I never repeat the blurb. I think this was the wrong choice for me as I have not read its predecessors. It was overly convoluted and long and really improbable. Sorry.

Before this book, I’d never read anything by Barbara Fradkin. After this book, I now need to read the rest of this series and all of her backlist. I love Canadian murder mysteries so much. I’m caught up on Louise Penny, so now I’m jumping in here. I loved the characters and the build up of the mystery. I had so many theories and turned out, none of mine were right. But I love the ultimate end. I really hope she continues to write this series because I’m definitely not ready to let go of it yet.

If you've never read Fradkin's previous "An Inspector Green" mysteries, fear not! This is her 11th book in the long-running series, but it's effortless to jump right into the Inspector Green world. Now that I've read "The Devil to Pay," it's inspired me to read the other books in the series to learn more about Green's past cases and the Easter eggs scattered throughout.

Green's daughter, Hannah, is a newly-minted officer thrown into a complex domestic disturbance at a wealthy lawyer's home. Reports of other domestic disturbances and violence from the house inspire Hannah to try and dive deeper into the family's dynamics and problems. She's later kicked off the case for her obsession and rule-breaking tendencies. Right as our headstrong policewoman is kicked to the curb, the husband Ted disappears and is later found dead in the woods. Determined to prove her worth and help his widow Kristina, Hannah continues her search for the murderer yet is conflicted as her father pushes her to follow her hunches while reminding her that she lacks any authority within the investigation.

On the flip side, Green longs to be out solving complex cases but is stuck doing administrative work for the police department. After Hannah is drawn into the case drama, Green sticks his nose into the official investigation and is eventually drawn in.

Despite the easy-to-love characters and complex case, "The Devil to Pay" has a slow start that doesn't pick up until the last quarter of the novel. For the majority of the book, I was left wondering, "So when is sh*t going to hit the fan?" and my question was eventually answered with the dramatic climax. The occasional suspenseful event isn't enough to build up the necessary tension and drama for the finale. Still, it is enough to leave your heart pounding just a little bit.

The case itself is a complex and twisted observation into the intricacies of marriage, domestic abuse, and how far someone is willing to go to protect their own. Green and Hannah's relationship parallels Kristina and her daughter Justine's–both parents would do anything for their children, and the daughters face the repercussions of their love. Fradkin's parallel relationships twist and turn with each parent and child's actions–making for puzzling revelations and well-rounded characters.

Police procedurals aren't really my thing, but Fradkin and "The Devil to Pay" may have changed my mind. Puzzling, complex, and a tad bit dark, "The Devil to Pay" is an easy read to get your crime junkie fix. Police procedurals aren't really my thing, but Fradkin and "The Devil to Pay" may have changed my mind.

The Devil to Pay is the eleventh book in the series about Detective Mike Green. This was my introduction to the series, as I haven't read the prior books. However I had no difficulty in appreciating the novel, although a familiarity with the prior books would fill in some of the gaps about Det. Green's history.

The story opens with Mike Green parked in a desk job that he finds tedious and routine. He misses the thrill of the chase and the tension of unravelling serious crimes. HIs daughter Hannah is now a constable, who responds to a domestic violence call in a wealthy urban neighborhood. She walks away from the call with a bad feeling and the sense that there was more to the story than she heard, but not having any evidence or an actual complaint from the partner, she must let it go. A little later, the husband from the call goes missing and is eventually found brutally murdered.

There was a great deal about this novel that I enjoyed - it was action-packed with a quick pace and I really enjoyed the setting in Ottawa. Since I've been there several times, it was nice to read a novel with a familiar setting. The characters were very believable and interesting, although I can see why Hannah would give a parent a few grey hairs! My only frustration was not knowing the final outcome of court case and some ambiguity about which guilty party actually brandished the murder weapon. Even that, however, is very realistic and reflects that fact that these serious crimes are messy and don't often end in a satisfying way.

This is a solid read by a Canadian author and I would be happy to recommend it. Many thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for providing me with a copy.

This book is not bad but it is not amazing. This book follows a new detective Hannah as she responds to a domestic disturbance that ends up being a murder investigation. I appreciate the research that was put into this novel around topics such as court proceedings, domestic abuse, and psychiatry in general. The first two thirds were interesting but the last third was a pain to get through. I love thrillers but I feel like this book had too much flowery language, which made the pacing feel really slow. I did appreciate the Canadian references and the novel did mention the pandemic. I felt as though this just added unnecessary details that didn't add to the story line. This book was just a bit too slow and too long for me. Thank you Dundurn Press and Netgalley for this advanced copy of "The Devil to Pay" in exchange for an honest review!

Domestic disturbance calls are among the most dangerous. When rookie police officer Hannah Pollack and her partner respond to reports of screaming in an upscale neighborhood, Hannah is ready to use her training. Instead, her partner believes the husband, chatty lawyer Ted McAuley. His wife Kristina refuses to speak to Hannah and the case is closed. However, Hannah believes the something is wrong in the McAuley house and interviews neighbors in her spare time. This does not please her superior officers, nor her father, Inspector Michael Green. But then Ted McAuley disappears. Are Hannah’s suspicions true?

Although Hannah is intuitive and determined, she does not follow orders well. She uncovers clue after clue, finds suspects and develops theories but the risks to her and others are great. This is the eleventh novel in the Inspector Michael Green series and the first I have read. It won’t be the last. Award winning author Barbara Fradkin has written a tightly plotted, taut police procedural with well described characters. The location, Ottawa and surroundings, adds to the story. This is a 5 star read.

Thank you to Barbara Fradkin, Dundurn Press and Barbara Fradkin for this ARC.

The Devil to Pay is the eleventh book of Fradkin’s Inspector Mike Green police procedural series, set in Ottawa, Canada. Green has been around so long that he’s a now a living legend among the detectives, but a living legend assigned to paperwork and procedures, itching to get back in the game a little bit. Nevertheless, it’s his daughter, a probationary police officer on patrol duty, Hannah Pollack, going by her mother’s name to create her own career, who is the star of this novel. They say curiosity killed the cat, if so, Hannah is close to using up all of her nine lives. She just can’t stay out of the Case, even tackling thorny problems in her off hours in civilian clothes, creating all kinds of ethical dilemmas in the case. Of course, being Green’s protege, Hannah’s instincts are always right on the mark and that’s what leads her to explore things on her own.

The Case all starts as a routine domestic disturbance call, but with no real evidence of abuse, there’s not much the officers can do to Hannah’s frustration. And, when a real live murder connects with the family, Hannah wants to figure it out even though she’s not assigned to the Case and her involvement can muck things up.

The action in this novel takes a long time to pick up as the stage is set, but eventually it becomes a fascinating novel with an exciting conclusion.

I received an ARC on netgalley of The Devil to Pay by Barbara Fradwick from @dundurnpress It is the eleventh installment in her Inspector Green series will published October 19 in Canada and November 16 in the United States
Sidelined to administrative duties, Inspector Michael Green misses the thrill of the chase. So when his daughter Hannah, now a rookie patrol officer , responds to a 911 call about a domestic disturbance in a wealthy suburban neighbourhood, he is intrigued. Both husband and wife deny a problem and, despite Hannah’s doubts, no further police action is taken, but Green encourages her to dig deeper on her own. When the husband disappears and his car is found at the airport, the police conclude he is simply fleeing an unhappy home, a floundering law practice, and a mountain of debt. Until a body is discovered.
I liked how she included the pandemic and how it affected the world around the characters. I also really liked Hannah and how she never stopped digging around and I hope that if there are more books coming that we get more of her and Detective Josh Kanner as I really liked them together. I also liked how the story kept me hooked from the very beginning I honestly couldn't stop reading it once I started and finished in a few hours and the ending while I suspected it still took me a bit by surprise and I liked how Inspector Green was always involved despite the fact that he wasn't technically supposed to be involved. As well I had never read an Inspector Green novel before this and didn't feel I had to in order to understand anything. In short this was a very well written police procedural and I will be looking into reading earlier books from this series.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CT0bsfnrspA/

Fast and Full of Twists and Turns...........
The Devil To Pay by Barbara Fradkin is a fast paced crime thriller which would not let you blink away from the book. A breathtaking plot with so many twists and turns was totally unexpected. Every character is under suspicion which will keep you glued to the plot. Both, characters and plot have complemented each other. Nothing in the story is unnecessary and boring. Hannah as a rookie is a hit.

I would give the book 5 stars.

Mixed feelings on this title. The device of moving back and forth between different characters was bothersome. I think it detracted from the telling of the story. The introduction of the characters daughter while novel also had many unbelievable aspects. Not something I’d recommend to others.

Thriller! This book will keep you guessing right up to the very end about who the actual killer was. If you are a person who really doesn’t like loose ends, then I wouldn’t recommend reading it. The author does not tie it up in a nice bow, but that was perfectly ok with me. This book will keep you guessing!

This book did not have any inappropriate cuss words or scenes that would keep me from giving it to a younger reader, so I would highly recommend it to any teenager. I was given a copy in exchange for this review.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Dundurn Press for an advance copy of The Devil to Pay, the eleventh novel to feature Inspector Michael Green of the Ottawa police.

Green has been sidelined from Major Crimes to court administration and misses investigating, so when his daughter, rookie patrol officer Hannah Pollack, comes to him with misgivings about a reported domestic violence issue he can’t help but encourage her to look deeper. When that deeper look leads to a missing person and a dead body Green is keen to keep up to date on the investigation’s progress, to protect Hannah and her mental health, allegedly.

I enjoyed The Devil to Pay, which is a real, proper police procedural with some interesting twists. I have not read this series before so I’m late to the party, just as it’s taking a new turn according to the author’s notes, giving voice to a new generation of police officers.

The novel is told from two points of view, Green and Hannah. He is the seasoned professional with an eye on procedure despite his straying into an investigation that has nothing to do with his job. She is the impetuous rookie with a disregard for procedure and an eye for investigating, despite straying into an investigation that has nothing to do with her job. Having said that, father and daughter egg each other on and the contrast between them is not as great as the similarity. I found this interesting and stimulating.

The plot is low key, emphasising the the steps necessary in a high profile investigation. It is a bit slow to start as, while the team have their suspects, finding a motive and proving it are a different matter. I found it absorbing as they discuss the who and why and gradually home in. I was surprised that the arrest comes not with a whimper but in a flurry of action and even more surprised by the final twist. It seems quite fitting.

The Devil to Pay is a strong police procedural that I can recommend as a good read.

I honestly can not believe how great this book really is. I really do not get into a lot of books but this one caught my attention through and through to the end.

I read this murder mystery as an ARC.
Fradkin is one of my favourite authors of Canadian murder mysteries. I am glad that she has written another in this series.
As always this is a well constructed and plotted novel. The characters are well defined and believable. But it is the tension and pace that make this book a page-turner and hard to put down.
Highly recommended.

This was my 1st book from Barbra Fradkin and safe to say it won't be the last. I literally got through it in a day and just couldn't stop reading it. If you like thrillers then you will eat this up!! The premise of the story was different enough to not make it feel predictable or like a story you've already ready a dozen version of and the attention to detail and to how everything ties in was just masterful. It's on one of those books you wish you could read over again for the 1st time

So I almost finished this in 1 day then I kind of really struggled through the last 100 pages, it’s not a bad book but it’s not a great book either - there is a lot of filler words and dialogue that I felt was unnecessary like a lot of the same thing again and again. It’s not a bad mystery and I love slow burns but this just wasn’t it for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book.

This was a really fun read! I love thrillers, and this was an excellent edition to my collection. I was hooked from the first page and gulped it down in one day, would reccomend to anyone who has an open mind and afternoon!

The story begins with a call on domestic disturbance which later escalates to murder. The rookie patrol officer takes it upon herself to solve the case and help the abused wife. The plot is very thin and the premise feeble. The author could have cast the protagonist as a detective rather than making the father daughter duo go around poking into an ongoing investigation and handing over clues to the detectives. It looks like they achieve what a whole squad couldn’t making the whole investigation silly. A good story spoiled to make the main character appear capable beyond her worth. 2.5 stars

Thank you Netgalley and Dundurn Press for the eARC.
This was my first Inspector Michael Green novel and I found it a very enjoyable read. I've read several of the Amanda Doucette books, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Barbara Fradkin is one of my go-to mystery authors, one of Canada's best, in my humble opinion!
Greens daughter Hannah is now a rookie patrol officer and responds to a 911 call with her senior partner. Even though the couple deny any violence occurred, Hannah has a strong feeling the wife is being abused, but her partner insists there's nothing to indicate this and wants to close the case. When the husband's body is found, Hannah does some sleuthing on her own. The husband was supposedly on a business trip, but there are no indications of that. The only thing that's known is the couple had a big fight and he took the wife's beloved dog (he hated it) and left.
Hannah goes on a search for the dog, under the radar of the police department (she'd probably be fired), and thereby finds a lot of clues, which she shares with her father. Both proud and nervous of her determination, Green tries to help her through his contacts. Then another murder occurs...
I.loved that the story took place in Ottawa, where my daughter lives, it's a lovely city. Hannah is a bit of a spiky character, which at times bothered me, but she seemed to even out towards the end. Green is very gentle with her, realizing where her attitude comes from, and I admired the way he handled her. All in all it's an appealing mystery and I hope there will be a follow-up. Definitely recommended!

I wish to express my thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn Press for an advance copy of 'The Devil to Pay' in return for an honest review. I have read all four of Barbara Fradkin's books that feature the former foreign aid worker, Amanda Doucette, and enjoyed them immensely. This police procedural introduced to me her longer running series involving highly respected detective, Inspector Green. This is the 11th book in a series that is new to me. It works well as a stand-alone but has inspired me to seek previous books and learn more about Green's previous cases. He is now on administrative duty and misses his role in solving difficult crime cases.

This was a well-plotted, complicated murder mystery, but I thought it a bit slow in part, and the suspense and tension were not always well maintained. The characters had depth and were memorable. Green is out of active murder investigations. He still hovers on the periphery as he misses his previous assignments. He has reason to be aware of these cases because his daughter, Hannah, is now a rookie police constable. Hannah was a rebellious teenager but is now a smart, impulsive member of the Ottawa police department. She feels determined to prove her worth independent of her father's reputation and avoid the suspicion that she gained her position through Green's influence. Hannah is receiving conflicting messages from her father. He encourages her to follow her hunches, gives her suggestions, but at the same time, reminds her that she lacks the authority to interfere in active police investigations. Neither father and daughter strictly abide by rigid department rules and procedures. The pandemic seems to be winding down, but wearing masks is mentioned.

During her early training, she accompanies an older officer on a call regarding a domestic disturbance at the home of a hot-tempered lawyer and his wife. There are reports that neighbours have occasionally heard screaming from home on the part of the husband, his wife, and their young boy thought to be autistic. This occurs during the pandemic, which has caused the husband's income to decline, and his nerves are frazzled. He hates the small family dog, which is a comfort to his wife and son. Hannah assumes that the wife is a victim of spousal abuse, which she denies and refuses to lay charges. She becomes obsessed with the case and becomes more involved in follow-ups with the wife and family members when the husband disappears. He left home with the dog and didn't return, then saying he had gone on a business trip. The police believe he has willingly left an unhappy marriage, and there is no need to investigate. The wife fears the ill-tempered man has harmed their dog. When the man is found murdered, police are assigned to the case. Hannah has no authority but has ideas of her own. She feels she knows the people involved better than the police team assigned to it.

She is headstrong and makes mistakes while secretly questioning witnesses and suspects. She dropped some information that may have lead to the murder of a young Ph.D. student who found the missing and injured family dog and has been caring for it. Inspector Green tries his best to protect his daughter from her impulsive mistakes and influence her original theories about the crime.

This twisted and complex case has many suspects among the wife's extended family. Hannah refuses to stop questioning witnesses. With the police involved, there are many twisted paths on the way to a solution. Some of these paths lead to a dead-end, and some are leading Hannah into lethal danger. The action accelerates towards the end with dramatic results.

Recommended to readers who enjoy a well-written, puzzling, and complex police procedural with well-rounded characters.