This novel was nothing special unfortunately. It was a good read and a decent story but it felt like a book I've read a hundred times before simply with different names and locations. I'm not disappointed as I did enjoy it but it wasn't memorable.

Cruel Acts is a brilliantly written novel featuring Maeve Kerrigan, a strong and likable DS whose working relationship with colleague and sort-of-mentor Josh Derwent is a truly interesting one at times! They clash a LOT, especially when Derwent is poking his nose into Maeve's business, but it just seems to work - and makes for entertaining reading too!

I really liked that this novel has elements of a cold case in it, by way of exploring Leo Stone's involvment in the murder of two women - his conviction has been overturned when it was discovered that a juror had looked up details of the case online, pending a retrial which Maeve, Josh and the team need to prepare for... and determine if he acually was guilty. I liked the investigation back into the original case and trial, and the fact that there may have been other women who were victims of Stone but who never came to light as linked to the other cases.

There's plenty of mystery, drama and tension seamlessly woven into the plot, and some less-than-likable people who make this story all the more convincing (unfortunately!). I really enjoyed the more personal sides to the story with Maeve's relationship post-Rob, and the detail on how the victim's families react to Stone's release (and it's not always as you might expect!)

Cruel Acts is a solid, truly engaging crime novel, and an addition to a crime series which I haven't yet read any other books from, but which I definitely will be making a point to from now on!

thank you for allowing me to read this book. it was very easy to read. i enjoyed the story line and the characters. look forward to reading more from Jane.

This was the first time I had read any of Jane Casey's work and I was amazed at how quick I fell into the story. I love the dynamic between Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent. I think I fell a little bit in love with Derwent as I read the book. The story involves a case going up for appeal and Kerrigan and Derwent both out on the case to investigate further. I love Maeves determination in doing all she can to get the right outcome. The story was very well thought out and at one point I thought wait a minute what about the start for it to come out as a twist further on was a mark of genius. I really enjoyed this book, so much so I went and bought the previous straight after to read!

I so enjoyed this book, it is a real page turner. The characters are well crafted and likeable (mostly) and I found myself totally immersed in the story. It is a really clever, well thought out crime thriller with just the right amount of suspense and horror to keep you on the edge of your seat. This is the first book I have read from this author and I now have a whole back catalogue of Maeve Kerrigan thrillers to catch up on! Thank you Jane Casey.

Whilst, not something I would usually read, I was gripped throughout and will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author in the future

When convicted murderer Leo Stone has his conviction quashed, Detective Maeve Kerrigan must team up with her landlord and colleague Josh Derwent to reconsider all the evidence and ensure that the right man is being tried. With Leo’s son Kelly determined to prove his innocence and her increasing admiration for his defence lawyer Seth Taylor, Maeve needs to keep her mind focussed on the job in hand. When another girl goes missing in similar circumstances, the job becomes even harder.

This was a story I really enjoyed reading. The action moves along at a fast pace, but without losing its way. Maeve is an interesting character, brought to life through her struggles to deal with everything thrown at her. Whilst the plot is complicated and jumps around at times, it was easy to follow, even if I didn’t work out the solution until it was laid out on the page,

A highly enjoyable, dark and creepy, story.

A man is released from prison pending a retrial. Convicted of murders of 2 women remains of missing women begin to be found. Is he guilty of these or is someone trying to frame him?
Wow what a page-turner. Absolutely nail biting! I could not wait to read the the next chapter. Read it in 2 days.

Suspected of killing two women, possibly three, Leo Stone is subject to a retrial due to a juror misdemeanour first time around, and detectives Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent must re-examine the case. At first convinced of his guilt, a few things come up that may point elsewhere, then a four woman disappears, following a similar pattern to the first three … but Stone is in custody at the time. Is Stone working in tandem with someone else? Could he even be innocent? Unfortunately Stone himself is not inclined to be of any help, laughing only at the detectives’ ongoing failure to pin things down.

This is a solid plot with a good amount of character development, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me and I didn’t find myself particularly invested in the characters – or, in fact the plot. I don’t really like it when there appears to be lots of bad feeling between even the ‘good guys’ and the plot itself is quite dark and grisly I places. I’m clearly a bit against the flow here as I see most reviewers have given four or five stars, so I’m guessing most readers will fly off with this and enjoy it a little more than I did.

My first Jane Casey book, I really enjoyed reading this, great characters and storyline, and I now intend to look for more by this author.

DS Maeve Kerrigan and her boss DI Derwent become involved when a convicted killer is set to be reprieved after a miscarriage of justice. Maeve seems on one hand to be attracted to persons who might be the killer and on the other to be able to sniff out more and more bodies. She seems not to be liked by several of her (female) colleagues and there is a tension with DI Derwent. The action is fast and at times bloody. The plot is ingenious and develops well. Excellent.

Maeve Kerrigan is my kind of protagonist and so I was absolutely thrilled to see that she was back and I’m pleased to say my high levels of anticipation were fully met.
When double murderer Leo Stone is freed because of irregularities with the jury process. Superintendent Godley tasks Maeve Kerrigan and Detective Inspector Josh Derwent to re-examine the evidence, and quickly, to ensure that the case against him is absolutely watertight – the thought of such a dangerous man being allowed to roam free is completely repellent to the hardworking officers. Maeve is quick to alight on another potential victim of Leo Stone but before she has time to devote too much attention in that direction there is another killing similar to those Leo Stone was convicted of. Could it be that the team are investigating a miscarriage of justice after all?
I love this series so much because in part, the characterisation is superb. Maeve is a strong, tenacious and capable officer who knows her own mind and that alone is very appealing. The fact that she is a bit standoffish with her colleagues only serves to endear her to me even more as she is often quietly funny in her dealings with them. But her role is backed up by a whole host of old friends from the previous books. I’m particularly enjoying watching Maeve’s slightly tense relationship with the younger officer Georgia while slipping into a slightly easier relationship with Josh in this episode. Although we have some of the back story of Maeve’s life outside the police this perhaps doesn’t have as much room in this episode as it has done so previously, but fear not there is enough to keep things interesting…
It doesn’t matter how good the characters are in crime fiction if there isn’t a jolly good mystery to be solved and once again Jane Casey far from disappoints. This is a fairly complex investigation given that we know who the key suspect is, the time-line, the forensics and pretty much everything in between, or do we? This is the beauty of the plotting one bit of information can turn everything on its head and unfortunately there are multiple strands to be teased out and worked individually before the team can be certain what happened to the poor women that crossed the path of a murderer.
With engaging writing to finish the triad for the pinnacle of success in crime fiction, Jane Casey reminded me she really is one of the best of the new generation. While the storyline featuring serial killers are nothing new, she manages to keep it feeling fresh with her sharp observational writing that all too easily conjures up the desperate need to catch a killer that must infiltrate such a major investigation in real life.
A most satisfactory read finishing with a solid resolution – I do hope Maeve is back soon.
I'd like to say a huge thank you to the publishers HarperCollins UK who allowed me to read an advance copy of Cruel Acts ahead of publication on 18 April 2019.
The Maeve Kerrigan Series in Order
The Burning
The Reckoning
The Last Girl
The Stranger You Know
The Kill
After The Fire
Let the Dead Speak
First Published UK: 18 April 2019
Publisher: HarperCollins UK
No of Pages: 400
Genre: Crime Fiction – Series
Amazon UK

I’ve managed to read the other titles in this series. They were all very good. This one is the best so far and sets the bar even higher. The different twists and plots sustain interest and with the good pace of the book retains the reader to the end. Highly recommended.

I loved this book and could not put it down as needed to know how it was going to end. You knew from the start that things were not as they seemed but I didn't see the ending coming as had decided it was something completely different!

Will read more from this author.

A good book with plenty of twists and turns. You might not like Leo, the accused but is he guilty or not? Surely it can not be that straight forward. The book is a little slow but does pick up. A good read with an amazing finish.

I usually love this series but for some reason or other this episode felt a bit like a "watch this space" for three quarters of the book. Can't figure out what's going on with Derwent and Maeve and then ooof that last chapter! I've given four stars just because it felt like it was only getting started when it was over. I reckon the next one will be a cracker it's all set up.

Leo Stone, a convicted serial killer, has just been released from prison after his sentence was overturned on a technicality. Derwent and Kerrigan are tasked with re-examining the case and attempting to return him to jail, but things are not as straightforward as they hoped as family secrets are brought to light.

Plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. Couldn't put it down! While this is a standalone novel, it is also part of an ongoing series which I have now bought so I can read more from this author.

I hadn't read any of the previous books in this series, but still enjoyed this as a standalone novel although I will be reading the rest of the series.

A great plot with plenty of twists, turns and red herrings, this is a fast paced well written crime novel which kept me gripped throughout. I really enjoyed the relationship between Derwent and Kerrigan. The dramatic end was surprising which I really liked.

I look forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A really tense and twisting read. Although this novel is several books into the Maeve Kerrigan series, I have not read any of the previous novels. This does not matter as the characters are so well drawn and the story so self-contained that I did not feel I had really missed out. I will, however, now seek out the earlier novels in order to see how the various characters got where they are in this book. This book had me gripped and, just when I thought I had the answer, I found out I did not! A recommended thriller.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it kept you on your toes all the way through with the various twists and turns.