Another excellent read in this fantastic series. Right from the start I was hooked. This book kept my interest right up until the last page.

This is already the 5th book in the series, but they just get better! I really enjoyed the book, and can't wait to see if there is perhaps another one in the series! Recommended.

When I requested this book I didn't realise it was part of a series, but as I love the other Marnie Riches books I've read I decided to read it anyway.
I like the characters of George and Van den Bergen. She is a livewire, compared to her hypochondriac boyfriend. The book is really topical, and I enjoyed it. Now I need to backtrack and read the others in the series.
Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC in which I give my honest opinion.

The Girl Who Got Revenge was another storming page turner. George and Van den Bergen are back at their very best even though the hypochondriac, Van den Bergen, is ever more determined he is rushing towards diagnosis of a terminal illness. It places his relationship with George on rocky ground again, yet when he watches an old man die right in front of his eyes it will shake the policeman to his core.

The old man’s death appears a tragic case of someone reaching the end of their days, however, at the autopsy a surprising discovery links his death to that of a second person – could there be more to his death than first thought?

Elsewhere, the police are required to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a young girl who was being smuggled through The Netherlands in the back of a truck with dozens of other refugees. The situation is highly emotive and once again Marnie Riches takes a topical plight and builds a compelling story.

I honestly cannot say enough good things about The Girl Who Got Revenge (or indeed about ALL the books in this series). These are fantastic stories, which enthrall, entertain and captivate me in equal measure. George McKenzie is the feisty lead character that I love reading about and as soon as I finish one book I start longing for her return.

Five star thrills and pure reading enjoyment.

“I’ve got Compeed, cigs and Nivea forty-eight-hour deodorant. I’m fucking unstoppable!”

If you haven’t met Georgina McKenzie by now, there is one thing about her you should know, she is the most stubborn person in the world. Finally with a PhD in criminology, she is trying to settle down with the detective Van den Bergen and finally find a home and a family, somewhere where she belongs to. But nothing comes out as she planned. Van den Bergen is a grandfather now, and he is trying to be the father he never was. When he is not playing the babysitter for his little granddaughter, he is working on a case. Her own parents are the most unreliable people in the world, her work has been declined and she is out of money. George feels like nothing can go worse.

But when a truck full of trafficked immigrants from Syria is confiscated by the Amsterdam police and a little girl is found dead, something in Georgina cracks inside. She decides to fight for the little girl, to be her voice and bring to justice the people responsible for her death. And not just her death, but to fight for the lives of many refugees who survive through hell just to get to the promised land.

Van den Bergen’s colleague from pathology, Marie, notices a strange connection among two unconnected dead bodies. Both ninety-five-years old men, both died of heart attack. The strange thing is that they both took an overdose of their regular safe medical therapy and the overdose is the one that caused the heart attack. The medications were prescribed by the same doctor. And both men had the same tattoo. The investigation takes Van den Bergen and George back to the WWII when the Jews were taken to concentration camps and very few of them managed to escape the Nazis.

Is this some kind of post-war revenge? Who is killing the old men? And who is the next victim?

Marnie Riches has made a very vivid connection between the refugees in the WWII and nowadays. In the middle of the two stories, she has built a solid criminal case to solve. It is her least creepy, but the most emotional book. Even it is number five in the row, it can perfectly stand alone. I liked George, I liked Van den Bergen and the way they worked together, on the case and out of it. I’ve read three out of five of the series and already fell in love with this dynamic duo. Sometimes George’s impulsive behavior goes on my nerves, but that’s part of her beauty. I love these series!

I have been a fan of the series featuring George (Georgina) McKenzie right from the very first book in the series and I have eagerly devoured each and every book in the series since then. Each book has been flipping brilliant so imagine my excitement when I was asked if I would like to participate in the blog tour for ‘The Girl Who Got Revenge’. Thankfully it was only witnessed by my two loopy Labradors and the happy dance I did wasn’t pretty. Anyway I digress so back to the review I do go. I had high hopes for ‘The Girl Who Got Revenge’ and I was not to be disappointed. I absolutely loved this latest book in the series but more about that in a bit.
I love the character of George McKenzie. She is one feisty, kick ass, determined and quirky young lady, who has had to beat the odds to get where she is today. Her home life was less than ideal and her mother has a funny idea of what constitutes being a good mother. George is much closer to her Aunt. George is a criminologist, who does consulting work for the police and who also writes papers and books, although her career seems to have stalled a bit in this book. However, her lover and partner Detective Inspector Paul Van Den Bergen has two interesting cases to investigate and George can’t help but take an interest. One of the cases involves the discovery of the body of a 12 old year old girl, who is suspected to be an illegal immigrant, who has been trafficked into the country. The other case involves the sudden death of some seemingly unconnected men. George works hard and uncovers some intriguing leads. George lives with Van Den Bergen but they are seriously like chalk and cheese. George is obsessed with cleanliness and order but Van Den Bergen lives like a slob and has weird and wonderful habits. George wants Van Den Bergen to show her some commitment but he wants to spend time with his daughter and his grandchild. Van Den Bergen seems to be convinced that he is going to die prematurely and George just wants him to get a grip. I think that the age gap between the two of them is just too great and cracks seem to be forming in their relationship. Who smuggled the young girl (and others) into the country? Why were the men killed? Are the two cases connected and how? Will George & Van Den Bergen crack the case? Will their relationship survive? Has Van Den Bergen got reason to worry about his health? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
I have to say that in my opinion, this book is the best of the series so far. This is one of those series’ that just gets better and better with each and every book that is released. The author’s writing style is such that you can’t fail to be drawn into the story and the author reels you in, much like a fisherman reels in a fish. The story hits the ground running and maintains the pace throughout. This book grabbed me by the throat and I was in the book’s grip until the moment I finished reading. There were so many things that I liked about the book. I loved the fact that the topical issue of people trafficking was dealt with in such an honest but also sensitive way. I also liked the fact that the other case dealt with recent Dutch history. The author uses such powerful and vivid descriptions that the book seemed to come alive and I really did feel as though I was part of the story. ‘The Girl Who Got Revenge’ certainly evoked some strong emotions from me. I found myself shouting at the book in frustration and disgust at the people traffickers and at certain events that happened during the Second World War, I found myself wanting to slap Detective Paul Van Den Bergen across the face with a wet fish to give him a reality check and tell him to get a grip regarding his own health, I found myself siding with George when she felt torn as to how she felt about her relationship and well you get the picture. Reading ‘The Girl Who Got Revenge’ was like riding on one hell of a scary rollercoaster with lots of scary twists, turns and moments that leave you speechless and breathless. There were also moments where I almost had to read through my fingers because I feared for the safety of George and Detective Van Den Bergen.
In short, I absolutely bloody well loved reading ‘The Girl Who Got Revenge’ and I wholeheartedly recommend it, this series and this author to other readers. As I mentioned before, this is the best book of the series so far and this is one series that just gets better and better. I have read and adored each and every book that Marnie Riches has released and she is one hell of a writer. The score on the Ginger Book Geek is a well deserved 5* out of 5* although I really wish I could have awarded it 10* out of 5* because I loved it so very much.

This is the 5th book in the Georgina McKenzie series but the first that I have read. I enjoyed the story but think I would have got more from it if I had read the previous books, which I will go back and do.

Amsterdam police discover trafficked Syrians in a produce lorry, most seriously ill and a 12 year old girl dead. Criminologist Georgina is called into help the police solve this and determine if the death of an old man in a doctors surgery are connected.

I like the character of Georgina, she is tough, from a crazy family and works hard.

Thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions

I have missed George and it was fabulous to be back in her company and that of her ageing and frustrating beau, Van den Bergen. Trust me when I tell you that the extract above is just a snippet of the brilliance you are going to get when you tuck into this novel.

Don't be fooled into thinking that this book is just another commentary on the sad plight of refugees and the awful conditions they endure in order to seek out a new life. It absolutely is all of that but then so much, much more. Touching on some highly emotive subjects, the death of the young girl is just one of the issues addressed in the novel and Marnie Riches has a knack of taking these current affairs and making them fresh and relevant without preaching, providing readers will both a sense of the injustice faced by the characters but also an overwhelmingly brilliant read. The death is not dwelt upon but its impact resonates throughout the novel, driving on Van den Bergen to seek justice as he considers how he would feel if it was his own granddaughter who had died.

The secondary thread, that of the old man who died in the Doctor's waiting room, right in front of Van den Bergen in fact, leads the reader in an altogether different direction. It is surprising and yet strikingly familiar and the way in which the stories are concluded is brilliant. Thrilling, edge of your seat, hold your breath kind of action which sees the whole team in grave danger. I can't really say too much about this without spoilers but let's just say it is another very topical and very well written story. There are passages from an old diary which I think are extremely well written, informing the story and ultimately driving the final scenes which are so very explosive in content. 

Well - explosive and bloody funny. You'll be on tenterhooks waiting to see if George and Van den Bergen can fight their way out of their predicament, but by god, you will chuckle at the method that George employs to give herself a fighting chance. This probably has to go down as the most impressive and creative use of blister plasters I have ever seen in a novel. Can't say I expect it to be repeated.

I love the characters of George and Van den Bergen. Both are stubborn and determined in the extreme and while George is obsessed with cleanliness, Van den Bergen is obsessed with hypochondria. Perhaps he has cause, his health being brought into focus in this book in particular, but just how serious it all is you will have to read to find out, won't you? The one thing that the pair, so perfectly matched in the most unexpected of ways, is perhaps less obsessed with is their own relationship. They seem at odds and it makes for some very difficult moments between them.

The rest of the gang are there too. Aunty Sharon and George's mother Letitia, less visible in this book that in some of the others but still impacting or colouring George's life, much to her dismay. Plus we have the old faithfuls of Elvis and Marie supporting Van den Bergen's search for a killer. Elvis, minus his trademark hair, is struggling still with events from a few months before and to be fair, if you have read the last book, you can hardly blame him. Marie is as 'fragrant' as ever, but between the pair of them you have a terrific level of support for Van den Bergen and George and they blend perfectly.

I wish I could say more about this book but to do so would give too much away. I will just finish by saying that it is an absolutely superb addition to the series, full of twists, turns, poignant moments, dark humour and edge of the seat action and all in Marnie Riches unique style, one which I have grown to be a very big fan of. If you love the series you will love this book. At the risk of sounding like I'm auditioning for the role of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz I will just say this to sum it all up - Lions and racists and boars! Oh my.

But oh that ending ... What? Really? You'd leave us like that? Evil Ms Riches, evil. I can only hope this means there is, perhaps, still much more to come?

Seriously guys. Go and read it and once you have we can talk. 

Love it.

at first i wasn’t sure if i was going to like this book, it is the 5th in the series and there’s obviously a lot of character development been done. however, i did really enjoy it and i shall read the back catalogue to it.

the story is fast moving and very intriguing.

many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was another great addition to the Georgina McKenzie thriller series and picks up where the previous novel left off. To fully appreciate the nuances of the story it would be better to have read the earlier novels first.
I really love George- she is a feisty heroine who is both brave and clever. Still conducting her long distance affair with Chief Inspector Van Den Bergen she is not as happy as she once was. Van Den Bergen continues to work for the Amsterdam police whereas George has lost her tenure at Cambridge as well as her book deal. Even though she is a renowned criminologist she is not earning any money. Her family including her newly discovered father and her rather strange mother are staying with her aunt whilst George moves between Holland and the Uk.
Van Den Bergen will not commit to her- he is too caught up in his work and his own family, daughter Tamara and baby granddaughter Eva. He wants George but won’t buy a house with her either in Amsterdam or in UK.
Whilst in Amsterdam they get involved investigating a trafficking ring as well as the suspicious deaths of some elderly men who were 2nd World War heroes. They then discover an old diary and the past and the present look set to collide as they investigate.
This is a compelling read; the plot linking the past and present was interesting and I didn’t guess what was going to happen as the author wrote so skilfully.
The character development was good, particularly George’s uneasiness over her relationship with Van Den Bergen. Despite the massive age gap they are very in tune and have criminal investigations in common. However George needs commitment now and Van Den Bergen is not sure he can give it.
I also liked his character development, his health worries and hypochondria also added humour to an otherwise serious book.
I enjoyed the setting of Amsterdam and the 2nd World War part of the plot was interesting.
If you’ve read the others in the series you will definitely enjoy this and if you haven’t you have a real treat in store. Slightly reminiscent of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo this series is going to do well when it is published in paperback.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

Gritty thriller with the the trademark Marnie wit and detail. It';s a meaty one again with trafficking and mysterious deaths being the filling and the bread the characters who are well developed and fully formed - the whole thing forming one meaty filled crime thriller.
Amsterdam police discover a load of trafficked Syrians in a lorry, and most of them are seriously sick with a 12 year old girl dead. This case takes on another twistier turn when cold cases come home to roost and things start to merge ...
Novels like this don't come around very often - I mean ones where the first bite is as satisfying as the last. There's action, detail, mystery and gritty subjects to chew over but it's very satisfying throughout. The theme of trafficking is very relevant in todays's climate and Marnie does her magic to make some references to the past.
There's lots to like here and I just hope there is more to come!

Is a 12 year old dead at the airport and an old man at a surgery. Let’s hope George McKenzie figures it out because it will be all over
I’ve got this from Netgallery

Another brilliant read with our favourite Georgina, her long suffering old man lover, her crazy mum, dependable Aunty and doting father. I think I live chaotically. That's nothing compared to our heroine in this book. There's an acknowledgement to 10 years of crazy adventures and Georgina is looking for more stability. There's a wistfulness as you can see her maturing, but still not having found her place in the world. I stayed up late into the night to finish it, but sincerely hope we haven't heard the last of her!

Thank you Net Galley. I am very glad I signed up. I have found many new authors that I would have missed otherwise. Marnie Riches has written a wonderful mystery that holds your interest all through. A must read.

The Girl Who Got Revenge Marnie Riches

I still can't believe that these books have never been available in print. They have to be one of the best euro-crime series ever written and are definitely the cream of the current crop.

The Girl Who Got Revenge sees the return of Dr Georgie McKenzie and Police Inspector Paul Van den Bergen in the 5th book in the series.

George is the OCD clean freak who has a PhD in Criminology from Cambridge, not a bad achievement for a mixed-race girl from a rough London Council Estate.

Her life partner Paul is a lot older than her, and is a veteran of the Amsterdam Police, he's also a raving hypochondriac.

What a team they make.

In this book George is struggling with her own family and with Pauls. She wants him to commit to a relationship, he seems to want to spend more time with his daughter and new granddaughter.

Just when things are getting twitchy between the pair a new investigation throws them back together.

A lorry is stopped in the port of Amsterdam. On board, amongst the 50 Syrian refugees being smuggled into the country, is a dead girl.

Van den Bergen and his team are tasked with identifying the people responsible for running the trafficking ring.

At the same time, it becomes apparent that somebody is killing a group of men who became heroes as part of the Dutch Résistance during World War 2

It soon becomes apparent that Van den Bergen's new boos is not his biggest fan and he gets side-lined from the investigations but, in his usual style, carries on with it in his own time.

By doing this he steps outside the protection offered by the Police force and puts himself, George, and his family in danger.

Meanwhile George becomes engrossed in the investigation into the death of the war heroes. The discovery of a diary written by a young woman during the war tells the story of the small band of résistance fighters, and her love for one of them.

This is a really clever bit of writing by Marnie Riches. She uses the two cases to draw parallels between the plight of refugees from war torn countries of today, with the plight of Dutch Jews during the German Occupation of World War 2.

As the two investigations continue their paths cross. Could modern day neo Nazi's really be smuggling Syrian Immigrants into Europe, and if so why.

Before the end of the book some of the characters are put at mortal risk.

Will everybody survive?

I said at the start of this blog that this series is the cream of the current crop of euro-crime thrillers. I read the acknowledgments at the end of the book and it almost felt like a farewell.

I hope not.

George McKenzie is a brilliant character. The stories she has been involved in are very much on topic for today's illicit activities.

Marnie Riches has written 5 books, in this series. They are all brilliant. And they are all about to be published in Paperback.

So if you are no fan of the e-reader, now you'll be able to read the lot in hardcopy

Pages: 282
Published by Avon
Publishing date UK: 19th April 2018.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books UK for an advance copy of The Girl Who Got Revenge, the fifth novel to feature criminologist Dr Georgina "George" McKenzie and her partner inspector Paul Van den Bergen of the Amsterdam police.

Amsterdam police discover a load of trafficked Syrians in a produce lorry, most seriously ill and a 12 year old girl dead. Van den Bergen drafts George in as a consultant and together they work this case and an off the books investigation into the deaths of three old men who died of heart attacks in mysterious circumstances.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Girl Who Got Revenge which has a twisty plot with plenty of surprises and some great characterisation. The theme of trafficking is very relevant in the current political climate but Ms Riches put her own, unusual spin on it with some very pointed references to the past. They make for interesting reading and got me thinking about things I had rather taken for granted in a different way. No matter how these ideas make you think there is no escaping the truism that the past casts a long shadow.

It is difficult to discuss the plot without issuing spoilers so all I will say is that it is well done with all the various strands dovetailing together gradually and naturally as the novel goes on, leading to an action packed finale. It held my attention throughout.

The characterisation is excellent with the ongoing car crash that is the McKenzie/Van den Bergen relationship featuring prominently. She is looking for a joint mortgage, he is too busy running after his daughter and granddaughter. I love the portrayal of Van den Bergen as the hypochondriac, older man unable to understand where George is coming from and looking to postpone any discussion. George, on the other hand, knows exactly what she wants but has a few obstacles in her way, like no job and no money, never mind Van den Bergen's evasiveness. She is a firecracker, constantly simmering and well able to stand up for herself to the point of rudeness. Much of this is down to her dysfunctional family and upbringing but it doesn't stop her being an unpredictable and exciting character.

The Girl Who Got Revenge is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

I have read all of the previous books in the series. I am delighted to have read this new one! The books are engaging and well written. I would recommend reading the other books in the series first. Whilst you could read as a standalone, having some of the previous context would make this even more engaging. Thank you for the opportunity to read the book