Trick or Treat by Katerina Diamond

Today I’m delighted to share my thoughts on Trick or Treat by Katerina Diamond, the latest book in the Grey and Miles series. The last book was quite a shocker so I’ve been looking forward to catching up with the pair and seeing what happens in the aftermath. Here’s what the book is all about:

About the Book

TRICK OR TREAT?

When six-year-old Marcus is taken from outside his house on Halloween it shakes his quiet neighbourhood to the core.

Everyone was ready for a night of trick-or-treating. Now the unthinkable has happened.

TRUTH OR LIES?

As Detective Imogen Grey arrives to question Marcus’s parents, they tell her there has been a mistake. Their son is just fine.

But if that’s true, where is Marcus?

INNOCENT OR GUILTY?

Imogen becomes locked in a race against time to find the missing child and uncover the truth. Can she discover what’s happened to Marcus before it’s too late?

A completely addictive page-turner, perfect for fans of Cara Hunter, TM Logan and Shari Lapena.

My Thoughts

Trick or Treat is the latest book in the Imogen Grey & Adrian Miles series. Whilst it can be read as a standalone, and the story is largely self contained, I really do recommend that you are least read the previous book, Truth or Die, as there is much that happens in this book that is a direct result of what happens there. The last book was quite shocking, one that really toyed with your emotions, and watching Imogen and, more importantly, Adrian, deal with the aftermath.

The book opens in an almost pedestrian way by the author’s standards, at least up until the dying moments of that first chapter. Don’t be fooled – this is a Katerina Diamond book. Be prepared to be taken on a rollercoaster of a ride full of mystery, and some very, very intense moments. This is the story of a child abduction, a young boy snatched from outside his home, and the only witness is someone who shouldn’t even have been there. Ransom demands, dark threats and moments of danger that are right in the heart-thumping territory. With the sense that not everyone involved in the investigation is telling the truth, it falls to Imogen to save Marcus before it’s too late. Just when you think you may have a handle on what is happening, the whole case tilts on its axis. Katerina Diamond is adept at keeping readers on their toes, but this case is full of those big surprise moments and whilst you may guess certain aspects of the case pretty early on, tapping into Imogen’s innate senses, there are so many parts of the book which caught me unaware but had me completely engrossed to the very last page.

I do love the characters in this book. I came to the series a bit late, but have grown very fond of Imogen Grey and Adrian Miles, so I’m not going to lie – the last book was a big surprise and one of those real hit you in the gut moments. How do you follow it? Well – quite brilliantly as it turns out. Everything that happened led to a massive change for Adrian, its impacts being felt by Imogen too. Seeing him wrestle with his feelings, the emotional turmoil that he is going to and the extent to which it impacts him both personally and professionally, was very carefully handled and made the story all the more effective. It’s hard not to be touched by everything that happens in the book, both the case and in personal terms, and everything about it, about the reluctance to face the issues head on, the concern about certain stigmas of the case, absolutely rang true. Its tough watching characters you care about going through the ringer – doesn’t stop the author from pushing us all again though. Just how I like it.

There are a few surprises in store throughout the book – faces from the past who make quite an impact on the story. I’m intrigued to see where the author takes us next as the ending, whilst not a cliffhanger in terms of the case – that’s well and truly resolved – it certainly left me with a whole host of questions and a real hunger for that ‘what happens next’ moment. I am hoping that Imogen and Adrian have turned a corner, although the road ahead looks like it will be very bumpy. But by ‘eck. I am looking forward to the ride.

Full of tension, action emotion and brilliant characters, and a story that is very carefully told. I wasn’t sure if the author could make such a physical impact with the story this time around and yet she has. This is one crime series that if you haven’t started yet, I really have to question why not. The characters, the setting and the storytelling are just fabulous. Go on – have a read. You know you want to.

About the Author

Katerina Diamond burst onto the crime scene with her debut The Teacher, which became a Sunday Times bestseller and a number one Kindle bestseller. It was longlisted for the CWA John Creasey Debut Dagger Award and the Hotel Chocolat Award for ‘darkest moment’. The Teacher was followed by sequels The Secret, The Angel, The Promise, Truth or Die and Woman in the Water, all of which featured detectives Adrian Miles and Imogen Grey. The Heatwave is her first standalone thriller.