Truth or Die by Katerina Diamond is book #5 in the D.S Imogen Grey Series. Detectives Imogen Grey & Adrian Miles are investigating a set of brutal murders centred around a local university. As with the previous books in the series, these are some ruthless murders.

I never suggest these books to anyone squeamish. We’re talking horror movie-type scenes.

Often Diamond’s books contain sexual assault; Truth or Die is no different.

Diamond tends to write in a morally grey area. You will find yourself questioning your morals and ethics. You’ll ask yourself whether or not the murderer even deserves to be sent to prison. In many cases, Diamond writes about psychopaths and sociopaths. The trauma that made them what they are, and in turn are inflicting on others. Humanizing them to understand their motives and why they are doing what they are doing.

If in the same shoes, you will wonder what you would do?

But in the end, these characters are still murders. In fact, they are almost always serial killers. Killing without mercy, but often with reason. And, in Truth or Die, you’ll understand why & what could cause a person to remove someone’s spine. What could push someone to do such a thing? And in some instances, you’ll even find yourself thinking Fuck it; I would do the same thing given the opportunity.

Predators are hunting predators.

I like the characters Diamond has created. Imogen is a fantastic detective. She’s brilliant & amazing at her job. But, more importantly, Imogen is as flawed as the rest of us. Imogen struggles with her conscience as she uncovers horror after horror throughout the series. Truth or Die is no different, she struggles with believing one of the victims, her mother’s death and developing feelings for her partner.

I found Truth or Die to be less about Imogen and more about her partner Adrian. He too has been on the struggle bus and finds himself tangled up in this investigation. His reputation and character are put on the line and questioned by his peers. Adrian starts to wonder if maybe sometimes vigilante justice is the answer. Maybe some humans don’t deserve to live, even if it is in prison.

In Truth or Die, the horrors Imogen & Adrian come face to face with start looking eerily familiar when old acquaintances of theirs find themselves tangled in this twisted web of murder games as well. I have to say, Truth or Die is not my favourite of Diamond’s novels. The case Imogen & Adrian were tasked to solve was interesting. But I wish there had been more focus on it and less on their old friend Parker.

This is not a route Diamond usually takes. Generally, cases are not connected, this is the first time an old case bleed into a new case. Should you read books 1-4 first? I suggest it for the simple fact that they are amazing. Do you need to? No, but you’ll be missing out on some gripping crime novels. You can read whichever one(s) float your boat but be warned of the topics Diamond writes about. They are not pleasant & can be extremely sensitive.

It’s going to be nigh on impossible to recreate the skull; it’s in tiny pieces and totally smushed in with brain matter.

“That’s right and get this… he was filleted,” Gary said. “What do you mean?” Imogen said. “His spine was taken out.” “Say what now?” Adrian said.