Read if you like:

- Debut novels
- Cliffhanger endings
- Multi POV
- Short chapters
- Crime thrillers
- Orange Is The New Black

A cracking debut book focusing on Kennedy and her job as part of the intelligence unit in a prison. It’s her role to track and monitor potentially incidences of violence and more specifically the movement of drugs into the prison. When she successfully prevents drugs entering the prison, she is later targeted and attacked.

On returning to work her entire goal is to find out who was behind the attack and in the process, she uncovers a greater conspiracy, that puts her life and others at risk.

It is a dark and gritty book, that details the violence that goes on in prisons, and with enough twists to keep the reader engaged.

It is an open ending, and with unanswered questions still remaining, I would imagine there will be a follow-on book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

4 Stars.

A very clever and well written debut novel that deserves all the plaudits it’s receiving. I was hooked from the start and had to keep reading. Tense and claustrophobic this was a thrilling read and I’m really looking forward to reading what the author does next. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kennedy Allardyce works in the Intelligence Management Unit where she keeps a watchful eye over hundreds of prisoners for signs of drugs, contraband and other types of trouble. She uncovers a mysterious mole under the name of Scout who is working for organised crime group and funnelling drugs and other contraband into the prison. She starts making waves in the prison to discover their identity and soon they want her out of the picture.

It’s a great debut novel with a realistic portrayal of prison life - except the hyper-exaggerated riots, assaults and murders but that’s where the thrills come from! Kennedy is an interesting main character: jaded by her experience but still caring and vulnerable towards the other prisoners and officers (who absolutely despise her).

Only downside is it ends on a cliffhanger. I absolutely flew through the book as it was so addictive and compelling and I can’t wait to read the next instalment.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This enthralling debut centres around Kennedy, who works in the intelligence unit of a modern prison. With vicious prisoners freely using violence against each other and staff, plus corrupt staff bringing in drugs and other contraband for the inmates, Kennedy's monitoring and tracking both from her secure unit is necessary, but puts her in a vulnerable position and paints a target on her back. With deaths to be solved, there's much at stake, and the murderers don't want to be identified.

Well-paced throughout, tension-filled and violently descriptive, but never gratuitously so, brief and much-needed respite can be felt as Kennedy falls in love with colleague Molly. Wonderful characterisations and an authentic basis to the tale from former prison officer Claire Wilson bring the story to life. As incident follows incident, it is impossible to put this down! A thrilling debut!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Claire Wilson and Michael Joseph for providing an eARC via NetGalley; this is my honest review.

This is a dark and hard hitting debut from Claire Wilson, set in the unusual setting of a prison, an environment the author is well placed to write about as a former prison officer, lending the bleak narrative an all too real air of authenticity. The flawed Kennedy Allardyce is ambitious and stubbornly determined, living with Ellie, a former lover. She works as an intelligence analyst, monitoring both staff and inmates, at the Scottish HMP Forth Valley, holding over 800 men. This is a role that I admit I had little knowledge of, so this is a real eye opener, how many of us think beyond the justice system to the continuing crimes that may take place in prison by convicted criminals, gangs, and the corruption that may exist there?

This is a atmospheric, chilling, and insightful look at the brutality and violence that exists within prisons, something Kennedy has experience of, but this is not going to stop her doing her job. It is a lonely occupation, leaving her wondering who can she possibly trust in a place where there are worrying rumours about guards and the drug smuggling. Then there is Molly Rana, a prison officer that Kennedy finds herself falling for, but who exactly is she and can she be trusted? There is a shocking level of suspenseful drama and tension that makes this such a gripping read as Kennedy fights back, against a corrupt player known as 'Scout'. She is going to need to be on her guard and dig deep into her inner resources and resilence.

This is a fascinating, intriguing, emotionally impacting, and compelling read, full of twists and turns, although I was far from happy with the cliffhanger ending, this is the first in a series, and it has me keen and looking forward to reading the next book. At the same time, it is seriously disturbing in its content, prison is not an environment I would ever want to be in. Wilson creates a brilliant and complex character in Kennedy, tantalisingly vulnerable, with her informative inner thinking, and the novel throws a light on the intel gathering techniques utilised in the service. If you are looking for a gritty thriller and or are interested in prisons, I highly recommend this. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

HMP Forth Valley in Scotland houses 850 high-security male prisoners, and intelligence analyst Kennedy Allardyce is tasked with monitoring both the inmates and the staff. After a successful operation leads to serious repercussions, Kennedy realizes there's a traitor among them. In a world where trust is paramount, she is determined to uncover the identity of the corrupt figure known as "Scout."

Can she rely on her new ally, prison officer Molly Rana, or should she remain cautious? The story unfolds primarily through Kennedy's perspective.

Set against the backdrop of a prison, this debut novel offers a fresh take on the mystery/thriller genre. Fans of prison dramas, such as recent British TV series or Prisoner: Cell Block H, will appreciate its unflinching portrayal of prison life, organized crime, and the inherent violence that permeates the facility. The fast-paced plot keeps the tension high, with chilling characters eager to disrupt the status quo.

Kennedy stands out as a compelling protagonist, using innovative intelligence-gathering techniques (the "Five by Five" method) to stay ahead of her anonymous adversary. Her ambition, tenacity, and bravery shine through as she navigates a web of deception, leading to numerous twists and turns in this gripping narrative.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

I often like books set within a prison but I didn't warm to this at all unfortunately. Despite the beginning information on Scottish prison slang I still found myself not understanding so much and the sheer volume of characters that are introduced at the start was a bit overwhelming to then distinguish who was who (when many of them were irrelevant to the story anyway). I do feel that I shouldn't enjoyed the plot but I just didn't.
The ending confused me hugely, so many unanswered questions and finished so abruptly.... does this mean a sequel? I'm not sure?

Kennedy is an Intelligence Officer working at a men's prison is Scotland.. She not only monitors the prisoners for any signs of illegal drugs, etc but also has to keep an eye out for corrupt officers. Kennedy was recently attacked in a supermarket and has not long returned to work but she's keen to find out who was behind the attack. She starts to get close to a new Prison Officer, Molly, but can she be trusted or does she know the identity of Scout or even be Scout.. I enjoyed this though it is certainly very gritty in parts and the ending was a little disappointing but assume this means there'll be a sequel.. However it's a promising debut for the author.

I could not put this down, it was thrilling, fast-paced, and kept me on the edge of my seat. Congrats to the author on their debut novel - another incredible Scottish writer to keep eyes on!

I had the pleasure of meeting Clare Wilson at the Harrogate Crime Festival in July, where in addition to the NetGalley ARC I won a signed proof.
This is a great debut novel from Clare, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It had me wanting to turn the page again and again. You could tell she was writing about a subject she knew well.
I was thankful for the table at the beginning of the book which gave the meaning of some of the Scottish terminology used however, there were still a couple of words I didn’t know the meaning of.
I look forward to reading Clare’s future novels.

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

You’re hunting a killer, you’re falling in love.

Kennedy works for prison intelligence, she is the eyes and ears of every day life inside the prison and even though criminals are being monitored daily it doesn’t stop them committing crimes. Even more worrying Kennedy also monitors the staff and she discovers rules are being broken and lines are being crossed…even by her.

I enjoyed this book and although a novel I felt like I got a taste of prison life which is great testament to the setting. Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

#FiveByFive
#ClaireWilson

A bit of a slow starter for me and a little flat in places, however picked up fairly quickly.

I really enjoyed the premise of the plot being set in a prison, and the dual points of view of an Intelligence Analyst and a prisoner. A very interesting and perceptive capture of the prison service processes.

There was some good character development throughout the book and I look forward to reading about them in further imstalments.

A gritty medium paced prison thriller which kept me engaged and certainly wanting more.

Thank you to NetGalley, the Publisher and the Author for this ARC.

What a unique book this is. Told form the point of view of a prison analyst in a Scottish prison, whose life is under threat, it is quite a different take on your normal run of the mill crime novel.
Intriguing and offering real insight into the prison service, I found this a compelling read.
A great balance between the characters personal lives and the plot. I found the dual narrative - from the POV of the analyst and a prisoner to work really well.
There were enough sub plots and misdirects to keep me on my toes. All in all a very well executed debut novel.

A fascinating debut novel set in a prison and full of authentic detail, as befits the writer's career as a prison officer. The story and characters are well developed but the novel was slightly disappointing to me because of the number of grammar and spelling errors.

I loved this book at times but was frustrated as well. Set in a prison with a lot of unpleasant characters who obviously are not deterred from still committing crime even though they are locked up and with the help of bent screws. Our main character, Kennedy,a prison intelligence officer is intent on discovering the identity of Scout, the person behind her own stabbing in the prison that has left her mentally frail. When she begins a relationship with Molly, another officer, she starts to doubt her intentions and has suspicions that Molly may know or even be Scout. Some fast action towards the end of the book which ends with frustration that we are left day going as we still.don't know the identity of Scout so.can only assume there will be a second book

A story based in a Scottish prison. Kennedy works there in an intelligence unit. Unfortunately, she is hated by prisoners and officers alike. With only her boss, Victor who she can trust life is difficult and when she is stabbed by a prisoner’s mother her hard exterior is shattered. Feeling vulnerable she returns to work but finds herself falling for a pretty officer called Molly. Allowing her guard to be dropped, Kennedy allows her professionalism to be compromised. Knowing a person called Scout is behind her stabbing, she is prepared to do anything to discover their true identity. A promising debut story with plenty of gritty moments but is somewhat confusing in places and finished in a rather inconclusive and rushed way. I’m not sure if this is the start of a series, if so it explains the unanswered questions.

I really liked the different take on this book with the story being from the perspective of IAU within a prison.
It had very detailed descriptions of the brutal life within a men's prison from the prisoners POV, but I felt like this was over done and was maybe more filler.
Some of the main characters decisions were questionable and I also didn't like the some of the other side characters actions
A unique storyline and even though it was open ended I'm not sure I'm in a rush to read the next book.
Seemed like a lot of a build up for what felt to me like a rushed ending that didn't amount to much.

This is a cracking & feisty debut.

Intelligence Officer Kennedy Allardyce works in a male prison & has just returned to work following a brutal attack (whilst shopping not at work). Immediately, she is tasked with watching someone in the prison who is making inmate life difficult & for her too.

Told in alternating chapters from Kennedy & a prisoner’s POV, there are no holds barred & some of the descriptions of prison life are brutal. The Prison Intelligence Service is laid bare in its workings, as is Kennedy’s life - warts & all. A cliffhanger ending & I can’t wait to see what happens next.