Heroes & Villains

The Revenge Pact by Liz Mistry is a gripping contemporary crime thriller that totally consumed me. It is the second book in the Solanki & McQueen series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading book one first as there is a background story, begun in the first book, which runs underneath the main story. The ending reminds us that there is unfinished business which will be carried over to the next book.

I have to say the writing is superb. I loved the juxtaposing of opposites within a single sentence. “I’m clinging to life so that I can cause death.”

We follow gang-related crimes in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as decades old feuds continue. Turf wars between rival gangs mean trust is in short supply and memories are long.

A cold case is resurrected and reignites a desire to bring the guilty to justice.

All the characters were well drawn and realistic. They are rough, tough and ready – the criminals and police. There is no honor among thieves. In contrast the Jazz Queens in the force have each other’s backs.

There is a camaraderie between Solanki and McQueen. On the outside they present a tough shell which is needed to police the streets, but their inner shells show both of their vulnerability as they fight inner demons.

Much of the novel is in the third person but some is in the first person as we ‘hear’ from the person who wants vengeance. I tried to guess who it was – and failed, again! My jaw dropped at the big reveal.

Liz Mistry has written a very authentic novel. It is easy to picture the crime-ridden streets with the turf wars and the fruity language of both the heroes and villains.

The Revenge Pact was a suspenseful read and would make a marvellous television series for after the 9pm watershed.

I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

A word of caution: There are some scenes and language that some readers may not like.

JULIA WILSON

The Revenge Pact

TWO DEATHS

Tommy and Markie Jones are found dead at the side of a main road in Scotland.

TWO RIVALS

Detectives Jazzy Solanki and Annie McQueen are on the scene where the bodies are identified

as the nephews of Jimmy Nails, head of a notable gang in Glasgow. The turf war between the gangs of Glasgow and Edinburgh

has existed for years, but these murders are seen as an escalation in violence.

ONE UNFORGIVABLE BETRAYAL

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 mounting on all sides, can the pair uncover the truth before someone else is killed?

Purchase Links

Author Bio –

Liz Mistry moved to West Yorkshire in the late 1980s. Her gritty crime fiction police procedural novels set in Bradford embrace the city she describes as ‘Warm, Rich and Fearless’ whilst exploring the darkness that lurks beneath. Yet, her heart remains in Scotland, where childhood tales of bogey men, Bible John and grey lady ghosts fed her imagination.

Her latest work, The Solanki and McQueen crime series is set around West Lothian, where she uses the distinctive landscape, historic heritage and Scottish culture as a backdrop to her gritty yet often humorous stories.

Struggling with clinical depression and anxiety for many years, Liz often includes mental health themes in her writing. She credits her MA in Creative Writing from Leeds Trinity University with helping her find a way of using her writing to navigate her ongoing mental health struggles. The synergy been creative and academic writing led Liz to complete a doctorate in creative writing researching the importance of representation of marginalised groups within the genre she loves.

Her husband, three children and huge extended British Indian family are a constant support to her. In her spare time, Liz loves visiting the varied Scottish and Yorkshire landscape, travelling, listening to music, reading and blogging about all things crime fiction on her website blog, The Crime Warp.

Social Media Links –

Website: lizmistry.com/

X (Twitter): LizMistryAuthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LizMistrybooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizmistryauthor