This is a stand alone story from the author of the Adrian Miles and Imogen Grey series, which I really loved, so I was keen to read this one. It didn't disappoint. Felicity left her home town in Devon after the disappearance of girl in her year at school. It is clear from the start that she knows more than she has ever told. When another girl goes missing years later, she decides she has to go back and confront her past. This is a story told in 2 different time frames, and is full of twists and turns. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
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I read this along with a friend and we had great fun chatting about the story and guessing what would happen next. Safe to say, we were wrong about pretty much everything!

The story alternates between the past and present which I really enjoy in a book. It is interesting to see both stories slowly unfold and gradually come together for the big finale. One of the things I loved about this book is that there are huge twists in both that you just don't see coming.

I'm sure my neighbours heard my jaw hitting the floor numerous times! This is such a gripping and shocking thriller, with plenty of twists to leave you doubting yourself until the very end.

I love a good Katerina Diamond book and The Heatwave definitely lived up to the mark. A stranger, a killer, secrets and lies and some great twists and turns along the way. This book certainly has it all and will entertain from beginning to end. I would rate this book 4.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author for the chance to review.

Y’all... I loved this book! At first I was’t too sure but then once some suspense was thrown in there, it immediately captured my attention. I recommend it!

I love Katerina’s books, they always hook me in so I want to devour it in one sitting and The Heatwave was no exception. Flick lives up in the Lake District, and while watching the news one day, sees a report of a missing girl in Sidmouth, Devon - her hometown. It brings back memories of the summer she was 16, and memories that she’d rather forget. The disappearance of the girl is too similar to the disappearance of the girl back then. She knows what happened then but thought that she’d put a stop to it, so who has taken the girl now?
Flick travels down to Sidmouth to find the girl and put a stop to the demons that plague her from her past.
The story progresses using flashbacks between now and then, it’s pacey, and draws you in encouraging you to keep reading. 5 stars from me.

This is the first book I have read by this author and it certainly won’t be the last.

What a story! So many twists and turns and an excellent ending that I didn’t see coming. I look forward to the next one.

This is an honest review in exchange for an ARC from the Publishers.

This book was highly readable and I read it only three sittings over two days. I love Katerina Diamond’s narrative voice and she really knows how to inject darkness into the every day. I loved the Devon setting in lovely Sidmouth which I visited last year for a Hen Party, and this book really made me feel like this seaside town could have a seedy underbelly! (A note for the publishers - the cover does make it look like it’s set somewhere abroad rather than Devon, so this wasn’t quite the book I was expecting).

The storyline was very intriguing, in terms of Flick returning to her home town to find out what happened to a kidnapped girl - an echo of something that happened just before she left home in her teens - and to confront her past. I also enjoyed the points of view in terms and the ‘then’ and ‘now’ structure. There was also a great pace, and an unsettling feeling of oppression in Flick’s head the closer she gets in the present to finding out what happened in the past.

While I guessed one thing about the main character (no spoilers here!) I honestly didn’t see the ending coming in terms of who the serial killer is, which is unusual for me.

Without giving anything away, I would have liked the ending to be a bit more drawn out for dramatic effect, and for there to have been more in there about Flick’s new family (children and husband) but that’s just a personal preference.

Overall I really enjoyed this story and am excited to read more Katerina Diamond books.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

The plot sounded so interesting but the mystery was flat and took so long to develop I had long since stopped caring. Not even an entertaining guilty pleasure

It would be hard to imagine the devastation a Tsunami would reek upon a sleepy Devon coastal town. That exotic monster more at home in the Pacific Ring of Fire, that superimposes itself on the twice daily ebb and flow of the sea. Lulling us until the very sea pulls back like the pulling of a rug ‘neath our feet, destabilising whilst we gaze in awe and dread at that wall of water set to engulf us. So it was with The Heatwave by Katerina Diamond the majority of which was like the summer susurration of a pebble beach until the sea pulled back. As unlikely as a Tsunami might be on a Devon coast, so was the climax, the glue which gave the novel a purpose and in a way the solvent which lost it credibility. You must forgive my extensive use of metaphor because it would take but a sentence to spoil the plot.
If you like a novel which all hangs on the last couple of chapters, then this one is for you.

What a book! This was SO enjoyable, I raced through it! I'm a fan of Katerina Diamond and an a fan of the DI Imogen Grey series so was looking forward to this anyway but it did not disappoint!

It kept me guessing until the reveal - which doesn't often happen!

Couldn't recommend this more.

Wow, wow, wow. As always Katerina Diamond has not disappointed! This book had me gripped right from the beginning. I must admit I do love a book that jumps back and forth from past to present. I find it keep me interested. Fantastic twist at the end that I did not see coming. Would 100% recommend 😁

4.5 stars
Since I read my first book by the author last fall, I’m now addicted to anything that she’s writing.
Who wouldn’t want to know anything about a missing person if they appear on the news? Was she found? Is she dead? Was the killer caught? All these questions and so little answers so many times.
I enjoyed this book in one sitting because I got caught up in the story so much that I couldn’t stop until the last page. And what a whirlwind ending!
I had so many theories in my head along with the chapters but none as even close to the truth and that’s the best thing that I’m looking forward in my mystery/crime /thrillers.
Another gripping edge of your seat story from a favourite author

Katerina Diamond is a brilliant author! I was drawn in by the enticing premise, and I wasn’t disappointed. I found the beginning a bit difficult to get in to, but it soon picked up. Will look for others by Ms Diamond!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of The Heatwave by Katerina Diamond.

When Felicity hears that a girl has gone missing in her home town, sixteen years after fleeing, she feels responsible to return. This is not the first time a girl has gone missing in the town she grew up, but she feels deeply responsible for the first disappearance. Have her old ghosts returned to haunt her. Is digging into her past going to put her in danger?

I would give this a solid three stars as far as this kind of suspense/thriller. It was perfectly fine, enough to keep my interest, but nothing that blew my mind. The dialogue was a bit cheesy, and the ending especially was a bit groan worthy, but again, it was readable and easy.

This is the first book I have read by this author and it is smashing!
I hope I will find time to read more books by Katerina Diamond.

I want to thank NetGalley and Avon books for an ARC copy of this book.

Everything in this book appealed to me and kept me interested/hooked from beginning to the end.

The characters are well developed, very well and you can't tell at any point of time if they are all bad, guilty, turned innocent, then again switch to being the guilty party, etc. They simply and effectively intervene with each other that you can just be in awe how every piece of a puzzle finds itself in the right place even though you didn't see it coming.

And the story! It is told in the present and the past, it's not confusing to follow the story and with every chapter you get a little glimpse of the whole picture and I had to devour the book in 2 nights to find out what is going on!

The twists - they are not what you would think at all! The story is constructed in that way that you can see that everyone has secrets, that everyone is maybe guilty, makes you choose a guilty party and then crashes everything you ever knew about thrillers because the twists are just brilliant!

They come one after another and the whole truth hits you and I had a goofy smile on my face over 40 minutes because I was in genuine awe of author's writing. Even though it is a horrendous story I could not not admire what great writing does to you. :)

It was so easy giving this book a perfect score.

I was excited to read this book and Katerina Diamond is one of my favourite authors and this new book certainly did not disappoint.
I was drawn in by the characters and plot, and raced through the pages desperate to find out the ending.
There were lots of twists and turns, especially at the end to keep me guessing. I would recommend this book.

Katerina Diamond is one of my favourite authors at the moment. This novel is a stand alone and is very different to her Imogen Grey series - however this one didn't disappoint in any way.
This book flits from past to present and is easy to follow.
When a person goes missing Felicity is made to face her past - going back to where she grew up she must find the answers to questions she still has - can she move forward without them.
We meet Felicitys school friend Jasmine and her parents and also the mysterious Tim who is there lodger. Jasmine is more reserved whilst Flick is out there and wanting attention from boys. We learn about their school days, growing up in 2 different families - neither are perfect - but what really happened all those years ago - how is the missing girl linked to all this!
I read this novel in 2 nights - addictive reading

The story is told in past and present bringing it to a conclusion that I definitely didn't see coming!!,
Felicity lives in the Lake District but when she hears about a missing girl in Sidmouth where she grew up she leaves immediately to go back there, it appears she has her suspicions and then the past unfolds through the eyes of Jasmine. A missing girl, a strange lodger who she is suspicious of, her best friend Felicity is the only person she trusts. I spent the whole book wondering what happened to Jasmine was very shocked when realised what had happened.
Will Felicity find the truth before it's too late for the missing girl and can she lay her demons to rest

Well I started this Wednesday and im not a fast reader but this book, wow! i loved every second, you kept me guessing and lots of twists and turns. i love your Miles and grey books and now I love this one. i can see i am very much on your wave length as i slip into your books like a comfy pair of slippers after a day on your feet. Top marks and I cant wait for more books from you well done katerina xxx

The story is told of Felicity now and Jasmine then 16 years ago. Jasmine and Felicity were best friends at 16 years old. Felicity's Mum is an alcoholic and as such she would prefer to spend all her time at Jasmine's house.
Jasmine's parents usually go away every Summer helping out charities in third world countries, but this year they're not going so Jasmine gets to stay home and enjoy Summer by the beach with Felicity. Jasmine's parent's have a lodger staying in the garden house called Tim. Jasmine is drawn to him but she's unsure why and not sure whether she should be scared of time or to trust time.
In the present day Felicity is drawn back to the town she ran away from 16 years ago after that fateful Summer. Another young girl has gone missing and Felicity thinks she is the only person who will be able to find out what's happened even though she now lives miles away. As she goes back to her helm town, secrets are revealed slowly.
I really enjoyed the twist that arrived at the end of the book, and the easy read made this a good choice.