Before I start complaining: I really like this series and this particular storyline. It held some good surprises and twists. But, a couple things didn't make sense during the course of this book. Partly, I assume, so that the series could continue but that didn't keep them from annoying me! It makes me kind of want to scream. And I know that series need overarching story lines and villains, but there has to be a limit to how far it can be stretched. The characters have been well established at this point. Let's get some movement to the plotlines that have been continuing from the earlier books and we start getting new overall plots in the upcoming books! I want more! That's a good thing, right?

I love this series so much! I definitely recommend reading books one and two in the series before this one, as this picks right up from where we were left hanging at the end of book two, with Kat under investigation after a large sum of money appears in her bank account.

Kat receives a call from one of her friends, confessing to a murder, but Kat’s gut tells her Laura didn’t commit the crime. She is off the case though, so she has to fly under the radar, much to the fury of her superiors.

The characters in the series are so great! Tomski’s reaction to Kat’s situation made me feel so cross - he knows her better than that! As for Carve-Up, enough now, let’s bring this vile man down. Bring on book four!

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Andy Maslen and Thomas and Mercer. for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Kat is facing one of the most difficult times in her career: she's been accused of receiving bribery and is under investigation, also one of her friends phones her to say she had committed a murder. The story is full of mystery and suspense, Kat is not trusting anyone and work and family life are difficult. The relationship with her supervisor reaches a new high and she realizes the truth is much worse than she thought. Fast-paced, well-written, The Silent Wife is great entertainment for those who appreciate thrillers. Highly recommended!
I thank Mr. Maslen, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

My first Andy Maslen book, it won’t be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this book, both the good guys and the bad. Really good story with plenty of twists. But why leave us wondering what happens next? Brilliant read - try it

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! I read the first installment of this series earlier in the year and couldn't wait to read more of Detective Kat Ballantyne. Before reading this newest book in the series, I read the second, which left you on a huge cliffhanger that this third installment picks right up at. Not only is Detective Ballantyne battling a bogus corruption charge and trying to figure out who has it out for her, but she is also simultaneously trying to solve a murder her friend claims she herself had committed - a claim that has a lot of holes to poke through. Throughout the book, Kat is battling against time to determine who the real killer is and also find out who has put a target on her back. This book keeps you guessing until the bitter end to figure out who is guilty for both mysteries. I really enjoyed this book and hope it's not the last we've seen of Detective Ballantyne any time soon.

The Silent Wife is book #3 in the Detective Kat Ballantyne series. I found this to be an entertaining thriller that kept me turning the pages until the very end. Poor Kat is put through the ringer in this story line and she rushes to prove that she is not a corrupt detective. Even though this book is part of a series I feel like it can still be read as a stand alone. I would recommend this book to others.

I received and ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

My first time reading a book from this author which he doesn’t disappoint when it comes to psychology thriller. I couldn’t put this book away it kept me wanting more. Ds Ballantyne was superior cop who solved every dilemma that came her way. I wish we learned more about her dad’s shady business and his involvement with Frank. Also, Frank character leaves us hanging with more questions than answers. I would like to know if Frank is in the mafia or have police connections in other countries. Overall, this book was good thriller with plenty of suspense.

After receiving an ARC of this book I realised it was the 3td book in a series. I had to go and purchase books 1 and 2 so i could read those first. I got lost in what is a terrific series of books. I was addicted. What a superb author.
I went on to purchase and read another 6 books by this author and can safely say I enjoyed each and everyone.
Highly recommend reading these. Any crime thriller fan will enjoy these and the other series the author has written.
DS Kat Ballantyne isn't having the best of times. Desk duties/cold casses, you really know when you are not flavour of the month in work.
It appears Kat is being blamed for something she has no idea about. Is she being framed and if so , then why.
A superb gripping book and as I did, I would read these in order for the best reading experience.
I have just downloaded another 3 books by this author and I am about to start those. I will certainly be keeping an eye out for any new publications.

Well done to a very talented writer. I really was gripped.

I have read other books by this author, but none of this particular series. I will look to reading more though, I really enjoyed this book. Despite this being number 3 in the series and being plunged into a complicated murder case, I did not feel that I had missed out by not reading previous books about Kat and her team. As well as the murder case, Kat is also being investigated for possible fraud as 50,000 pounds has been transferred to her bank account from an unknown Swiss bank account. She has been prevented from taking an active part in the investigation by her own shady boss, Carver. The characters are well described, the investigation is interesting and realistic. There are plenty of alternatives which keep you guessing until late on in the book.
The mostly short chapters and fast pace meant that I raced through this book, I really wanted to know what had happened and if the criminals get their just rewards .
Thanks to Net Galley for a great read . I`m looking forward to reading more from this author and detection team

Love the Kat Ballantine series of novels.. I have read them all. . Great writing and premise. Amazing characters. Page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing.. Was a real rollercoaster ride. Definitely looking forward to the next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it

This is the third book in the DS Kat Ballantyne series, I have read, and thoroughly enjoyed book one – ‘The Seventh Girl’, but I somehow missed book two – ‘The Unseen Sister’, something I need to rectify! I am glad that I had read book one, as this gave me insight into Kat’s unhealthy relationship with both her father and her boss, the ramifications of which are focussed on a great deal in this instalment. I really like Kat’s character, the author has successfully created a strong, multi-dimensional, and likeable female lead. The supporting cast are also well-crafted – if not all likeable, with each one of them contributing to the sophisticated plot. The author also creates a great sense of atmosphere and suspense, with timely twists and a well-paced plot, and in this book, he combines all this with more psychological aspects of human behaviour, thus adding an additional layer to the tale making it so much more than a standard whodunit. I am already looking forward to book four!

I understand that this is the third book in a series, but I was told it works as a standalone. So, I decided to give this book a go.
Even though I liked the plot, the setting and the author's descriptions, I really never cared for the characters and I guess I'm done with police procedural storylines.
After the first 30%-ish of the book I didn't mind or care for the mystery or the direction the story was going.
And honestly, I think it's a *me* problem, not the book itself. I just don't vibe with this kind of thriller anymore. I used to, but not anymore.
I'd still recommend it to readers who are genuinely into detective POVs and police procedural stories.

I could not connect with the story or characters. It’s entirely possible that since this is the 3rd book you must read the first two. I dnf’d this story about 30% of the way through. Since I did not finish I will only send this for feedback and not leave an unfair review on Goodreads.

Fantastic book. Found I couldn’t put it down until I had finished reading the last page. Wish I had read the two previous books in this series, nevertheless I was immersed in the story as well as the characters from start to finish. Another wonderful author to add to my collection.

DS Kat Ballantyne finds herself assigned to desk duty and cold cases while she is being investigated when a very large sum of money is found deposited into her bank account. Then she receives a call on her cell from a friend who claims to have murdered a friend. Kat ignores her orders and goes to the scene of the murder. Kat doesn't believe the story she is given so she starts digging. Kat is racing against time to not only find the real killer, but also to save herself. Then the husband of the victim is found murdered. Kat believes it's the same killer so that's where her investigation takes her. When she does find the double murderer, she and her partner are nearly killed before they can arrest the person. And she finds the donor of the money to her account, but next is to find the why...

This is the third book it the wonderful Detective Kat Ballantyne series and it such a great read. The story follows on from the last book and it’s a thrilling police procedural in which Kat is once again struggling against her absolutely horrible superior Carver who is better known as “carve up” and oh boy this is such an appropriate name for the detestable character that he is.
The rest of the gang is back from the previous books and the story flows along at a fair old pace and once more gives us another nail biting ending that left me desperate for the next instalment!
The book is as the previous ones are an extremely well crafted read with well rounded characters and great plot line it was a fantastic read that kept me hooked and one I would highly recommend for lovers of well thought out and addictive police procedurals and a big thank you to Andy Maslen ….roll on book 4 !
My thanks also to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another solid police procedural! I am really growing to like Kat Ballantyne more and more as her character develops throughout this series.

She is put through the ringer in this one and she is being investigated for corruption when a mysterious $50,000 deposit shows up in her account and she is barred from taking new cases when a friend calls her from a murder scene and confesses to the crime. Kat is positive Laura did not commit this crime -- none of the evidence she has managed to get her hands on matches Laura's physical capabilities or her story. But how will she convince her superiors to keep investigating a "slam dunk" case from the bench?

Kat must get creative to avoid directly disobeying orders to solve this homicide while simultaneously getting the information she needs to clear her name. She has been a cop her whole life and cannot imagine a world in which she can no longer do the job she loves.

Lots of action and once again ends in a way that leaves you wishing you could immediately get your hands on the next installment.

Loved this, I read the other two in series first and this was by far my favourite, I love Kat she's hard working but she's funny and makes me laugh.
Someone is trying to set her up and she's been sidelined while they investigate her. But when a friend calls to say she's murdered someone Kat can't stand by especially when things don't add up.
Helping her bag man she inserts herself in the investigation to get to the truth
Action packed from start to finish

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of The Silent Wife by Andy Maslen. This is the third book in a series but you can read it as a standalone if you don’t mind not having the characters’ complete backstories. I love reading about Kat and her family, and she does a great job of juggling her job and her family. I thought Kat’s use of the nickname Carve-Up for her superior was disrespectful and unprofessional. Yes, he was an a$$, but she shouldn’t have used the nickname in the office. I didn’t like how the book ended without resolving everything, ending with a cliffhanger. But the story was interesting and the resolution satisfying, and I enjoyed this installment.

Could not put this down, Andy Maslem is up there with my favourite author James Patterson. Superb writing, strong female character, can’t wait for the next installment as I didn’t want this to end.