2025 Bloody Scotland Debut Prize (shortlist)
2025 CrimeFest: Specsavers Debut Crime Novel Award (nominee)
2025 ILP John Creasey First Novel (longlist)
YOU WATCH THE PRISONERS.
BUT WHO IS WATCHING YOU?
'Tense, chilling and distinctive, this is a one-sitting read'Guardian
'A bloody good read' Val McDermid
******
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?
******
Why readers are gripped by Five By Five
'I was hooked right from the first page of this book and I did not want to put it down' 5***** Reader Review
'A cracking debut thriller' 5***** Reader Review
'Fast pace, vivid characters and dramatic plot, Five by Five is gritty, compelling and surprisingly affecting' 5***** Reader Review
'Such an exciting read' 5***** Reader Review
'An incredible book. The characters are believable and relatable. I loved the setting, I haven’t read many set in a prison' 5***** Reader Review
Genre: Mystery
BUT WHO IS WATCHING YOU?
'Tense, chilling and distinctive, this is a one-sitting read'Guardian
'A bloody good read' Val McDermid
******
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?
******
Why readers are gripped by Five By Five
'I was hooked right from the first page of this book and I did not want to put it down' 5***** Reader Review
'A cracking debut thriller' 5***** Reader Review
'Fast pace, vivid characters and dramatic plot, Five by Five is gritty, compelling and surprisingly affecting' 5***** Reader Review
'Such an exciting read' 5***** Reader Review
'An incredible book. The characters are believable and relatable. I loved the setting, I haven’t read many set in a prison' 5***** Reader Review
Genre: Mystery
Praise for this book
"A significant crime debut. Authoritatively authentic, irresistibly pacey and nerve-shreddingly tense." - Chris Brookmyre
"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
"Brilliantly plotted and so tense I forgot to breathe in places." - Lisa Hall
"I really enjoyed this gritty crime thriller... feels like a blend of Orange is the New Black and Line of Duty." - Roxie Key
"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
"A bloody good read." - Val McDermid
"One of the best debuts I've read in some years. Five By Five is a no-holds barred gritty account of working in the prison service, and told from such a unique perspective. Claire Wilson writes with such a confident and assured voice. Utterly impossible to put down." - Robert Rutherford
"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
"Brilliantly plotted and so tense I forgot to breathe in places." - Lisa Hall
"I really enjoyed this gritty crime thriller... feels like a blend of Orange is the New Black and Line of Duty." - Roxie Key
"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
"A bloody good read." - Val McDermid
"One of the best debuts I've read in some years. Five By Five is a no-holds barred gritty account of working in the prison service, and told from such a unique perspective. Claire Wilson writes with such a confident and assured voice. Utterly impossible to put down." - Robert Rutherford
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