Five by Five

What if the killer she’s hunting turns out to be the woman she’s falling for? A gripping debut thriller in a unique location, from a major new talent in Scottish crime – pre-order now to read before anyone else!

‘A significant crime debut. Authoritatively authentic, irresistibly pacey and nerve-shreddingly tense’ Chris Brookmyre

Just because the most dangerous criminals in society are caught and locked up, doesn’t mean they stop committing crime.

That’s where Kennedy Allardyce comes in – monitoring not just the prisoners, but also the staff.

And she’s just stumbled across her most dangerous foe yet – rumours of a corrupt guard with lethal influence. And what’s worst, it seems they’ve already realised Kennedy is on their tail.

At least one thing is giving her joy – a blossoming relationship with Molly, a beautiful, enigmatic new guard.

Wouldn’t it be awful if the killer she’s hunting turned out to be the woman she’s falling for?

Reviews of Five by Five

A bloody good read — Val McDermid A significant crime debut. Authoritatively authentic, irresistibly pacey and nerve-shreddingly tense — Chris Brookmyre Raw, brutal, claustrophobic, fast and impossible to put down. Written by someone who's walked the walk and seen the prison system close up — Neil Lancaster, bestselling author of Dead Man?s Grave Five by Five is an assured debut by former prison officer Claire Wilson, taking us inside the claustrophobic and offtimes gladitorial setting of a modern prison. With the dodgy guards and vicious cons, this is a topical dive into the darker aspects of our penal system. Terrifyingly authentic. Claire Wilson?s debut novel Five by Five grabs you by the throat and doesn?t let go. She quickly establishes that she?s blessed with a distinctive new Tartan Noir voice, so you?d better watch out Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, Alex Gray and Denise Mina because there?s a new girl in town.? — Professor David Wilson, leading criminologist and author of My Life with Murderers Brilliantly plotted and so tense I forgot to breathe in places — Lisa Hall, author of Between You and Me Gritty and unflinching, unbearably tense and claustrophobic, it gripped me throughout. Claire?s professional expertise shines through and gives such authenticity to the story. The ending left me needing more so I really hope we meet Kennedy again in the future! — Natalie Chandler, author of What We Did I really enjoyed this gritty crime thriller… feels like a blend of Orange is the New Black and Line of Duty — Roxie Key, author of The Deadly Spark Claire Wilson?s debut novel Five by Five grabs you by the throat and doesn?t let go. She quickly establishes that she?s blessed with a distinctive new Tartan Noir voice, so you?d better watch out Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, Alex Gray and Denise Mina because there?s a new girl in town. * Professor David Wilson, leading criminologist and author of My Life with Murderers * Raw, brutal, claustrophobic, fast and impossible to put down. Written by someone who's walked the walk and seen the prison system close up. * Neil Lancaster, bestselling author of Dead Man?s Grave *