The Teacher (The DS Imogen Grey Series, #1)

by Katerina Diamond

[Leah]

In all my time reading books, I've never read a book that comes with a health warning, but apparently, The Teacher is not for the faint-hearted. It's quite graphic, don't get me wrong, and I've read of people who have put the book down, but I actually didn't think it was as bad as it was. About 16% in there's a fairly graphic scene, and thinking back on it, it kind of makes me want to puke, but the rest are sort of left to your imagination. So if you can get past that first scene, you'll actually have no bother with the rest of the book. But if you're prone to squeamishness, this book probably isn't for you.

I actually thoroughly enjoyed The Teacher, it's a first class thriller, and it took ages for me to understand why we were reading from so many different points of view, and who all the players were in the novel. But once you understand what's going on, it's the most amazing read! Honestly, it's truly such a clever novel and Katerina Diamond is a wicked good storyteller, and I love her flair for the dramatic and gruesome. Not only was it such a good story, full stop, but it leaves you with the worst moral quandary ever. Actually, I was entirely satisfied with the ending, but that's all I'll say because spoilers, obviously. This is one of the rare thriller novels to not be let down by its ending.

This was honestly so good. I had no idea where Abbey came into the novel, and when I did, I was gobsmacked. Gobsmacked. Ditto Parker, whom I loved. And I feared for the ENTIRE novel for his dog, Sally. ENTIRE NOVEL. If anything was to make me put the book down, it would have been dog torture, and it literally terrified me. Their story was amazing, though, and surprised me completely. The coppers on the other hand were awesome. I loved DS Grey and DS Miles. I'm hoping this is the start of a BEYOOTIFUL partnership (and maybe more?!?!?!) where they solve crimes in their own, amazing, enjoyable way.

The Teacher is a must-read. (As long as you're not squeamish, and if you are squeamish, I'm afraid you're missing out on an amazing book.) This was so not like any other thriller I've ever read before, and reminded me just a touch of the earlier Rizzoli & Isles novels by Tess Gerritsen. The Surgeon in particular. That one had me gripped and this one had that same sort of feel to it, but it's not like any of the newer wave of thrillers like Gone Girl or The Girl On The Train, or any other Girl-related book. This sits in a league of its own, and I LOVED it.