It was great to reconnect with the ‘Jazz Queens’ again, and watch their characters and relationships develop. Although this is the second book in a series there is enough back story information for the first time reader. I love the way the author writes spending equal time on the characters as she does on the plot itself. I look forward to the next instalment.

Jazzy and Queenie are back with a bang.

Following the events of "The Blood Promise", the Jazz Queens, still recovering from their injuries, are promptly dropped into another nasty murder case, despite officially being on office duty. When two bodies are discovered at the side of a road, and are quickly identified as notorious gang members, with a recent upsurge in gang related violence, they begin to wish they'd stayed in the office.

Quickly the pair are neck-deep in an increasingly dark and disturbing case of east versus west, as rival gangs prepare for war. Long-time feuds resurface, and it soon becomes clear that the past is catching up to the present. The story moves forward at a breakneck pace, as the detectives uncover more bodies, secrets and lies. But there's plenty of time to discuss Scottish roads, Scottish music and Scottish cuisine. Throw in some suspected Police corruption and life for the pair gets really interesting.

As the title suggests, this book, the second in the Jazzy and Queenie series, is about revenge. But it's also about family, friendship and having the courage to keep going. Fans of the previous book will be glad to know that several threads from there are taken forward in "The Revenge Pact". We learn a little bit more about how Jazzy and Queenie came to be the people they are today and what makes them such a unique team. The author makes clear that aspects of her own life make their way into her books, which only goes to make them more heart-wrenching, and thought=provoking than ever. The scenes between Jazzy and Queenie are funny, sad, poignant and revealing and a joy to behold.

Readers like myself, from Scotland, and West Lothian in particular, will be pleased to know that local roads, towns and places of interest all feature heavily throughout the book, and one location in particular will hopefully encourage fans to Cairnpapple Hill.

Fan of Liz Mistry and of murder thrillers are going to love this. Heartily recommended.






Detectives Jazzy Solanki and Annie McQueen are on the scene where the bodies are identified as the nephews of Loanie Gibbs, head of a notable Edinburgh gang.

The turf war between the gangs of Glasgow and Edinburgh has existed for years, but these murders signal an escalation in violence.

As the investigation unfolds, there’s suspicion about a leak within the police force, and to her dismay Jazzy is asked to keep a watchful eye on someone close to her. With distrust on all sides, can the pair uncover the truth before the body count mounts even more?

Although having read her books in the past, I found this one difficult to get into unfortunately.
Kept going, but it failed to grab you or maintain the concentration as you would have wanted.

The Revenge Pact is the second in the series led by (newly reinstated) DS Jasmine Solanki and DC Annie McQueen, AKA Jazzy and Queenie. The pair of West Lothian detectives are sidelined following their last case (detailed in book 1) while a war between criminal gangs in Glasgow and Edinburgh rages.

Eventually sheer lack of resources brings Jazzy and Queenie to the fray, and they discover that a mysterious individual is stirring up trouble between the two gangs. But who and why? The pair, ably assisted by the rest of their team, delve into the past to find answers. It's an uncomfortable journey. And, don't forget, Jazzy's serial killer sister is still on the loose.

The Revenge Pact is a complex and expertly crafted thriller. There are many plot lines, past and present, and a large cast of characters. The pace is fast, the plot engaging and we find out a lot about the lead characters too. An excellent read.

This was a really good second instalment of what is becoming one of my favourite detective series. Being from Scotland, I enjoy the language and setting of these novels and the grittiness of Scottish crime.

Looking forward to future novels

The turf war between the Edinburgh and Glasgow crime factions has really ramped up. The violence has reached unprecedented levels. But this is no tit for tat aggro. Someone is out to bring down both houses.

Despite the best efforts of the DCI and DCS, Jazzy and Queenie can't be kept out of this. The DCS needs Jazzy to be the handler of an undercover agent, because there's clearly information leaking from within, and nobody know who to trust - on either side of the law.

Breathtakingly brilliant

The Revenge Pact by Liz Mistry is book 2 in the Solanki and McQueen police series, and again it is an extremely interesting and fascinating read.
I enjoyed meeting up with the Jazz Queens again and the storyline was a fascinating insight into the criminal fraternity In Edinburgh and Glasgow.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Highly recommended

The second book in the DS Jazzy Solanki series.

The Jazz Queens are still coming to terms with and recovering from their first major case (Book One). With DCI Dick still on their backs, the team is redirected to office duties, or spilt up to work in minor roles on A and B teams. With gang warfare about to be declared between the criminal factions of Glasgow and Edinburgh, and an escalating body count, Jazzy is far from happy to be kept out of the loop. When she is asked to undertake a role that she is far from comfortable with, she is reluctant, but knows that she will seek out the truth and not be swayed by the powers that be.

With many character relationships, nicknames and working out which villain come from where, this starts as a scrabble of a read,though does improve somewhat.

Pretty much in the same vein as Book One, though the Dick by name, Dick by nature has now been superseded by the Dickless one - too much, let it go! Queenie is still as overpowering as before, and Jazzy is totally unable to keep a confidence.

I find it bizarre that if Jazzy considers the team her substitute family, why does she allow a senior officer to be so scathing and unprofessional towards them? If not for her own sake, then most certainly the officer should be brought to task and reported for the comments and attitude towards the rest of the Jazz Queens.

A better book that the first but still needs work. And perhaps a glossary for those not au fait with the dialect and colloquialisms.

Thank you NetGalley and HQ.