Dirty Money

by Charlotte Philby

Ramona Chang has a target on her back. Her last scoop as an investigative journalist saw a local gang leader brought to trial, and he wants revenge. From her run-down flat in east London Ramona is trying to start afresh as a private detective, but her latest case - that of a young woman assaulted by a man running an upmarket escort agency - has hit a dead end. Until, that is, she crosses paths with Madeleine Farrow.

Detective Inspector Madeleine Farrow is a high-flying operative at the government's Serious Crimes Investigations Department. Recently returned from a major trafficking case overseas, her first day back at the office sees her celebrate her fiftieth birthday, as well as kick-starting another big investigation.

As the two unlikely allies realise that they can help with each other's cases, Madeleine operating within the bounds of the law, with government resources at her disposal, and Ramona working undercover on the fringes, they join forces to seek justice for those who have been betrayed by the system.

The first in the brand-new Farrow & Chang crime series, DIRTY MONEY is a gripping thrill-ride set in contemporary London, starring an unforgettable new detective duo created by critically acclaimed thriller writer Charlotte Philby.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2025

Reviews

[Mel🌻 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve really been trying to get into reading thrillers more so was really excited for this one!

I enjoyed the overall story and how the plot focussed on two different women in london. Ramona is an aspiring private investigator and Madeline works in law enforcement. We follow them both as they are trying to solve there individual cases. It was interesting to see how the stories intertwined together and I really liked how the women interacted together and helped each other with their separate cases when the stories crossed over. I live in London myself and you can tell the author was very knowledgable on the different locations explored throughout.

I will say I didn’t feel like the genre of this book was a thriller, I think I would market it more as a crime thriller or a crime mystery. Overall I did really enjoy the book, I felt it was easy to follow and fast paced!


Pre-reading ࿐ ࿔*:･

21/2: So excited for this! Been wanting to read a good thriller for a while!! 👻😌

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a gifted advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the readalong and tour hosted by Tandem Collective UK.

Dirty Money is the first book in a new female empowered thriller series by Charlotte Philby.
We follow two women from different walks of life; Madeline Farrow, who works for the SCIDs (Serious Crime Investigation Department), and comes from a wealthy background. Madeline has been pulled off her recent investigation into a child trafficking case for some respite away and put on a money laundering case before returning back to her previous work.
Ramona Chang is fledgling Private Detective after leaving her career as an investigative reporter after almost dying at the hands of the dangerous gang she helped take down. Much younger than Madeline, the women have crossed paths before and share a connection through their relentless pursuit of justice and fight for what is right. The women begin working together on the money laundering case and Ramonas first real PI case; capturing a man who runs a questionable escort agency with female students as his escorts but is using them for his own pleasure.
Once I got through the first 2-3 chapters and understood who both women were, I couldn't put this book down. Quick and easy to read through I was left, turning pages faster and faster! I'm definitely all here for book two and to see where the story leads to next!

[Elaine M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a few Charlotte Philby books after being given one by secret Santa a few years ago.
I found this one to be different. It's the first book in a new series about two strong female characters, doing the right thing. One legally, in her job in SCID (serious crime investigations) and one undercover, as a former journalist.
It took me a while to get into it, and get to grips with it flicking from Ramona to Madeleine, but I enjoyed it. The characters have a solid story and it was nice to get to know them.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen Chong · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 / 5.0

Not too sure if this is part of a series or a one off, but overall it’s a short read that takes a little to go at the start but once you’re invested the pages start flying by. I like the premise and plot of the book, a unique one but the book is very surface level.

The book’s plot follows Ramona Chang and DS Madeleine Farrow who crosses path, Farrow is investigating a lead into a corruption case and Ramona is a private PI investigating an upmarket escort agency task. Both Farrow and Chang bump into each other and they team up to help solve each other’s tasks. It’s a great read, one that is empowering and spy-action packed theme but nothing more. I am interested if the book ever produces more we shall see!

[Mary Picken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Charlotte Philby book and I love a new detective series, so I was eager to read Dirty Money. I very much enjoyed the way the two characters inhabit very different versions of London. Ramona Chang used to be a journalist on the Camden News until a story she was working on brought her into conflict with organised crime and her life was seriously threatened. Now she has changed her name, hides out in a grotty East End bedsit and works pretty much under the radar as a private detective. Ramona is also a recovering addict, regularly attending AA meetings.

Madeleine Farrow, on the other hand, is independently wealthy as a result of inheritance. She is well connected (her brother is a government minister), dresses with style and lives in Marylebone. Madeleine is a Detective Sergeant with SCID, the Serious Crimes Investigations Department – an elite discreet unit of the Met. She is frequently abroad working on cases of international importance, such as the Vietnamese sex trafficking case from which she has just returned. She’s very well regarded in her circles though she and her brother have very different views on most things.

Madeleine is working on pinning down an international money laundering operation, operated by a Kazakhstan family where the wife and two adult children live in luxury in Mayfair and the oligarch father is currently in Kazakhstan, out of the Met’s jurisdiction. She must try to show that the whole family is engaged in substantial money laundering if she is to get authority to seize their assets under the proceeds of crime statute. At the same time she is mourning the loss of a friend, an MP who was murdered, leaving two small children behind.

Ramona has a new case. She has been contacted by a student who has been sexually assaulted after applying to a website to be considered as a kind of ‘sugar daddy’ escort in return for having her university fees and expenses taken care of.

The two cases could not be more different. Ramona does what she can on her new case. She’s certainly motivated to get to the bottom of this case, but her enquiries can only go so far. Then Ramona encounters Madeleine, whom she has met once before. Chatting to Ramona, Madeleine realises that the two can help each other. Ramona can go undercover for her and she’ll get paid, and she can help Ramona by providing some information on her case. Ramona agrees and the two women’s paths are joined.

Charlotte Philby’s book is a slow burn, as she takes time to establish her characters and mark out their very clear differences. I found it hard to visualise the SCID unit which seems remarkably small for such an important task. But the portrayal of the very different London that the two women inhabit is beautifully contrasted and conveys the settings so well. She really pins down the ghastly extremes of poverty and wealth – and how the two come together to destroy what’s best about the city.

Philby’s characters are very well drawn and it’s quite easy to visualise them. On the face of it, they are quite different, but they do have shared values. Both women are outsiders, and slow to trust others. Theirs is a relationship of respect, despite the fact that Madeleine is twice Ramona’s age.

Once you get to the meat of the plot, the tension rises sharply and the danger increases exponentially. Madeleine also starts to suspect that there’s something going on in SCID that no-one is willing to tell her and that just serves to make her suspicious of pretty much everyone.

Ramona, too has things on her mind, but she is a risk taker and will put herself in danger in order to catch some pretty bad guys. I felt that the ending was a little rushed, but all the loose ends do get satisfactorily tied up.

Dirty Money is an excellent start to a new detective partnership – almost a female version of ‘the Odd Couple’, which I’m sure will go from strength to strength.

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirty Money is an enthralling and intelligent crime thriller that masterfully intertwines two gripping investigations led by two compelling female protagonists. Charlotte Philby crafts a layered and immersive narrative, exposing the murky intersections of power, corruption, and exploitation in modern London.

Ramona Chang, a former investigative journalist turned private investigator, is a woman on the fringes of society—living under an assumed identity, recovering from addiction, and determined to fight for the underdog. Her latest case—a disturbing encounter with a so-called "sugar daddy" service that preys on young women—pulls her back into dangerous territory. Meanwhile, Madeleine Farrow, a seasoned Detective Sergeant in the Serious Crimes Investigation Department (SCID), is tackling a high-stakes money laundering case involving an elite Kazakh family with deep political and financial ties. Though they come from vastly different worlds, their paths collide, forcing them into a tenuous but necessary partnership.

Philby excels in her portrayal of London as a city of stark contrasts—Madeleine’s world of high-pressure offices, political elites, and law enforcement secrecy is sharply juxtaposed with Ramona’s gritty existence among recovering addicts and the city’s underbelly. This dual setting enriches the story, highlighting the economic and moral disparities that shape both women’s investigations.

The dynamic between Ramona and Madeleine is one of the novel’s strongest elements. Their relationship is built on a mutual understanding of isolation and determination, despite their differences in age, privilege, and experience. They respect each other’s skills while navigating the uneasy waters of trust and self-preservation. Philby’s nuanced character development ensures that both women feel deeply human—flawed, resourceful, and driven by a sense of justice that often places them in peril.

Dirty Money is a slow-burn thriller that rewards patience, offering a richly detailed and socially conscious take on the crime genre. The narrative unfolds methodically, allowing for deep character exploration before ramping up into a tense and compelling climax. While the financial crime elements might feel dense at times, they add an authentic complexity to the story, making it all the more immersive.

For those who enjoy crime fiction that blends meticulous plotting with strong female leads and a sharp critique of institutional corruption, Dirty Money is a must-read. With its razor-sharp prose, atmospheric storytelling, and an electrifying duo at its core, this novel marks the beginning of what promises to be an exceptional new detective series. I eagerly await what’s next for Farrow and Chang.

[Denis Wheller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two very different female detectives on two very different investigations meet when their paths coincidently cross on the steps of the LSE. Madeline Farrow (50) is a career Detective Sergeant in the Serious Crimes Investigation Department, a small specialist section of the Met. She is from an affluent background, a politically prominent family. Ramona Chang (28) is a former investigative journalist, but is now a rookie Private Investigator, a former alcoholic living under an alias because she is at risk from a criminal gang which she had exposed. Madeline is currently investigating an international money laundering family based in Kazakhstan and London. Ramona is working to identify a probable rapist using a ‘dating agency’ as a cover. There is no connection between these two cases. However, when the two women bump into each other, Madeline remembers that they had briefly met the year before, and that Ramona is an experienced undercover investigator. She proposes that they help each other; Ramona going undercover as a paid operative for the SCID and Madeline using police resources to find the rapist. Ramona needs money so agrees, although the balance of risks is obviously against her.
This is the first in a proposed series, using a character, Ramona, from an earlier book. Madeline is a new creation and has an extensive backstory. The two investigations remain separate, but the money laundering plot dominates. “Show don’t tell” is a maxim for writers but the early part of this story, in which Madeline and her world are elaborated, is bit more on the “tell” side, which makes it a slow and not very thrilling read. The pace does pick up eventually as Ramona’s trajectory is increasingly tension filled as her actions lead her into jeopardy on more than one occasion. In fact I surprised myself by being concerned for her in a concrete rather than abstract way. Madeline, although she has her problems (lesbian love affairs, cabinet minister brother, uncaring boss) is not as exciting. This is somewhat surprising given her adventurous backstory. Perhaps we’ll hear more of her in the next book. The book is also a paean to London, with descriptions taking up quite a bit of space. I’m not sure if this is just padding or if it speaks to character, but I did enjoy Ramona’s walk from Kings Cross along to and through Camden (maybe because I have walked it). As to rating, well it isn’t perfect but it has its moments. On balance 3.5 rounding to 4.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once a thriving investigative journalist, now turned barely functioning (in work and her private life) private detective, Ramona Chang’s last journalistic scoop left her with a target on her back. Now she is living in a dilapidated flat in east London, keeping her head down. But then she gets a case looking into an upmarket escort agency which takes a dark and rather grim turn, and she needs information only accessible to those with power or connections.

Madeline Farrow is a high-flying operative at a secretive government agency. She has just turned fifty when she finds out she has gotten the lead role on an investigation into corruption on a global scale. But she finds her case blocked at every angle, seemingly from the inside. She needs someone on the outside, who can move undetected.

Ramona and Madeline’s investigations collide, and the two naturally suspicious women need to find a way to work as allies to find justice for the multiple victims impacted. Can they work together to unravel the hotbed of lies and deception?

Both characters are risk takers and deeply mistrustful, hurt by life, and not quick to let anyone inside the hard exteriors they have built. Despite this, they are worlds apart. Madline is very stiff, wealthy, elegant, with a love for the finer things in life. Ramona is deep in the gritty side of London, on the poverty line, a rough upbringing, and is even rougher around the edges. Despite this, the two women see something of themselves in one another, and recognise a shared nature. Knowing they need to work together in order to be assured of mutually successful outcomes, they go all in at unearthing the plot which runs deep.

The story starts slow, as it introduces us to the two female leads, and builds their motivation and backgrounds. It also builds the cases they are working on, and how slowly leads are working through the system. This builds some frustration for the reader, but also a sense of realism, as I am sure it takes even longer in real life to unearth a global corruption plot. When the pace picks up it becomes a very enjoyable read, much more of a page turner, and keeps you on your toes. It was a nice change to come across two strong female leads in a story, who both offered such different perspectives. I look forward to the next in the series to see where this goes, and how Farrow and Chang can progress their unofficial partnership to do more good.

*I received this book for review from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

[Papergirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to express my gratitude to Charlotte Philby, John Murray Press, Baskerville, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read the Advanced Reader Copy of this text. This is what I thought of the novel…

Before delving into this book, I was attracted to the bright cover and the initial description, ‘Two detectives. One explosive case.’ I was further attracted by some of the other reviews I had read about the novel that pointed at two female leads, and slow introductions to their backgrounds. However, in reality, I struggled to get into this book from the outset. I struggled with the pace, which I think I had presumed would be a lot quicker than it was. The introduction of the characters, particularly, alcoholic Ramona, was interesting but at the same time, the author is drip-feeding the reader, and it is not at a speed to quench an insatiable thirst.

If a story is explosive, I expect to be hit with some sort of crime or scandal in the beginning and then watch as people get involved to solve it. Instead, this novel is led by first understanding the characters and so my initial interest has not been tailored for. I’m less interested in the detectives’ families (or lack of) in the beginning, and the tour around London, and more interested in what the ‘dirty money ‘ actually is so that I have a better understanding of why the detectives’ lifestyles, characters, relatives, job experience, etc is important. I also found the flipping between perspectives to be confusing because the main characters were, in my opinion, not being anchored to anything meaningful, i.e., what is the point of them and why should I care about them.

Unfortunately, I decided to stop reading after giving it a good go but not really understanding where I was in the plot. My brain struggled to give the novel its full attention and so even though the pace was slow, I found I was unable to recollect where I was at when I switched from Ramona to Madeline, and back again. There was also something about the actual writing style that had me tripping over myself and needing to reread sentences to get the full gist of it. Agagin, this may be down to my own expectations of what I wanted to/or thought I should be reading.

I am only guessing, but from the ratings and reviews, I gather the story does pick up pace and it becomes a book that readers will either love or hate. As such, I rate the book an average 3 out of 5 stars so as not to taint the views already out there.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

RAMONA CHANG
An investigative journalist turned private detective, Ramona's final scoop left her with a target on her back. Now in hiding, she is living in a run-down flat in east London. But when her latest case looking into an upmarket escort agency takes a dark turn, she needs information only accessible to those in power . . .

DETECTIVE SERGEANT MADELEINE FARROW
A high-flying operative at a government agency, it's the day of her fiftieth birthday when Madeleine finds out that she has been given the lead on an investigation into corruption on a global scale. But when she finds her case mysteriously blocked from the inside, she needs someone on the outside, capable of moving undetected . . .

As Ramona and Madeleine's cases collide, can the unlikely allies find justice for multiple victims within the capital's hotbed of lies and deception?

Review
This is my first time reading Charlotte Philby and I really enjoyed it. The book is a slow burn taking time to establish the characters. I loved the portrayal of London, and the contrasting ways the characters experienced it. It helped me feel immersed in the surroundings and atmosphere.

Philby’s characters are really well drawn, that allow you to feel the impact that the two worlds have on each of them as they investigate the awful crimes. Both women feel like outsiders, slow to trust but have relationship based on a mutual respect for each other.

Once you get to the main plot, the tension really starts to build as they both start taking risks. There are twists that you don’t see coming but help add the tension. I was desperate for the good guys to win and there were parts that made me want to bite my nails.
This is an excellent start to a new detective partnership that I can’t wait to see develop more.

[Valerie Thirkettle-Kayser · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is my first read by Charlotte Philby and I am glad I discovered her.
Dirty money is set in London. It brings together Madeleine, a government operative, with Ramona, a former investigative journalist turned private detective. Madeleine is elegant and a bit stiff. Ramona is all the opposite. Both have great investigative talent. When their two investigations collide, it produces a spark of success and creates an unexpected but great partnership between two women who have been hurt by life and don't trust anyone, but have learned to trust each other.
The plot finds inspiration into headlines we are unfortunately all used to see in the press, and it makes the story vivid and realistic. The characters are sharp and interesting and the writing really brings all facets of London to life.
The story starts in a slow way, with many details being thrown in. Some readers may find it a little challenging to get into it, but I found it very realistic. Working on an investigation really does feel like that at the beginning. There are many facts, many leads, many different people and it takes time to work all these out into anything conclusive. For me, Charlotte Philby illustrated this perfectly at the start of the book and I could not tear myself away from it because the pace accelerates as the pages turn up to a shocking conclusion.
I was glad to find out this book is part of a series and I cannot wait to read more about who Madeleine and Ramona will go after in the next novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and John Murray Press, Baskerville, for giving me the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.

[Jenny Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ramona was a successful investigative journalist who has had to create a new identity for herself after getting on the wrong side of a brutal criminal. When the book opens she has set up as a Private Investigator but is struggling to find her first meaningful case. She is a young, driven, skateboard-wielding 20-something. Madeleine has just turned 50 and works on major criminal cases for a government agency. She has a healthy disregard for authority and gets results by doings things her own way. The two of them cross paths and form a loose partnership to help each other out on their respective cases.

This book grew into an extremely enjoyable crime novel. The depth of the two main characters contributes significantly to its success. As a reader we get to know them both intimately and this is an unexpected pleasure. Both have comprehensive and interesting back stories as well as being quirky, distinctive and endearing. The book is a real page-turner, gripping and easy to read. Whilst not quite cosy crime, it does not feature the graphic violence which seem to be de rigeur these days and I was very grateful for that.

My only slight criticism is that the book didn’t start well – I found it slow and a little dull and you really need a good start to a book to keep people’s interest. It did however pick up the pace as it progressed.

I have no hesitation whatsoever in thoroughly recommending this book. It is character-driven so will, I hope, not just appeal to readers who enjoy crime novels, but to a much wider audience. I will certainly be looking out for more by this author.

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

For most of this read I wondered if I’d missed another prequel book as there are a lot of references to past things in a way that I should know who the characters and events were.
The story follows 2 women whose plot lines come together.
Madeline (who I imagine being played by Sandra Oh for some reason) is serious crime investigator looking into a crime ring by some Kazakh brothers. She relays that a female MP was killed recently who was her friend. Her brother is also an MP now head of Home Office. She doesn’t get along with him or his wife.
Ramona (or Isobel) is an investigative journalist now turned private investigator. There is reference to her being involved in bringing down a major drugs ring and that’s how she previously bumped into Madeline. She’s investigating a man who is abusing women by pretending to vet them for an escort service.
The 2 women cross paths again and agree to help each other. The Kazakhs were responsible for the MP death and Madeline gets a confession out of one of the men’s ex fiancé that he was involved in the killing of a prostitute. The MP found out and that’s why she was killed.
The man abusing women for escorts was a police officer and Madeline’s MP brother was covering it up.
Ramona is confronted by a henchman from the drug ring crime and accidentally kills him.
There’s clearly a set up for more books for the 2 women in some kind of team. I really struggled with Ramona’s character, nothing likable about her. And didn’t like the references to events as if I should know all about it already.

[Teresa Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirty Money by Charlotte Philby
This is the first in a series of books which are going to feature the two main characters Madeleine Farrow and Ramona Chang. Madeleine is a woman, born into money, who happens to work for the serious crimes investigation department and Ramona Chang is a would be private detective who realized too late that her pseudonym was an homage to Raymond Chandler. Ramona has a troubled past and Madeleine has a difficult relationship with her older brother who is rapidly rising through the ranks of the Government to a position in the Cabinet .
For the beginning of the book each character is pursuing their own investigations and it is difficult to see how their paths will ever cross but when they do they make a good duo and I look forward to their future outings. The novel involves financial intrigue and murder but the financial side does not become too complex for a reader without a financial background to understand.
The characters are well drawn and there was only one part where I baulked at what one of them had done in the name of nailing a protagonist. Came to a good conclusion tying those lose ends together and making you want to find out what the pair would do next. Interesting to have a female duo from such disparate backgrounds. Many thanks to the author, the publishers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read the novel in return for an honest review.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirty Money is a fantastic female detective story with two contrasting characters who work to tease out the story amongst the bustling, smoggy backdrop of London.

Ramona Chang had echoes of a Lisbeth Salander (The Girl with the dragon tattoo) character for me, she was a woman who was willing to dig to find out the truth, fight for injustices and the underdog at personal risk to herself as she skirted on the edge of society and interacting with it.

Setting is used as a great vehicle in the story, the bustling office with its high pressured environment of Madeleine Farrow's workplace as she mingles with political bigwigs and police and the darker streets and blurred boundaries of Ramona's London with group therapy meetings and recovering addicts.

I really warmed to both characters, which is unusual for me and I was eagerly following their storylines trying to work out just how they would find each other. It was nice that there was a hint of a backstory (not fully explained) but that added enough depth to their relationship that you knew they were looking out for each other whilst mutually using each other to their own benefit.

The central story themes are very topical, with exploitation, trafficking and abuse being explored. The most refreshing thing about this novel, it was drawn out, I loved that the tension built, that the characters were developed over several pages rather than the high romp thrillers you are often presented with, it felt more of a literary crime / thriller and I really immersed myself into that as a writing style.

A really refreshing take on the crime/thriller/detective genre, with two strong female narratives and excited to see what Chang and Farrow have in store next!

[Marie (UK) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and seeing as it was published in February I have had it a fair while. This is the first book that I have read by this author

It is a thriller set in London in a specific arm of the CID . It is billed "a Farrow and Chang thriller" but has no series numbering although there does seem to be a second book in the pipeline
The story is told through the eyes of the two main characters. Madeleine is a SCID officer just back in London from a grueling case in China, supposedly doing something Light to reduce the stress.
Ramon is a newish Private detective asked to look into a sex crime. Eventually their paths meet and there is omething of a quid pro quo of help going on to solve both cases.

I struggled somewhat for the first half finding the narrative slow moving, it perhaps need more of an introduction to the characters to get a feel for where we were going. It did pick up in the second half both characters are risk takers - a bit act now and think later and that does land them in deep water at times. I liked Ramona more than Madeleine she was more believable.

When the threads start to come together the book worked really well. I probably will try the next in the series and the author does have several other books that might fit my tastes too

This is a solid 3 star book and i often find continuing with a series I become more involved int he characters

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having met the writer in Harrogate and read “A Double life” I was really looking forward to reading this and was not disappointed. The first in a new series this is a story of two women. Firstly Ramona Chang. Once a reporter and now a fledgling Private Detective. Secondly Detective Sergeant Madeleine Farrow. Aged 50 and working with the Serious Crimes Investigation Team. Both are strong women but flawed, and from backgrounds as diverse as you can possibly imagine, but they have one thing in common, a sense of right.

Briefly, Ramona has taken on a job investigating a man who advertises for female students for his high class escort agency but in reality he just wants a sexual encounter with them. Madeleine and her team are looking at a family from Kazakhstan who are thought to be involved in high worth money laundering. Then, unexpectedly, the two cases seem to be connected and Ramona and Madeline need to work together.

Apart these are two powerful women but together they are almost invincible and I really enjoyed the humour and irreverence from them which countered the darker parts of the story. I loved their relationship and I’m definitely looking forward to the next in the series. Having worked in the financial sector for many years I thought the plotting was good and kept me guessing. A fast paced and tense thriller.

[Ridgerunner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first of a series featuring this crime fighting duo. I think it is a good combo that augurs well for the rest of the series.
D.S. Madeleine Farrow comes from rather a privileged background but forms a good sort of investigative team with Romana a feisty journalist from the opposite end of the social spectrum who was forced to quit her job and change name after helping to convict someone very nasty.
The first third of the book has the two characters each doing their own investigations into dodgy Russian money and a possible sex scam respectively.
Then their investigations overlap and they help each other out.
Ramona also has to battle previous alcohol addiction but Madeleine had an affluent but unloving upbringing so that they are both uncomfortable in their skins.
Loved the character of Madeleine’s brother who reminds me of Boris Johnson and is nothing but trouble for her sister.
There was not too much detail about financial trickery so that it was an easy read although things seemed to get sorted out quite suddenly at the end. A bit too quick perhaps. But it was very enjoyable and I look forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and John Murray Press for the ARC.

[Mrs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I really enjoyed. The main characters, Madeleine Farrow and Ramona Chang could not be different, one with money, one without. Also Ramona Chang has a secret life which she left behind. Madeleine works for the Serious Crime Investigation Unit trying hard to bring down the mobsters and their “dirty money”. The Unit is investigation a family from Kazakhstan who are laundering vast amounts of money through the UK. Madeleine is high up in the hierarchy. Her brother is in Government, has been promoted which is a problem for her as they do not see eye to eye on many things and will be her boss. Romana started out in the book as an investigative journalist but had to change jobs and decided to become a private detective. She is finding this difficult but one case sets her on a path to meeting Madeleine and their lives intertwine. They both end up chasing the same links and because of Ramona’s help on her case Madeleine helps Ramona on her first real case as a private investigator. The age gap between them makes them almost mother and daughter and because they have the same values with right and wrong it works. The story at a good pace for me and I enjoyed the way they eventually closed their cases. Look forward to more from this duo

[Hannah May Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was given the opportunity to buddy read this book, organised by Tandem Collective, I jumped at the chance of trying something different, I had no idea this book would be dropping through my post box, I didn’t know what to expect when reading as detective thrillers aren’t usually my thing, but I was pleasantly surprised with Dirty Money.

It is safe to say the author does a fantastic job at scene setting, her descriptive writing was very engaging. I’ll be honest though, it did take a little while for me to be able to fully connect with the book. As I was introduced to Ramona, who really intrigued me and Madeline, I was itching to get to the place where they’d meet, because for me that’s when the story really came together, this is where I was then reeled in. I love the relationship between Ramona and Madeline and the whole book gives girl boss energy.

Dirty Money becomes a real page turner, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into and there’s some fab twists and turns thrown in the mix. I’d say it is a bit of a slow burner though, the story isn’t rushed but it gives you time to get to know the chatracters and their back story. This is a strong start to a new series, and if book one is anything to go by, it’s going to be a huge hit for crime and thriller lovers.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book I have read by Charlotte Philby, it did take me a few chapters to get into the plot. Told by alternative women, who initially seem to be unrelated, you are plunged into a couple of different plotlines. Gradually the different strands of the plot come together and the relations between the characters start to emerge. a lot happens in this book, though it is not always fast paced and action packed, there is also a lot of undercover investigation which was very interesting.
I loved the descriptions here and the alternating points of view of the two main characters who are very different. The setting is mostly London and the descriptions of people and places give you a good picture of the scenes and events. Once I got into the book and started to understand Ramora and Madeleine, it became a real page turner and I enjoyed this unusual take on an investigation. The book touches on the emotions of both women which are portrayed in a sensitive and realistic manner.
Thanks to Net Galley for a great read, I hope to read more about these two women.

[Heloise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited for the premise of this book a detective sergeant and an investigator journalist crossing paths and working together is right up my street sadly this fell short for me. This book was quite slow paced for me, I did enjoy when the two main characters paths crossed it made the book feel more interesting. There were a few plot points running through all, some I feel were clear in the the set up and some left intrigue. I feel like the end of the book tried to wrap everything up quite quickly. Almost like it was mentioned so I need to make this make sense now. There was lot of references to areas, which I did enjoy as I felt like the book was almost taking me down the roads, or areas mentioned but a lot of it did feel like we were trying to set the scene more than tell the story. There were references to real events and a lot of the plot line felt very relevant to what we see in the world, I sadly did not feel thrilled by this book.

" Men. Did They never grow out of the constant need for validation."

[Paul Allard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and entertaining police procedural - and a whole lot more!

I've not read any of this author's previous works but I certainly enjoyed this detective story. The plot revolves around two cases, one involving money laundering (thus the title) and another more sordid tale. Two main characters, Madeleine of the Serious Crimes Unit, and Ramona, a private investigator, team up and are the most important part of this novel. All characters are well-developed, especially the main protagonists and the plot moves along at a good pace. A couple of minor gripes : it's a bit of a love letter to London and non-Londoners may not appreciate all the street directions and London references. I'm not convinced that I need to know what everybody is wearing at any given time. Minor gripes which did not spoil the enjoyment of the engaging and highly entertaining thriller. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dirty Money by Charlotte Philby is the first book in the Farrow and Change series. DS Madeline Farrow is a Sergeant in the Serious Crime investigating unit who comes from a privileged background and her brother is an MP and Ramona Chang is an ex-Journalist now working as a private detective. Ramona is currently investigating a high value escort agency and whilst doing so the two strong women meet.
I thank John Murray press for a copy of ‘Dirty Money’. But I am sorry unfortunately this book wasn’t for me. After the initial first part of this story. I just found that this story was full of where both protagonists were travelling though London so much the initial main plot got lost. Because of this I struggled to connect to the story and felt like giving up. I did in the end; I did manage to get through this book, and I only thought this story got interesting in the last twenty percent of the book. By then, I’m sorry to say I lost interest. 2.5 stars

[Jo-anne Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newly back from Vietnam and a successful operation to expose a child exploitation ring, Madeleine Farrow realises that she is now 50. She is placed in charge of an operation involving money laundering and a prominent Kazakh family. Ramona Chang is in hiding, her last scoop exposed a crime gang and placed a target on her back. She lives off-line under an assumed name and is scraping together a living as a private detective. Both have worked together in the past and joining forces they try to solve their two cases.
I quite liked Philby's last book but I really liked this one! There's a great modern twist to this with international money laundering clashing against police corruption and the killing of those that get in the way. The two protagonists are different but both work well and the supporting cast is varied and well-defined. I hope there are more Farrow and Chang books as there is mileage in the duo.

[Vicuña · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte Philby has made the right move from journalism and editing into being a novelist. She has a real flair for writing and I’ve been totally gripped by this detective thriller. Two main central characters are female, flawed but work so well together. One, a woman of some fifty years is an experienced police officer, the other a young private investigator who’s been in hiding. The first part f the story sets the scene with these two characters until they end up working together. They’re impeccable together with unique insights and it’s clear that Charlotte has used her personal experiences as an investigative journalist to add authenticity to the plot. Her writing is fresh and fast paced. You want to keep reading and as most of the action centres in London, this feels very real and up to the minute. Clever and careful plotting keep the story moving and I absolutely loved this.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

A journalist in hiding over the repercussions from her last story finds that the current follow up she is engaged in - related to a high value escort agency - is unexpectedly woven into a very different scenario where a senior police officer's suspicions of internal interference in a high level corruption investigation are deepening.

While the two women are themselves very different personalities in very different life situations, they may now have some common goals. But will they survive long enough, metaphorically and literally, to untangle what appears to be a deep rooted web of deception in high places?

This is a suspenseful and interesting story with a number of original elements. Well worth checking out! It gets 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Charlotte Philby and it proved to be an interesting and engaging read. The story revolves around two main protagonists and two cases. The first is about money laundering involving the super wealthy living in London and the other involves a dating agency which isn't all it seems. Madeline Farrow of the serious crimes unit and Romana Chang are investigating these cases independently until they find the need to engage the help of the other. The pacing is good and the plot fairly rattles along, while the characters of the two main protagonists are well developed. Both of them carry 'baggage' which is partially explored, leaving openings for further novels in the series - which I would be happy to read.
With thanks to Netgalley and John Murray Press for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dirty Money is the first book in the Farrow & Chang series by Charlotte Philby.
In short, DS Madeleine Farrow and rookie Private Investigator, Ramona Chang are both working on personal cases but when their cases collide, the unlikely allies team up to get justice for the multiple victims of corruption and exposure.
This is the second book I’ve read and enjoyed by Charlotte. With ‘Dirty Money’ I did wonder where the connection was between these two very different characters as there were two different plot lines going on but when the strands eventually came together and the pace shifted up a gear the storyline came together in a satisfying ending. I look forward to reading more from this duo.
Big thanks to Charlotte Philby, John Murray Press and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ramona Chang hides in plain sight. Her last case as an investigative journalist took down a crime syndicate but left her hunted. Reinventing herself as a private investigator, Ramona investigates a predatory website that targets students. What she uncovers means she needs help from someone with official contacts. Madeline Farrow is a security operative who works on high-profile crime investigations that often take her into the darkest areas of criminal activity. Returning from a successful but emotionally damaging case, she becomes involved in another operation that demands all her skills, but she needs the skills of an unorthodox investigator. I like the complex characters and authentic, compelling cases. The fast pacing and the dynamic between the two protagonists make this a riveting read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.