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Martha Munro Crime Mysteries #3
The Catch
First comes the win. Then comes the catch . . .
For years, Martha Munro dreamed of taking down her mother’s killer. The charming, and rotten-to-the-core, DCI Tony Green.
Martha exposed his corruption. The crimes he tried so hard to bury.
Now he’s back with a chilling new obsession: burying Martha.
A string of threatening letters lands on the doorstep of Martha’s cozy Victorian terrace. Scrawled in red ink, the message is always the same: Die, bitch. Die.
It’s game on between Martha and her old adversary — and Tony’s playing dirtier than ever.
Before long, Martha realizes that someone is leaking secrets to Tony. Secrets that only those closest to Martha could possibly know.
Can she hunt Tony down? Before he catches her first . . .
For years, Martha Munro dreamed of taking down her mother’s killer. The charming, and rotten-to-the-core, DCI Tony Green.
Martha exposed his corruption. The crimes he tried so hard to bury.
Now he’s back with a chilling new obsession: burying Martha.
A string of threatening letters lands on the doorstep of Martha’s cozy Victorian terrace. Scrawled in red ink, the message is always the same: Die, bitch. Die.
It’s game on between Martha and her old adversary — and Tony’s playing dirtier than ever.
Before long, Martha realizes that someone is leaking secrets to Tony. Secrets that only those closest to Martha could possibly know.
Can she hunt Tony down? Before he catches her first . . .
- GenresFiction
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2025
79 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Michael Leese
15 books96 followersMichael Leese was a senior news executive who had a ringside seat for the most extra-ordinary stories that happened during a twenty-five-year career as a British national newspaper journalist.
From the death of Princess Diana and two Gulf wars to the fall of the Berlin Wall and 9/11 he was leading the teams bringing the first news to a wider public. Most of his career was spent at the London Evening Standard. His time in journalism has left him with an indelible passion for news and current affairs and he tries to replicate that in his crime thriller series, Jonathan Roper investigates.
His son is profoundly autistic. It was thinking about him and how he fits into this complicated world was the inspiration for the Roper character. Who is highly intelligent, passionate, hard-working and autistic which can make him a bit hazy about social boundaries.
Leese reasoned that Roper gave him a great way to challenge perceptions, but also show some of the humour that can arise from the inevitable misunderstandings when someone on the autistic spectrum hits the world at full steam.
He was brought up in the West Midlands and can reveal a major celebrity connection, both he and Prince Williams are Aston Villa fans, although they have never met or discussed their personal affinity.
Growing up he had an ambition to be an elite athlete but gave that up by the age of nine on the grounds of having no talent. He often speculates that it is just as well as he enjoys creating characters for his books and probably wouldn’t have survived long in the corporate world.
He lives in Dorset with his wife Maria.
If you would like to contact Michael, you can either send him an email at hello@michael-leese.com or through his Facebook Page Jonathan Roper Investigates.
From the death of Princess Diana and two Gulf wars to the fall of the Berlin Wall and 9/11 he was leading the teams bringing the first news to a wider public. Most of his career was spent at the London Evening Standard. His time in journalism has left him with an indelible passion for news and current affairs and he tries to replicate that in his crime thriller series, Jonathan Roper investigates.
His son is profoundly autistic. It was thinking about him and how he fits into this complicated world was the inspiration for the Roper character. Who is highly intelligent, passionate, hard-working and autistic which can make him a bit hazy about social boundaries.
Leese reasoned that Roper gave him a great way to challenge perceptions, but also show some of the humour that can arise from the inevitable misunderstandings when someone on the autistic spectrum hits the world at full steam.
He was brought up in the West Midlands and can reveal a major celebrity connection, both he and Prince Williams are Aston Villa fans, although they have never met or discussed their personal affinity.
Growing up he had an ambition to be an elite athlete but gave that up by the age of nine on the grounds of having no talent. He often speculates that it is just as well as he enjoys creating characters for his books and probably wouldn’t have survived long in the corporate world.
He lives in Dorset with his wife Maria.
If you would like to contact Michael, you can either send him an email at hello@michael-leese.com or through his Facebook Page Jonathan Roper Investigates.
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July 6, 2025
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Catch' by Michael Leese
This may be the first book I have read by this incredible author but it most certainly will not be my last!! It is also the third book in Michael's 'Martha Munro Crime Mysteries' series but can be read as a standalone.
What an absolutely gripping, addictive and action packed book in what promises to be an explosive series!! I cannot WAIT to read the previous and future books in this series!!
Wow!!!! Just flipping wow!!!! What an absolutely epic page turner!!! Well done Michael Leese!! How on Earth have I never read any of your books before? Absolutely smashed it!!!!!!! This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions creating the perfect atmosphere for the storyline. The book cover and synopsis works perfectly with the book plot and I am most definitely looking forward to reading more books by this fantastic author. I have absolutely no idea how this is the first time I have read one of this incredible author's books but I am so glad I have rectified that problem and I cannot wait to get hooked into more books by the incredibly talented Michael Leese. WOW!!!! What can I say?!?! One thing I have got to say before getting into my review is clear your schedules as once you start this book you will not be able to put it down! This book is fantastically written with vivid descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. The title, description and cover works perfectly with the storyline. I absolutely loved the unique storyline and I will tell you now you may as well stop wasting your time reading this and grab your copy of this book now! I will not say anything about the storyline as the publisher has done a fantastic job of this in the synopsis and I do not want to run the risk of giving anything away but if you want to know more then grab your copy of this gripping suspense packed thriller today and I can GUARANTEE you will not regret it!!! With a storyline absolutely RAM PACKED with drama, action, mystery, crime, family, suspense, revenge and so so much more What Are You Waiting For?!! Michael's brilliantly evocative descriptions will have you feeling every emotion the characters are from anger to fear, shock to tension!!
It is one of the most unforgettable books I have ever read!! Michael's evocative writing skills sucks the reader straight into the storyline with the characters and surroundings coming to life around them. This is just one of those rare books that words just cannot express how powerful and emotional it is. When I was reading this book I could feel my heartbeat speeding up as I was getting a dark sense of foreboding the deeper into the book I got!! It is one of those books that I just simply could not put down and I walked around everywhere with my kindle glued to my hands. Every chapter ended in a way that I had to know what was going to happen next and then it would move on to the next chapter and do the same so I blew through this in one sitting. Reading this book really does make you feel that you are standing with each of the characters and going through their anger, pain, sadness, fear and much more. I absolutely loved getting to know Martha who was one heck of a kickbutt woman along with her brilliant friends and team Harry, Julie and Justin. I adore the fact that she is a Mum and my heart went out to her with the worry for her daughter Betty, being a Mum myself I cannot imagine what she went through previously as well as was going through in this book, Each of the characters were perfectly written and each had their own unique and strong personalities with individual strengths, weaknesses, quirks, flaws and more. I really cannot wait to meet them again in future books and also going back to read the first two books which are called 'The List' and 'The Trap' to seeing how it all began. As I previously mentioned this is the third book in the series, I had no problem reading it as a standalone but I am looking forward to going back to the beginning while I am waiting for Michael to ,hopefully hurry, write the next book. You need to clear your schedules because you will not be able to put this book down. AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ!! The characters were all very strong and realistic and Michael's writing ensured they jumped off the pages at me. They all have their own unique personalities and I enjoyed discovering their histories as the story unravelled. Michael's fantastic evocative writing skills really bring each of them to life. Pick up your copy of this book today and meet these fantastic characters yourself.
Congratulations Michael on an absolutely gripping, gritty, explosive and must read page turner!!! I am looking forward to reading more of your previous and future books. I would absolutely love to see this book turned into a movie!!! This is the reason I would definitely like to welcome you my favourite author list and here's to your next success 🥂
Overall an absolutely unputdownable, action packed, addictive and explosive MUST READ!!
#TheCatch #MichaelLeese #JoffeBooks #BooksOnTour #ZooLoosBookTours
@MichaelLeese @JoffeBooks @ZooLoosBT
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Review for 'The Catch' by Michael Leese
This may be the first book I have read by this incredible author but it most certainly will not be my last!! It is also the third book in Michael's 'Martha Munro Crime Mysteries' series but can be read as a standalone.
What an absolutely gripping, addictive and action packed book in what promises to be an explosive series!! I cannot WAIT to read the previous and future books in this series!!
Wow!!!! Just flipping wow!!!! What an absolutely epic page turner!!! Well done Michael Leese!! How on Earth have I never read any of your books before? Absolutely smashed it!!!!!!! This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions creating the perfect atmosphere for the storyline. The book cover and synopsis works perfectly with the book plot and I am most definitely looking forward to reading more books by this fantastic author. I have absolutely no idea how this is the first time I have read one of this incredible author's books but I am so glad I have rectified that problem and I cannot wait to get hooked into more books by the incredibly talented Michael Leese. WOW!!!! What can I say?!?! One thing I have got to say before getting into my review is clear your schedules as once you start this book you will not be able to put it down! This book is fantastically written with vivid descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. The title, description and cover works perfectly with the storyline. I absolutely loved the unique storyline and I will tell you now you may as well stop wasting your time reading this and grab your copy of this book now! I will not say anything about the storyline as the publisher has done a fantastic job of this in the synopsis and I do not want to run the risk of giving anything away but if you want to know more then grab your copy of this gripping suspense packed thriller today and I can GUARANTEE you will not regret it!!! With a storyline absolutely RAM PACKED with drama, action, mystery, crime, family, suspense, revenge and so so much more What Are You Waiting For?!! Michael's brilliantly evocative descriptions will have you feeling every emotion the characters are from anger to fear, shock to tension!!
It is one of the most unforgettable books I have ever read!! Michael's evocative writing skills sucks the reader straight into the storyline with the characters and surroundings coming to life around them. This is just one of those rare books that words just cannot express how powerful and emotional it is. When I was reading this book I could feel my heartbeat speeding up as I was getting a dark sense of foreboding the deeper into the book I got!! It is one of those books that I just simply could not put down and I walked around everywhere with my kindle glued to my hands. Every chapter ended in a way that I had to know what was going to happen next and then it would move on to the next chapter and do the same so I blew through this in one sitting. Reading this book really does make you feel that you are standing with each of the characters and going through their anger, pain, sadness, fear and much more. I absolutely loved getting to know Martha who was one heck of a kickbutt woman along with her brilliant friends and team Harry, Julie and Justin. I adore the fact that she is a Mum and my heart went out to her with the worry for her daughter Betty, being a Mum myself I cannot imagine what she went through previously as well as was going through in this book, Each of the characters were perfectly written and each had their own unique and strong personalities with individual strengths, weaknesses, quirks, flaws and more. I really cannot wait to meet them again in future books and also going back to read the first two books which are called 'The List' and 'The Trap' to seeing how it all began. As I previously mentioned this is the third book in the series, I had no problem reading it as a standalone but I am looking forward to going back to the beginning while I am waiting for Michael to ,hopefully hurry, write the next book. You need to clear your schedules because you will not be able to put this book down. AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ!! The characters were all very strong and realistic and Michael's writing ensured they jumped off the pages at me. They all have their own unique personalities and I enjoyed discovering their histories as the story unravelled. Michael's fantastic evocative writing skills really bring each of them to life. Pick up your copy of this book today and meet these fantastic characters yourself.
Congratulations Michael on an absolutely gripping, gritty, explosive and must read page turner!!! I am looking forward to reading more of your previous and future books. I would absolutely love to see this book turned into a movie!!! This is the reason I would definitely like to welcome you my favourite author list and here's to your next success 🥂
Overall an absolutely unputdownable, action packed, addictive and explosive MUST READ!!
#TheCatch #MichaelLeese #JoffeBooks #BooksOnTour #ZooLoosBookTours
@MichaelLeese @JoffeBooks @ZooLoosBT
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
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https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/profile/a...
May 23, 2025
What a captivating, tense, brilliantly executed read!
Martha has everything thrown at her, from her Met colleagues, MI5, gangsters, to the biggest threat of all, the deadly and cleverly evil, corrupt ex colleague Tony Green.
Can Martha's closely guarded, tight knit team, Harry, Julie and Justin keep her and her beloved daughter safe from not one, but multiple enemies. Who can she trust?
This was such a tense read, with multi layers of potential threats to Martha's life, job, family and friends. I absolutely raced through it in one sitting.
The story is cleverly and expertly described, and I loved every one of Martha's loyal trusty team.
This book would have been given 5 stars if the ending hadn't been so sudden, with some aspects of the story unexplained.
I can't wait for the next instalment to tie up those loose ends.
My thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC.
Martha has everything thrown at her, from her Met colleagues, MI5, gangsters, to the biggest threat of all, the deadly and cleverly evil, corrupt ex colleague Tony Green.
Can Martha's closely guarded, tight knit team, Harry, Julie and Justin keep her and her beloved daughter safe from not one, but multiple enemies. Who can she trust?
This was such a tense read, with multi layers of potential threats to Martha's life, job, family and friends. I absolutely raced through it in one sitting.
The story is cleverly and expertly described, and I loved every one of Martha's loyal trusty team.
This book would have been given 5 stars if the ending hadn't been so sudden, with some aspects of the story unexplained.
I can't wait for the next instalment to tie up those loose ends.
My thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC.
July 8, 2025
This was an excellent novel. There's something about a dirty police officer that makes a book that wee bit dramatic and shocking!
The cover is great. Definitely fitting for the genre. The colour palette was brilliant and they popped.
The book was written well and flows nicely. Michael did a great job in making sure this was a page turner. I couldn't put it down. There were plenty of twists and shocks!
The setting was good. Real world, Met Office. It was perfect.
The characters were all good. I don't know why but I did enjoy our dirty copper! I also liked Martha. All the characters were great though. They fit in really well.
I definitely recommend this and will be checking out the rest of the series.
The cover is great. Definitely fitting for the genre. The colour palette was brilliant and they popped.
The book was written well and flows nicely. Michael did a great job in making sure this was a page turner. I couldn't put it down. There were plenty of twists and shocks!
The setting was good. Real world, Met Office. It was perfect.
The characters were all good. I don't know why but I did enjoy our dirty copper! I also liked Martha. All the characters were great though. They fit in really well.
I definitely recommend this and will be checking out the rest of the series.
July 9, 2025
I love this series, I read the first 2 in preparation for this read and I’m glad I did although each book has its own storyline there is an underlying plot that carries from book to book.
You have returning characters I love Harry and Julie they work so well with Martha’s character.
It’s non stop action, prepare to stay up late reading because you won’t want to put this book down.
Tension building throughout the book, well every book actually, but with Martha’s support team behind her you know there will be plenty of face paced action and danger to find.
If you like a thrilling crime read you need to read this series.
@zooloosbooktours @joffebooks #michaelleese #thecatch #thrillingread #bookstagram
You have returning characters I love Harry and Julie they work so well with Martha’s character.
It’s non stop action, prepare to stay up late reading because you won’t want to put this book down.
Tension building throughout the book, well every book actually, but with Martha’s support team behind her you know there will be plenty of face paced action and danger to find.
If you like a thrilling crime read you need to read this series.
@zooloosbooktours @joffebooks #michaelleese #thecatch #thrillingread #bookstagram
July 3, 2025
My Thoughts: this is my first dive into Michael’s work and I thoroughly enjoyed it, the writing was fast paced yet somehow easy to follow along as nothing ever got confusing.
This was book 3 in the Martha Munro series & although it did work as a standalone I would recommend going back and starting from the beginning to really appreciate the angst in the book, I’m 100% tempted to go back to book one!
In this one we’re following Martha and her little team as they try and find Tony Green, a corrupt DCI who Martha helped to bring down who I am assuming went on the run.. he is now determined to get revenge on Martha & wants her dead.. can she stay one step ahead and find him before he finds her?
The tension in this book was palpable, Martha had her own ideas & her team were constantly disagreeing with her, trying to make her see sense whilst also protecting her regardless of their feelings.
The chapters we got from Tony’s POV were angry, you could feel it through the pages which also helped rile you as a reader up too 😅
This one kept me guessing throughout & given the ending I can’t wait to read book 4!
This was book 3 in the Martha Munro series & although it did work as a standalone I would recommend going back and starting from the beginning to really appreciate the angst in the book, I’m 100% tempted to go back to book one!
In this one we’re following Martha and her little team as they try and find Tony Green, a corrupt DCI who Martha helped to bring down who I am assuming went on the run.. he is now determined to get revenge on Martha & wants her dead.. can she stay one step ahead and find him before he finds her?
The tension in this book was palpable, Martha had her own ideas & her team were constantly disagreeing with her, trying to make her see sense whilst also protecting her regardless of their feelings.
The chapters we got from Tony’s POV were angry, you could feel it through the pages which also helped rile you as a reader up too 😅
This one kept me guessing throughout & given the ending I can’t wait to read book 4!
July 5, 2025
Reading The Catch felt like being pulled into a whirlwind. I couldn’t put the book down. It’s fast, intense, and packed with suspense. I haven't read other books in the series but will get to them now.
Martha is not just fighting criminals, she’s also facing the shadow of her past. Her father’s role left behind enemies, and now those threats are focused on her. And then there’s Tony Green. He’s not just your average bad guy; he’s cold, calculated, and terrifying. His plan to erase his criminal past and destroy Martha kept me hooked.
What I really liked was how close Martha is to her team. They’re loyal and fierce, and each of them brings something special to her fight.
The story felt like a constant race against time. Every chapter added more layers to the mystery.
Few things seem unfinished so I’m hoping the next book will give us the answers. But even with that, the book was thrilling and powerful.
Martha is not just fighting criminals, she’s also facing the shadow of her past. Her father’s role left behind enemies, and now those threats are focused on her. And then there’s Tony Green. He’s not just your average bad guy; he’s cold, calculated, and terrifying. His plan to erase his criminal past and destroy Martha kept me hooked.
What I really liked was how close Martha is to her team. They’re loyal and fierce, and each of them brings something special to her fight.
The story felt like a constant race against time. Every chapter added more layers to the mystery.
Few things seem unfinished so I’m hoping the next book will give us the answers. But even with that, the book was thrilling and powerful.
July 12, 2025
The Catch was a pacy, suspenseful thriller that kept me hooked and I couldn’t put down. I really loved all the twists, turns and how the protagonist Martha dealt with. I also loved how relatable and realistic Martha was as a protagonist. There is since mix of drama and tension with a tightly woven and pacy plot. I think any fan of crime thrillers will enjoy this one,I know I did and will definatly read more in this series.
As always thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours for the copy to review. My review is always honest, truthful and freely given.
As always thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours for the copy to review. My review is always honest, truthful and freely given.
July 5, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It gives off Happy Valley vibes and considering that is one of my favourite programmes, I was all over it.
The story is told through the POV of our bad ass FMC Martha and our villain Tony Green. I loved Martha.
The chapters are short and snappy. It’s fast paced and intense. I found myself on tenterhooks throughout!
The Catch is book 3 in the Martha Munro Crime Mysteries series but can be read as a standalone (which I did).
..The ending had me like 😮. Without spoiling anything, there’s a big cliffhanger and it’s left me wanting more!
I throughly recommend this to anyone who enjoys Happy Valley and any police procedural/thriller books.
Overall, I give this 4 stars!
The story is told through the POV of our bad ass FMC Martha and our villain Tony Green. I loved Martha.
The chapters are short and snappy. It’s fast paced and intense. I found myself on tenterhooks throughout!
The Catch is book 3 in the Martha Munro Crime Mysteries series but can be read as a standalone (which I did).
..The ending had me like 😮. Without spoiling anything, there’s a big cliffhanger and it’s left me wanting more!
I throughly recommend this to anyone who enjoys Happy Valley and any police procedural/thriller books.
Overall, I give this 4 stars!
June 23, 2025
COMIC BOOK!
I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Written by Michael Leese and published by Joffee Books, London in 2025, this is a simplistic crime novel set in the environs of London, England. To me, the plot and story line looked like something I might have seen in a comic book when I was a kid.
Tony Green is a master criminal. He is a former police detective at Scotland Yard who has recruited a significant number of police members to his criminal enterprises. Martha Munro is a Detective Constable at “The Met” (Metropolitan Police/Scotland Yard) who exposed Green and sent him on the run. A number of Green’s associates were arrested and convicted but Green escaped to South America, where he received plastic surgery to alter his appearance.
Now he is back! And he has vowed to kill Martha and perhaps even her five-year-old daughter, Betty. He is also arranging to ship his stockpiles of loot to a secret location abroad where he expects to retire after killing Martha. Green is a showman, so he makes it a point to murder in spectacular fashion, and to warn his victims ahead of time with taunts. Martha has two very close friends: Harry, a retired police senior officer who knew Martha’s father, and Julie, a very large, strong and tough woman, both of whom have committed to protecting Martha and Betty. Another protector, a woman named “Lucy” is hired to help protect the house and its occupants. Green has been taunting Martha, going so far as to show up at her house and allow her to see his new face. The danger is very real!
Green murders a Russian Mob banker and takes over his huge mansion, which has multiple underground floors. This will be his headquarters until he has murdered Martha and Betty and then left the country to retire abroad. Through his contacts, Harry learns where the mansion is located, and Met officers, in conjunction with MI-5, will attack and capture him. All does not turn out as planned, however, and the story ends abruptly and unsatisfyingly.
I did not like this novel. The dialog is stilted, the metaphors are ill-fitting, and the plot is simplistic. Loose ends abound. I’m sorry, but I cannot recommend this novel to others. Of the available five stars, I award only two.
I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Written by Michael Leese and published by Joffee Books, London in 2025, this is a simplistic crime novel set in the environs of London, England. To me, the plot and story line looked like something I might have seen in a comic book when I was a kid.
Tony Green is a master criminal. He is a former police detective at Scotland Yard who has recruited a significant number of police members to his criminal enterprises. Martha Munro is a Detective Constable at “The Met” (Metropolitan Police/Scotland Yard) who exposed Green and sent him on the run. A number of Green’s associates were arrested and convicted but Green escaped to South America, where he received plastic surgery to alter his appearance.
Now he is back! And he has vowed to kill Martha and perhaps even her five-year-old daughter, Betty. He is also arranging to ship his stockpiles of loot to a secret location abroad where he expects to retire after killing Martha. Green is a showman, so he makes it a point to murder in spectacular fashion, and to warn his victims ahead of time with taunts. Martha has two very close friends: Harry, a retired police senior officer who knew Martha’s father, and Julie, a very large, strong and tough woman, both of whom have committed to protecting Martha and Betty. Another protector, a woman named “Lucy” is hired to help protect the house and its occupants. Green has been taunting Martha, going so far as to show up at her house and allow her to see his new face. The danger is very real!
Green murders a Russian Mob banker and takes over his huge mansion, which has multiple underground floors. This will be his headquarters until he has murdered Martha and Betty and then left the country to retire abroad. Through his contacts, Harry learns where the mansion is located, and Met officers, in conjunction with MI-5, will attack and capture him. All does not turn out as planned, however, and the story ends abruptly and unsatisfyingly.
I did not like this novel. The dialog is stilted, the metaphors are ill-fitting, and the plot is simplistic. Loose ends abound. I’m sorry, but I cannot recommend this novel to others. Of the available five stars, I award only two.
July 9, 2025
Here is my review for The Catch by Michael Leese
I found this to be a scintillating read which I really enjoyed as it was a great crime novel. I got into it straight away right from the start. Detective Martha Munro exposed the corruption and crimes caused by DCI Tony Green. He’s now back with a new chilling obsession in mind which is killing Martha! He’s trying to break her spirit by sending threatening letters but Martha just puts them in the bin. She is staying strong and making plans to try and bring Tony Green down again! The book is brilliantly written plus it’s full of suspense and tension. The characters have been well thought out and Martha is a superb feisty main female character fighting to keep her and her family alive with the help of her friends. She won’t give up easily. The plotting is great with lots of corruption involved. I like the author's writing style which I found very easy to get into. The story kept me captivated throughout the book as it was a pacy story. Martha and her friends were plotting how to take Tony down while Tony was clearing house then thinking how to kill Martha. I would like to read more of this author's books and look forward to the next book in the series.
Blurb :
Meet the Met’s Detective Martha Munro, in the most pulse-pounding page-turner you’ll read this summer.
First comes the win. Then comes the catch . . .
For years, Martha Munro dreamed of taking down her mother’s killer. The charming, and rotten-to-the-core, DCI Tony Green.
Martha exposed his corruption. The crimes he tried so hard to bury.
Now he’s back with a chilling new obsession: burying Martha.
A string of threatening letters lands on the doorstep of Martha’s cozy Victorian terrace. Scrawled in red ink, the message is always the same: Die, bitch. Die.
It’s game on between Martha and her old adversary — and Tony’s playing dirtier than ever.
Before long, Martha realizes that someone is leaking secrets to Tony. Secrets that only those closest to Martha could possibly know.
Can she hunt Tony down? Before he catches her first . . .
I found this to be a scintillating read which I really enjoyed as it was a great crime novel. I got into it straight away right from the start. Detective Martha Munro exposed the corruption and crimes caused by DCI Tony Green. He’s now back with a new chilling obsession in mind which is killing Martha! He’s trying to break her spirit by sending threatening letters but Martha just puts them in the bin. She is staying strong and making plans to try and bring Tony Green down again! The book is brilliantly written plus it’s full of suspense and tension. The characters have been well thought out and Martha is a superb feisty main female character fighting to keep her and her family alive with the help of her friends. She won’t give up easily. The plotting is great with lots of corruption involved. I like the author's writing style which I found very easy to get into. The story kept me captivated throughout the book as it was a pacy story. Martha and her friends were plotting how to take Tony down while Tony was clearing house then thinking how to kill Martha. I would like to read more of this author's books and look forward to the next book in the series.
Blurb :
Meet the Met’s Detective Martha Munro, in the most pulse-pounding page-turner you’ll read this summer.
First comes the win. Then comes the catch . . .
For years, Martha Munro dreamed of taking down her mother’s killer. The charming, and rotten-to-the-core, DCI Tony Green.
Martha exposed his corruption. The crimes he tried so hard to bury.
Now he’s back with a chilling new obsession: burying Martha.
A string of threatening letters lands on the doorstep of Martha’s cozy Victorian terrace. Scrawled in red ink, the message is always the same: Die, bitch. Die.
It’s game on between Martha and her old adversary — and Tony’s playing dirtier than ever.
Before long, Martha realizes that someone is leaking secrets to Tony. Secrets that only those closest to Martha could possibly know.
Can she hunt Tony down? Before he catches her first . . .
June 27, 2025
Fast moving, Intense, Dramatic.
The Catch by Michael Leese is the most recent in the Detective Martha Munroe series. Martha’s dead father Commander Monroe ran the Met’s anti-corruption unit, thus generating enemies which his daughter has inherited. Her father also had a “consigliore” Harry, who now protects Martha with his life together with his pugnatious friend Julie who is also pretty handy in a fight.
Former DCI Tony Green returns to London with an altered face with a focused purpose to organize getting the spoils of years of nefarious activity out of the UK so he can retire as a very rich man to somewhere he will never be found. His secondary but very high priority project is to kill Martha who, as an acting police officer, was the cause of him being unmasked as corrupt and losing his job and undeserved but respected place in society.
This is a very dramatic and tense story of a final battle of wits between Martha and Tony. Will the cruel and desperate “Bad Guy” achieve his ambitions for a comfortable retirement and killing Martha succeed? He is mercilessly killing anyone supporting or involved with him in order to keep his plans a secret. Will Martha with her supportive family and friends prevail to finally see the end of Tony Green? Will she be able to unmask the individuals at Headquarters who have been corrupted by this dirty cop? Can Martha win back her reputation she deserves as an effective and straight police officer?
Despite the author’s lengthy but interesting preamble to let the reader know how we got to this situation and the relationships between the characters, I felt a piece of the puzzle was missing by not having read the previous books in the series. The characterizations of Martha’s friends were definitely “over the top” especially Julie. Nevertheless, I recommend reading this book. It is fast moving, very intense and well written.
The Catch by Michael Leese is the most recent in the Detective Martha Munroe series. Martha’s dead father Commander Monroe ran the Met’s anti-corruption unit, thus generating enemies which his daughter has inherited. Her father also had a “consigliore” Harry, who now protects Martha with his life together with his pugnatious friend Julie who is also pretty handy in a fight.
Former DCI Tony Green returns to London with an altered face with a focused purpose to organize getting the spoils of years of nefarious activity out of the UK so he can retire as a very rich man to somewhere he will never be found. His secondary but very high priority project is to kill Martha who, as an acting police officer, was the cause of him being unmasked as corrupt and losing his job and undeserved but respected place in society.
This is a very dramatic and tense story of a final battle of wits between Martha and Tony. Will the cruel and desperate “Bad Guy” achieve his ambitions for a comfortable retirement and killing Martha succeed? He is mercilessly killing anyone supporting or involved with him in order to keep his plans a secret. Will Martha with her supportive family and friends prevail to finally see the end of Tony Green? Will she be able to unmask the individuals at Headquarters who have been corrupted by this dirty cop? Can Martha win back her reputation she deserves as an effective and straight police officer?
Despite the author’s lengthy but interesting preamble to let the reader know how we got to this situation and the relationships between the characters, I felt a piece of the puzzle was missing by not having read the previous books in the series. The characterizations of Martha’s friends were definitely “over the top” especially Julie. Nevertheless, I recommend reading this book. It is fast moving, very intense and well written.
June 27, 2025
The Catch by Michael Leese is the latest installment in the Detective Martha Munroe series. Martha’s late father, Commander Monroe, once led the Met’s anti-corruption unit—an uncompromising role that left behind dangerous enemies, many of whom now target Martha. Her father’s former “consigliore,” Harry, now watches over her, alongside her fiery and fiercely loyal friend, Julie, who can hold her own in any fight.
Meanwhile, former DCI Tony Green resurfaces in London with a new identity and a ruthless plan: to recover years’ worth of criminal profits and disappear into luxury. But to do so, he must eliminate Martha—the very officer whose actions exposed his corruption, cost him his job, and destroyed his public image.
What follows is a gripping battle of wits between Martha and Tony. Will Tony’s brutal campaign succeed? He’s eliminating anyone who might reveal his secrets. Can Martha, with her close-knit circle of family and friends, bring him down before more lives are lost? Can she expose the rot inside the police force and reclaim her hard-earned reputation?
The story is packed with drama and tension. However, the author’s lengthy but detailed opening may feel overwhelming for new readers, and without having read the earlier books, I felt something was missing. That said, the narrative is compelling, and the characterizations—especially of Julie—are larger-than-life, perhaps a bit over the top at times.
Still, I highly recommend this book. It’s a fast-moving, intense, and well-crafted thriller that keeps you turning the pages.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Meanwhile, former DCI Tony Green resurfaces in London with a new identity and a ruthless plan: to recover years’ worth of criminal profits and disappear into luxury. But to do so, he must eliminate Martha—the very officer whose actions exposed his corruption, cost him his job, and destroyed his public image.
What follows is a gripping battle of wits between Martha and Tony. Will Tony’s brutal campaign succeed? He’s eliminating anyone who might reveal his secrets. Can Martha, with her close-knit circle of family and friends, bring him down before more lives are lost? Can she expose the rot inside the police force and reclaim her hard-earned reputation?
The story is packed with drama and tension. However, the author’s lengthy but detailed opening may feel overwhelming for new readers, and without having read the earlier books, I felt something was missing. That said, the narrative is compelling, and the characterizations—especially of Julie—are larger-than-life, perhaps a bit over the top at times.
Still, I highly recommend this book. It’s a fast-moving, intense, and well-crafted thriller that keeps you turning the pages.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.
June 28, 2025
2.5* Full of stilted, uncolloquial, non-contracted speech that belied any urgency in this tale.
I'm new to this series, which sounded pretty good, especially as Martha was a working mum and police officer. Unfortunately, I never felt any aspect of danger, as the whole posse seemed to drink endless tea, make meals together, sit around the kitchen table chatting, and the 6yo child came home from having been kept safe??
Harry was the most interesting character, reminding me of the Harry Brown character played by Sir Michael Caine in the film of the same name.
Dialogue was pretty awful and unrealistic. At the end of the tale, Martha's newly back ex-husband rushes to hug her and their daughter, saying 'I'm so pleased you are both safe.' - where's the passion, fright, relief? There's more, but this felt the most out of place.
The physical telegraphing of Martha's plan of attack should've been obvious to an ex-copper like Green, after all, we'd been privy to his recollection of body language and what he'd been taught, and there's no way he'd have been distracted the way he was and allowed her to get the jump on him. Just no way. The tale fell apart in the final 5 pages, for me. It lost all credibility, especially where not a single one of the posse saw the writing on the wall when one character went awol just before their part in the plan extraordinaire that wasn't.
Unfortunately this book needs a good edit and dialogue needs to be looked at. No one talks like that, especially not as if there's all the time in the world.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Joffe Books for my reading pleasure.
I'm new to this series, which sounded pretty good, especially as Martha was a working mum and police officer. Unfortunately, I never felt any aspect of danger, as the whole posse seemed to drink endless tea, make meals together, sit around the kitchen table chatting, and the 6yo child came home from having been kept safe??
Harry was the most interesting character, reminding me of the Harry Brown character played by Sir Michael Caine in the film of the same name.
Dialogue was pretty awful and unrealistic. At the end of the tale, Martha's newly back ex-husband rushes to hug her and their daughter, saying 'I'm so pleased you are both safe.' - where's the passion, fright, relief? There's more, but this felt the most out of place.
The physical telegraphing of Martha's plan of attack should've been obvious to an ex-copper like Green, after all, we'd been privy to his recollection of body language and what he'd been taught, and there's no way he'd have been distracted the way he was and allowed her to get the jump on him. Just no way. The tale fell apart in the final 5 pages, for me. It lost all credibility, especially where not a single one of the posse saw the writing on the wall when one character went awol just before their part in the plan extraordinaire that wasn't.
Unfortunately this book needs a good edit and dialogue needs to be looked at. No one talks like that, especially not as if there's all the time in the world.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Joffe Books for my reading pleasure.
July 5, 2025
It all began with the list, a secret diary owned by Martha Munro’s father John, a former senior commander in charge of anti-corruption who had a rather unconventional approach to his work, detailing all the people he paid for information. The biggest rat of them all was DCI Tony Green, a bent cop of the very worst kind, now exposed and on the run, and he’s back in London with two aims. Whilst avoiding all his enemies, he is determined to amass his millions in cash, cars, paintings and jewels before fleeing to a safe country, and also to kill Martha, something he is making very plain to her. But Martha has the best help, amazing friends that she can really rely on. The former enforcer of the biggest crime gang in London, Harry The Hat, who promised John Munro to protect Martha at all costs, Julie, the formidable woman who accepted the task of keeping Martha safe in prison when there was a price on her head, and Martha’s ex-husband, IT expert Justin. The four of them make a plan to take on Green and deal with him once and for all. Martha and her people versus Green and his team. A dangerous game. And it will be a battle to the death.
This has been a fantastic series so far, and I would really recommend reading the books in order. I immediately loved the wonderful Harry in the first story, with his mob of “elderly maniacs” and huge Julie makes an incredible addition to the team, with the interaction and humour between them a joy to read about. Together with Justin and Martha, they make a brilliant force to be reckoned with, and this is another superb story in the series. I do hope there will be more featuring these incredibly likable characters!
This has been a fantastic series so far, and I would really recommend reading the books in order. I immediately loved the wonderful Harry in the first story, with his mob of “elderly maniacs” and huge Julie makes an incredible addition to the team, with the interaction and humour between them a joy to read about. Together with Justin and Martha, they make a brilliant force to be reckoned with, and this is another superb story in the series. I do hope there will be more featuring these incredibly likable characters!
July 9, 2025
The Catch by Michael Leese is the third book in the Martha Munro Crime series and the first book within this series I have read. "where have I been?" I loved this book from the very beginning till the very end and loved the way Michael writes. This book will have you gripped from the very beginning and will have you turning these pages over to find out what happens next. I found it hard to put down.
Now, for years, Martha Munro has dreamt of taking down her own mothers killer. The killer is the very charming but rotten
to-the-core, DCI Tony Green.
Martha has exposed his corruption and all the crimes he has tried so hard to hide.
But, now he’s back and is gunning for Martha has he has a new chilling new obsession: burying Martha for good!.
First it started with a string of threatening letters lands on her Victorian terrace doorstep. These were all scrawled in red ink, and the message is always the same: "Die, bitch. Die." 🥹
Now, it has become a game that has on between Martha and her old adversary! But, now Tony’s playing dirtier than ever.and he want her DEAD!!! 🥹
As time goes by Martha realises that someone who is close to her, is leaking secrets etc to Tony.
These secrets that only those closest to Martha could possibly know about her.
Tick Tock, the clock is ticking and Tony is not giving up. . . . . . . Will she survive or will Tony kill her?
WoW. . . . . Slow down. .. . . .I can't keep up!
This book was excellent, especially as it was full of twists and turns that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Superb read. 5⭐️ read. Now going back to read the other 2 in a few months!!!
Now, for years, Martha Munro has dreamt of taking down her own mothers killer. The killer is the very charming but rotten
to-the-core, DCI Tony Green.
Martha has exposed his corruption and all the crimes he has tried so hard to hide.
But, now he’s back and is gunning for Martha has he has a new chilling new obsession: burying Martha for good!.
First it started with a string of threatening letters lands on her Victorian terrace doorstep. These were all scrawled in red ink, and the message is always the same: "Die, bitch. Die." 🥹
Now, it has become a game that has on between Martha and her old adversary! But, now Tony’s playing dirtier than ever.and he want her DEAD!!! 🥹
As time goes by Martha realises that someone who is close to her, is leaking secrets etc to Tony.
These secrets that only those closest to Martha could possibly know about her.
Tick Tock, the clock is ticking and Tony is not giving up. . . . . . . Will she survive or will Tony kill her?
WoW. . . . . Slow down. .. . . .I can't keep up!
This book was excellent, especially as it was full of twists and turns that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Superb read. 5⭐️ read. Now going back to read the other 2 in a few months!!!
June 16, 2025
The Catch is the third installment in the Martha Munro series, and even though it’s the first book in the series I read, I didn’t feel like I was missing out on too much as the author did a great job of providing their backstories.
The story picks up with Martha and her team tracking the return of Tony Green, the corrupt former DCI and now full blown underworld kingpin, who’s back in the UK and apparently planning one final move. That move? Kill Martha and disappear for good.
I absolutely loved the steady building of tension here: threatening letters arriving at Martha’s doorstep, the feeling of paranoia intensifying, and I was so ready for the tension, and the cat and mouse game. It felt like watching the pieces of a puzzle being slowly, methodically moved into place.
Now, I’ll admit that the pacing does drag a little bit. There’s a whole lot of waiting, planning, and positioning as DCI Martha and her team anticipates his next move, which makes sense given the type of threat they’re facing. Things do pick up toward the end, and the final chapters hint at more to come, so I’ll definitely keep following the series.
Huge thanks to the author, and @joffebooks for the opportunity to read the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback.
July 3, 2025
The Catch by Michael Leese is a gripping and high-stakes thriller that plunges readers into a deadly game of cat and mouse. With a relentless pace and a chilling antagonist, this story follows former DCI Tony as he descends into a dark obsession for revenge, targeting Martha—the woman who exposed his crimes.
Leese crafts a tense and tightly plotted narrative where the threat is constant and the danger feels personal. Tony’s transformation and descent into further violence, including identity manipulation and murder, adds a disturbing edge to the plot, keeping the reader on high alert. Martha, in contrast, is a resilient and compelling character, making it easy to root for her as the suspense builds.
The tension escalates steadily, with well-timed twists and an undercurrent of psychological intensity that drives the story forward. The pacing is strong, and the stakes feel increasingly urgent, compelling readers to keep turning the pages.
The Catch is a well-constructed and absorbing thriller that delivers on suspense, character development, and narrative payoff. With a sinister villain and a strong heroine, it’s a gripping read for fans of psychological and procedural thrillers alike.
Leese crafts a tense and tightly plotted narrative where the threat is constant and the danger feels personal. Tony’s transformation and descent into further violence, including identity manipulation and murder, adds a disturbing edge to the plot, keeping the reader on high alert. Martha, in contrast, is a resilient and compelling character, making it easy to root for her as the suspense builds.
The tension escalates steadily, with well-timed twists and an undercurrent of psychological intensity that drives the story forward. The pacing is strong, and the stakes feel increasingly urgent, compelling readers to keep turning the pages.
The Catch is a well-constructed and absorbing thriller that delivers on suspense, character development, and narrative payoff. With a sinister villain and a strong heroine, it’s a gripping read for fans of psychological and procedural thrillers alike.
June 28, 2025
Detective Martha Munro #3
For years, Martha Munro dreamed of talking down her mother's killer. The charming, and rotten-to-the-core, DCI Tony Green. Martha exposed his corruption. The crimes he tried to bury. A string of threatening letters lands on the doorstep of Martha's cosy Victorian terrace. Scrawled in red ink, the message is always the same - Die, bitch, Die. It's game on between Martha and her old adversary - and Tony's playing dirtier than ever.
Ex- DCI Tony Green was corrupt and killed Detective Martha Munro's mother and this is a multi-layered, well-written story. Martha does not know who she can trust. Martha's father, Commander Munro, had ran the unit's anti-corruption unit, but that meant he had plenty of enemies, and it seems Martha has inherited them from him. Tony Green has resurfaced in London with a new identity and a plan for revenge and to recover years's worth of criminal profits, then disappear again. This is a gripping, fast-paced and tense read.
Published 3rd July 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #MichaelLeese for my ARC of #TheCatch inexchange for an honest review.
For years, Martha Munro dreamed of talking down her mother's killer. The charming, and rotten-to-the-core, DCI Tony Green. Martha exposed his corruption. The crimes he tried to bury. A string of threatening letters lands on the doorstep of Martha's cosy Victorian terrace. Scrawled in red ink, the message is always the same - Die, bitch, Die. It's game on between Martha and her old adversary - and Tony's playing dirtier than ever.
Ex- DCI Tony Green was corrupt and killed Detective Martha Munro's mother and this is a multi-layered, well-written story. Martha does not know who she can trust. Martha's father, Commander Munro, had ran the unit's anti-corruption unit, but that meant he had plenty of enemies, and it seems Martha has inherited them from him. Tony Green has resurfaced in London with a new identity and a plan for revenge and to recover years's worth of criminal profits, then disappear again. This is a gripping, fast-paced and tense read.
Published 3rd July 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #MichaelLeese for my ARC of #TheCatch inexchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2025
The Catch by Michael Leese follows Martha Munro, who is determined to bring her mother’s killer, DCI Tony Green, to justice. The story is a cat-and-mouse game as Martha faces a barrage of threats and discovers that someone close to her is betraying her. I thought it would involve more of a story rather than just focus on Martha and Tony Green. If I hadn’t read the other books, I would have been confused.
The narrative was fairly engaging. Martha is a compelling protagonist, driven by her quest for justice, and her encounters with the cunning and corrupt Tony are sometimes intense. However, some plot points could feel a bit predictable, and at times, the pacing dips, causing the tension to falter.
Overall, The Catch offers a fairly thrilling ride with a few familiar tropes but still delivers an intriguing story of resilience and revenge.
I would recommend this book and this series. I would encourage others to read the first two books in the series before reading this one.
#TheCatch #NetGalley @JoffeBooks
The narrative was fairly engaging. Martha is a compelling protagonist, driven by her quest for justice, and her encounters with the cunning and corrupt Tony are sometimes intense. However, some plot points could feel a bit predictable, and at times, the pacing dips, causing the tension to falter.
Overall, The Catch offers a fairly thrilling ride with a few familiar tropes but still delivers an intriguing story of resilience and revenge.
I would recommend this book and this series. I would encourage others to read the first two books in the series before reading this one.
#TheCatch #NetGalley @JoffeBooks
June 28, 2025
A stunning addition to the crime series. easily read as a stand-alone
The Martha Munro crime series continues with this thriller. The story quickly brings the reader up to speed with the previous two books in the series and sets off on a wild chase where the chaser becomes the quarry.
Martha is a DI with the Met and is determined to bring down the man who killed her mother. Former DCI Tony Green was exposed by Martha as a bent and corrupt copper. While on the run, he travelled to eastern Europe for plastic surgery. he's returned to liquidate two things, his assets, and more importantly for him, his Nemesis! It's game on and no holds barred, begining with a series of notes written in red threatening to " ...kill the bitch... ". Martha is determined to avenge her mother's murder and wipe out Green, he has other ideas. Some of Martha's tactics are unconventional, and her companions are definitely the wrong side of the law. Who will succeed, and who will die?
A fast-moving thriller that left me breathless and wanting more!
The Martha Munro crime series continues with this thriller. The story quickly brings the reader up to speed with the previous two books in the series and sets off on a wild chase where the chaser becomes the quarry.
Martha is a DI with the Met and is determined to bring down the man who killed her mother. Former DCI Tony Green was exposed by Martha as a bent and corrupt copper. While on the run, he travelled to eastern Europe for plastic surgery. he's returned to liquidate two things, his assets, and more importantly for him, his Nemesis! It's game on and no holds barred, begining with a series of notes written in red threatening to " ...kill the bitch... ". Martha is determined to avenge her mother's murder and wipe out Green, he has other ideas. Some of Martha's tactics are unconventional, and her companions are definitely the wrong side of the law. Who will succeed, and who will die?
A fast-moving thriller that left me breathless and wanting more!
May 19, 2025
As soon as Tia from Joffe sent me this ARC, I dropped what I was reading to read this. it’s quite a while since Michael’s last book, so I had to read my previous reviews to catch up.
What a FABULOUS EXCITING book! I do love these characters and the team together. This is how things should be done. No messing about, get the baddies and get it sorted.
All the major players seek to protect Martha and her family, but will it be enough. Her evil adversary, DCI Tony Green has tentacles far and wide and his corruption knows no bounds. It seems he has people in high places and someone somewhere is leaking information to him, that only someone close to Martha would know. Who can she trust?
It all escalates to a nail biting crescendo, but I’m hoping there will be more in the series, even if only to clear up a few points.
My thanks to the author and Joffe publishers for the ARC.
What a FABULOUS EXCITING book! I do love these characters and the team together. This is how things should be done. No messing about, get the baddies and get it sorted.
All the major players seek to protect Martha and her family, but will it be enough. Her evil adversary, DCI Tony Green has tentacles far and wide and his corruption knows no bounds. It seems he has people in high places and someone somewhere is leaking information to him, that only someone close to Martha would know. Who can she trust?
It all escalates to a nail biting crescendo, but I’m hoping there will be more in the series, even if only to clear up a few points.
My thanks to the author and Joffe publishers for the ARC.
June 2, 2025
The Catch is the third in the Martha Munro series, and didn't grip me in the same way as the earlier novels did.
Martha and her team are waiting for a move by Tony Green, the former DCI turned underworld kingpin. Green had left the country but is now thought to be back in the UK. Intelligence suggests he is looking to liquidate his assets and leave the UK for good - but not before killing Martha.
Much of the novel is slow and involves plotting and planning with little action. It feels like the early part of a chess match as pieces are moved into position. The ending leaves scope for more to come, and hopefully the next episode will have more momentum.
Martha and her team are waiting for a move by Tony Green, the former DCI turned underworld kingpin. Green had left the country but is now thought to be back in the UK. Intelligence suggests he is looking to liquidate his assets and leave the UK for good - but not before killing Martha.
Much of the novel is slow and involves plotting and planning with little action. It feels like the early part of a chess match as pieces are moved into position. The ending leaves scope for more to come, and hopefully the next episode will have more momentum.
June 27, 2025
Gripping
Detective Martha Munroe is still on the trail for former corrupt police officer DCI Tony Green. She believes he was responsible for killing her mother and kidnapping her small daughter beside getting Martha herself imprisoned on completely false charges. When she hears he is back in the country after a trip abroad to change his appearance she is keen to track him down but apart from two very close friends and her ex husband she does not know who else can be trusted. This is a gripping thriller which kept me on the edge of my seat although I did feel the ending was a bit rushed. Still worth 5 stars though.
Detective Martha Munroe is still on the trail for former corrupt police officer DCI Tony Green. She believes he was responsible for killing her mother and kidnapping her small daughter beside getting Martha herself imprisoned on completely false charges. When she hears he is back in the country after a trip abroad to change his appearance she is keen to track him down but apart from two very close friends and her ex husband she does not know who else can be trusted. This is a gripping thriller which kept me on the edge of my seat although I did feel the ending was a bit rushed. Still worth 5 stars though.
June 29, 2025
Book 3 in the series featuring Martha Munro is a very good thriller. Although the pace was quite slow it picked up towards the end but the ending left a few unanswered questions and came to an abrupt end. The dialogue was a bit unrealistic, but it is fiction, and the characterisation was just a bit unbelievable. I liked Harry, he is loyal and steadfast and Julie was quite amusing at times with her friendly punches! There were a few touches of humour throughout and I would recommend that readers catch up with the first two books in the series for background information. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
July 4, 2025
This is the first book I’ve read by Michael and felt in order to fully understand everything, I needed to read the first two books in this series in order to completely understand hay was going in. I felt like I was missing pieces, important ones at that. But I did enjoy the book despite that. Martha starts receiving letters at her home after exposing DCI Tony Greene. Now he’s out for revenge, killing anyone who knew his plans and Martha is in that list. She’s trying to take him down for killing her mother. This was truly a cat and mouse chase. But who’s helping Tony? Will Martha be able to catch him before it’s too late??
September 9, 2025
Martha Munro's fight against corrupt cops continues.
This is the third book in the Micheal Leese series where the lead character Martha is ably supported by her ex-husband, Harry, and Julie against Tony Green, a disgraced DI. I really enjoyed the previous two books, but I felt this one, though packed with detail, incidents, and intrigue eventually, it was a bit of a slow starter. It soon got moving, though, and finally reached the high standard of its predecessors. it was for me, a little rushed towards the end, but it retained the tension, though. The book leaves readers with with the possibility of a further book in the series.
This is the third book in the Micheal Leese series where the lead character Martha is ably supported by her ex-husband, Harry, and Julie against Tony Green, a disgraced DI. I really enjoyed the previous two books, but I felt this one, though packed with detail, incidents, and intrigue eventually, it was a bit of a slow starter. It soon got moving, though, and finally reached the high standard of its predecessors. it was for me, a little rushed towards the end, but it retained the tension, though. The book leaves readers with with the possibility of a further book in the series.
June 30, 2025
Thanks to Joffe books and Netgalley for this eARC.
Michael Leese’s The Catch returns with the 3rd Detective Martha Munro, as she continues in her determination to take down her mother's killer, the charismatic and clever DCI Tony Green.
Now that Martha has captured his attention, she has put herself directly in the killer's cross hairs.
The Catch is a quiet, methodical thriller that understands the power of silence and suggestion. However, I found this particular entry would have benefited with a strong editing session.
Michael Leese’s The Catch returns with the 3rd Detective Martha Munro, as she continues in her determination to take down her mother's killer, the charismatic and clever DCI Tony Green.
Now that Martha has captured his attention, she has put herself directly in the killer's cross hairs.
The Catch is a quiet, methodical thriller that understands the power of silence and suggestion. However, I found this particular entry would have benefited with a strong editing session.
May 30, 2025
I wish I had read the first in this series about Detective Martha Munro!
She exposed DCI Tony Green for corruption, and now he has changed his appearance and is bent on taking revenge.
She has powerful friends who protect her, and they all adore her daughter, Betty, who had been kidnapped in a previous book.
All in all, it is a well thought out plot, and is tense, suspenseful and there is a little humour as well..... Julie's 'friendly' punches.
She exposed DCI Tony Green for corruption, and now he has changed his appearance and is bent on taking revenge.
She has powerful friends who protect her, and they all adore her daughter, Betty, who had been kidnapped in a previous book.
All in all, it is a well thought out plot, and is tense, suspenseful and there is a little humour as well..... Julie's 'friendly' punches.
June 17, 2025
I feel like I really need to read the preceding books to fully appreciate this story which is clearly brilliantly written/plotted. Detective Martha Munro faces an old adversary, a corrupt copper, who threatens everything and everyone that matters to her. This is one of the few and rare series where the prior insight is so key to future stories. Thanks to the publisher & author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
June 30, 2025
First of the Martha Munro series I have read and easy to read as a standalone as you pick up details of the characters as you go along .A fast paced cat and mouse chase as we follow Martha who is on the hunt for Tony Green , an ex cop who killed her mother . Tony Green is also on the hunt for Martha to seek his revenge but who will get there first . Looking forward to going back and reading the previous two crime thrillers in this series
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