A Cut for a Cut is the second book in the Detective Kate Young series and after enjoying the first book, An Eye for an Eye, I was keen to read this one!

This book is set in Staffordshire, about four months after the first novel, and Kate is still determined to investigate her boss, Superintendent John Dickson, after all she learnt about him and the corruption in the force in her previous investigation.

When a woman is found dead in a waste bin in a restaurant car park in Abbots Bromley, Detective Inspector Kate Young and her small team of Detective Sergeant (DS) Emma Donaldson, 23, DS Morgan Meredith, 24, and Detective Constable (DC) Jamie Webster, 27, are tasked with discovering what happened to the unfortunate victim, who has the word ‘MINE’ cut into the flesh on her back.

Kate is still struggling after recent events involving her husband, Chris, and the appearance of her stepsister, Tilly, and her five-year-old son, Daniel, newly arrived from Australia, causes more turmoil in her life. She has a rather difficult relationship with Tilly due to her stepsister’s former husband, Jordan.

When a second body is found and it’s someone known to Kate and her team, the pressure on them to find the murderer intensifies. The investigation seems to be stalling and they struggle to find any links between the victims or locate many possible suspects or any useful witnesses. Yet again, Kate’s boss, Dickson, seems to want her to fail and enjoys putting obstacles in her path and making her life difficult. She’s also still suspicious of Detective Chief Inspector William Chase who isn’t very encouraging either.

Tilly is planning to move to Staffordshire permanently after tying up her affairs in Australia and she gets back in touch with some old friends from school in Uttoxeter and arranges a few dates too. With a killer on the loose, Kate warns her to be careful but, despite being attacked in the past, her stepsister isn’t too worried and takes some self-defence classes.

The police hit dead end after dead end and can’t connect any of the victims or their families or acquaintances and, unbeknown to the team, the killer is starting to get even more agitated and it’s only a matter of time before he attacks more women. Will Kate be able to work out the culprit and his motive before it’s too late?

I really enjoy police procedurals and this was another brilliant read from the author! The story is engaging, well plotted and tense – at times, I was shouting at various characters as they did daft things and put themselves in danger!

Kate is a strong character and despite the traumatic events of the past year, she manages to stay focused and determined, and she works well with her small team, getting the best from them in trying circumstances.

The storyline is gripping and, although the investigation is frustrating at times as the police don’t seem to be getting anywhere, I imagine it’s very reminiscent of real-life cases where they just need that lucky break to solve the crime. The book was cleverly written and well paced and there were some vital breakthroughs at key moments.

Overall, this was a very entertaining read and I read it in a day and didn’t want to put it down! There were some good twists and turns and I enjoyed trying to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. I didn’t make some of the connections and was surprised by how things turned out.

This series is developing well and I’m enjoying getting to know Kate Young and her small team and can’t wait for the next instalment!

💭 ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
I went into this one blind and I was pleasantly surprised. I love a good detective story. Even though I did guess the ending, it didn't take away any of the suspense. It was building up nicely and kept me on edge throughout. I was really invested in the main storyline. And found the 'side story' a little much; I didn't care too much for how that ended and it took me out of the main story a few times. I do like were it was headed but there is definitely a lot more to it and would love if the next book in the series explodes it! Kate's character was really fun and strong, love some female power.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🤓 ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Short Chapters 📚
Whodunnit
Detective investigations
Rizzoli & Isle (TV show)

ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ:
𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘳, 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥. 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘥: 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 ‘𝘔𝘐𝘕𝘌’ 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘴.

𝘋𝘐 𝘒𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨—𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮’𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘥𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘒𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘖𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯 𝘋𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘺 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵. 𝘒𝘢𝘵𝘦’𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵?

Having stormed my way through this book, I am in awe of the fact that Kate Young is still functioning. She has so many different things to juggle in her life that the mere thought of them all has left me exhausted, but it sure makes for exciting reading.

Having solved the strange and brutal murders in the first book of this series, Kate is now faced with a series of equally violent and disturbing rapes scattered across her patch. With nothing more to link the victims than a physical similarity, and clues thin on the ground, the investigation is an uphill struggle, and she can do without the added pressure being placed upon her by her superiors. Particularly as there seems to be some blocking of her investigation going on from within the service. Is someone trying to make her fail?

As well as giving us a new tense investigation to follow, Carol cleverly weaves in the unsolved mystery from the previous book dealing with possible police corruption. Those of us who have been left hanging at the end of book one eagerly pounced on the fresh threads of the investigation into some of Kate’s colleagues, started by Kate’s deceased journalist husband, Chris. We know the stakes are high, and probing too deep could cost Kate her job, and possibly more, so the tension throughout the book is on a knife edge. The internal battles she has with herself, and her wavering mental state, are also gripping to read, and make for an interesting twist on the detective crime novel. Fans of Line of Duty will love this series!

An additional storyline features Kate’s estranged step-sister returning from Australia with her delightful nephew in tow. The girls have a complicated history, and there are bridges to be built, so it makes for an interesting personal perspective on Kate and her past, and a further difficult incursion on her work to read of. There is nothing better in a detective story than to be able to see the investigators as fully rounded and complex people, rather than just tools of investigation, it really makes the reader invest in the person and their success in solving the mystery. I defy any of you to read the book and not become personally involved in Kate’s life, both professionally and personally.

Carol has pulled off the great achievement again of giving this book a satisfactory conclusion, but leaving the door open for the next book and the reader needing to know what happens next. She’s a crafty minx, that one. I also loved the fact that the books are set around the areas of Staffordshire & Derbyshire I know well – my partner currently living in Alrewas and myself having previously lived in Ashbourne- it is always interesting to see someone else’s perspective on familiar places (I had never heard of the Horn Dance though, I need to check this out!)

A fully satisfying read in a great series, when can I get the next one, please?

A CUT FOR A CUT (Detective Kate Young Book #2) by Carol Wyer is the second mystery/British police procedural that I have been waiting for. I loved the first book “An Eye for an Eye” with the introduction to DI Kate Young. The crime investigation in this book can be read as a standalone, but these books are better read in order due to the continuing personal investigation by Kate into her investigative journalist husband, Chris’ murder.

DI Kate Young and her team are called to a crime scene where a woman was brutally raped, marked and then thrown away like trash. Even after more violent rapes occur with the same M.O., Kate and her team have very few clues or viable suspects. When Kate’s stepsister finally shares a long-buried secret, she realizes her stepsister is the missing link in her case. Now she has to find the proof and catching the killer has become imperative.

At the same time, during the investigation for the serial rapist and killer, Kate is also privately learning more about the murder of her husband. Still battling her own personal demons since his death, she is convinced her superior and several others on the police force are behind his murder and are involved in an illegal conspiracy revolving around underage sex trafficking.

I find Kate to be a very compelling character. Ms. Wyer has brought Kate to life with her extreme grief that continues, but it also begins to turn to guilt as she moves on with her every day living as she begins to realize she does not think of him every minute of every day and she is afraid of losing his memory. I liked the addition of Kate’s stepsister and nephew to give Kate a reason to start to live a balanced, normal life and help with her grief. Kate’s team is also becoming more fully fleshed and complex characters as the series continues.

I very early on guessed the connection between the serial rapist and killer with the person he considered his first true love, but it did not take away from my racing to the exciting climax. The intertwining plot arc of Kate’s personal investigation into Chris’ murder will once again be carried over into the next book and once again I am anxiously waiting for its publication.

I highly recommend this main character, the series and this author!

Oh Carol you have done it again! I was spending every waking minute reading this book I was addicted and couldn’t put it down. I had my suspicions regarding Tilly but I also liked Kate was still investigating the death of her husband too. I can’t wait for this next book so see what unfolds especially after that ending. Right now I’m screaming out of anger how could he do that! Anyway not giving anything away but I urge you all to read this series it’s beyond good.

What a book!

This has everything that I love in crime fiction – fantastic characters, gripping investigations and a fast pace that means you can not stop reading.

This is the second book featuring Detective Kate Young. Kate is still recovering from the trauma that devastated her life. But she is focused and determined to uncover the corruption that has led to the murder of her husband.

There are multiple strands to this book. Kate and her team are investigating a series of brutal sexual assaults and murder. There seems to be little connection between the women, but the perpetrator is escalating and the team is facing a race against time to prevent other women being killed.

Kate is also continuing to investigate the corruption and possible involvement of Superintendent Dickson in under-age prostitution and the murder of her husband. Kate has leads to follow up from previous investigation but she has to be increasingly careful. It’s not only her career, but also her life that could be in the line.

While all of this is going on Kate is also rebuilding her relationshionwith her step-sister Tilly. Her return from Australia stors up old jealousy and forgotten feelings as well as bringing joy to Kate’s life.

Wyer skillfully weaves these different strands into a compelling and fast paced thriller with lots of twists and a fantastic ending that will leave you desperate for the next installment.

I have thoroughly enjoyed both books in this series and have recommended them to lots of people. If you’re a fan of Line of Duty and police procedural thrillers you will absolutely devour this fantastic read. It’s five stars from me! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you for my gifted copy as part of the blog tour.

I swear with each book Carol writes she gets darker and darker! It is really no difference here! However, despite this darkness, she still finds the time to make you chuckle when you least expect it.

Such a dark topic generally, one that affects more women than it is cared to be thought of and here we are sucked down a rabbit hole. It was treated with care and respect and was not sensationalised to sell a book. It was obvious, I felt, who was being obsessed over, this gave me such a panic as I had to speed my way through to make sure they were ok. It gave the book that added intensity because normally you follow the creepy-ass killer and even though you do worry about who the intended may be, when it becomes someone you know that amps up that panic.

All the attacks were personal to the perpetrator, and carving MINE into their skin just added his dominance over them and over the woman he thought about still. He sees them as his property but also a means to an end. A thrill until he can get the prize he wants….again.

Carol being Carol, being the trickster she is couldn’t leave it without one final humdinger and boy it is a clanger. I want to just ignore this discovery because quite frankly I don’t like it. I mean why!!!! Why! It definitely going to put a spanner in the works for the next book, edging closer to that showdown we are hotly anticipating.

I do love characters that are ‘broken’ shall we say. Kate is broken but she is also on the path of fixing herself, she has a mission and once she has completed it. Once Dickson gets his comeuppance I look forward to seeing Kate heal. She is such a strong character, she doesn’t shy away from anything and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty.

I have read every single book Carol has written and in each book, you can see how much she has grown both in her writing and in her confidence. She writes such visceral and edgy scenes, making them so realistic I felt I could be there with Kate and her team. Not sure that is always a good thing!

She knows how to write a story that will suck you in from the beginning and sucker punch you at the end. She will leave you reeling from the shock but then dying for more! Page after page, you are left in a situation that you don’t want to put the book down because you don’t want to miss a thing but know you need to otherwise you won’t sleep – but then sleep is overrated no?

I never quite know where Carol may take us in a book but I always know it will be an adventure and it is no different here. I love her writing, I love being sucked into the story and spat straight back out. I love that I will still think about this for days after finishing those final words. That is a guarantee. This really is not a series to be missed.

I love reading Carol's books. I loved the first book and this is fabulous too. It had me gripped from the start. Im looking forward to reading more.

I’ve read all of carol wyer books and this is the 2nd book of the series. Like all the other books, I really enjoyed this one. Always include twists and turns that you will not expect. Brilliant read Thankyou for my ARC

I thoroughly enjoyed An Eye For An Eye, the first outing for Kate Young and I was keen to see what happened next. Would she get any closer to getting justice for Chris? So I dove into A Cut For A Cut with great anticipation! But first Kate has a matter of a brutal killer to deal with!

These are horrific attacks that face Kate and her small team and as I knew from the first in the series – nothing is easy for Kate. Blockers are put in her way almost like someone doesn’t want her to catch the killer! As I read, I got myself a suspect and I was eager to see if I was right. I swiftly followed the investigation with great intensity.

I really enjoyed Kate’s continued personal investigation and the rekindling of her relationship with Tilly. After losing Chris, she needs someone in her life and forgiving her step sister is a massive step for Kate. I would love to see this relationship and that with Kate’s nephew Daniel to develop. Kate needs her family!

A Cut For A Cut is a fast paced crime thriller with a bit of gore thrown in for good measure. I really enjoyed my reacquaintance with Kate and I can’t wait to re-enter her world again. Each story has its own focus but bubbling away in the background is Kates personal life and crusade. I’m loving this series even after just two books!!

I read An Eye For An Eye (book 1 of the Detective Kate Young series) by Carol Wyer at the beginning of the year, and loved it. So when Emma @ damppebbles sent out the email that she would be hosting a blog tour for A Cut For A Cut (the next book in the series), I jumped at the chance to be a part of it, and I can honestly say that it lived up to all of my expectations.

Things pick up right from where they left off in An Eye For An Eye, and you dive straight back in to the world of Detective Kate Young. The story starts with a follow on from the events in the previous book, and a reminder of the difficulties Kate is still having to deal with. Alongside the continuation of the story, we also get a brand new case, which is the main story of A Cut For A Cut. Women are being brutally raped, murdered, and branded, and Kate needs to find out who is behind these horrific attacks.

One of the things I most enjoy about Carol Wyer’s writing, is that she doesn’t shy away from the brutal details. She really paints a picture with her words, and it truly draws you in to her stories. The story is told from multiple POV, including the victims, the killer, and of course Kate and her team. The killer’s chapters are at times a little difficult to read, but they certainly pack a punch, and bring a whole other feel to the story.

I love Kate and her team, they’re all such fantastic characters. I see a lot of myself in Emma in particular, because she’s emotional, and she’s not afraid to show it, but she can also take care of herself (we’re both trained in martial arts). Kate’s mental struggle with the grief of losing her husband is so raw, and realistic, and has been written extremely well. You’re constantly routing for her, desperately wanting her to find some closure, and some happiness.

I really enjoyed watching this story unfold, and the investigation side of it was so interesting. I always love piecing together the pieces of an investigation while reading, and this one was particularly enjoyable because there were so many aspects to it. Everything came together in an explosive climax that has you totally hooked. There were a few parts and questions that still require answers, but it sets you up perfectly for a 3rd book in the series.

A Cut For A Cut is as fantastic as I had hoped it would be. It is exciting, gripping, at times completely heart-wrenching, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. I can not wait for the next book in the series, and for Kate and her team to continue their story.

I give A Cut For A Cut a 5 star rating!

Here we are, all ready at the second book in this series. It's brilliant still getting to know DI Kate Young. She has so much going on her life its a wonder she doesn't spontaneously combust.
Battling the demons of her Husbands death and being at work tackling what could be a serial killer is really going to test Kate and take her to her limits.
​This is looking like it's going to be another 'must read' series of books. Carol Wyer certainly knows how to write a gripping series, she knows what the readers want and manages to deliver, each and every time.
This book certainly will not disappoint any fans of this author. For any fans of an exceptionally good crime series.
For me personally, I have to say start with the first book, An Eye for An Eye, get to know Kate and her rollercoaster of a life, she is a great character and one I just can't help taking a liking to.
A must read, a great book to get lost in, if one thing has help me me through the 'Covid years' it's reading, but especially reading books like this corker.
I have gotten to that stage now where I don't even read what the book is about before starting it. If it's by this author it's worth reading. I enjoyed each and every page of tis book and I know this series is going to be amazing. I can't wait for the next book.

My word! Carol Wyer is pulling no punches with this series. It’s deliciously dark, the protagonist (Detective Kate Young) is well and truly mentally tortured and I love every excruciating minute of it.
If you haven’t met Kate Young before I highly recommend that you begin with An Eye For An Eye as it does lay a lot of character groundwork and some themes are continued into book 2. However, that said, this can be read as a stand alone novel as things referred to have enough explanation to make sense. You’d be missing a treat if you didn’t read in order though.
DI Kate Young has so much going on in her life. She’s trying to make amends with her previously estranged stepsister, deal with the death of her husband and delve into a conspiracy which could rock both her world, and the that of her profession. Obviously this isn’t enough and she’s also thrown into a new case of a serial murdered and rapist.
All of this contributes to Kate being a fairly unstable, but still brilliant, character. She’s juggling so much physically and mentally and I felt as though I was constantly on edge, waiting for her to break. I wanted to take her under my wing and look after her, protect her from everything and herself but I couldn’t. I became so invested in her.
The plot is edge of the seat stuff and at times I was holding my breath. There are so many elements that there’s never a quiet moment. Carol obviously planned every bit of this novel with precision and it all weaves together nicely so there really isn’t a feeling that you’re reading several sub plots at once.
A superb detective thriller and I am so excited to read the next instalment.

I have been a fan of Carol’s for a while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that she has written to date but I am getting there. I especially love the series featuring Detective Inspector Kate Young. ‘A Cut For A Cut’ is the second book in the series and it was released on 29th June 2021. Carol has done it again and ‘A Cut For A Cut’ is another corker of a read, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading but more about that in a bit.
I love the character of Detective Inspector Kate Young and I warmed to her from the very start. In fact it didn’t take me long to feel as though I had been reunited with an old friend in Kate. Kate has certainly been through the emotional wringer and then some. She lost her husband and she is trying to build a new life for herself. Kate also ‘talks’ to her husband as if he is standing or sitting beside her. She has conversations with him but inside her head. I could totally empathise with her in this respect as I do the same. I didn’t lose a husband but my Dad died some years ago and I still talk to him in my head as if he could hear me and reply. Anyway back to Kate. Kate is determined to track down the killers of her husband and ensure that justice is done. She knows she is being lied to by her superiors and she is determined to uncover the truth. As well as her issues in her personal life, she also has to deal with an intriguing murder case which is handed to her very small team. Will Kate see justice done? Will Kate apprehend the murderer before any further lives are lost? Well for the answers to those questions and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
As is often the case when I read one of Carol’s books, the synopsis grabbed my attention and Carol reeled me in much as a fisherman reels in a catch. From then on, I squirrelled myself away and I didn’t re-emerge until the moment I read the very last word on the very last page. To say that reading ‘A Cut For A Cut’ became addictive is a huge understatement. I would pick the book up only intending to read a chapter or two to fill in half an hour but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I would still be sat there reading over two hours and many chapters later. If I didn’t have the book in my hand, I would be thinking about the book. If I had to put the book down for any reason then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. I found ‘A Cut For A Cut’ to be a gripping and an unputdownable page turner of a read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘A Cut For A Cut’ is superbly written but then that is true of all of Carol’s books that I have had the pleasure of reading and reviewing to date. She certainly knows how to craft one hell of a story that will take you on one hell of a journey that will open your eyes to just how evil some people really are. Reading ‘A Cut For A Cut’ felt like being on a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with more twists and turns to it than you would find on a ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board. Just when you think that you can take a minute to catch your breath and gather your thoughts then off the action would go again.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading every single minute of ‘A Cut For A Cut’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Carol’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

Love this series! I can't wait until the next book. Kate finally gets to reunite with her stepsister after many years. Tilly and her son Daniel are back in the UK, after some problems with Jordan. I don't remember the circumstances on how Tilly ended up with Kate's boyfriend. It's nice to see Kate was able to forgive her. I figured out who the murderer had to be, not his actual name but who he ultimately wanted to kill. He definitely harbored some serious hatred over the years about this person and was never able to let it go, besides the constant assault/murdering of women. Superintendent Dickson is keeping his eye on Kate and definitely hopes she messes up. He only needs a small reason to get her off the police force. He must know that Kate has incriminating information on him. The best part of this series will be when Kate finally puts Dickson in jail. I'm hoping William isn't one of the corrupt officers.

Definitely recommend the book, although you need to read the first book in the series to understand what is going on. I love the characters, story and writing style. It's a great mystery/thriller. I can't wait until Kate is finally able to take down the people involved in her husband's death. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Amazon Publishing UK through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Every series this fine writer develops is well worth a read, whether the protagonist be Robyn Carter or Natalie Ward or, in this case, Kate Young. This is only the second in this thread but it is already becoming the most compelling of all. The twin strands of trying to identify the serial killer who cuts the word MINE into the flesh of his victims and Kate's obsession with rooting out corruption from her own force keep the reader involved and engrossed throughout. I look forward to many more instalments in this excellent series.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'A Cut For A Cut' by Carol Wyer.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Carol Wyer and Thomas & Mercer publishers.

Publication date 29th June 2021.

This is the fifth book I have read by this author. It is also the second book in the 'DI Kate Young' series and although I have read the first book called 'A Cut For A Cut' and highly recommended it, it can also be read as a standalone. I have also previously Carol's 'Detective Natalie Ward' series which I would also highly recommend.

I was originally drawn to this book by its gorgeous eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. I am also a huge fan of Carol and if this is half as good as any of her previous books it is sure to be a fantastic read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Aberration Press Books. I have yet to read a book published by Thomas & Mercer that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of a prologue and 38 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!


This book is based in Staffordshire, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. I have actually visited Staffordshire on several occasions so am looking forward to see if I recognise anywhere

This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is DI Kate Young. I enjoy books written in third person with several protagonists as it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters.

OMG!!!! ANOTHER ABSOLUTE PAGE TURNER!!! What are you doing to me!!!!! Seriously!!!!! I hope you are writing your next book as I write this!!! I'm talking to you Mrs Wyer!!!!! Right, yes, well anyway let's give you my review....


Carol Wyer does it again!!! Fantastically written as always ensuring a smooth and easy read that sucks you straight into the pages. Vivid descriptions put me in the middle of the action looking at everything going on in High definition. The cover and synopsis works perfectly with the storyline.


The storyline itself was very fast paced, rammed full of action, murder, mystery, suspense, tension and twists and turns. At least three major bombshells of unexpected twists which I was not expecting (a rarity to surprise me after the amount of crime books I've read but Carol does it without fail every time!!!) and a major cliffhanger at the end!!! I CANNOT WAIT for the next in this series. The storyline was realistic so easily imagined and the killings themselves were unique which is definitely a positive when you have read the same ones over and over again!! An absolutely addictive and compelling page turner!!! If your going to start reading this then clear your schedules because it is absolutely unputdownable!!!!


Loved meeting all the characters again!! Kate is absolutely amazing, an extremely strong female lead who didn't hold back the punches while going through hell herself after the trauma she had been through. I always love it when an author brings in strong women. I also liked Katie's personality and really felt for her in several occasions. I'm still not quite sure what I think of Morgan at the moment, he annoyed me on several occasions so I'll leave him on the shelf for now until I get to know him more. However he did make me laugh on a few occasions and his headbutting with Jamie was certainly entertaining. Jamie is another character who I'm not sure about, sometimes he seemed OK and then he gave me a bit of a funny feeling and not in a good way so it'll be interesting to see what he is up to. Emma is another strong woman who I really enjoyed meeting again and getting to know more abut her. I'm still not sure what I thought of William either, I thought I liked him on introduction but I have a strange feeling about him. I absolutely adored Ervin who made me laugh on several occasions!!! He is such a unique character and one you won't forget for a while. Regardless of who I did or didn't like they were all very strong and well defined characters who I'm looking forward to meet in the next 'episode'. A great team who I feel may butt heads in the future.


I am really looking forward to the next book and would LOVE to see this made into a movie!!! It would definitely be a best seller along with this amazing novel which kept me up late at night (early in the morning) as I just could not put it down!!!!


Overall an addictive, explosive page turning start to what promises to be an epic series!!!

Genres covered in this novel include Thriller, Police Procedural and Crime Fiction amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as Angela Marsons, Tess Gerritsen, anyone looking for a good book and YOU!!


365 pages.

This book is just £3.99 to purchase on kindle or free on kindle unlimited via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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Would like thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this exceptional book

A gritty realistic storyline that has our detective back in charge of a much smaller team ... and with the corruption she suspects at a higher level than herself it makes her job so much harder

As young women start to appear branded with the word mine on their bodies kate and her team are up against a violent rapist who uses the nerve in their necks to render them unconscious as the bodies start appearing more pressure from up above starts to take its toll

Edge of the seat stuff this one can’t get enough from this author

There were a lot of aspects of this book that I enjoyed. Kate is a great character and I loved seeing her grit, determination and controlled policing continue in this book. I also loved learning more about her through her relationship with her step sister, and I think the way the author handles her grief around her dead partner is a poignant and original aspect to the story, showing a more vulnerable and human side to her.

I also loved the fact that as the book continued we got to hear from the serial killer. This definitely provides an additional layer of tension and completely twists and darkens the narrative further.

I do feel this book didn’t quite carry the pace of the first instalment but it was a good follow up nonetheless. I also figured out the perpetrator some time before the ending (not too long before hand though!) This didn’t hamper my enjoyment of the ending as it was definitely explosive, gripping and unpredictable in lots of ways still.

I wonder if there will be another book in this series as there seemed to be unfinished business with a certain character at the end? If there is, I look forward to reading it!

3.5 stars

A Cut for a Cut by Carol Wyer is the second in the Detective Kate Young series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Background:  (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
DI Kate Young witnessed the aftermath of a massive shooting on a train.  She saw her husband’s body. He was a journalist, hot on the trail of corruption.  Her boss is DCI William Case, and his boss is Superintendent John Dickson.  She is starting to question their reliability, but they are questioning hers as well.  She works closely with DS Morgan Meredith and DS Emma Donaldson.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
The naked body of a young woman is found in a dumpster.  She had been raped, battered, and the word "MINE" carved in her shoulder.

Every lead seems to be a dead end, and pressure builds, especially when a second victim appears, and she's one of their own.  She is given extra help on this case, and hopefully Jamie will prove his worth,

Meanwhile, Kate is still hearing the voice of her dead husband.  He is hounding her for not doing enough to find his killer, and her frustration with both cases is tormenting her.  She knows Superintendent John Dickson is involved in Chris's death, but she can't prove it.  Now he seems to be goading her into making a wrong move on this new case.

On a positive note, Tilly, her step-sister is back from Australia with her young son, and Kate is hoping to re-build their tattered relationship.  When Tilly finally confides in her of an event from their past, Kate realizes she may now be able to solve her current case.  But time is running out.


My Opinions:   
I am truly enjoying this new series.  I like Kate, Emma, and Morgan.  They make a great team, and they are all likeable.

I realized early on that not everyone could be trusted, and by the end, my fears were confirmed.  There were no major twists in the book, but overall, the plot carried the book.

Again, there is some foreshadowing as to the next book, but that's okay.  Although I am not a fan of police corruption books,  apparently I am just going to have to live with it.

Although I missed the "excitement" of a good thriller, this was a good mystery, a fast read, and Wyer's writing skills shone through.  I think I liked the first one better.