This kind of felt like a pilot episode where we introduced to the characters who are going to go on to do great things but we really need to get to know them first.

We met Ramona, an investigative reporter turned private investigator living under a new name and barely scraping by; and Madeline, also working undercover but at completely the other end of the spectrum- born into a life of wealth and privilege but now tracking down the worst types of humanity.

This book was a bit of a slow burn but the pace certainly picked up by the end and I’m really looking forward to reading more.

Lots to like here, including a huge roll call of characters who still mostly stayed individual and recognisable, and a vivid enough sense of the well-trodden path of spies and crooks and vigilantes moving around the grubby back streets and sparkling moneyed enclaves of London. I did want to find out what happened, and I did read to the end, but it's very very slow up until the final 25%. Lots of setting up of back stories and establishing of motivations, and a fairly convoluted double plotline that didn't really end up feeling that convincing. It might have been better to start a series with the first case the two main leads collaborated on, rather than needing to tell us about it here. Could be promising for the future, will probably make a great TV series one day.

Despite the great sounding synopsis, this book wasn't for me. I just couldn't get into it. It was slow with lots of characters. I haven't read any of Philby's other books but I would certainly try another as the plot was good.

It didn’t quite live up to expectations for me. The first quarter of the book felt more like a tour of London, with a long list of character names, possibly plots and locations thrown at the reader without much context or meaningful connection to the story. It was hard to get invested in the characters—Ramona and Madeleine didn’t resonate with me, and I struggled to form any attachment to them. The pacing felt slow and laboured, with plenty of words but not much substance to move the plot forward. I found it difficult to stay engaged, and by the time I reached 50%, I couldn’t continue.

The lack of real grit in the storyline left me feeling disconnected from the narrative, and it ultimately wasn’t the thriller I had hoped for.

Charlotte Philby writes so beautifully and her characters always feel really true to life and to themselves. I found the pace of this dropped a bit in the second half, but I will definitely read the next in the series.

I have a deep and genuine appreciation for stories that unfold through dual perspectives, and this particular narrative truly captivated my imagination. The way the characters' viewpoints intertwined was not only seamless but also incredibly engaging, drawing me deeper into their world. Each shift in perspective added layers of complexity and emotional richness to the storyline. As the first installment in what promises to be a compelling series, I find myself eagerly counting down the days until I can dive into the next book and continue this entrancing journey.

This one wasn't for me sadly!
I decided to not continue reading after 30% it's rather a slow burner, the premise is interesting but it's not engaging enough for me to attempt to keep up with all the various characters & it was beginning to feel like a slog for me.... And that's not what reading it about! So I'm off to find something that grips me.
Do go and check out reviews of readers who loved it before making your mind up.

This is the first book I've read by Charlotte Philby and it proved to be an interesting and engaging read. The story revolves around two main protagonists and two cases. The first is about money laundering involving the super wealthy living in London and the other involves a dating agency which isn't all it seems. Madeline Farrow of the serious crimes unit and Romana Chang are investigating these cases independently until they find the need to engage the help of the other. The pacing is good and the plot fairly rattles along, while the characters of the two main protagonists are well developed. Both of them carry 'baggage' which is partially explored, leaving openings for further novels in the series - which I would be happy to read.
With thanks to Netgalley and John Murray Press for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

Engaging and entertaining police procedural - and a whole lot more!

I've not read any of this author's previous works but I certainly enjoyed this detective story. The plot revolves around two cases, one involving money laundering (thus the title) and another more sordid tale. Two main characters, Madeleine of the Serious Crimes Unit, and Ramona, a private investigator, team up and are the most important part of this novel. All characters are well-developed, especially the main protagonists and the plot moves along at a good pace. A couple of minor gripes : it's a bit of a love letter to London and non-Londoners may not appreciate all the street directions and London references. I'm not convinced that I need to know what everybody is wearing at any given time. Minor gripes which did not spoil the enjoyment of the engaging and highly entertaining thriller. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

This was an easy read, told from the perspectives of the two main characters. I love a dual POV in a book so this really reeled me in, and the POV’s came together perfectly. This book was the first in what is going to be a series so I’m looking forward to reading the next instalment.

Brilliant read a very unlikely duo Madeleine with the police force and ramonoa a private investigator. Both need each other working two seperate cases.

Another page turner that kept me wanting to read just one more chapter.

Hopefully we might see these two characters again 😊

This is a good story but, at points, it became a little long winded. It is worth persevering as it does become all worth while.

NetGalley Review: Dirty Money by Charlotte Philby – ★★★★☆

Charlotte Philby’s Dirty Money introduces an engaging detective duo, Ramona Chang and Detective Sergeant Madeleine Farrow, navigating London’s criminal underworld. The novel offers a gripping plot with sharp writing and compelling characters. While there are some pacing issues, it’s a strong start to a promising series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

How refreshing an entertaining fast-moving narrative where the main protagonists are female. There are some improbable co-incidences but then that is how fiction goes. It was good not to be bogged down in the minutia of policing however it was a little bit preach-y in places. Overall a good read and I would happily read a sequel if there is one.

A retired journalist trying to get work as a private investigator, specialist police officer. Unexplained wealth orders against an billionaire eastern block family who may have ties to people trafficking, and an MPs murder.
Human characters with strength and weakness.
Would be interested in reading more books about these characters.

This was an incredible thriller which although it was slow to start with and it took me a couple of chapters to work out who was who, I found it exciting and nerve jangling. There was definitely some suspension of disbelief but all in all a cracking read.

I couldn't find my groove with this book. The description drew me in but I am sorry to say that I didn't connect well with the story - it was a slow burn that just never hooked me enough and certainly for the first half of the book I found it hard to keep track of characters and their situations.

Sadly not for me.

I really enjoyed this book. Ramona is a former journalist, now turned private detective. Madeleine works for special services in the Met police and is now working on a big case of money laundering. This is a fast paced story, full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the end. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy .
Copied to Goodreads.

This is the story of Ramona, previously an investigative reporter and now starting out as a private detective, and Madeleine who is a detective sergeant with the Serious Crimes team. When they meet with obstacles in their work they join forces to progress with their cases and tackle injustice.

The pace of the book is quite slow initially, perhaps because this is the first in a new series and the author is laying some groundwork. Once the story gets going the pace picks up and we are treated to a thriller set in a world of political intrigue, corruption, entitlement and scandal. I liked Ramona and Madeleine; they make a great team and I look forward reading more in the next book in the series. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Hope over adversity......When I was a boy I remember my father trying to light the coal fire (our only heating). With a newspaper covering most of the firebox orifice to induce a draught, we sat shivering for an hour or more until the coal caught properly. I don't know why, or perhaps I do but the opening chapters of this novel reminded me so much of that experience. Yes, it was a really slow burn. However, when it did get going it was a reasonable detective thriller. Two main characters: Ramona Chang, an investigative journalist and wannabe Private Eye, totally unbelievable and DS Madeleine Farrow, a wealthy fifty year old who really doesn't take orders. Two story threads which eventually converge. I am no ex-job but I think I know enough about the law to realise the techniques used to catch the felons were unlawful and a decent defence barrister would make mincemeat out of the prosecutor's case.
Not my favourite two characters and a slow to develop thriller, plus a large pich of salt needed for the legalities, gives it a score of three from me.