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.