This is the third book in the series, and they just get better and better. The investigation of a mugging turns out to be not a normal mugging and nothing is as it seems! Recommended.

I was very confused by this book. One of the police officers would go and interview a witness who would say, "Chris liked blue". The police officer would then report back that Chris despised blue, had a restraining order against the colour and only ever wore red. So I'd go flicking back through the book seeing if I'd missed a page or misunderstood; but no, there was simply no continuity. Then why would Frankie lose her close friendship with her boss because she didn't reveal she hadn't spoken to the victim when he called? Eh? There was a great deal that didn't make any sense and a great deal of assumptions made on facts that had not, in fact, been presented to the reader in evidence. I plodded through because having a free copy from NetGalley, it's the right thing to do. I think there was a good story in there somewhere but the entire thing would benefit from a jolly good edit by an experienced editor.

This is the first book I have read by this author and this is apparently the final book of a three book series. Fortunately it stands on its own and I did not feel I was missing anything but I will look out for the first two books because the relationship between DCI Stone and DS Frankie Oliver is an interesting one. The plot is a sound one which thickens as we delve further into the book. The pace is good, but perhaps the story is wrapped up a little too fast? The setting is one I have a little knowledge of and that always adds to the interest of a story as I was able to visualise the areas that were explored.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Mari Hannah/Orion Publishing for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Scandal, the third novel in the Newcastle based detectives DCI David Stone and DS Frankie Oliver series is startlingly good. The descriptions of the Newcastle and surrounding areas were one of the aspects of the novel that initially attracted me, as it's close to where I live and grew up.

This wonderful piece of writing was action-packed, creating a tense, anticipatory buzz that pulsated throughout, with concurrent story-lines that were equally entertaining. Just as I was recovering from one reveal, another came along and I would say that the dynamics are some of the greatest I've ever read. The Scandal was an excellent, suspenseful police procedural that made my heart race.

Not only was the plot superb and perfectly executed, but also the characters were beautifully drawn..This novel had everything a good thriller should have. It was all extremely authentic with police procedures portrayed with realism and belief and I really appreciated the attention to the finer details. In this third instalment, Mari Hannah has woven a complex, first-rate thriller - it held my attention from the first page to the last. Highly recommended and a truly worthwhile read.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Orion Publishing Group via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

I’ve managed to read the other titles in this series. They were all very good. This one is the best so far and sets the bar even higher. The different twists and plots sustain interest and with the good pace of the book retains the reader to the end. Highly recommended.

Frankie Stone is shocked to discover that the victim of what appears a random stabbing in the centre of Newcastle is her childhood friend Chris Adams. Adams was working as a journalist but had mentioned to colleagues that he was investigating something big that would make his name. As Stone and her partner DI Oliver look more closely into the case they find links to a missing woman and a potential scandal in the care system but can they make it stick?
Hanah is a good writer and knows her stuff but at times I found this book a little repetitive. There are some recurring characters who made more of a showing such as Ben and some interesting new characters, I would like to see if Ryland appears in any more novels. As ever the plot is tight and clever although the ending seemed to happen very quickly in comparison to the rest of the book, I can't complain.

This is #3 in the Oliver and Stone series by Mari Hannah….

Frankie Oliver is called to a murder scene, this one is a shock as she knows the victim...a childhood friend…

They find he was a journalist, working on a big story….does this have anything to do with his death ?…..Oliver and Stone think there is more to this than a violent robbery.

Frankie is a likeable character, with a love of her job and is a strong woman in a still mainly male dominated profession. The relationship with her colleague, Stone feels genuine, with the gentle banter and honesty they have with each other…..neither afraid to say exactly what they think…

The Scandal has great attention to detail and is a clever mix of police procedural and thriller, with a human touch. Clever plot and a thoughtful, engaging read….I’ll be looking out for the next in the series, for sure.

I would like to thank the Author/the Publishers/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review

4.5*

Each Oliver and Stone book gets better and here, in the third, we are thrown straight into a tense scene with Nancy desperately trying to get away before her absence is spotted but she soon realises someone is following her.

Then a body is found in a Newcastle side street, a young man stabbed to death. Oliver and Stone are on the case but it’s a bit personal for Frankie because this is a childhood friend and neighbour – Chris Adams.

In this a beautifully woven story we follow the investigation as it leads to what Chris was writing an expose on and brings into danger someone very close to the two officers.

The cast of supporting characters are being brought more into this story which makes for a more interesting storyline as we can veer, at times, away from the strict police procedural to add layers and depth to the story.

Another wonderful and well written book which will keep you gripped and and leave you wanting more of these terrific books.

Third in the complex and thrilling DCI Stone & DS Stone police procedural series set in the North East of England. This a great Geordie partnering that just gets better + better. The plot follows the legwork investigation into what appears to be a random tragic mugging in Newcastle City Centre night out just before Xmas, which is anything but. Another great read, one not to be missed.

Having not read anything by Mari Hannah before I was intrigued by this story line of how a police officer deals with solving a crime when she knows the victim, and I was utterly transfixed from start to finish as the story builds up the tension with ease as the wonderful pair of DS Frankie Oliver and DCI David Stone work through what little information they have to crack the case.

This is the 3rd book in the series and I am eager to go back and read the first two as the main characters are such a great team. They have their own back stories and issues, but their focus is to solve this terrible murder, and with very little to go on they are often left grasping at straws to find the links between the victim and why someone would murder him.

The victim, Chris Adams, is a reporter at a local paper and had been working on a story that he said would shock many, but he hadn't discussed his findings with anyone which makes their task even tougher. He was also using shorthand for his notes, so this meant that they had to be deciphered to help them in their investigation. And with the past shared between Chris and Frankie, I found this to be an interesting element especially as they hadn't spoken in years but he was giving the impression to his family that they were still close.

The action is pulsating throughout and and it's clear that they are treading on some very dangerous toes at times and getting the proof they need becomes a very risky business. An excellent read and wonderfully written characters!

I’m a huge fan of this series and I was very excited to read more from this wonderful author. Once again the author has written a fantastic, gripping book in what is becoming one of my favourite crime series.

Firstly the opening chapter in this book is utterly brilliant and hard hitting. The reader is immediately intrigued by the image of the woman running from an unknown threat, which brings lots of unanswered questions to your mind. The terror the woman is feeling is almost palpable and sent a shiver down my spine as I wondered what had happened. It helps to set the tone perfectly for the rest of this tense and atmospheric book.

The central partnership of Stone and Oliver just goes from strength to strength and I thoroughly enjoyed reading more about them. The relationship they have just seems to gel based as it is on mutual respect and trust. I loved the banter that exists between them and the fact that they can go from laughing with each other to being deadly serious when they needed to be.

The investigation concerning what happened to Adam was very intriguing and I enjoyed watching it unfold. The investigation seemed very realistic with no coincidences suddenly jumping out at you. Due to the lack of witnesses or forensic evidence the police have to build a case pretty much from scratch. It was fascinating to watch how they do that and how they discover links between things.

This book is incredibly gripping, fast paced and hugely enjoyable. I alternated between wanting to read more to find out what happens and wanting to slow down to savour this fabulously written crime book. I so hope there will be more books in this series!

Huge thanks to Alianna from Orion for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book via Netgalley. If you are looking for a fantastic crime series then you need to read these books!

Following The Lost and The Insider , both of which are really high-calibre police procedurals, we have now arrived at The Scandal, the third book featuring DCI David Stone and DS Frankie Oliver. I’m probably drawing on the biggest review cliché in the world, but this really is a series that goes from strength to strength…

Apart from the superlative structure of Mari Hannah’s books, and her remarkably fluid storytelling, that seems to just hold the reader in her palm of her hand, there are always additional layers of interest in every book. Too often police procedurals are a very linear affair, which probably is my main reason for avoiding most of them, but I am always singularly impressed how Hannah, in a similar way to the Scandinavian tradition of crime writing, throws a penetrating light on social issues, and spotlights those who suffer most in our unequal and unfair society. She achieves this not through soapbox posturing, but by carefully constructing her characters to reflect the effects of these problems in society, and the status quo, so we can make our own judgement call on them. In this book there are some big issues at the forefront of our duo’s investigation, bound up with homelessness, press corruption, and the abuse and exploitation of the elderly- weighty issues that are handled clear-sightedly and sensitively throughout. As a reader that enjoys the ability of crime fiction to more truthfully reflect and explore societal issues, Hannah’s books always hit the spot for this very reason.

Now before you start thinking that this all sounds a bit serious, I’ll throw into the mix the strength of Hannah’s characterisation too, particularly in relation to Stone and Oliver themselves. Their working and personal relationship is a wondrous thing, punctuated by humour, professional respect and periods of complete harmony in how they approach an investigation. However, there is always a slight chaos about their relationship that bursts forth every now and then, as Oliver is no doubt a very savvy detective but likes to go off-road every now and then, and Stone has to balance reining in her more impetuous behaviour, yet seeing where her more intuitive, sometimes secretive, detection takes them. Consequently, there are some wonderful moments of disagreement, class A sulking, and reluctant peace-making that is all rather enjoyable. Like all the best detecting duos, these moments of conflict and parity really make for genuinely engaging and likeable characters, surrounded by an equally strong supporting cast in their professional and private lives, which gives a real added layer of warmth and vibrancy to offset the darkness of what proves to be a difficult and emotional investigation.

Obviously the portrayal of the North East is top drawer as usual (an area of the country I know well) and completely balanced in drawing attention to the best as well as the dodgy aspects of the area. I always feel a huge tug of emotion as Hannah traverses the region, and love the familiarity I have with the murder sites- if that doesn’t make me sound too much like a twisted weirdo. Joking aside, I will repeat what I have said before that Hannah obviously has a huge pride in, and affection for the region, and this is so tangible throughout her writing, and always a pleasure to read. It goes without saying that I always look forward to the next book Hannah produces, across any of her series, and once again, this is a highly engaging, intelligent, entertaining and well written police procedural. Highly recommended.

The Scandal is the latest offering in the Stone and Oliver series by Mari Hannah which sees them dealing with case that turns out to be anything but straight forward and a bit too close to home for them both. When DS Frankie Oliver arrives at the scene of a suspected mugging she certainly didn't expect to be one to identify the body of her old childhood friend Chris Adams.

DCI David Stone and DS Frankie Oliver are fast becoming one of my favourite police duos, I love how their partnership has developed over the course of the series and especially now that they know each others back stories so they know what has affected them so deeply in the past and made them the way they are today. Both Frankie and David are 100% dedicated to being the best at their jobs that it leaves very little time for any sort of personal life so it's no wonder that most of their time is spent together.

The prologue certainly opened at a frenetic pace and gets your pulse racing as you fear for the woman being chased, and so many questions spring to mind wanting to know who she is and why she's in danger? But like a good wine, you have to wait patiently for the storyline to develop before you discover the important part that she plays in the whole case.

The more they investigate the events that led to his death, the more complex the case turns out to be and they realise that Chris might have been onto something after all. The evidence takes them onto the streets of Newcastle and into the heart of the Northumberland countryside as the team follow the clues as to the story he was working on, a story that would have made his name in the journalism world. Can they complete the investigations he was doing and bring the story into the spotlight?

Mari Hannah certainly doesn't shy away from hard hitting topics, in this instance the plight of the homeless community living on the streets of Newcastle in the middle of a cold winter as well as suspected abuse of power that we should all be concerned about with, subjects that she deals with such sensitivity.

The Scandal was another fantastic read from Mari Hannah and I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment from Stone and Oliver whenever that might be!

‘The Scandal’ is a gripping story from the start, as a terrified woman flees for her life, frantically trying to evade her pursuer. I could feel her fear. But it is the investigation into another death that impacts DS Frankie Oliver and she finds herself in conflict with her boss, DI David Stone. The realism, be it of story, character or setting, really struck me.

Mari Hannah captures the emotions of her characters with such insight and precision. I appreciated that the police never lost sight of the victims and their families. I also can’t get enough of the North East as described in Ms Hannah’s novels. She moves from the beauty of the Northumberland countryside to the modern, vibrant city of Newcastle. This is the first of the Stone and Oliver series that I’ve read but I was so impressed that I’ll have to go and read the other two. An excellent read and highly recommended.

I was given this ARC for review by Netgalley and Orion.

Mari Hannah is chair of this years Theakston's Old Peculier crime festival in Harrogate as well as being their reader in residence. This year she'll be leading the festival' Big Read. She is also a multi award winning author, and once you've read The Scandal , you'll now why.
Number three in Mari Hannah's Oliver and Stone series set in Northumbria, The Scandal is a gritty, well researched, edgy police procedural with a main protagonist with flaws as well as merits. DS Frankie Oliver, is nicely balanced by her boss and work partner DCI David Stone. Don't you just love it when the dynamics between the two lead detectives drive the plot forward? Mari Hannah is a practiced hand at the police procedural and the story trots along at a fair old pace.
My Thoughts
The Scandal opens with a prologue chase scene that quickly has your heart beating overtime and your pulses thrumming. Fast paced, scary and infused with frissons of terror, Hannah effectively sets the scene for a complex and compelling police procedural.
Hannah's obvious knowledge of procedure lends The Scandal an air of authenticity that skirts around the frustrating of lack of police resources etc, whilst keeping the investigation moving forward.

Frankie Oliver is a complex character and, being new to the series, I was hooked by hints of a fascinating backstory. This didn't stand in the way of my enjoyment of the novel which can easily be read as a standalone, but rather piqued my interest so much that I'll definitely go back to catch up on the first two in the series.
I always find it refreshing to read crime fiction based in the North of the country and Hannah skillfully draws the Northern landscape with flair and accuracy. The plot was complex and fascinating and I found myself pondering many questions as I read, not least of which was how did the mysterious Nancy form the prologue connect to the current murder victim Chris Adams?
In short The Scandal is tantalisingly intriguing, well plotted and the characters are well drawn.

The Scandal by Mari Hannah

It’s just before Christmas when the body of a young man is found stabbed to death in a Newcastle street. DCI David Stone suspects a robbery gone wrong but, when DS Frankie Oliver arrives on scene, she gets a terrible shock. The dead man is Chris Adams a court reporter with the Herald. Frankie’s known Chris since they were children together. They were the best of friends. David and Frankie soon learn that Chris believed he was working on a case that would make his career. He suddenly left a group of friends in the pub. He was never seen alive again. Who was he meeting, what was the story he was investigating and who would kill to cover it up?

The Scandal is the third novel by Mari Hannah to feature Newcastle detectives Stone and Oliver. I’ve enjoyed all three – to be fair, I’ve enjoyed everything Mari Hannah has ever written! – but I do think that The Scandal might be my favourite of this series. As with all of the author’s novels, they stand out for their detectives. Kate Daniels remains one of my absolute favourites, but she has rivals in the shape of Christopher Ryan and now David Stone and Frankie Oliver.

Stone has now settled into his job back at home in the north east after years away working for the Met in London. Awful events drove him away from London but his mind is more focused now on the job in hand and on bringing his team together. He’s doing a good job and he has the full support of his DS, Frankie Oliver, who is the third generation to police this region. It isn’t easy for her to follow in their footsteps, especially as her father continues to demand the respect of everyone in the force and still has his ear close to the ground. But she’s managed it. Working from the bottom up, Frankie has made her role her own, although she’s the first to admit that her indomitable father does come in handy at time. She too has tragedy in her history, but she’s laid some ghosts to rest. Regrettably for Frankie, she’s about to get a new ghost to deal with – her childhood best friend Chris Adams.

The relationship between Stone and Oliver is so well presented and is just as important to the novel as the fate of Chris Adams. Mari Hannah is such a fine observer of human behaviour and interaction. Friendships and families, the young and the elderly, play a significant role and it’s especially sad to see how one family in particular has to deal with loss.

I love the meticulous investigating that forms the backbone of The Scandal. This is such a good police procedural. The case is built, step upon step, and we watch it form, becoming distracted at times by red herrings, but marvelling at how it all comes together. This isn’t, I’m pleased to say, a mystery dependent upon twists. This is an investigation built upon solid police work and intricate plotting. It’s a clever novel told very well indeed that builds carefully, resulting in a rewarding and immersive read.

Other reviews
Gallows Drop
The Silent Room (Ryan 1)
The Death Messenger (Ryan 2)
The Lost (Stone and Oliver 1)
The Insider (Stone and Oliver 2)

Frankie Oliver is called to a murder scene. After arriving, she's horrified, as she recognizes the victim - it's her childhood friend Chris Adams. He's a journalist, now stabbed to death, and while his death initially looks like a robbery gone wrong, further investigation implies that he was working on a big story. Frankie and David Stone start to suspect that there is much more to this case.

"The Scandal" by Mari Hannah is the third book in the Stone and Oliver series, however it can be read as a stand - alone. I haven't read the previous books before - and I'm going to catch up with them as soon as possible, this is the greatest thing in being a book blogger I think, all the time discovering new authors/books/series and knowing that you're for a great read.

The novel is told mostly from Frankie Oliver's point of view and I immediately warmed to her. She has a great personality and a distinctive voice and she's the right person in the right place, her passion to her job is palpable. Her relationship with David Stone works really well, I liked their banter and their verbal battles and the fact they weren't afraid to say what they think.

Mostly the books are over - described. I mean, every single detail is meticulously described, all the feelings and emotions are turned upside down, there is no room for the reader's imagination. "The Scandal" was, however, different - it was very dialogue - driven, the characters talked and talked and talked, and I absolutely loved this variation. It made the book dynamic, quick and there were enough information in those dialogues. Also, it doesn't mean that there weren't enough details, because Mari Hannah's attention to them is absolutely excellent, only she doesn't overwhelm us with miniscule descriptions. They are vivid enough, they contain enough information but there is also space left for the reader. I totally loved the way she has explained all the police procedures, their meetings etc - it felt like watching a film, the banter between the characters, being able to follow their way of thinking, seeing how they're working. This story wis fast - paced and often it goes towards things that I would never expect, full of twists and turns. It gradually starts to make links between the murdered journalist and the missing woman and from that moment on the book gains ever more pace, and I adored the fact that it was simply unpredictable in which way it's going to take us. There came a moment that I stopped guessing and let the author take me on a journey and waited relaxed for all the puzzle pieces to fell into their places.

The author touches upon many issues in this story. She provides a fresh, different perspective at those that were forced into homelessness and at the abuse of the elder members of the society. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, but probably my most favourite parts were the police procedural - they were simply so vivid that I had a feeling I'm a witness to all of those procedures.
Mari Hannah can so well capture all the feelings and emotions of her characters. The terror, fright, despair and grief were brilliantly brought to the pages, and the tension was visible. Also, the investigation itself is so well written, we're starting with nothing, with no witnesses, no point of reference and it slowly builds and builds, starting with a small snowball and ending with an avalanche. The plotting is tight and clever, there are no leaking places, it's logical yet still full of surprises. I'll be for sure recommending "The Scandal" and reading other Hannah's books.

Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

The Scandal is the third novel in the Newcastle based detectives DCI David Stone and DS Frankie Oliver series, and it's the best yet. The action creates a tense, anticipatory atmosphere that runs throughout with concurrent storylines that are equally as entertaining as one another. You find that just as you're recovering from one reveal another comes along and Bam. I'd go as far as to say that the atmospherics are some of the best in the writing business. It's an excellent suspenseful police procedural that makes your heart race and the team work determinably and intelligently to get results.

But not only is the plot superb and executed to absolute perfection the characters are beautifully drawn too. This novel has everything a good thriller should have and then some. The descriptions of the Northumberland area is one of the aspects that initially attracted me to Ms Hannah's books as it's where I live as well as grew up. It all feels very authentic; you know that the author has spent time ensuring police procedures are portrayed as realistically as possible, and her attention to the finite details blows me away. Here, Hannah has woven a complex, top-notch thriller - it held my attention from first page to last. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.

'The Scandal' fits the definition of the word 'fabulous' to a T! That said, given the theme of the book it's probably surprising that it does - but I loved it! Mari Hannah's new book is the third book in the 'Stone and Oliver' series. Personally, I think that they work perfectly well as standalone, but if you're wanting to know more about the relationship and history between the two main characters, you might find that you would benefit from reading the books in order - entirely your choice.

'The Scandal' does what it says on the tin - it really is a scandal. In fact, I would go as far to say that the entire storyline is like one of those double-sided puzzles; complex, uncertain and insanely addictive. I thought it was brilliant how the author slowly reels in her readers with a hint of what's to come, and then takes it away again only to make the reader 'work' for it. To put it simply, the storyline is slow and steady, but due to the complexity of 'the scandal' and the intricate details which the main characters unearth, it needs to be like that otherwise I don't think it would pack the same amount of punch that it did.

I will fully admit that I spent a bit of time with my eyebrow raised, unsure of where the storyline was going. It's not that I was confused, it's more that the puzzle pieces I was trying to fit together, won't doing as they were told. I've said it once before, and I'll happily say it again - I would make a diabolical detective!

I thought this book was bloomin' clever, highly gripping and left me wanting to lose myself in yet another Mari Hannah novel. I adore this authors unique and complex writing style - she always has me on the edge of my seat with every book I read.

I highly recommend 'The Scandal' as it really is such a detailed, gripping, and very clever piece of writing - especially as Frankie's fiery personality had its own pedestal throughout the novel!

Comprehensive review to follow soon.

Intense and complex, The Scandal won me over with brilliant multi-layered characters, real police work with its frustrations and leg work, a not-so-usual police/journalists angle and a powerful and well-crafted plot. This was my first book from the author and I'm looking forward to reading more!