Story overall was great, just what I like reading but the ending was a but disappointing and wasn't wrapped up really. It was sometimes hard to know who was talking with the way it was written but it was the first book from this author that I had read, so maybe that could be me not use to the style

Thank you for asking me to read this book in advance of its release date. It was different to books I am used to reading and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was gripping and it made me want to keep on reading. I’d be interested about reading other books by the author as well.

I really really enjoyed this !
I’ve not really read anything like it so it was nice to read something different that I also loved.
Set in a prison it was fast paced gripping and intense.
Loved the characters
Over all an amazing thriller that I couldn’t put down !

We meet Kennedy Allardyce, an intelligence analyst, working in a Scottish prison. Not only does Kennedy monitor the prisoners, but she is also there to keep a close eye on the staff.
Rumours of a corrupt guard with deadly influence might just be aware that Kennedy is on their tail.

The book had me hooked, until the end, where it just stops, and I felt like it wasn't as wrapped up as I'd of liked. Unless there is a sequel in the works?
This was an uncorrected copy, so mistakes throughout should be fixed in time for publication date on 29th August 2024!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an incredible book. The characters are believable and relatable. I loved the setting, I haven’t read many set in a prison. The action hit from the first page and kept me gripped throughout. Nothing was quite what it seemed and the twists and turns kept me on my toes.

Five by Five is a solid debut crime novel set in a Scottish prison, following intelligence analyst Kennedy Allardyce. It offers a captivating glimpse into the world of prison intelligence which has never been in any other book I’ve read. There are some engaging twists and turns, so this will definitely appeal to fans of crime fiction reads

Book review: Five by FIve, by @byclairewilson .
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Just because the most dangerous criminals in society are caught and locked up, doesn’t mean they stop committing crime.

That’s where Kennedy Allardyce comes in – monitoring not just the prisoners, but also the staff.

And she’s just stumbled across her most dangerous foe yet – rumours of a corrupt guard with lethal influence. And what’s worst, it seems they’ve already realised Kennedy is on their tail..
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What a cracking first book to write . I really enjoyed this book was such a fast paced read . I loved the main character Kennedy such a fiesty character.
This is one book I will recommend for readers who are looking for a fast paced book.
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I would like to thank @michaeljbooks for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
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#bookworm #crime #prisoner #booklover #bookaddict #glasgow #bookblogger #bookstagram #bookcommunity

This book definitely surprised me and had me questioning who to trust, kept me on edge throughout, definitely recommended.

It needs a good editing! That was my main takeaway form this lol. I loved the premise, it sounded very Prisoner cell block H and it isn't a setting I've ever read about before so was really looking forward to it. I wouldn't say it's a thriller but it was certainly entertaining and kept me turning tbe pages. A lot of it seemed a bit far fetched but it's a fiction story so who cares about reality and just appreciate the story for what it is! And it was a really good story!!! As I said the continuity errors n such were a bit annoying but that'll be sorted before release anyways and I'd definitely say go for it of you want something really different to captivate you for a bit.

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

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.