4.5* This series is addictive, but why oh why isn't Carve-Up getting his comeuppance right now? Who's protecting him and why?

It's best to read this series in order to fully understand Kat's relationships with her father and with her boss, both of whom happen to be corrupt and each other's croney. These are horribly unhealthy relationships, and why at least the 'professional' one isn't at a disciplinary stage, beggars belief. Yes, there's a tiny scene where Kat's boss gets shown up but bigger, blunter, deeper, longer, nastier and more all should have happened in my book, no pun intended!!

The last book ended on a bit of a bombshell that becomes the uncomfortable aspect of this tale, but tbh, it was overly bigged up and questions should have been asked by Kat. To not do so allowed Carve-Up to have the upper hand, and her father could and should have done more to help. Or perhaps maybe just not lie. Getting to the crux of the issue was protracted and overly complicated IMHO - blame the day job - and once done, the show-them-up scenes lacked passion, anger and ultimatums. But, hopefully both guys know that Kat can and will kick butts in future.

That aspect aside, there's a solid storyline in this read. I was pretty clueless until Kat played a hunch based on her relationship with the killer, although, should she have been allowed to be the investigating officer, given her friendship with the killer? I'm not sure that correct police procedures were followed here, but maybe a bit of license was used. It's a decent tale and I'm pretty invested in this DI and what happens next. But, oh, Tom? Ugh, his loyalties changed quickly and then changed back, tail between his legs, once he showed himself up as not quite competent to be lead investigator. I'm not sure I'd have forgiven him as quickly as Kat did for his disloyalty. But, Ma-Linda and Kat's family, and Liv (although it's a puzzle how both she and Kat risk her being around in their home town, seeing as Liv is officially still missing - suspending disbelief here, as before, to be able to enjoy this decent series) have her back, which is great to see. The side characters are done right - there organically when she needs them, but never overshadowing things and never getting in the way.

I see a 'let's have it out' with both Kat's dad and boss, hopefully in the next book. If it doesn't, there really needs to be a good reason for it. As well as a thawing of personal relations, based on the (not tough enough) fanily showdown. This series has become an autobuy from book 2, so I'm prepared to go with the plot holes for now.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer, for my reading pleasure.

This was an enjoyable read. There were definitely moments of suspense and I was incredibly frustrated, along with the protagonist, regarding some of the elements of the story that were unfolding.

I would definitely read a sequel.

‘The Silent Wife’ is the 3rd book in the Detective Kat Ballantyne series by author Andy Maslen.

I really enjoy the character DS Kat Ballantyne and in ‘The Silent Wife’ she is facing a corruption charge when £50,000 suddenly appears in her bank account. Forced to remain on desk duty until the charge is fully investigated she is tasked with solving cold cases. The situation is not made any easier due to her having to deal with DI Carver, a boss she despises and has given her 1 week to clear her name.

A close friend of Kat’s contacts her from a murder scene and confesses to the strangulation of a local gangster’s wife. Kat is not going to let her current restrictions stop her from trying to help her friend and investigate the case. Something doesn’t add up to Kat and she is convinced her friend is not guilty of the crime she has confessed to.

Kat’s determination to clear her name and uncover the truth makes this book a very enjoyable read. Well paced, clever plot and strong believable characters as always with Andy Maslen novels. DI Carver is not a likeable person but another excellent character adding another layer to this series, especially with the difficult relationship between himself and Kat.

“The Silent Wife” is well plotted and full of suspense as Kat struggles both personally and professionally. Determined not only to save her career but also to uncover the truth.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Andy Maslen’s third installment in the Detective Kat Ballantyne series, The Silent Wife, is a gripping and emotionally charged thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

The story follows Detective Kat Ballantyne as she navigates a complex web of deceit, betrayal, and murder. When a seemingly perfect wife is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Kat is thrust into a case that challenges her both professionally and personally. As she delves deeper into the victim’s life, she uncovers dark secrets that threaten to unravel the very fabric of the victim’s seemingly idyllic existence.

Maslen excels in character development, particularly with his protagonist, Kat Ballantyne. Kat is a multi-dimensional character, balancing her fierce determination as a detective with her vulnerabilities and personal struggles. Her interactions with other characters, including her colleagues and suspects, are realistic and add depth to the narrative. The supporting characters are equally well-crafted, each contributing to the story’s intricate plot.

Maslen’s writing is both engaging and evocative. His ability to create vivid scenes and build suspense is commendable. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of intense action interspersed with quieter, more introspective passages. This allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the story and connect with the characters on a deeper level.

The Silent Wife explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships. Maslen delves into the psychological aspects of his characters, providing insights into their motivations and fears. This adds a layer of psychological depth to the thriller, making it more than just a simple whodunit.

Overall, The Silent Wife is a compelling and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and detective fiction. Andy Maslen has crafted a story that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant, with a protagonist who is as relatable as she is formidable. This book is a testament to Maslen’s skill as a storyteller and is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery.

As a lifetime mystery fan, I love this series, and I have enjoyed each book. The author is a superbly talented writer, and his name is "one to watch" as he continues penning captivating mysteries in this series.

This wasn't as good as the previous books in the series, I felt like it concentrated too much on the parallel storyline that's been running through the series. It needs to be resolved in the next one because it is dragging on a bit. This was 3.5 stars for me.

I really enjoyed this read from the author. It is book 3 in the Kat Ballantyne series but can easily be read as a stand alone. The plot kept me guessing until the end and I was totally invested in the read from start to finish. The pacing is fast and full of suspense, I loved the cliffhanger ending which leaves me desperate to read book 4! Another well written and crafted read which lovers of thrillers will enjoy. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

DNF! I got 38% through this book before declaring it horrible. The story was not good nor was it well written. Do not recommend!

So many thoughts on this character. I appreciate that we learned more about her partner's backstory and watched her try to develop him into a better detective.

Kat is trying to help a friend who called and confessed a murder, whilst also facing a corruption charge at work. The "suspect" in her set up is very personal to her, and as she tries to find out the truth about the set up and the murder, we are made to wonder if both of them are intertwined.

The underlying story about domestic abuse is not lost on me, an understanding of not just that but police corruption. I actually enjoyed that she made some alliances with some questionable characters. There are a lot of questions left unanswered, especially some of the family dynamics.

I look forward to more installments

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my copy of The Silent Wife by Andy Maslen.
Kat is reeling after being accused of corruption when she gets a call from one of her netball teammates.
I’ve just killed someone please come. With everything pointing to this conviction being all sewn up Kat doesn’t believe it and sets out to prove her teammate innocent. With everything else going on in her life Kat is struggling on all sides.
This is the third book in the series and although it can be read as a stand alone, I felt it would have been better if I’d read the other two books first.
But I enjoyed it and I am looking forward to the next instalment.

Another brilliant book in this series. I really enjoyed this book and hope there is another in the pipeline.
I would thoroughly recommend

DS Kat Ballantyne is under investigation after a large sum of money is found in her account by the Anti Corruption unit. To add to her troubles, a friend, Laura calls her telling she has just committed a murder,
Eager to clear her friend of the murder as she doesn't and cannot believe she did it and is given a week to clear her name with the AC unit, Kat struggles to do both making it hard to solve the murder as she is under investigation, confined to desk duties and trying to trace the sender of the money in her bank account. Her immediate boss, D I Carver, aka Carve-Up has it in for Kat, thwarting her at every turn. A brilliant read and gripping to sat the least.This is the third book in the Kat Ballantyne series and the second I have read. It does not disappoint.

The Silent Wife (Detective Kat Ballantyne, Book 3) by Andy Maslen is a suspenseful, action-packed mystery with realistic characters and a twisting plot. Kat's strength is evident as she faces multiple challenges, including a homicide and corruption investigation. The book has high family drama and intense workplace tensions which are escalating with Carve-up. A very good addition to the Detective Kat Ballantyne Series.

Thank you to Andy Maslen , Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

The Silent Wife by A. Maslen, published by Thomas & Mercer is the third installment in the Detective Kat Ballantyne Serial.
The book could be read as a stand alone, for best reading experience I recommend to read the books in order.
The book picks up where the previous book was left off. Detective Kat Ballantyne is accused of corruption and is on desk duty. Her suspension is looming and she has her hands full when a murder case shows up where nothing is as it seems. A race against the clock in this literally unputdownable read, a masterfully crafted story that had me in suspense from start till the very end. Twisty and full of unexpected turns kept me hanging on the edge of my seat, breathlessly wanting to know what happened asap.
I recommend the book and the serial, 5 stars.

4.5 ⭐️

The third instalment of the Detective Kat Ballantyne series and I already need the 4th book!

This kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Kat really showed her strength as she was tested in more ways than one. Not only did Kat have a homicide to solve, she was also under investigation for corruption and had every thing going against her.

I couldn’t put this book down, every chapter left me wanting more and it’s definitely on par if not better than the first two in the series.

I love Liv and Kat’s friendship, watching it rebuild and seeing a lighter side to Kat brings a bit of comic relief to the book.

I really wanted to hate Tom at the beginning when he sided with Carve-up but he redeemed himself throughout the book and left his story on a gut wrenching cliffhanger! What seems like work place rivalry between Kat and Carve-up takes a turn and Carver is not just a bad boss he turns into a villain and I’m excited to see where that leads to in the next book.

I think the only reason it wasn’t a 5 star, I wanted a bit more! The ending was slightly rushed and I’d like to have seen more interview scenes with the killer. Overall I absolutely loved it and I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series!

This ARC was kindly provided by NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

This is an excellent series of books. They continue on from each other so probably best to start at number 1. The silent wife has twists and turns and leaves you guessing right to the end.
Thoroughly recommended.

While I was confused as some points, overall I really enjoyed this story and mystery. Given that I haven't read the previous two for this detective I was still able to easily follow the main plot. In short, the whodunit component of the text was really up in the air almost until the very end which made you want to keep reading. I was mildly irritated with the constant references to the nickname of her superior (Carve-up ad nauseum), but aside from that a really good read!

Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity read and review this ARC.

Taut and complex mystery with great characters and plenty of suspense and action. Really interesting mix of characters and varied dynamics, keeps things going and keeps those red herrings coming. Great detective fiction.

This was a great third installment. Kept me guessing all the way through. Great twists. Would give this 5*****

Third installment in this thrilling series . This is the best book in the series. Did Kat's friend Laura murder her husband's mistress? Kat doesn't believe it and will stop at nothing to find out why Laura is lying. Kat has her own personal problems to work out finding out who put money in her bank account. .This was a very quick read to me and kept me on my toes. Love this series!

This is a suspenseful story complete with secrets and red herrings. Realistic characters add to the intrigue. This talented author has written a mystery that keeps the attention of the reader. Imagine trying to guess the ending…not easy. Thanks Netgalley