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DS Imogen Grey #2
The Secret
Can you keep a secret? Your life depends on it…
Bridget Reid has a secret, one that could get her killed… If she can escape the man who is keeping her locked in a basement bedroom.
DS Imogen Grey is good at keeping secrets – truths she’d never reveal to her colleagues at Exeter Police. She worked hard to get where she is – she nearly died for it. Now her past is catching up with her…
As DS Grey and her partner DS Adrian Miles search for Bridget, they uncover a terrifying web of abuse, betrayal and murder. And they realise that some secrets are better left buried…
Bridget Reid has a secret, one that could get her killed… If she can escape the man who is keeping her locked in a basement bedroom.
DS Imogen Grey is good at keeping secrets – truths she’d never reveal to her colleagues at Exeter Police. She worked hard to get where she is – she nearly died for it. Now her past is catching up with her…
As DS Grey and her partner DS Adrian Miles search for Bridget, they uncover a terrifying web of abuse, betrayal and murder. And they realise that some secrets are better left buried…
416 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2016
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July 1, 2020
Suspicion
The Secret is the second book in Katerina Diamond's Imogen Grey Series. There is a background plot theme running throughout the first 3 books and it is best to read The Teacher first. While many subplots and characters have been introduced in the previous book, there is a specific police case and investigation to contend with in this book.
This is a pacy story with many surprises and twists. The suspense and intrigue in knowing who to trust are very well delivered in this novel. The partnerships and interactions are developed well and we start to realise that there are unseen forces that seem to be pulling the strings of many people who may or may not be involved in the crimes that are being revealed. There are multiple parallel threads and time shifts so I found it important to pay attention. One of the great things about the Teacher was the interlinked stories and plots but if you play too hard at interlinking everything it goes beyond the realms of believability and I just felt that threshold was breached in this book.
The Secret is well written, engrossing and difficult to set down. Obviously, the long-term plot will be taken further in The Angel but I would recommend reading this book.
The Secret is the second book in Katerina Diamond's Imogen Grey Series. There is a background plot theme running throughout the first 3 books and it is best to read The Teacher first. While many subplots and characters have been introduced in the previous book, there is a specific police case and investigation to contend with in this book.
This is a pacy story with many surprises and twists. The suspense and intrigue in knowing who to trust are very well delivered in this novel. The partnerships and interactions are developed well and we start to realise that there are unseen forces that seem to be pulling the strings of many people who may or may not be involved in the crimes that are being revealed. There are multiple parallel threads and time shifts so I found it important to pay attention. One of the great things about the Teacher was the interlinked stories and plots but if you play too hard at interlinking everything it goes beyond the realms of believability and I just felt that threshold was breached in this book.
The Secret is well written, engrossing and difficult to set down. Obviously, the long-term plot will be taken further in The Angel but I would recommend reading this book.
February 9, 2017
The story begins with undercover police officer, Bridget, who is playing playing a prostitute in a sort of brothel.Two men break into her apartment while she is upstairs and murder two of the girls and one client. She narrowly escapes with her life and goes on the run. She ends up passing out and wakes up locked in a basement room. She doesn't know her captor and she keeps losing her memory. She has no idea how long she has been held hostage.
Meanwhile, DS Imogen Grey and her partner DS Adrian Miles are put on the case of the missing police officer. Her old partner DS Sam Brown was Bridget's contact and lover, so he is also involved in the investigation. This upsets Imogene something terrible, because her and Sam have past issues that have never been resolved. Perhaps they never will.
Changing viewpoints between Imogen, Bridget, Adrian, a disturbed boy, and various other minor characters, this book weaves together the current investigation searching for Bridget, and the past investigation that caused her and Sam's falling out. Imogen cannot help feeling one case is connected to the other, and she never wanted to remember the past.
This book was action right from the start. The multiple narrators were easy to keep track of, because they all clearly had different voices. I really liked the character of Imogen. She didn't always make good decisions, but she was real. She was a real cop, not a stereotype. The side characters were all very engaging and had back stories. There was very little cardboard characters in this book. I have to confess, I did not read the first book in the series and that did make me feel a little lost at times. Also the constant time changes had me confused on which case was current and which was in the past. They are interwoven, so that made it difficult for me to keep them straight. I admit I had to go back a few times to remind me what had happened before. The ending is wide open for a sequel, so I think we will be seeing these fantastic characters again. I highly recommend this book!
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *
Meanwhile, DS Imogen Grey and her partner DS Adrian Miles are put on the case of the missing police officer. Her old partner DS Sam Brown was Bridget's contact and lover, so he is also involved in the investigation. This upsets Imogene something terrible, because her and Sam have past issues that have never been resolved. Perhaps they never will.
Changing viewpoints between Imogen, Bridget, Adrian, a disturbed boy, and various other minor characters, this book weaves together the current investigation searching for Bridget, and the past investigation that caused her and Sam's falling out. Imogen cannot help feeling one case is connected to the other, and she never wanted to remember the past.
This book was action right from the start. The multiple narrators were easy to keep track of, because they all clearly had different voices. I really liked the character of Imogen. She didn't always make good decisions, but she was real. She was a real cop, not a stereotype. The side characters were all very engaging and had back stories. There was very little cardboard characters in this book. I have to confess, I did not read the first book in the series and that did make me feel a little lost at times. Also the constant time changes had me confused on which case was current and which was in the past. They are interwoven, so that made it difficult for me to keep them straight. I admit I had to go back a few times to remind me what had happened before. The ending is wide open for a sequel, so I think we will be seeing these fantastic characters again. I highly recommend this book!
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *
November 8, 2016
4.5 stars.
I enjoyed Katerina Diamond's debut novel The Teacher last year. With this follow-up, which had a different feel to it, she stepped up another gear.
We are reunited with Imogen Church and Adrian Miles, two detectives who each have their own personal issues and more baggage than you can count, but together make such a great team. I love their alliance.
It all starts out with the murder of two prostitutes in a house and the disappearance of a third woman, Bridget, from that same house.
The case has links to Imogen's ex-partner from the Plymouth force, Sam Brown, and we find out what exactly happened there before Imogen was transferred to Exeter to team up with Adrian. Some of this is touched on in The Teacher, but it is not necessary to read these in order. However, that's not the only way in which the past is catching up with Imogen. There are some shocking surprises in store for her as the investigation reveals another twisted connection to her private life.
Tense and gripping, I finished this in a day, as there was always something happening, another revelation made, there just was no time to put this down and step away from it. The story is told from multiple perspectives including Imogen's, Adrian's, and Bridget's as well as an unknown boy who turns into a deeply troubled young man due to having the misfortune of growing up with the father from hell. The boy's dispassionate voice and cruel transformation into a cold psychopath were incredibly well done.
The only thing that stopped me from giving this 5 stars were the different timelines that slightly confused me at times, although I think that may have been due to the fact that I was listening rather than reading.
Ms. Diamond has a knack for creating really intriguing characters that are truly multidimensional and pose some fascinating moral dilemmas. Child abduction, human trafficking, prostitution, drugs, corrupt cops, there is a lot going on here, but all the different subplots join together and make this into a totally riveting, dark and gritty story.
Can't wait for book three to find out how Adrian is going to deal with his little family problem and how Imogen is going to cope with her new relationships. (And please, please Ms. Diamond, I hope Dean Kinkaid will continue to play a significant role in the next book! Loved his character and the chemistry)
I received an ARC via NetGalley and purchased the audiobook (narrated superbly by Stevie Lacey).
I enjoyed Katerina Diamond's debut novel The Teacher last year. With this follow-up, which had a different feel to it, she stepped up another gear.
We are reunited with Imogen Church and Adrian Miles, two detectives who each have their own personal issues and more baggage than you can count, but together make such a great team. I love their alliance.
It all starts out with the murder of two prostitutes in a house and the disappearance of a third woman, Bridget, from that same house.
The case has links to Imogen's ex-partner from the Plymouth force, Sam Brown, and we find out what exactly happened there before Imogen was transferred to Exeter to team up with Adrian. Some of this is touched on in The Teacher, but it is not necessary to read these in order. However, that's not the only way in which the past is catching up with Imogen. There are some shocking surprises in store for her as the investigation reveals another twisted connection to her private life.
Tense and gripping, I finished this in a day, as there was always something happening, another revelation made, there just was no time to put this down and step away from it. The story is told from multiple perspectives including Imogen's, Adrian's, and Bridget's as well as an unknown boy who turns into a deeply troubled young man due to having the misfortune of growing up with the father from hell. The boy's dispassionate voice and cruel transformation into a cold psychopath were incredibly well done.
The only thing that stopped me from giving this 5 stars were the different timelines that slightly confused me at times, although I think that may have been due to the fact that I was listening rather than reading.
Ms. Diamond has a knack for creating really intriguing characters that are truly multidimensional and pose some fascinating moral dilemmas. Child abduction, human trafficking, prostitution, drugs, corrupt cops, there is a lot going on here, but all the different subplots join together and make this into a totally riveting, dark and gritty story.
Can't wait for book three to find out how Adrian is going to deal with his little family problem and how Imogen is going to cope with her new relationships. (And please, please Ms. Diamond, I hope Dean Kinkaid will continue to play a significant role in the next book! Loved his character and the chemistry)
I received an ARC via NetGalley and purchased the audiobook (narrated superbly by Stevie Lacey).
October 23, 2016
5 Plus 
Yes this was a WOW thrilling read for me.
The tension was non stop, the twists were OMG moments.
This is what I love reading.
Bridget Reid is in serious danger...
Somebody wants her dead, she has a secret and these people will stop at nothing to find her.
That secret cannot be told.....
DS Imogen Grey has her own secrets too but even she isn't prepared for what lies ahead.
DS Grey and DS Adrian Miles her new partner need to find Bridget and trying to do just that will unlock many of those secrets along the way.
Some of the characters are terrifying but who is telling the truth? who can you trust?
There are so many dimensions to this story that will all come together as the plot unfolds.
Its hard hitting storyline of kidnap, trafficking. And what is the connection with that nightclub?
I didn't read Katerina Diamond's first novel The Teacher which I now realise The Secret is a sort of a follow on, but this can be read as a standalone so don't be deterred and it did not hinder my enjoyment one little bit.
There is so much I want to write but I don't want to tell the story, just tell you enough for you to read it for yourselves.
This year I have read a lot of thrillers and many have been fantastic 5 Star plus reads. Without a doubt for me this is up there with the best, I want to be thrilled, I want to try and guess the who did it. This book had everything I look for in a thriller/crime story. An absolute favourite of 2016 for me.
Can't wait to read what's next from Katerina Diamond
***ARC provided by Netgalley in return for an honest review***
Yes this was a WOW thrilling read for me.
The tension was non stop, the twists were OMG moments.
This is what I love reading.
Bridget Reid is in serious danger...
Somebody wants her dead, she has a secret and these people will stop at nothing to find her.
That secret cannot be told.....
DS Imogen Grey has her own secrets too but even she isn't prepared for what lies ahead.
DS Grey and DS Adrian Miles her new partner need to find Bridget and trying to do just that will unlock many of those secrets along the way.
Some of the characters are terrifying but who is telling the truth? who can you trust?
There are so many dimensions to this story that will all come together as the plot unfolds.
Its hard hitting storyline of kidnap, trafficking. And what is the connection with that nightclub?
I didn't read Katerina Diamond's first novel The Teacher which I now realise The Secret is a sort of a follow on, but this can be read as a standalone so don't be deterred and it did not hinder my enjoyment one little bit.
There is so much I want to write but I don't want to tell the story, just tell you enough for you to read it for yourselves.
This year I have read a lot of thrillers and many have been fantastic 5 Star plus reads. Without a doubt for me this is up there with the best, I want to be thrilled, I want to try and guess the who did it. This book had everything I look for in a thriller/crime story. An absolute favourite of 2016 for me.
Can't wait to read what's next from Katerina Diamond
***ARC provided by Netgalley in return for an honest review***
December 17, 2023
This book is full on. There are many story lines going on in many time zones so it's definitely a book you need to concentrate on.
There were times when I was a bit confused but in the end it all ties together nicely so it's well worth the effort.
This is the second book in the series of DI Grey although I'd say it can be read as a standalone.
Four stars.
There were times when I was a bit confused but in the end it all ties together nicely so it's well worth the effort.
This is the second book in the series of DI Grey although I'd say it can be read as a standalone.
Four stars.
October 20, 2016
I recently shared my review of The Teacher again in preparation for the publication of The Secret as I wanted to remind myself and other of how gloriously gruesome and compelling it was! I said in that review that I was keen to see DS Imogen Grey team up again with DI Adrian Miles as it was their chemistry and intriguing backstories that really made The Teacher for me. I also followed the blog tour tour for that book where Katerina Diamond shared a little snippet of a short story featuring this pair on a different blog everyday and I just loved that! So there's been a little bit of hype (finger in a cupcake anyone?!) doing the rounds on social media about The Secret and I was keen to see what all the fuss was about. And these covers are amazing! They are some of the best around at the moment as they are totally eye-catching but does the inside match up to the stunning outside?
The answer is a big fat yes! For me, The Secret is even better than The Teacher! I feel that the author has settled down into her style and delved more deeply into her characters psyche so they are well developed, more rounded and totally believable. There's still that little frisson of chemistry between the DSs but there is so much going on in Imogens life that she is going to need that friendly shoulder to cry on when things start to become much more personal that she could ever have expected. I absolutely adore this pairing of police officers and again felt as though they have been around for years.
The story here is just as gritty and topical as before. Be prepared for bad language, drug abuse and graphic content but the whole plot determines these necessary and give the book it's feeling of realism. I loved the fact that the plot wasn't predictable, there were plenty of twists and turns so that the reader is pretty much discovering reveals the same time as the police do. We find out so much more about why Imogen transferred to Exeter from her previous force and there's also a few shocks in store for Adrian, one of which I'm sure needs a book all of its own! The pair are looking into the disappearance of an undercover police officer who is being kept "safe" by one of the creepiest characters I've read about in a while. The flashback technique is used to great effect here as we observe the journey from young boy to psychopath within the family from hell!
This is another cracker of a read from Katerina Diamond. I enjoyed it from start to finish. It's uncomfortable reading at times but totally gripping throughout and on the strength of The Secret, I will be preordering her next book as soon as its available.
I received a copy of this book via netgalley and have chosen to write this review after reading.
The answer is a big fat yes! For me, The Secret is even better than The Teacher! I feel that the author has settled down into her style and delved more deeply into her characters psyche so they are well developed, more rounded and totally believable. There's still that little frisson of chemistry between the DSs but there is so much going on in Imogens life that she is going to need that friendly shoulder to cry on when things start to become much more personal that she could ever have expected. I absolutely adore this pairing of police officers and again felt as though they have been around for years.
The story here is just as gritty and topical as before. Be prepared for bad language, drug abuse and graphic content but the whole plot determines these necessary and give the book it's feeling of realism. I loved the fact that the plot wasn't predictable, there were plenty of twists and turns so that the reader is pretty much discovering reveals the same time as the police do. We find out so much more about why Imogen transferred to Exeter from her previous force and there's also a few shocks in store for Adrian, one of which I'm sure needs a book all of its own! The pair are looking into the disappearance of an undercover police officer who is being kept "safe" by one of the creepiest characters I've read about in a while. The flashback technique is used to great effect here as we observe the journey from young boy to psychopath within the family from hell!
This is another cracker of a read from Katerina Diamond. I enjoyed it from start to finish. It's uncomfortable reading at times but totally gripping throughout and on the strength of The Secret, I will be preordering her next book as soon as its available.
I received a copy of this book via netgalley and have chosen to write this review after reading.
February 6, 2017
I haven't read The Teacher by Katerina Diamond (yet), but this book was so tempting that I just couldn't resist agreeing to do a blog tour for the book. And, the beginning of the book was really captivating, and it was frustrating having to work when I wanted to read. However, I started to have some problem with the story as it progressed. The dialog felt terse and a bit contrived now and then. And, it bothered me because I found the story to be interesting.
We have three storylines in the book; the present time, what happened two years prior and we also have a single individual's life story as he "tells" the reader things about his childhood. It was with this life retelling that I really started to feel that the dialog was not working for me. It was very terse and jagged to read, and lacking finesse.
However, I was curious to what was going on with DS Imogen Gray (however I did see her big secret a mile away) and what linked the past story with the present. Then, something happened that really made me extremely frustrated. This may be a bit of a spoiler, but I need to put it here to show why I just couldn't give the book a higher rating. The parents to a missing girl went to prison for her murder. And, it just stunned me because how on earth can anyone go to prison for murder when there isn't a body or no proof for it to be murder? Sure, one can be declared dead after a couple of years. But, as far as I know you can't send someone to prison just because "they seem guilty". This bothered me quite a lot, I spent the next day at work fretting about it. And, that together with the dialog issues made it hard for me to truly enjoy the book.
However, I will say this, I found the story most of the time to be engaging. It did feel a bit over the top sometimes. Nevertheless, it was not boring to read. Sure, Imogen's problem with the men around her feel a bit like cheesy, like straight from a soap opera, but it was entertaining. And, if I hadn't been so annoyed with the whole prison thing (and some other things, but can't spoiler the book too much) and if the dialog had felt a bit more smooth, then I would have enjoyed the book a whole lot more. I do plan to read The Teacher and hopefully, it will work better for me.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
Read this review and others on A Bookaholic Swede
We have three storylines in the book; the present time, what happened two years prior and we also have a single individual's life story as he "tells" the reader things about his childhood. It was with this life retelling that I really started to feel that the dialog was not working for me. It was very terse and jagged to read, and lacking finesse.
However, I was curious to what was going on with DS Imogen Gray (however I did see her big secret a mile away) and what linked the past story with the present. Then, something happened that really made me extremely frustrated. This may be a bit of a spoiler, but I need to put it here to show why I just couldn't give the book a higher rating. The parents to a missing girl went to prison for her murder. And, it just stunned me because how on earth can anyone go to prison for murder when there isn't a body or no proof for it to be murder? Sure, one can be declared dead after a couple of years. But, as far as I know you can't send someone to prison just because "they seem guilty". This bothered me quite a lot, I spent the next day at work fretting about it. And, that together with the dialog issues made it hard for me to truly enjoy the book.
However, I will say this, I found the story most of the time to be engaging. It did feel a bit over the top sometimes. Nevertheless, it was not boring to read. Sure, Imogen's problem with the men around her feel a bit like cheesy, like straight from a soap opera, but it was entertaining. And, if I hadn't been so annoyed with the whole prison thing (and some other things, but can't spoiler the book too much) and if the dialog had felt a bit more smooth, then I would have enjoyed the book a whole lot more. I do plan to read The Teacher and hopefully, it will work better for me.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
Read this review and others on A Bookaholic Swede
October 12, 2016
Bridget, an undercover policewoman, is working as a prostitute in a sort of brothel. Two men break into the apartment and kill two of the girls and a client. She escapes but goes on the run.
DS Imogen Grey & DS Adrian Myles are on the case looking for the missing police officer. Bridget's contact & lover DS Sam Brown is also involved in the investigation.
This is another action packed novel that's twists & turns will keep you gripped to the end.
I would like to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, Avon and the author Katerina Diamond for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
DS Imogen Grey & DS Adrian Myles are on the case looking for the missing police officer. Bridget's contact & lover DS Sam Brown is also involved in the investigation.
This is another action packed novel that's twists & turns will keep you gripped to the end.
I would like to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, Avon and the author Katerina Diamond for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2016
4.5 stars
Note to publisher: the title of book #2 in the Imogen Grey series is missing an “s”. Secrets. Everyone’s got ‘em & some are real barn burners.
There are multiple plot lines in this story & they’re positively gordian, looping forward & back to weave the lives of these characters into a snug knot that is beginning to unravel. Some of them have cameo appearances as narrators but there are a handful who are central to the story.
Bridget Ford was fairly new at an Exeter brothel when 2 of her colleagues were horribly murdered by men looking for her. She’s lucky to have escaped but has no idea what’s waiting around the corner.
DS Adrian Miles is a homicide detective slowly drifting toward burnout. The bodies he’s seen haunt his nights & his usual partner is on medical leave after their last case. The last thing he needs is the scene that greets him when he’s called to the brothel.
DS Imogen Grey is finally back on the job after recovering from a gun shot. Exeter was supposed to be a fresh start after the fallout from a messy situation within the Plymouth police force. Now she’s got a great partner at work & can keep tabs on her crazy mother. When she meets Adrian at the brothel, it’s clear her down time is over.
The boy is just 10 years old when we first meet. We don’t know who he is but as his chapters unfold, we watch as he grows up in a dysfunctional family ruled by his violent, criminal father.
Isabelle Hobbs was just a little girl when she was snatched from home more than 10 years ago. Despite the lack of a body, her parents were convicted of murder & sent to prison.
There are many more characters slipping in & out of the pages & part of the suspense is due to not knowing whose side they’re on. Exeter seems to be a breeding ground for despicable people & it’s not long before the cops’ search for Bridget pulls them into a world of child abduction, drug dealers, corrupt cops & human trafficking. Chapters alternate between Imogen’s last case in Plymouth 2 years earlier & the present. As familiar faces begin to cross over between the time lines, the alarming scope of the plot gradually emerges.
So….heads up. If you’re a little on the squeably side you may find some scenes disturbing. But while graphic, they are completely in keeping with the criminal elements they describe. These are not people burdened with pesky things like ethics or morals. But they are products of their pasts & it becomes clear several never had a chance at “normal”. At times even Adrian & Imogen struggle as the line between right & wrong becomes faint.
They, too, have been shaped by the hard realities of their childhoods & are the emotional heart of the story. Their personal lives are irrevocably altered by what they uncover & by the end you realize it’s not over. While much is revealed & tied up, one significant part of the story remains open to be explored in the next instalment.
This is a book you’ll be sneaking into the bathroom at work to read. Once the bombshells start dropping, you’re hooked & simply have to know how it all shakes out & who will be left standing. Gripping, gritty, scary & tense….they all apply. Bring on #3.
Note to publisher: the title of book #2 in the Imogen Grey series is missing an “s”. Secrets. Everyone’s got ‘em & some are real barn burners.
There are multiple plot lines in this story & they’re positively gordian, looping forward & back to weave the lives of these characters into a snug knot that is beginning to unravel. Some of them have cameo appearances as narrators but there are a handful who are central to the story.
Bridget Ford was fairly new at an Exeter brothel when 2 of her colleagues were horribly murdered by men looking for her. She’s lucky to have escaped but has no idea what’s waiting around the corner.
DS Adrian Miles is a homicide detective slowly drifting toward burnout. The bodies he’s seen haunt his nights & his usual partner is on medical leave after their last case. The last thing he needs is the scene that greets him when he’s called to the brothel.
DS Imogen Grey is finally back on the job after recovering from a gun shot. Exeter was supposed to be a fresh start after the fallout from a messy situation within the Plymouth police force. Now she’s got a great partner at work & can keep tabs on her crazy mother. When she meets Adrian at the brothel, it’s clear her down time is over.
The boy is just 10 years old when we first meet. We don’t know who he is but as his chapters unfold, we watch as he grows up in a dysfunctional family ruled by his violent, criminal father.
Isabelle Hobbs was just a little girl when she was snatched from home more than 10 years ago. Despite the lack of a body, her parents were convicted of murder & sent to prison.
There are many more characters slipping in & out of the pages & part of the suspense is due to not knowing whose side they’re on. Exeter seems to be a breeding ground for despicable people & it’s not long before the cops’ search for Bridget pulls them into a world of child abduction, drug dealers, corrupt cops & human trafficking. Chapters alternate between Imogen’s last case in Plymouth 2 years earlier & the present. As familiar faces begin to cross over between the time lines, the alarming scope of the plot gradually emerges.
So….heads up. If you’re a little on the squeably side you may find some scenes disturbing. But while graphic, they are completely in keeping with the criminal elements they describe. These are not people burdened with pesky things like ethics or morals. But they are products of their pasts & it becomes clear several never had a chance at “normal”. At times even Adrian & Imogen struggle as the line between right & wrong becomes faint.
They, too, have been shaped by the hard realities of their childhoods & are the emotional heart of the story. Their personal lives are irrevocably altered by what they uncover & by the end you realize it’s not over. While much is revealed & tied up, one significant part of the story remains open to be explored in the next instalment.
This is a book you’ll be sneaking into the bathroom at work to read. Once the bombshells start dropping, you’re hooked & simply have to know how it all shakes out & who will be left standing. Gripping, gritty, scary & tense….they all apply. Bring on #3.
February 10, 2017
Originally posted on This Chick Reads
FUUUUUUCCKKK this book is twisted! Honestly, whatever you expected when you read the blurb...it's WAY BEYOND that! Do I mean this as something positive or negative. Well, it mostly depends on what you see as positive or negative. But there's also this 'small detail' called TWIST YOU DIDN'T EXPECT which is obviously something we like in fiction but hate in real life. But back to fiction and twists, boy...there's HUNDREDS of twists in this book! Honestly, I was reading this book and all of a sudden I felt this great challenge (mean this in the most enthusiastic and nice way) to use both my left and right side of the brain and fucking predict what will happen next (and by next I mean in the next chapter!). And you know what, no matter what my assumptions were, Katerina proved me wrong. Boy does she have a vivid imagination and skills which seem even arrogant at times (only if you perceive them that way). Here I was, holding the book in my hand, trying to use my previous experience in crime/mystery books or TV shows and I get caught up in this BIG WEB Katerina so cleverly fabricated. She bloody owns her story! AMAZING!
'The Secret' is the second installment in the DS Imogen Grey series and once you realise it's a series the first thing on your mind is, if you need to read the first part (The Teacher) before moving on to this one. Well, both yes and no. No, you don't need to read the first one and can jump to this second meeting the MCs, Imogen and her partner Adrian, but why the hell would you deprive yourself of the pleasure to meet these awesome characters even closer? While you'd be following a 'new' case, there are some unresolved issues from DS Imogen Grey's past which might confuse you a bit if you just jump to reading the second half. And even if you're that smart to connect the dots so fast (hats off to you) you'll miss out on feeling the characters on a deeper level which might overall influence your enjoyment. So, if you want MY opinion, yes, read the first installment first. You'll devour it in a sitting and then go to The Secret.
The book opens with a case of an undercover cop missing which is just a small drop in the big ocean of events that will happen. Make sure you pay attention to characters, past to present switches and some unresolved issues. They'll pop rather often and at first might seem irrelevant, but they are woven smartly in the big picture. Bridget Reid is a cop working undercover as a prostitute, working on a complex case which involves drugs ad loads of more illegal activities. Maybe even women trafficking? One day while waiting for her 'customer', her flatmates (also prostitutes) are killed, but it's Bridget who was supposed to be the target. She tries escaping but it's futile as very soon she's caught and brought into captivity. Consider Bridget's case as just a platform, like a base where real shit starts happening. While everything seems to be connected to the Bridget's case, loads of secrets (big, ugly, terrifying ones) will be revealed, some very closely connected to both DS Imogen and her partner Adrian. Imogen's a very private person, she keeps both her feelings and her past sealed and she finally thinks she's starting to live a new, better life. Two years ago she's left Plymouth and is doing everything to forget that part of her life. But the scars on her body and those in her inside are telling a different story. You know how they say, you can't run from your past? Hell no, but you can face it and make the past run from you...the new you. That's what basically happens in this book. While working on this new case, Imogen is faced with some terrifying things that happened in Plymouth two years ago, some people she would rather forget and mistakes she's made. Once again she's forced to trust people despite trusting people causing her great distress in the past. The story itself is too complex and there are so many things happening in each new chapter for me to say more about the plot, but I can tell you it's a real ROLLER COASTER. Something which is amazing and definitely makes this book stand out is that both Imogen and Adrian reveal some things from their past and show some very interisting sides of their character, so if you ask me who is more important to the plot, is it Imogen or Adrian, I wouldn't know how to answer. At least, that's my point of view. I don't care if the series is called after Imogen, I was equally interested in both her and her partner and saw them as two sides of a coin, as equally important, integral part of a thrilling story.
My first reaction after finishing this story was 'How twisted is your mind, Katerina?' Honestly, while I was reading I was having this fictional chat with the author in my head, I was trying to get in her head all while resisting her to get in MY head. Unbelievable, that's why I say this book is a total mind fuck! (Excuse my language, I'm that impressed with it and eloquence is the last thing on my mind now). There are just so many moments which will make you regret you had breakfast/lunch/dinner (depending on the times of the day when you're reading this book). Seriously! I would read these scenes that made my stomach turn into knots, making all my insides turn in a very uncomfortable way, some scenes with violence and some very raw descriptions for my 'sensitive' stomach...but I was so hooked on the book, I simply couldn't put it down. If you're someone who's sensitive to this, you better get yourselves ready or consider yourselves warned. But it's a thriller, you certainly don't expect pink bunnies to be killed!
If you're into thrillers or fast paced books that will seriously make your grey cells burn, this is the book for you! Don't even try to predict the ending, though I know your left side of the brain will see this as a challenge. Just enjoy the ride, let yourself go and witness everything. To be frank, the ending felt a bit confusing to me, meaning I didn't get the closure I wanted...but again, that's my problem. Do you care more about the destination and reaching it or that journey? Don't know about you, but I was once again (almost) tricked by my desire to see the destination clearly, not the whole journey. And then... Then I closed the book, felt my pulse and thought 'have I really finished this book in 5 hours without the need to get up?' I realised I really don't care that much about the 'logical' closure, I already felt adrenaline rise to the max, and besides I'm pretty certain this end fits well in the next, third part in the series. Speaking of the third installment, I can not wait to read it! As all the next in the series. Enjoy!
October 18, 2016
Full review on www.novelgossip.com
I have to start this review by admitting that I didn’t read the first book in this series, The Teacher. In the past, I would never read a series out of order, but within the past few months, I’ve stopped caring. I feel like I would miss out on too many great books if I skipped book four in a series because I didn’t read the first three. It’s been working out pretty well for me so far, but I think this time I may have screwed up by not reading book one first. Whoops.
It all begins with Bridget Reid, a woman who has found herself in a terrifying situation. She’s been abducted by a man and she’s being held captive. Nothing makes sense to her though, she’s pretty well taken care of, but why can’t she remember anything day to day? And is everything she is witnessing real or is she cracking up?
Imogen Grey and Adrian Miles are the officers assigned to Bridget’s case. Portions of the book are told from Bridget’s point of view and there are also sections told from both Grey’s and Miles perspectives. I really liked the two of them as partners, they’re jaded and struggle with their own morality which made them relatable and interesting. There are flashbacks to Grey’s life two years ago when she worked in Plymouth and she’s now in Exeter. At first, I had no idea why we were being told about old events, but soon it all makes sense and things converge beautifully. There are also parts told from a young unknown boy that added a real chill to the story. His chapters were told in such a dispassionate and cold manner that I actually got goosebumps a few times!
This was so close to being a five star read for me, it had so many aspects I loved. There were gory and gruesome crime scenes, secrets and betrayals, well written characters, and plenty of mystery. The problem I had here was that the middle dragged for me. With so many viewpoints and timeframes, I found myself a little confused. I kept mixing up details about the case from two years prior and the current one. For those of you who read The Teacher, do you think I would’ve been less confused if I started there? I’m really wondering if it was just me?
I would definitely recommend this book to lovers of mysteries and thrillers. Diamond really did an excellent job merging all the various storylines and plotted them all together tidily. The ending was left wide open, I can only assume that there will be a third book in the series and I will definitely be checking it out. I really think maybe I need to find time to go back and read book one, maybe I can bump my rating up?
I have to start this review by admitting that I didn’t read the first book in this series, The Teacher. In the past, I would never read a series out of order, but within the past few months, I’ve stopped caring. I feel like I would miss out on too many great books if I skipped book four in a series because I didn’t read the first three. It’s been working out pretty well for me so far, but I think this time I may have screwed up by not reading book one first. Whoops.
It all begins with Bridget Reid, a woman who has found herself in a terrifying situation. She’s been abducted by a man and she’s being held captive. Nothing makes sense to her though, she’s pretty well taken care of, but why can’t she remember anything day to day? And is everything she is witnessing real or is she cracking up?
Imogen Grey and Adrian Miles are the officers assigned to Bridget’s case. Portions of the book are told from Bridget’s point of view and there are also sections told from both Grey’s and Miles perspectives. I really liked the two of them as partners, they’re jaded and struggle with their own morality which made them relatable and interesting. There are flashbacks to Grey’s life two years ago when she worked in Plymouth and she’s now in Exeter. At first, I had no idea why we were being told about old events, but soon it all makes sense and things converge beautifully. There are also parts told from a young unknown boy that added a real chill to the story. His chapters were told in such a dispassionate and cold manner that I actually got goosebumps a few times!
This was so close to being a five star read for me, it had so many aspects I loved. There were gory and gruesome crime scenes, secrets and betrayals, well written characters, and plenty of mystery. The problem I had here was that the middle dragged for me. With so many viewpoints and timeframes, I found myself a little confused. I kept mixing up details about the case from two years prior and the current one. For those of you who read The Teacher, do you think I would’ve been less confused if I started there? I’m really wondering if it was just me?
I would definitely recommend this book to lovers of mysteries and thrillers. Diamond really did an excellent job merging all the various storylines and plotted them all together tidily. The ending was left wide open, I can only assume that there will be a third book in the series and I will definitely be checking it out. I really think maybe I need to find time to go back and read book one, maybe I can bump my rating up?
February 6, 2017
Bridget Reid is in deep trouble. She has a secret that someone is willing to kill to protect. On the run, she barely manages to evade her pursuers. Cold, and afraid, the last thing she knows before passing out is safely making it to the place she agreed to meet her boyfriend, praying he gets to her in time. When she wakes she finds herself in a whole new nightmare, trapped in a basement room with a man who wants to keep her as his own.
Called in to investigate a triple homicide, DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles know from the crime scene that they are dealing with a ruthless and psychopathic killer. When a face from Imogen’s past reappears, linking their case to that of missing Bridget, Imogen is forced to confront some hard memories and secrets which she had never wanted her colleagues in Exeter to find out about.
But what is the truth? The more they investigate, the more Imogen realises that what she thought she knew, may be just another lie and that for her, trust is something which balances precariously on a knife edge. As for Miles, an appeal from his son for help causes him to have to look deeper into his extended family. But what he finds, far from what his son had imagined, may yet be the biggest shock of all.
‘The Secret’ is the follow up to ‘The ‘Teacher’ and, as the second book in Katerina Diamond’s DS Imogen Grey series, is a highly compelling read. Touching on some very hard subjects such as abuse, the sex trade and murder, it is not for the faint hearted, that is for sure. From the very outset the action is piled on, the tension ratcheting up with each page turn and as a reader you are pulled along with it at a great pace of knots. This is heart-thumping reading, following Bridget without knowing what she has done or why people are willing to kill her for it. And I for one was not expecting the truth.
The characterisation and partnership of Grey and Miles is one which is skilfully written and works well. They are a wholly likeable partnership, a certain chemistry and friendship between them which really translates off the page. The fact that Grey trusts Miles speaks volumes, especially as you learn more of her history throughout the book. She is a troubled soul, and Miles is the one person she feels she can turn to and they one you know instinctively will always protect her. There is the loyalty inherent in his character making him very appealing. As for Grey, she is tough, somewhat aloof, understandably so, and determined to keep her distance from others. But she is a character who has grown on me. I like her grit and I like her focus.
The story itself is a complex one, pulling together many threads, including filling in a lot of Imogen’s backstory. There are surprising twists throughout and as a reader you are certainly kept guessing as to who to trust. Told from the perspectives of Grey, Miles, Bridget and a fourth, unknown voice, the narrative moves from past to present seamlessly. From the past, the boy’s narration, we learn more of the roots of the present day investigation. In among this, we also get the recaps of Grey’s past, her history with DI Sam Brown and her reasons for leaving Plymouth. In the present, the remaining perspectives serve to tie up the investigation to the past, giving Grey far more than she bargained for.
For me, what really worked in this book, was the use of the boy’s voice. So cold and frighteningly disturbed, you can see his slow and steady path from young man to deranged killer. Despite being reviled by his actions and taking no pleasure from them, he is worryingly dispassionate about it. While you can see the influences of a very hard and depraved upbringing, he is a very dark character but one which works so well.
And as for the ending. Well. That was a lot of oh my gosh moments as the truth becomes clear, and a few eeew moments to as Grey’s lover takes his revenge on the man who hurt her all those years ago. And I love eeew moments. And the developing realisation for Miles I can only assume will be followed up in the next book. It certainly deserves to.
Gritty, pacey, heart pounding action. Diamond is not afraid to tackle the hard subjects in a very direct way, and I, for one, love it.
I received an advance copy of ‘The Secret’ from NetGalley and publishers Harper Collins UK, Avon.
Called in to investigate a triple homicide, DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles know from the crime scene that they are dealing with a ruthless and psychopathic killer. When a face from Imogen’s past reappears, linking their case to that of missing Bridget, Imogen is forced to confront some hard memories and secrets which she had never wanted her colleagues in Exeter to find out about.
But what is the truth? The more they investigate, the more Imogen realises that what she thought she knew, may be just another lie and that for her, trust is something which balances precariously on a knife edge. As for Miles, an appeal from his son for help causes him to have to look deeper into his extended family. But what he finds, far from what his son had imagined, may yet be the biggest shock of all.
‘The Secret’ is the follow up to ‘The ‘Teacher’ and, as the second book in Katerina Diamond’s DS Imogen Grey series, is a highly compelling read. Touching on some very hard subjects such as abuse, the sex trade and murder, it is not for the faint hearted, that is for sure. From the very outset the action is piled on, the tension ratcheting up with each page turn and as a reader you are pulled along with it at a great pace of knots. This is heart-thumping reading, following Bridget without knowing what she has done or why people are willing to kill her for it. And I for one was not expecting the truth.
The characterisation and partnership of Grey and Miles is one which is skilfully written and works well. They are a wholly likeable partnership, a certain chemistry and friendship between them which really translates off the page. The fact that Grey trusts Miles speaks volumes, especially as you learn more of her history throughout the book. She is a troubled soul, and Miles is the one person she feels she can turn to and they one you know instinctively will always protect her. There is the loyalty inherent in his character making him very appealing. As for Grey, she is tough, somewhat aloof, understandably so, and determined to keep her distance from others. But she is a character who has grown on me. I like her grit and I like her focus.
The story itself is a complex one, pulling together many threads, including filling in a lot of Imogen’s backstory. There are surprising twists throughout and as a reader you are certainly kept guessing as to who to trust. Told from the perspectives of Grey, Miles, Bridget and a fourth, unknown voice, the narrative moves from past to present seamlessly. From the past, the boy’s narration, we learn more of the roots of the present day investigation. In among this, we also get the recaps of Grey’s past, her history with DI Sam Brown and her reasons for leaving Plymouth. In the present, the remaining perspectives serve to tie up the investigation to the past, giving Grey far more than she bargained for.
For me, what really worked in this book, was the use of the boy’s voice. So cold and frighteningly disturbed, you can see his slow and steady path from young man to deranged killer. Despite being reviled by his actions and taking no pleasure from them, he is worryingly dispassionate about it. While you can see the influences of a very hard and depraved upbringing, he is a very dark character but one which works so well.
And as for the ending. Well. That was a lot of oh my gosh moments as the truth becomes clear, and a few eeew moments to as Grey’s lover takes his revenge on the man who hurt her all those years ago. And I love eeew moments. And the developing realisation for Miles I can only assume will be followed up in the next book. It certainly deserves to.
Gritty, pacey, heart pounding action. Diamond is not afraid to tackle the hard subjects in a very direct way, and I, for one, love it.
I received an advance copy of ‘The Secret’ from NetGalley and publishers Harper Collins UK, Avon.
October 20, 2016
Also read my review here: http://bookbum.weebly.com/book-review...
NOW AVAILABLE IN THE UK!
Spoilers ahead ladies and gentlemen.
Send help. Diamond’s last book, The Teacher, was fun and page turning, with interesting characters and an exciting plot. This, on the other hand, was not. I guess the plot was kind of thrilling, bent cops, kidnapping etc but everything just felt a little off the wall. Nothing felt real enough for me to get really into it. Let’s take Bridget’s situation. She basically witnessed the murder of two “friends”, ran away from the murder and then fell asleep on some grass when she was trying to escape the killer. Then she wakes up in a basement, thinking about her boyfriend Sam, but when an unknown man comes in, who she presumes is her captor, with her favourite foods and a soothing voice, she sleeps with him straight away? I mean please.
What happened to Grey and Miles?Actually what happened to all her characters?! Every one in this book acted so ridiculously juvenile and all conversations were embarrassingly unrealistic.
”Sam just kind of broke into my house.”
“He did what?” … “Did he hurt you?” … Adrian began to pace, this face dark and his fists clenched at his sides.
“No. Apart from scare the shit out of me, he never touched me.” ...
“Am I allowed to hit him?”
“No, I don’t want to make a big deal out of it. I’m just going to head off to bed, if that’s OK?”
I mean come on. That’s not how a conversation goes when a guy who got your unborn baby killed breaks into your house and shoves you up against a wall. I’m going to put the blame on these silly conversations down to Grey. It annoyed me how tough-guy she was always trying to be. She’d run along to Miles and then act like nothing was wrong. She’d whinge and complain at him like he was causing her all this grief, just like a stroppy teenager. Just like Kevin the Teenager.
Also, she had a soft spot for a criminal so she let him cut some guys finger off in front of her without doing anything? Nice police work, love. And then their blossoming romance almost had me vomiting. Ugh! It felt like such a 13 year old crush they had going on. Sorry, I just don’t like Imogen Grey.
There were too many pov’s in this and it could get confusing to remember who was who and what their relevance to the story was. It’s obvious that the story is going to merge together at some point, but until that very moment, there are no connections between each of the characters. When other books are written like this, you tend to find connection throughout each chapter that draws you closer and closer to the climax. This didn’t do that. This was all over the place until it suddenly wasn’t. I definitely think the layout of this book could have been rethought.
Also, I didn’t get how some of the plot connected up? MAJOR SPOILERS COMING! So when they found out the killer was Imogen’s half brother, and the baby was the missing girl’s, Isabelle’s, child they said “it connects to Bridget’s case” … but how? Because the guy cut the man in the same place as the prostitute? Really? I’ve read enough crime novels to know that’s purely circumstantial evidence! Please, someone, correct me if I’m wrong about this, but there was no connection between the two cases.
I’ll be honest with you and say I totally skim read the last 15% of this. I just couldn’t handle reading this anymore. It just kept getting sillier and sillier until I was actualy scoffing at what was happening. I’m sorry Diamond, I truly am. I loved the first DS Grey novel, but I hated this. I definitely will not be continuing with this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, Avon for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
NOW AVAILABLE IN THE UK!
Spoilers ahead ladies and gentlemen.
Send help. Diamond’s last book, The Teacher, was fun and page turning, with interesting characters and an exciting plot. This, on the other hand, was not. I guess the plot was kind of thrilling, bent cops, kidnapping etc but everything just felt a little off the wall. Nothing felt real enough for me to get really into it. Let’s take Bridget’s situation. She basically witnessed the murder of two “friends”, ran away from the murder and then fell asleep on some grass when she was trying to escape the killer. Then she wakes up in a basement, thinking about her boyfriend Sam, but when an unknown man comes in, who she presumes is her captor, with her favourite foods and a soothing voice, she sleeps with him straight away? I mean please.
What happened to Grey and Miles?Actually what happened to all her characters?! Every one in this book acted so ridiculously juvenile and all conversations were embarrassingly unrealistic.
”Sam just kind of broke into my house.”
“He did what?” … “Did he hurt you?” … Adrian began to pace, this face dark and his fists clenched at his sides.
“No. Apart from scare the shit out of me, he never touched me.” ...
“Am I allowed to hit him?”
“No, I don’t want to make a big deal out of it. I’m just going to head off to bed, if that’s OK?”
I mean come on. That’s not how a conversation goes when a guy who got your unborn baby killed breaks into your house and shoves you up against a wall. I’m going to put the blame on these silly conversations down to Grey. It annoyed me how tough-guy she was always trying to be. She’d run along to Miles and then act like nothing was wrong. She’d whinge and complain at him like he was causing her all this grief, just like a stroppy teenager. Just like Kevin the Teenager.
Also, she had a soft spot for a criminal so she let him cut some guys finger off in front of her without doing anything? Nice police work, love. And then their blossoming romance almost had me vomiting. Ugh! It felt like such a 13 year old crush they had going on. Sorry, I just don’t like Imogen Grey.
There were too many pov’s in this and it could get confusing to remember who was who and what their relevance to the story was. It’s obvious that the story is going to merge together at some point, but until that very moment, there are no connections between each of the characters. When other books are written like this, you tend to find connection throughout each chapter that draws you closer and closer to the climax. This didn’t do that. This was all over the place until it suddenly wasn’t. I definitely think the layout of this book could have been rethought.
Also, I didn’t get how some of the plot connected up? MAJOR SPOILERS COMING! So when they found out the killer was Imogen’s half brother, and the baby was the missing girl’s, Isabelle’s, child they said “it connects to Bridget’s case” … but how? Because the guy cut the man in the same place as the prostitute? Really? I’ve read enough crime novels to know that’s purely circumstantial evidence! Please, someone, correct me if I’m wrong about this, but there was no connection between the two cases.
I’ll be honest with you and say I totally skim read the last 15% of this. I just couldn’t handle reading this anymore. It just kept getting sillier and sillier until I was actualy scoffing at what was happening. I’m sorry Diamond, I truly am. I loved the first DS Grey novel, but I hated this. I definitely will not be continuing with this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, Avon for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2016
I am in the minority here regarding this book as I found it disappointing and just too far fetched. I absolutely loved ''The Teacher" but this fell rather flat. Two prostitutes are murdered and a policewoman who is working undercover, Bridget, manages to escape. So far, so good. But once Bridget gets away the next thing we are told is that she the fell asleep on the grass outside, really? I found this hard to believe. When she wakes (on the grass) she finds herself kidnapped and trapped in a basement. Then we are informed that Bridget is now sleeping with her captor, (who she has just met and this is justified as he said some nice things to her) this also seemed totally unbelievable and my enjoyment of the book was diminishing greatly, then to top it off a criminal chops a mans finger off in front of her and she just walks away. By this stage I had had enough, I did finish the book but the ending also left questions unanswered.
December 12, 2016
Three young girls living in a listed Victorian building. Each girl had their own buzzer so that they could tend to their own clients. Two girls per floor over two floors with a communal kitchen and lounge at ground level. The only sound that Bridget could hear was her flat mate, Estelle, in the room next door, entertaining her client. Mostly Bridget just provided dates, while Estelle was all about the extra- curricular as that's where the real money got made. Dee who lived in the upstairs apartment was a notorious shoplifter. When Bridget takes a shower and makes her way back down the stairs the flat door is ajar and she finds her flat mates dead. Panic time begins. It was Bridget that the murderer was after. I read The teacher, with a really good plot, so I just had to read The Secret, which is a gruesome read.
January 24, 2022
"She felt in her pocket for the spoon she'd taken from the tray. She would use it to scratch a message into the floor, in case she forgot everything again. She couldn't put it anywhere too obvious. She walked to the end of the bed and then she saw it. Her blood ran cold. There was a message there already. Lying next to the words was a metal spoon, the end of it worn down to almost nothing."
After enjoying the first book, I couldn't wait to get stuck into this one. I honestly didn't think the story could get better, but it did. I was hooked from page one and managed to finish it all in one day.
Another excellent book. I can't wait to see where the series goes from here.
After enjoying the first book, I couldn't wait to get stuck into this one. I honestly didn't think the story could get better, but it did. I was hooked from page one and managed to finish it all in one day.
Another excellent book. I can't wait to see where the series goes from here.
February 5, 2017
Are you familiar with Katerina Diamond’s debut, 'The Teacher'? No? Well, you ought to know that she’s not shy where plot grimness is concerned, pushing her characters beyond the reasonable limits of day-to-day normality. 'The Secret' is no exception, only this time she gives ’em a damn good shove until they’re teetering on the edge.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the return of the emotionally isolated Miles and Grey, and here they are – the detective duo with more issues than Reader’s Digest. They wear their poker faces 24/7 to ensure their vulnerable sides are never exposed and any relationship they engage in is frenetic, brooding or fractured. They have an endless supply of sarcastic retorts to suit every occasion, and both halves of this exclusive team spot the early warning signs when they have breached each other’s personal space.
Yes indeedy, Miles and Grey are back and I love them to bits for their spectacular faults, wisecracks, and the bad luck fired at them by the bucket load.
'The Secret' is a tricky bread crumb trail of lies, and it was fab to delve deeper into the dynamics of the latest criminal fraternity VS law ensemble to decide where to place my trust, which wasn’t easy as there’s some serious deviousness going on! The main focus leans toward the enigma that is DI Imogen Grey. During the current investigation to find a missing woman who has links to her old partner, Grey’s past trickles to the surface including the quirks of her mother’s hoarding, the life challenges that made her as hard as nails, and the near fatal hideousness of a previous case forcing a move from Plymouth Constabulary to Exeter touched on in book one. A LOT of stagnant water rushes under the bridge for Grey in this one, dragging the truth with it to rage like a torrent throughout the pages.
This case leads us into the realms of some truly abhorrent crimes. Not only do we hear accounts of the missing woman’s imprisonment in a place where the concept of time and reality has left the building, there’s one hell of a HUMONGOUS revelation for Grey and potential trouble brewing for Miles’s ex-wife too. And I mustn’t forget the intermittent monologues of a depraved and insecure individual. These moments shine a light into their mind as they develop their private recreational activities in the name of twisted gratification. But life just wouldn’t be the same without a creepy oddball living out their dream while discreetly losing their mind, would it?
'The Secret' rarely strays out of the dark. Pretty much anything goes, and what does go is often explored in lurid detail. It’s extreme, wicked and disturbing – and I’m THOROUGHLY looking forward to the next one…
(I received an advanced digital copy of this title from the publishers via NetGalley with my thanks, and this is my unbiased review.)
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the return of the emotionally isolated Miles and Grey, and here they are – the detective duo with more issues than Reader’s Digest. They wear their poker faces 24/7 to ensure their vulnerable sides are never exposed and any relationship they engage in is frenetic, brooding or fractured. They have an endless supply of sarcastic retorts to suit every occasion, and both halves of this exclusive team spot the early warning signs when they have breached each other’s personal space.
Yes indeedy, Miles and Grey are back and I love them to bits for their spectacular faults, wisecracks, and the bad luck fired at them by the bucket load.
'The Secret' is a tricky bread crumb trail of lies, and it was fab to delve deeper into the dynamics of the latest criminal fraternity VS law ensemble to decide where to place my trust, which wasn’t easy as there’s some serious deviousness going on! The main focus leans toward the enigma that is DI Imogen Grey. During the current investigation to find a missing woman who has links to her old partner, Grey’s past trickles to the surface including the quirks of her mother’s hoarding, the life challenges that made her as hard as nails, and the near fatal hideousness of a previous case forcing a move from Plymouth Constabulary to Exeter touched on in book one. A LOT of stagnant water rushes under the bridge for Grey in this one, dragging the truth with it to rage like a torrent throughout the pages.
This case leads us into the realms of some truly abhorrent crimes. Not only do we hear accounts of the missing woman’s imprisonment in a place where the concept of time and reality has left the building, there’s one hell of a HUMONGOUS revelation for Grey and potential trouble brewing for Miles’s ex-wife too. And I mustn’t forget the intermittent monologues of a depraved and insecure individual. These moments shine a light into their mind as they develop their private recreational activities in the name of twisted gratification. But life just wouldn’t be the same without a creepy oddball living out their dream while discreetly losing their mind, would it?
'The Secret' rarely strays out of the dark. Pretty much anything goes, and what does go is often explored in lurid detail. It’s extreme, wicked and disturbing – and I’m THOROUGHLY looking forward to the next one…
(I received an advanced digital copy of this title from the publishers via NetGalley with my thanks, and this is my unbiased review.)
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November 25, 2016Enjoyed this but found it a confusing read at times because of shifting timelines. Review to follow.
October 27, 2017
I need to find out what happens next IMMEDIATELY.
November 7, 2016
I received a copy of The Secret in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK - Avon and Katerina Diamond for making this e-ARC available.
When her flatmate, her upstairs neighbor and a “customer” are murdered in the brothel where she’s been working for the past six months, Bridget Reid runs for her life. She makes a desperate call to her friend Sam for help but only gets his voicemail. She is alone and in danger and knows one thing for sure: she was the intended target of the killer. In her frantic escape, she injures herself and eventually becomes so exhausted that she passes out. When Bridget awakens, groggy and confused, she discovers she is locked in a strange room. A vaguely familiar man claiming she is there for her own protection is Bridget’s only visitor. Though she is pretty much out of it, she knows enough to question this man and his story.
DS Imogen Grey and her partner DS Adrian Miles of the Exeter Police Station lead the investigation into Reid’s disappearance. As their investigation begins, the story shifts back and forth through time and from perspective to perspective. Each chapter is marked so you know when the story takes place but I still was confused a few times, especially with the present day chapters of the investigation into Bridget’s disappearance and a past case of the overdose deaths of two young women that was investigated by Imogen and her despised former partner in Plymouth, where she was previously stationed. It does not help that said despised partner is also involved in the present day case. For awhile, I wondered why Diamond was telling us these two stories. Did she just want to describe the case that led up to the attack that still haunts Imogen - or are these two investigations connected in some way?
As these cases are investigated and different characters tell the story, there is another element Diamond has added to her story. It’s a creepy and sometimes darkly fascinating part of the book: italicized chapters from an unnamed character. He is ten when his first, rather sad chapter begins but, as the chapters progress, he ages and becomes more disturbed, mainly due to his horrible father. It feels like reading the diary of a budding sociopath. I did not figure the owner of this voice until near the end of the book. It’s very unsettling to read.
I enjoyed the interaction between Imogen and Adrian; they really drive the story. I like both characters, though Imogen can slip into a hot mess at times, and I do like that she has a kind of edge to her. Also, there is a lot going on in these detectives’ lives. In the present, Imogen has returned to duty after being injured. In the past account, we are learning what lead up to the horrific attack she suffered two years ago in Plymouth. A violent, mysterious man named Dean intrigues in her the past but, in the present, her unstable mother worries and annoys her - as does the presence of her former partner. Things are not all rainbows and kittens for Adrian, either. He is still hung up on his ex-wife who is married to a much older man. He and his ex have a son, Tom, who lives with his mother and stepfather but Adrian is in his son's life. Adrian also tends to carry a lot guilt with him, whether deserved or not.
The Secret rarely slows down as these two investigations are explored. Both stories are interesting with a unique cast of characters. Though I’m used to violence and some gory situations in thrillers, I was a bit taken back a few times reading The Secret. It didn’t turn me off from reading it but some of the violent scenes were a little hard to read. Also, I enjoy these convoluted stories that jump around in time and give us multiple POVs because I feel it adds depth to a story. Though it is, for the most part, well done here, I did get lost a few times and had to flip back to the start of the chapter to remind myself where and when the chapter was taking place. There are one or two other minor things that bugged me but nothing that would affect my opinion of the book as a whole.
Overall, The Secret is a good book with interesting characters, intriguing multiple stories with several perspectives and time lines with a quick pace. I am eager to read the next book in the series (this did end with a bit of a cliffhanger) and, as The Secret is book two in a series, I just picked up a copy of The Teacher because I really want to know more about the two detectives and how they became a team.
When her flatmate, her upstairs neighbor and a “customer” are murdered in the brothel where she’s been working for the past six months, Bridget Reid runs for her life. She makes a desperate call to her friend Sam for help but only gets his voicemail. She is alone and in danger and knows one thing for sure: she was the intended target of the killer. In her frantic escape, she injures herself and eventually becomes so exhausted that she passes out. When Bridget awakens, groggy and confused, she discovers she is locked in a strange room. A vaguely familiar man claiming she is there for her own protection is Bridget’s only visitor. Though she is pretty much out of it, she knows enough to question this man and his story.
DS Imogen Grey and her partner DS Adrian Miles of the Exeter Police Station lead the investigation into Reid’s disappearance. As their investigation begins, the story shifts back and forth through time and from perspective to perspective. Each chapter is marked so you know when the story takes place but I still was confused a few times, especially with the present day chapters of the investigation into Bridget’s disappearance and a past case of the overdose deaths of two young women that was investigated by Imogen and her despised former partner in Plymouth, where she was previously stationed. It does not help that said despised partner is also involved in the present day case. For awhile, I wondered why Diamond was telling us these two stories. Did she just want to describe the case that led up to the attack that still haunts Imogen - or are these two investigations connected in some way?
As these cases are investigated and different characters tell the story, there is another element Diamond has added to her story. It’s a creepy and sometimes darkly fascinating part of the book: italicized chapters from an unnamed character. He is ten when his first, rather sad chapter begins but, as the chapters progress, he ages and becomes more disturbed, mainly due to his horrible father. It feels like reading the diary of a budding sociopath. I did not figure the owner of this voice until near the end of the book. It’s very unsettling to read.
I enjoyed the interaction between Imogen and Adrian; they really drive the story. I like both characters, though Imogen can slip into a hot mess at times, and I do like that she has a kind of edge to her. Also, there is a lot going on in these detectives’ lives. In the present, Imogen has returned to duty after being injured. In the past account, we are learning what lead up to the horrific attack she suffered two years ago in Plymouth. A violent, mysterious man named Dean intrigues in her the past but, in the present, her unstable mother worries and annoys her - as does the presence of her former partner. Things are not all rainbows and kittens for Adrian, either. He is still hung up on his ex-wife who is married to a much older man. He and his ex have a son, Tom, who lives with his mother and stepfather but Adrian is in his son's life. Adrian also tends to carry a lot guilt with him, whether deserved or not.
The Secret rarely slows down as these two investigations are explored. Both stories are interesting with a unique cast of characters. Though I’m used to violence and some gory situations in thrillers, I was a bit taken back a few times reading The Secret. It didn’t turn me off from reading it but some of the violent scenes were a little hard to read. Also, I enjoy these convoluted stories that jump around in time and give us multiple POVs because I feel it adds depth to a story. Though it is, for the most part, well done here, I did get lost a few times and had to flip back to the start of the chapter to remind myself where and when the chapter was taking place. There are one or two other minor things that bugged me but nothing that would affect my opinion of the book as a whole.
Overall, The Secret is a good book with interesting characters, intriguing multiple stories with several perspectives and time lines with a quick pace. I am eager to read the next book in the series (this did end with a bit of a cliffhanger) and, as The Secret is book two in a series, I just picked up a copy of The Teacher because I really want to know more about the two detectives and how they became a team.
January 2, 2021
I absolutely love this series! This is the second of the Detective Imogen Grey and Detective Adrian Miles series. What makes these books so great is that they can be read as stand alone, although they are even better read in order.
I love how Imogen's past is explored in this book, how the case of Bridget Reid links back to the case and trauma of two years ago with Imogen. What's even more unreal is how it unexpectedly links to Adrian (I was SHOCKED). I am so excited to read the next book in this series, to see what happens next now that Adrian has found out a very SHOCKING secret.
The way Katerina's books have so much betrayal and deceit is amazing, and I found myself rooting for Imogen and Dean, a man who has done unspeakable crimes. How protective he is of her, how he would do anything for her is what makes the story so unique. The story just feels so real, I just lose myself in them for hours.
I love how Imogen's past is explored in this book, how the case of Bridget Reid links back to the case and trauma of two years ago with Imogen. What's even more unreal is how it unexpectedly links to Adrian (I was SHOCKED). I am so excited to read the next book in this series, to see what happens next now that Adrian has found out a very SHOCKING secret.
The way Katerina's books have so much betrayal and deceit is amazing, and I found myself rooting for Imogen and Dean, a man who has done unspeakable crimes. How protective he is of her, how he would do anything for her is what makes the story so unique. The story just feels so real, I just lose myself in them for hours.
February 10, 2017
Having enjoyed the authors best selling debut The Teacher, I was excited to read its sequel and find out more about the mysteriously intriguing Imogen Grey. I thought this was a good story as a stand alone, although if you loved the first book it's unlikely to live up to your expectations.
The first half of the book is much better than the second, when it all became far too complex. I liked the fact the book features a strong female lead, but Imogen often comes across as flaky and hypercritical. Her partner isn't much better. Having said that, the authors attempt at crime fiction is to be applauded as she explores the dark world of sex trafficking, prostitution, murder and drug use. In fact, it should come with a trigger warning!
If there is to be a third book in the series I might read it. If not, then I'm unlikely to spend too much time dwelling on it!
The first half of the book is much better than the second, when it all became far too complex. I liked the fact the book features a strong female lead, but Imogen often comes across as flaky and hypercritical. Her partner isn't much better. Having said that, the authors attempt at crime fiction is to be applauded as she explores the dark world of sex trafficking, prostitution, murder and drug use. In fact, it should come with a trigger warning!
If there is to be a third book in the series I might read it. If not, then I'm unlikely to spend too much time dwelling on it!
February 26, 2021
Setting: Exeter, Devon, UK. In this second book featuring DS Imogen Grey, Imogen and her team are on the search for the people who supplied drugs that led to the death of two young women whilst also trying to discover the fate of undercover cop Bridget Reid, missing on assignment. As their enquiries appear to be floundering, Imogen is forced to relive the events of two years before in Plymouth, during which she nearly lost her life.....
Another excellent instalment in the series - great characters and gripping storylines - so looking forward to reading more of these, which I already have on TBR - 9/10.
Another excellent instalment in the series - great characters and gripping storylines - so looking forward to reading more of these, which I already have on TBR - 9/10.
May 3, 2020
Well I am loving this series. Dark, gripping and completely unputdownable!! I absolutely adore the miles and grey partnership and the fact that this author isn’t afraid to cover dark and gruesome details. I cannot wait to read more, see what the pair get involved in next. Definitely recommend this book, highly deserving of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 9, 2019
This is the second book in the DS Adrian Miles and DS Imogen Grey series. It’s starts with 3 gruesome murders and the chasing of an undercover police officer. The storyline zips between two years ago and links to the awful injuries that Grey received then and to the present day. There were occasions where it was a bit confusing but those issues resolved themselves as the plot unfolded. I think with this series it’s important to read them in order as there are so many crossovers from one to the other. I really like the two main characters and there are some good minor characters too that are really interesting. I liked that we find out more about Miley’s ex wife and it’s obvious that storyline will continue into the next book. We also learn who Imogen’s father is and I’m sure that be picked up where book 2 left off. Whilst I most certainly enjoyed the book I think at times that there’s a stretching of credulity but I definitely want to read the next one as the author has certainly left me wanting to know what happens next.
October 29, 2018
The Secret is another good crime read in the DS Imogen Grey series. However, I did prefer The Teacher. Although I loved the beginning of this book, I did feel I started to lose interest in the second half, hence giving it 3 stars, rather than 4. I'm looking forwarding to reading the next book at some point.
October 12, 2017
Another fantastic book I discovered through Annie @ The Misstery. The Secret is a well-plotted, smartly written, super dark novel and I enjoyed every minute of it.
This is the second book in a series, but I felt it stood really well on it’s own since I didn’t read the first book and I didn’t feel lost at all like I was afraid of. Detectives Imogen Grey and Adrian Miles are newly re-united partners investigating a double murder and a missing person. As the case progresses it begins to tie back to one of Imogen’s past cases from two years prior, one that forced her to transfer to another department. I really loved the multiple timeline storytelling. It is told by multiple POVs in the Present, 2 Years Ago, and a POV from an anonymous boy as he grows up. I loved trying to figure out who all the characters were in the anonymous POV and how everything from the past fit into the present. I love that I didn’t figure everything out half-way in like I do with so many other books in this genre.
Imogen was kind of a hard character to like most of the time, but I did enjoy her overall. I really loved her partner, Adrian! Though he was definitely not a perfect person, he was sweet and protective and smart. I loved how his relationship with Imogen was really platonic, too. I also very much loved Dean, who is a bit of an anti-hero here. At first I was a little annoyed about Imogen’s attraction to him, but I very quickly got on board with it. Love him!
Overall, I really liked The Secret. There was so much going on in it, but I felt like it was well paced and fit together really well. It does have pretty dark subject matter – I actually gasped out loud at one part and that never happens anymore – but it was balanced well enough that it’s not one of those books that just depresses you when you’re done with it. The only thing I didn’t really like was that I felt the ending was a little too open-ended. While the case was solved, there were still some loose ends that weren’t tied up. I’m sure they will be in the next book, though, which I am very excited to read.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 4 Stars
This is the second book in a series, but I felt it stood really well on it’s own since I didn’t read the first book and I didn’t feel lost at all like I was afraid of. Detectives Imogen Grey and Adrian Miles are newly re-united partners investigating a double murder and a missing person. As the case progresses it begins to tie back to one of Imogen’s past cases from two years prior, one that forced her to transfer to another department. I really loved the multiple timeline storytelling. It is told by multiple POVs in the Present, 2 Years Ago, and a POV from an anonymous boy as he grows up. I loved trying to figure out who all the characters were in the anonymous POV and how everything from the past fit into the present. I love that I didn’t figure everything out half-way in like I do with so many other books in this genre.
Imogen was kind of a hard character to like most of the time, but I did enjoy her overall. I really loved her partner, Adrian! Though he was definitely not a perfect person, he was sweet and protective and smart. I loved how his relationship with Imogen was really platonic, too. I also very much loved Dean, who is a bit of an anti-hero here. At first I was a little annoyed about Imogen’s attraction to him, but I very quickly got on board with it. Love him!
Overall, I really liked The Secret. There was so much going on in it, but I felt like it was well paced and fit together really well. It does have pretty dark subject matter – I actually gasped out loud at one part and that never happens anymore – but it was balanced well enough that it’s not one of those books that just depresses you when you’re done with it. The only thing I didn’t really like was that I felt the ending was a little too open-ended. While the case was solved, there were still some loose ends that weren’t tied up. I’m sure they will be in the next book, though, which I am very excited to read.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 4 Stars
September 23, 2020
Quite far fetched story, ridiculous dialogues, characters behaving like teenagers... DS Imogen Grey and her partner Adrian Miles are almost as dodgy as the people they are going after. I'm pretty sure there are people among the police who behave like this, but they get found out and fired, not portrayed as the "cool guys".
I listened to this on audio, and the narrator's attempts at Greek accent (for certain characters) did not help at all. Such cringe.
The plot was not particularly cohesive, and so much happened that somehow at the end was connected, and the absurd "romantic" story line was pretty much the last drop for me. I don't think I care about what happens further down the line in this series, even though some parts of the plot were left open for the future books.
I listened to this on audio, and the narrator's attempts at Greek accent (for certain characters) did not help at all. Such cringe.
The plot was not particularly cohesive, and so much happened that somehow at the end was connected, and the absurd "romantic" story line was pretty much the last drop for me. I don't think I care about what happens further down the line in this series, even though some parts of the plot were left open for the future books.
May 25, 2017
I'm a huge fan of this author - a big statement considering this is her second novel. She has creat d a really likeable main character in Imogen and I'm looking forward to book 3
The only criticism would be the time hopping - I had to check if it was present or 2 years previous because the two storylines had all the same characters.
Great story and I enjoyed the gruesome parts of the beatings and torture!
The only criticism would be the time hopping - I had to check if it was present or 2 years previous because the two storylines had all the same characters.
Great story and I enjoyed the gruesome parts of the beatings and torture!
June 23, 2018
Another great book. Looking forward to seeing what the third book is like.
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