A gripping story. But unfortunately gave no real ending. Still liked it.
I would recommend it to others if they wanted to read it.

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

I think this book really struggled to assert what it wanted to be. I think it wanted to be a thriller but most of the time camo off as TV prison drama. I found the dialogue between Molly and Kennedy very cringy and I was so frustrated with Kennedy as a character because she couldn't see what was happening! I think the book could have done with the Adrian chapters and would have been better if that aspect of the story line was developed through the reports and telephone conversations. I think there were some plot points that were just never resolved unless I just completely missed them at the end or three's going to be another book? The end just felt rushed.

Unfortunately this just didn't grab me like I thought it would.

This book left me frustrated by the ending and a little annoyed at times, Would someone who believes themselves to be at risk really act so impulsively and foolishly, which made the main character a little hard to want to succeed.

No conclusion to the story, far too many loose ends not tied up and if that's because there's going to be a sequel then say so.

Kennedy works in the prison service helping criminals to lead a clean life when the come out. She does find it difficult as the guards are corrupt aswell which nearly gets her killed. She has fallen for a woman who may not be the woman she believes she is.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK for an ARC

A really gripping read, I thought the characters were intriguing and I'm going to look out for more by this author.

I've always been intrigued by the criminal justice system and what life is like behind bars. I think it was my early viewing of programmes like Behind These Walls, Prisoner Cell Block H, and Bad Girls that piqued my interest. I know these TV shows were made up, but were they an honest reality of what happened behind those walls? I don't think so. So when I saw that this book was about an intelligence analyst, I had to request a copy.

Kennedy Allardyce's job as an Intelligence Analyst does not just monitor the inmates in a Scottish Prison, she also monitors the staff, looking for corrupt officers.

The suspense builds throughout. The characters are strong and well=developed. But has Kennedy picked the right woman to fall in love with? We get an insight into what can go on inside the walls of any prison in the country. This is an uncorrected proof copy of the story so yes, there are some mistakes, but hopefully they will be sorted in the finished edition. This is the first book in a new series, so the ending is a bit of a cliffhanger. A great debut novel by the author and I hope to read more from this series soon.

Published 29th August

I would like to thank #NetGalley #PenguinMichaelJoseph and the author #ClaireWilson for my ARC of #FiveByFive in exchange for an honest review.

An unusual setting made this initially a very interesting read with lots of suspense. However I couldn’t believe it when the book apparently just stopped! The frustration of the abrupt ending with no satisfactory conclusion has made what could have been a four star review down to three stars. Such a shame as it was an enjoyable story.


Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC

I absolutely and throughly enjoyed this book so much. Then I got to the end and felt a little deflated. I feel a little lost.

Kennedy Allardyce is an ambitious young woman who works in the intelligence unit of a Scottish prison, trying to keep the criminals from committing further crimes - such as drug dealing to other prisoners - while they're on the inside. She does this by monitoring such activities inside the prison walls.

At one point, it nearly gets her killed. But in a situation where even some of the guards are corrupt, it is Kennedy's blossoming relationship with an attractive prison guard that may turn out to be even more hazardous to her health...

This provides quite a lot of insight into what it is like to work in the prison system in Scotland, and how the prisons themselves operate as units of society. I didn't much like the late reveal that this is part of a longer storyline. But it is likely to appeal to those who are interested in stories set within the incarceration system and having a somewhat gritty feel to them (despite the romance element).

Hard to enjoy but suspend your disbelief and see if you can find the thrills.

Not really what I expected but I think this will be a beach read for many.

Not quite what i was expecting. Sorry i found myself flicking through, just not my cup of tea.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Set in a Scottish prison, where hard work from the guards is demanded daily, the set of prison life from the other side of incarcerated, sees one staff member falling for another, not knowing if the fine line between criminal and civilian has already been broken.

This book completely had me hooked.
Until the end.
Either there’s another book in the series or the final chapters fell off my tablet but either way the ending doesn’t wrap things up in a neat little bow.
Very frustrating!

There are some continuity errors scattered throughout the book and during dialogue there is some confusion over which character is speaking but apart from those minor criticisms this was a wholly enjoyable book.

It was interesting to read a novel set in the intelligence unit of the prison service and more importantly for me it was so refreshing to read about a lesbian protagonist that was natural and not forced. And even better, to read LGBT centred romance in my favourite genre rather than trying to get my fix in the familiar and sickly romance book trope.
The characters felt real, the language authentic and the storyline interesting and realistic.

The suspense was building and I felt excitement as I was nearing the end, wanting to finally have it all figured out.
I usually only read standalone books and don’t like to feel forced into reading a series. If I had known that’s what this was, I probably wouldn’t have read it but I’m now invested… and that annoys me.
So while this book is an absolute top notch read, the end completely spoils the enjoyment for me personally which means I, regrettably, can’t give it more than 3 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

An interesting perspective from the point of view of an intelligence unit within the Scottish Prison Service. Kennedy Allardyce is an intriguing protagonist. It will be interesting to learn more of her backstory and see how her relationship with Ellie evolves. I did find the ending somewhat frustrating, in that we are clearly being hooked in for the next book and are left with lots of unanswered questions. ‘Five by Five’ is something of a Scottish ‘Line of Duty’ in that regard.

I assume the many errors throughout will be picked up prior to publication.

Wow, wow.
I really enjoyed this fascinating fiction, obviously having never been detained by police Scotland- the whole book is great.
Thank you so much for this advance reading copy in return for my honest unbiased opinion. Five stars all round! Five by five indeed.