Burning Greed

DI Tanya Miller #2

by Diane M. Dickson

The investigation into a warehouse fire turns into a murder inquiry when a woman’s body is found in the debris.

Forensics quickly establish foul play is involved. Now fully in charge of her team, DI Tanya Miller investigates, but her efforts are thwarted by a family problem that demands immediate attention. Her niece has gone missing, and her distraught sister is adamant Tanya help find her.

Juggling the two is difficult. Left to their own devices, her team are making little progress on understanding the cause of the warehouse fire. The building owner has proved elusive, and his wife is backing him up. There is some suggestion of shady dealings exporting luxury motors, but nothing substantial and nothing pointing to a motive for murder.

Whilst her team tries to understand what happened to the dead woman, who it turns out worked on the streets and was involved in drugs, Tanya is trying to understand what has happened to her niece – hopefully still alive. The contrast in their backgrounds could not be starker, but is her sister’s daughter the angel that her parents believe her to be?

One thing is certain, Tanya is under pressure to get results, and it will take all of her wits to come out on top. A killer is on the loose, but discovering who and why will take a lot of brainpower and womanpower, and a little bit of help from luck.

BURNING GREED is the second murder mystery to feature DI Tanya Miller. It can be enjoyed entirely on its own as a standalone, but readers will also enjoy the first book, BROKEN ANGEL.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

251 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 18, 2018

About the author

English. Love writing - love reading. Feel very lucky and amazed to have books published.

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book with a feisty hero(ine)

The story starts off well and never slows down. The conversations are real sounding and people do well and don’t do so well.

No one is infallible in the book but you can’t help but dislike the older sister, even if things are horrid for her.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

BURNING GREED: a gripping murder mystery, full of suspense (DI Tanya Miller investigates Book 2) by Diane M. Dickson is a crime mystery story-where we follow DI Tanya Miller who investigates a horrible murder along with her team. I was a definitely frustrated with a few of the characters and I wanted to give them a good shake and sometimes a little something else. I felt that some of them didn’t have the development needed to make the story stronger but that may come in other books in the series.

With mayhem and mystery, drama and intrigue, and high strung emotions and the team striving to catch a killer gives a thriller feeling. I have not read this first book in this series but didn’t feel I was missing anything. It is a game of cat and mouse and a whodunit story with a side story of DI Millers family drama, her missing niece. The story is well thought out and is an intriguing read that certainly keeps you on your toes.

DI Miller is feeling the pressure when in the middle of a murder investigation her niece goes missing. Even though she is kept in the loop with the investigation but it’s not the same as being there. Will she find her niece before it’s too late? Will they be able to piece it all together before anyone else is murdered?

I look forward to seeing where the story goes.

[Ted Tayler · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Thrills and spills"

Plenty of action in the Midlands and Scotland. Tanya Miller finds her loyalties split between her team and her family. An interesting development for the lead character. This series has a way to run yet I think. Good thriller.

[Anita Rodgers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burning Greed is a bit different from other Dickson novels I’ve read (and I’ve not read the first in the series, so may have to go back and read that) so I was a bit surprised to discover it was a police procedural.

The story contains two mysteries – one of an arsonist/murderer and the other of the MC’s, DI Tanya Miller, missing niece. In fact, one case interferes with the other and so provides an interesting complication into the story. Personally, I found the missing niece aspect of the story most interesting as it delved a bit more into Tanya’s personal life, revealed her humanity more and introduced us to her annoying and somewhat ditsy sister. The other mystery of the arsonist I was less invested in because there really wasn’t any way I could try to guess who the perpetrator was. There were suspects but before you got to know who they were or much about them, they disappeared or died. LOL – as a reader, I like to have a fighting chance at guessing whodunit.

Although DI Miller is a competent and sharp detective, I found her a little hard to relate to – she’s mostly all business and seems a bit stuck in the favoritism shown her sister, when she was a child. But I’m sure as the series continues, we will learn more about her. Maybe she’ll even save a cat.

As is always the case in Dickson novels, the story is well-crafted, well-written, fast-paced and a good read. If you like British police procedurals, you will likely enjoy Burning Greed.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Main character is unlikeable

I could never sympathize with the character and really didn't care if she was able to solve the crime or keep her job. Doubt if I'll read any more in the series.

[Lyn Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tanya Miller is just like you or I, she's up to her eyeballs in debt, with a mountain of family issues and feels like she's being torn in a million different places career wise. Well that is she's also different in one important factor, she's hunting down a killer. Miller is a complicated character and shows us just how difficult life can get.

I enjoyed this read because of how relatable all the characters were

[Jim Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery Suspense

The reading pace was the same as the suspense level as tge narrative. A great contrast to typicsl stories. The overall story line was great. It was really hsrd to predict the outcome. A finely woven tale with no foul language or sexual encounters. A good tale can be accomplished without sex and violence.

[Mary E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

I enjoy a good mystery and this one was pretty good. I do wish the characters had been a little better developed but all in all it was entertaining.

[Jerry B · Rating 3 out of 5]

We tend to like British police procedurals, inciting us to the opportunity to sample Diane Dickson’s DI Tanya Miller – “Burning Greed” the second story in her currently 5-book set. The plot involves two totally unrelated matters, the main problem involving a warehouse fire that reveals a dead body almost surely a murder victim. Tanya is apparently now in charge of her own law enforcement team, as her mentor and former boss Charlie is being promoted to another post; so she wants to do well with her first major case as the new supervisor. Unfortunately, as soon as that investigation launches, she gets a frantic call from Scotland from her older, but estranged, sister who says that her daughter Serena (Tanya’s late-teenaged niece) is missing; she of course wants Tanya to get up there to find her. Despite the horrible timing with the important case at work, Tanya reluctantly travels up there and amidst some messy family issues works that predicament informally since of course there she has no official jurisdiction.

So will the niece be found and the warehouse murder solved? We were actually more impressed with the results of the former rather than the rather straightforward outcome of the latter. It seems any accomplished arson squad would have solved the murder mystery virtually immediately, even though the clues presented in the plot were hardly revealing. Since we really weren’t all that enchanted with the protagonist herein, nor feel that the plot was that well-crafted, not to mention a totally unexpected and irritating cliffhanger at the end, we believe we’ll pass on DI Miller’s future installments… {2.5}

[Anna Willett · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enthralling mystery featuring DI Tanya Miller. This time Tanya and her team are called to the scene of a fire where a woman’s body is found burned beyond recognition. The story moves quickly and DI Miller is torn between family drama and an unsolved murder. Trying to juggle a prickly relationship with her sister, an online shopping addiction (I can relate) and the pressures of being in charge of a murder investigation, Tanya sifts her way through the leads to discover the terrible truth behind the murder.
I thoroughly enjoyed Burning Greed and relished getting to know more about DI Miller and what makes her tick. Another wonderfully written book by one of my favourite mystery authors. Highly recommend.

[Wilma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started this book ambivalent. I hate the name Tanya. Don't know why. The story was distracting. First a fire and a dead body inside then Tanya get distracted when her not beloved sister calls to tell her that her daughter is missing. Tanya goes to help her sister's family, finds the girl and comes back to the original investigation.

Not a fan. Probably won't read another chapter of this series.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author, I enjoyed it from beginning to end. This is a suspense story that pulled me in from the first page. The characters brought the story to life. I will be going back to read the previous books in this series as DI Miller is an interesting character. This story has two different cases going on at the same time, a murder and a missing persons. DI Miller has determination in solving these cases. I highly recommend reading this book, find out if she does.

[David Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Diane has managed to turn quite an ordinary mishap into a thrilling mystery. There's a fabulous blend of characters, cleverly woven into a twisty tale. I found I really couldn't put this down- I know we say that a lot about books that we read, but in this case, it was very genuine.

If you like a well written, engaging book that you won't want to end - this is for you.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

DI Tanya Miller leads the investigation into a warehouse fire which turns into a murder inquiry when a body is discovered. Unforunately for her, her sister, Fiona in Edinburgh, demands her presence when her daughter goes missing.
An enjoyable story which is hampered for me by an unlikeable main character and her awful sister.

[Carol Holder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story line

I read book three,four and five first before reading book two. DI Tanya does good work along with her team but at times she appears to be a one man army which is a bit off putting and takes away from the story. She is always thinking about calling for backup but never does which takes a bit from the story and she always ends up injured. All in all good story.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad police procedural .

Not a bad police procedural - it was a pretty good plot. I did not like the main character which made it hard to like the book. The sub plot with the sister was annoying.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Burning Greed is book two in the DI Tanya Miller Investigates series by Diane M. Dickson. This is a crime and investigation story- with police procedural elements, drama, suspense, some intrigue, tension, and some fast-paced ‘action’. This may be the second book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. The cover and the title really drew me to this book, and as Ms. Miller is a new-to-me author, I was also excited to explore her work. Having now read this book, I will definitely continue with the rest of this series, as well as going back and reading book one.
The story follows DI Tanya Miller as she investigates her latest case. One of arson and murder- but Ms. Dickson doesn’t stop there- adding another mystery for Tanya to solve, one that hits close to home, as her niece has gone missing. So, this book is really more like two stories in one- with plenty going on to hold your interest. The story is well constructed, with an intriguing plot. There were surprising developments which I didn’t see coning, and I was left guessing ‘whodunit’ right till the reveal.
I found it a little difficult to connect with Tanya at the beginning, which frustrated me, because I always want to feel drawn to my MC’s and invest in them and their story. But little by little, I began to warm up to her, and by the end I came to understand her much better than at the beginning. I am hoping that as I continue the series, I will be able to invest in her more. But don’t get me wrong, this didn’t prevent me from enjoying the story and trying to predict how everything would play out in the end. I look forward to reading the rest of this series, as well as exploring any other work/s by Ms. Dickson.

Thank you, Diane M. Dickson.

[Laura Furuta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burning Greed (DI Tanya Miller Investigates Book 2)
By Diane M Dickson
5 out of 5 stars

The story Burning Greed (DI Tanya Miller Investigates Book 2) by Diane M Dickson is a thrilling crime fiction book. The story has an atmosphere of suspense and I found myself on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. I enjoyed reading about the character of DI Tanya Miller. She is strong, independent, and intelligent. Tanya finds herself pulled between two cases. One in which a woman’s body was found in the debris of a fire and the disappearance of her niece. Will Tanya find her niece? Will she find out why the woman was in the fire? Read this book to find out. I loved that this story had great details regarding the case, and I felt like I was right there with Tanya and the others while they are investigating. Tanya is someone who is sharp, resourceful, and willing to take chances to solve cases. She will not give up until she solves whatever case she is on and I could feel her frustration when little progress is made. There are other characters that you are introduced to. Many of them work with Tanya. Some of the others are part of a rouge’s gallery of suspects and witnesses that must be interviewed. I enjoyed trying to solve this mystery. Don’t miss out on a story that will hook you in from the beginning and not let you go until the final page. I highly recommend reading it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burning Greed is the 2nd book in the DI Tanya Miller Investigates series by Diane M Dickson. I did not read the first book, but still enjoyed this one, so it can be a stand alone. There are some suggestions toward previous cases, and it likely lays the groundwork for the character relationship dynamics, but it is written in a way that you can hop into the series. The book follows Tanya Miller, as her team investigate a warehouse fire. She takes a small detour to help search for her missing niece, leaving her feeling torn between work and family. She has a solid team she feels comfortable leaving her friend Charlie in charge, but is eager to get back to her case. Upon returning, she sees there is not much progress made, and is feeling the pressure. There are a lot of pieces, but they don't seem to even fit together in the same puzzle. Could it just be coincidence, or is there a missing piece? I like the writing style and the characters. There is enough detail and mystery to keep the reader hooked. I look forward to reading more.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

BURNING GREED: a gripping murder mystery, full of suspense (DI Tanya Miller investigates Book 2) by Diane M. Dickson, 5 stars.

This is a very good suspense/murder mystery story. Tanya and her team of investigators must solve the case of a body found in a burned out building. At the same time, Tanya's niece goes missing. While her focus is on the murder victim, she finally decides to go look into her niece's disappearance. The multiple things happening between the two cases means there is never a dull moment. On top of that, there is Tanya herself. She feels she needs to prove herself in her job, and struggles with the family she has left.

The characters are written very well, they seem like real people. While some of them annoy me more than others, I believe this was done on purpose. There is room for them to grow and I cannot wait to see their progression in future books. The story has so much going on, you will not be bored for an instant. You will be left somewhat happens next until the end.

If you are a fan of suspense or murder mysteries where the police try to solve what is going on, then this book is for you.

[Erik Empson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are two concurrent mysteries in this book. In the first, DI Tanya Miller (introduced in BROKEN ANGEL), is on the hunt for the arsonist who caused a warehouse fire, which becomes a murder investigation when a woman's body is found in the building; in the second, the same detective tries to find her niece who has gone missing. Although the two stories aren't related, they develop the complexity of Miller as a character, showing how much she wants to distance herself from her past life and succeed in her chosen career. In this respect she is an atypical heroine, but a good one. A woman who has made it in a man's world, who will resist being made to play second fiddle to anyone. But she still has feelings, which give her the drive to solve the mysteries despite facing serious obstacles. A good read.

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I initially cracked the binding of this book, I thought i had it solved within the first few pages. which I believe is where the author wanted my mind to go. THEN as the story unfolded and I was 100% wrong with what I thought. THAT'S the sign of a good story.

I go back and forth on this one. It was extremely detailed but the as the story unfolded I lost my compassion for the female protagonist. It seemed like there were a lot of unnecessary risks (and yes, I am aware this is fiction) taken that could have ended very different.

The characters are well developed and with the exception of a few little hiccups (which could have been the mental space I was in), the story flowed well from beginning to end. I had very little empathy while reading the story but it was a decent tale to escape into on a snowy day.
****

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

BURNING GREED: a gripping murder mystery, full of suspense by Diane Dickson is the second book in the DI Tanya Miller Investigates series. I had not read the first book and enjoyed this one immensely. This can be read as a standalone but I'm sure it is even better having the first book already read. Tanya Miller is up to her eyeballs with two cases. First is an arson investigation bringing out the worst about people. The second is her missing niece her sister is frantic to find. Can Tanya keep it all together and solve both cases?
I really enjoyed the story and the characters. The story kept me reading because I had to know what was going on between both cases. I also enjoyed Tanya and the secondary characters. This is a good read that kept me up late one night reading. I look forward to catching more from this author in the future.

[Erica Fish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burning Greed by Diane M Dickson is my first book by this author. I found her writing style to be flowing and suspenseful. She kept me on the edge of my seat. DI Miller character drew me into the story. I felt like I was with her throughout the investigations. DI Miller is torn between her job as a fire investigation and being an aunt. What an impossible decision to make? Will DI Miller’s team be able to investigate the murder? Will DI Miller locate her niece before anything happens to her? Will there be dirt coming out of the investigations that DI Miller cannot hide? I highly recommend this story. I know I am going to read the other stories written by Diane M Dickson.

[Dawn Daughenbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Star
Burning Greed (DI Tanya Miller Investigates Book 2) by Diane M Dickson is a suspense story that had me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what happens next. I couldn’t put it down till the end once I started reading. This story has two different cases going on at the same time. One a women’s body was found in the debris of a fire and the second one is the disappearance of her neice. Can she find her neice? Can she find out why the woman was in the fire? Find out what happens next in this absolute must read. I look forward to reading more from this Author.

[vickieallred · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

Great believable characters, good writing, and an interesting tale. I enjoyed reading this book. The story dealt with very real family problems and crimes that happen in every day living during this age and time. Sad but true. I enjoyed the tale and the ending was great. To be continued the family drama.

[Heather Lovelace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dickson puts together a gripping suspense that keeps the reader guessing. I had not read anything else in the series before picking this up but will go back and catch up after reading this installment. Crime/suspense lovers will enjoy this caper. From beginning to end I found the detail captivating and the characters interesting. Very enjoyable read and one I will recommend to others.

[Mirela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burning Greed (DI Tanya Miller Investigates Book 2) by Diane M Dickson was a thrilling read! I would give this book a four out of five stars. I love a good murder mystery. I enjoyed the variety of characters. I am used to murder mysteries on tv but I enjoy the challange of reading one. I loved the complexity of the book in regards to having two crimes taking place at the same time.

[Kim Caron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Off to the 3rd

- love there was two cases in one book;
- love that it involved a family member in one of them;
The last paragraph definitely got me hooked to go read the 3rd book of DI Tanya Miller Investigates.
Second time, I feel like im watching Ncsi or csi when Im reading her books hehe great read

[Stuart Pretty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Plot was believable and kept my attention all the way through. Quite like a book based in UK for a change especially as I recognise place, makes it all the more believable. Want to read more of these books.