I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This gritty, riveting crime thriller follows detectives Jazzy Solanki and Annie McQueen in Scotland.

Two men are discovered dead by the side of the road and are soon to be identified to be part of a well know gang from Edinburgh. With the threat of an increase in gang violence, the police force must find out who can be behind the killings.

Jazzy soon finds herself on another mission to uncover if there is a leak in the police force, which also brings her closer to the gang rival case.

Will Jazzy find the leak? Will they discover who was behind the gang killings?

This crime thriller is gritty as it delves into the gang world in Edinburgh, and with the two rival gangs trying to work out who could be behind the killings along with the police, it is also a riveting read.

I admire how Jazzy is with her team, as they seem to be sidelined for most of the bigger cases, but instead of letting it get to her finds a way to bring her team together to solve the crimes.

I have read a few of this authors books, and although also police procedural, the author always delves deeper into the gang life and shows a grittier side. I can’t wait to read more from this series and others.

Overall, a gritty, riveting crime thriller where the police force must unravel the mystery behind local gang killings.

I found this to be quite a tough book to read. I have read and enjoyed books by Ms Mistry in the past but this one was a bit of a chore for me personally. Whether it is because I hadn’t read the first book in the series or some other reason I don’t know. I didn’t find myself sharing any empathy or engagement with the characters, I struggled with the use of dialect and Scottish colloquialisms and had to force myself to read it. Not my best reading experience.

A crime thriller which is part of a series featuring detectives Jazzy and Queenie, who are involved in investigating a turf war etween rival gangs from Glasgow and Edinburgh. The detectives have ties of their own with the communities and characters involved, as well as having to recover from more recent traumas involving their own families. The identity of “Vengeance”, the disruptive mastermind behind the murders felt a bit weak and the links to the storyline of the earlier book in the series didn’t move the context much further forward. An okay read but nothing special.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of those books that you hated a character and couldn’t get on with the dialect, but enjoyed so much nonetheless.

Jazzy and Queenie are partners in the Scottish police and still reeling after a mishap on a previous case. Their team is then scattered across others within the station, a kind of penance. There’s a lot of tension as rival gangs from Glasgow and Edinburgh are slowly killing each other off, but little do they know that Vengeance is behind a lot of it.

The case gets more and more intense as the story unfolds, but who is behind it all. I really enjoyed the story but hated Queenie for most of it, and felt a bit lost with some of the Scottish speak throughout. This is the second in a series, but can be read as a standalone. I’d personally recommend reading the first one before this, so you get a better understanding of what happened previously.

Gripping read from start to finish

Loved this book. The second book in the Solanki and McQueen series is a gritty read and gives more insight into the background of a loved character from the first book in the series. The Jazz Queens always have each others backs and gel together well. This book jumps between the past and the present and explores how past evil deeds catch up with the culprits in the present. Liz skilfully drew the various strands of the story together bringing the reader up to date with old familiar characters and linking some with the new characters. The Jazz Queens at their best. Can’t wait to read the third book in this series.

The second book in the Solanki and McQueen series has violent roots in the early 1970s. Two executions in the present day threaten the stability in the area between Glasgow and Edinburgh, and it falls to the detectives to solve the crimes and keep the peace. Betrayal and vengeance are at the core of this story. I like this book's characterisation, storytelling and relationship dynamics. The mystery of who is orchestrating the vengeance and who is betraying their own makes this compelling.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

The book opens with the discovery of Tommy and Markie Jones’s bodies, which were found by the side of a road in Scotland. But far from this being an accident, the deaths were deliberate, and could lead to all out warfare in the criminal world, because the deceased happen to be members of Edinburgh’s most notorious gang.

There had been a turf war between the Edinburgh and Glasgow gangs for years, but these two deaths signal an escalation in violence and it will be up to Detectives Jazzy Solanki and Annie McQueen to discover who’s responsible, and attempt to bring them under some sort of control. No easy task. As the investigation gathers pace, it becomes clear that there is a leak within the police - but who to trust and who not?

No question that book # 2 in the Solanki and McQueen series is a raw and gritty storyline, delving deep into the criminal underworld, however, because it’s peppered with some great banter between Jazzy and Queenie, it does help lighten the mood. The characters come fully fleshed, but they’re not ones you’d necessarily like, indeed they’re everything you hope you aren’t, but it’s a gripping police procedural, and a great follow up to ‘The Blood Promise’.

Book 2 & what a book.
Jazz & Queenie & the rest of the team are fab. The banter & the working together, just excellent.
Liz Mistry has brought a team to life in these books.
This case was a horrendous yet intriguing & addictive read.
The underbelly getting pitted and shown what’s what. Excellent.
Waiting for more books as I know these are going to just have addicted for a long time

Much as I liked book 1 in this series, I really loved this one. Set in the central belt of Scotland, we are drawn into the ganglands of both Glasgow and Edinburgh, but then a third party is involved and nobody can figure out who or why - neither the police nor the gangs bosses. Enter the Jazz Queens and although Jazzy has been given her previous role back, their boss decides to split the team - not that that stops them !! Throw in cold case of a body found on Cairnpapple Hill and sit back and enjoy a roller coaster of a ride. Cannot wait now for book 3.
Btw - loved the mention of Lipton's orphans - took me back to my childhood and my granny saying it !!

Point 1 : there is a lot of local dialect used but this just adds to the story.
Point 2 : there are some scenes which may not suit everyone's taste.
Point 3 : It really is best to read the first one to give you a better overview of the team and their backgrounds.

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the ARC to review

These novels are becoming a favorite as they mix a gritty and dark plot with the humour in the banters between the detective.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first one and loved this one that kept me hooked and having fun.
It's an excellent Scottish Noir and solid thriller, a novel I strongly recommend as the storytelling is excellent, the plot fast paced and tightly knitted, the characters fleshed and intriguing.
I strongly recommend this thriller that can be read as a stand alone but reading the series in order would add to the pleasure of the reading experience
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to HQ Digital and Rachel's Random Resources for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I struggled with this book, maybe because I hadn't read the first in the series and couldn't get to grips with the characters, of which there were many! The storyline was fast, the characters difficult to like. Not one for me but you can't win 'em all.

The latest episode with Jazz and Queenie. Explores the relationship between inter-city gangs, family, personal relationships and mental health. We see Jazz and Queenie grow into their characters. This nuanced book is much more than a crime novel. It is a novel of secrets and lies and their consequences.

My thanks to HQ and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Revenge Pact’, Book 2 of the Solanki and McQueen Crime Series written by Liz Mistry, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

There’s been a turf war between rival gangs in Edinburgh and Glasgow for many years but things are escalating and growing more hostile as dead bodies are being dumped on road sides. DS Jazzy Solanki and DC Annie McQueen have been ordered to work from their desks by their unprofessional and very unpleasant boss DCI Dick who’s split up their D Team so it’s up to ‘The Jazz Queens’ to find a way around his instructions.

‘The Revenge Pact’ is an entertaining crime thriller set in Scotland as the mutual dislike between the gangs in Edinburgh and Glasgow is growing. It’s been good meeting up again with Jazzie and Queenie aka ‘The Jazz Queens’ but I couldn’t get as involved with the characters as I did in book one due to the vast number of gang members whose names confused me. But once I’d sorted out who was who I found the plot more enjoyable and I could involve myself in the plot. I like the way the author brings a touch of humour to every situation and their joint dislike of ‘the dickless wonder’ has kept me amused. This is a great novel for those who enjoy Scottish crime with characters who aren’t your normal run-of-the-mill police officers.

I feel this author really has these characters oozing from her bones. She writes them so well! And clearly must have some connection to the city or the like of which she writes about.
It's a brilliant crime thriller. And if you love a good crime thriller then these books need to be on your list.
Back with our Queens. A set of fab detectives on their own and as a team.
I think you should read the first book in the series. I think you'll want to. But it's not absolutely necessary. Although we do get a bit more background from book 1 of how the characters are feeling and doing. As some ramifications from the events previously are clear to see in this book. But as any good writer can do, and should be able to do, you still have enough context from this book to have a standalone.

The turf war between gangs in Glasgow and Edinburgh appears to be escalating after Tommy and Markie Jones are found dead on the side of the road. When DS Jazzy Solanki and DC Queenie McQueen arrive at the scene they discover they are the nephews of Loanie Gibbs who runs a dangerous gang in Edinburgh but, as the investigation continues, Jazzy and Queenie begin to discover that not everything is as it seems and someone calling themselves Vengeance is determined to get justice for something but who are they and can the Jazz Queens figure it out before more deaths occur?

The Revenge Pact is the second book in the Solanki and McQueen series and, whilst still recovering from the horrors that happened to her in the previous book and trying to avoid running into her sister, who is out to finish her off, Jazzy is ready, with her team, The Jazz Queens, to solve the murders that have just occurred, but her boss DCI Dick has other ideas and wants to split the whole team up. Told from various perspectives this is a dark and intense read which delves into the subject of gangs and turf wars in the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, whilst also covering the delicate subjects of mental health and abuse, and even gives us a hint of Queenie's life growing up which was interesting, yet painful, to read about. It was great to see these two back again trying to clean up the streets of Scotland and make it a safer place to live. Looking forward to book three now.

I'd like to thank HQ and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

What a delight in being reunited with The Jazz Queens - Jazzy, Queenie, Geordie and Fenton!! Jazzy and Queenie are called to a scene where two bodies have been found - Tommy and Markie Jones. What they don't know is that it is the start of something big connecting two major crime families from Glasgow and Edinburgh and the fall out that happens following the deaths. The story is fast paced, keeps the reader on their toes, nail biting and a page turner of a book! More Jazz Queens please!

Goodness, I feel quite exhausted after reading this fast paced, well written book with all its twists and turns! It was good to be back in the company of the Jazz Queens and I'm looking forward to seeing them again soon
Thank you to netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of this book.

Liz Mistry's *The Revenge Pact* is truly a gem for anyone who finds solace in crime thrillers. As the second book in the Solanki & McQueen series, it stands wonderfully on its own, inviting new readers into its gripping world. Mistry’s writing resonates deeply, with sharp, impactful prose that makes each moment feel vividly alive.

The story takes us into the complex and often harsh realities of gang-related crime in the evocative cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. It's a setting where deep-rooted feuds and fierce turf battles cultivate an atmosphere saturated with distrust and danger. The resurfacing of a cold case adds to the tension, driving the characters’ relentless quest for justice and keeping readers engaged.

The characters feel incredibly relatable and real. Detectives Solanki and McQueen form a powerful duo; their tough exteriors reveal the vulnerabilities they carry, allowing readers to empathize deeply with their struggles. The camaraderie within the police force, especially among the 'Jazz Queens,' adds a heartwarming dimension, highlighting the importance of support and friendship in challenging circumstances.

As the narrative unfolds, Mistry keeps readers on their toes with a series of unexpected twists and turns. Just when you think you’ve grasped the direction of the story, she surprises you with a revelation that truly leaves an impact. Her ability to evoke the atmosphere of crime-ridden streets immerses you in a world filled with palpable tension.

*The Revenge Pact* is more than just a book; it’s an intense, immersive experience that pulls you in from the very first page to the last. If you’re seeking a compelling crime drama that features richly developed characters and an enthralling story, this book is sure to resonate with you and keep you thoroughly engaged.

Absolutely brilliant read! These main characters are 3D and all have something about them to draw the reader into their stories. Of course the plot is also great, but the Jazz Queens are completely star quality. I would love this as a tv series.

Back with the Jazz Queens!

Jazzy, Queenie and their team are on desk duty, after their unlikeable boss wasn’t happy with their conduct on their last case.

The story is based around gang wars in Edinburgh and Glasgow, with a mysterious “vindicator” who has returned from abroad to enact what they deem to be justice, before they die.

There were a lot of characters to get acquainted with and I was confused for a while, which made it harder for me to fully engage with the people and the plot, as I was able to do instantly with the first book in the series.

It all came together brilliantly at the end and the banter continued between the Jazz Queens and their growing bond, while Jazzy continues to struggle with her family circumstances.

3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Liz Mistry and HQ for an ARC in return for an honest review.