fast paced and gritty thriller, a bit too brutal at part, but gripping and entertaining.
It's fast paced and well written, the characters are fleshed out and the plot flows without problems.
Even if I didn't read the other books in this series I had no problems in understanding the plot.
I recommend it to gritty thriller fan.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

This is the fifth book in the Detective Adrian Miles & Imogen Grey police procedural series. A professor is brutally murdered in his rooms at a local university. A student falls to his death free climbing a building in the town. Are the deaths linked? As Detectives Miles and Grey further investigate, the waters get murkier and a larger, far more sinister case unfolds around them. Alongside this, Miles is accused of rape by a young student at the university and there is also more than a fleeting chance that past decisions of Adrian's are going to come back to haunt him...

As I said, this is the fifth book in the series, however, you don't have to have read the previous books to enjoy this thriller (although it would undoubtedly help, enough background information is given to carry you through). This is a fast paced, dark and gritty thriller. It is a gripping and intense story and I found it pretty unputdownable (I read it in a day and a half). The chemistry between Adrian and Imogen is tangible and I absolutely loved watching their relationship progress.

All in all, I thought it was a brilliant read and can't wait for the next installment. Highly recommend 5/5*

This is the first book I have read by this author not realising it is the fifth book in a series.
Having said that I thoroughly enjoyed what I found to be a fast paced, dark and gritty thriller/ police procedural, which kept me guessing up to the end.
DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles are called in when the a university professor is found brutally murdered in his rooms, a student he sponsored had recently committed what initially was deemed suicide.
As their enquiries progress this seems to be wrong and Grey and Miles find themselves looking at the possibility the two were murdered by one killer. the question is why and what is the link?
As they endeavour to solve their case the body count rises, leads seem to be going nowhere fast.
As if things couldn`t get worse Miles finds himself accused of rape just as he and Grey find their own relationship developing into something more than professional.
The story swept me along with it,an exciting and absorbing read.
I shall definitely be playing catch up and reading this series from the start .
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon books for giving me the opportunity to read this as an ARC

Another amazing book. I love how the lives of Adrian and Imogen continue in this story. They are characters you begin to believe are real.

The story keeps you gripped from beginning to end. There is a cliffhanger so please please write the next instalment soon.