What a clever story. I’ve read this as a stand-alone as I haven’t read earlier books in the series, but it works well. A couple of strong, distinct and different police characters and a lot of police procedural interest, but it’s also a fast paced crime thriller.

I enjoyed the differing viewpoints and the unusual premise that centres on a possible miscarriage of justice and a retrial for Leo Stone. Rather than revisit old ground, the team look at a possible further victim and try to determine whether Stone killed someone else as well. It’s complex, well paced and full of the unexpected. I think Jane Casey has hit the right balance with the police team. They’re interesting characters but not beset with so much personal baggage that they can’t do their job or gave to keep proving a point. Mix that with truly skilled plotting that keeps the reader guessing and this author has nailed it. Going to invest in the earlier books now. Really enjoyed this and my thanks to the publisher for a review copy via Netgalley.

Firstly thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for this book. A really enjoyable read and a real page turner. Love the relationship between Maeve and Josh. This series is just getting better and better. I have no hesitation in recommending this book or the others in the series.

Cruel Acts by Jane Casey is a perfect example of an accomplished detective thriller. The team of officers each has his or her own distinctive personality and felt like real people. There was no hint of differentiation between male and female officers and I found that refreshing. The writing is spot on.

As for the plot, there is an abundance of twists and turns, most of which took me by surprise; which usually isn’t the case. This is a book I didn’t want to put down and, when I had to, couldn’t wait to get going with it again.

I thoroughly recommend it and will most definitely look for more by Jane Casey.

This was a very complex police procedural story. Lots of twists and turns and unexpected disclosures. Some great characters that made the story believable and anticipatory. Totally absorbing storyline with a great conclusion.

Really good police thriller with interesting characters who interact well and a great story with some exciting twists.

There is no denying sheer brilliance and professionalism of this author; the book opens and we are right into it. I had some moments of confusion at first .. the political manoeuvring among the police ranks was tough to follow (or to care about ). I get the sense that this is a series and I'll be able to buy back issues of earlier books! Characters can run a bit skimpy, but that's because they are at times serving the plot. The sense of redemption at end (I won't say whose) is a mixed one .. worth waiting for.

Had to read this book in one sitting because I just NEEDED to discover the truth.

It was well worth the effort for this very well crafted and well written tale. Cannot say more without a spoiler and so I shall close by saying that you will need to find the time to read this book in one bite. Now, please, just go buy the book.

Although this is the 8th book in the Maeve Kerrigan series, I have to confess I have not read the others in this series but I could not help but want to read this book immediately!!

Leo Stone was in prison after being found guilty of killing 2 women, but now there are doubts that he is guilty and is released from prison.

D.S Maeve Kerrigan and D.I josh Derwent are convinced he is guilty and are determined that at the retrial he will be found guilty and sent back to prison. Leo is adamant he is innocent and D.S Maeve is having doubts also, especially when another woman goes missing. Is there a copy cat killer out there or was Stone never the killer!!

I loved this book and the relationship between Josh and Maeve. It is totally addictive and I feel like I need to read all the other books in this series ASAP.

If you haven’t read a Jane Casey book before then you are seriously missing out!!

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent are assigned to a new case. Leo Stone has been released from prison on technicalities but is up for a retrial. The pair have to take a look at the evidence.

This is book eight to feature Maeve and Josh. I have read them all and in order which I prefer to do. This isn't my favourite book of the series so far.

This book for me was just an average police procedure thriller. Nothing new here and a little predictable towards the end. For me it's the relationship between Maeve and Josh. They are not together romantically but Josh clearly has feelings for Maeve. Their relationship for me is the strongest part of the series and for now it's that element that keeps me reading. Josh sometimes is the father and brother figure to Maeve. It would be interesting for the reader if this was taken a bit further, just to see how it would pan out. Maybe on the otherhand its best left alone as the relationship is fun as it is.

The book is police procedure but not too much. I've enjoyed the series so far although police procedure novels are not my favourite. I will continue with the series purley because of the two main characters.

Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review the book.

Cruel Acts is one of the best crime mysteries I’ve read recently and helped me get out of the reading slump I was in.

I was immediately drawn into the story and intrigued by the idea that a miscarriage of justice could have been done. I was wondering how the story would unfold, what with it being a cold case, but the author is very clever with the way new information about the case is discovered. This is done in a realistic and subtle way with the author slowly revealing holes in the original investigation which ensured I was thoroughly gripped!

I loved the two main characters Kerrigan and Derwent who seemed to work well together, despite sometimes rubbing each other up the wrong way. They obviously care about each other which was lovely to read about and made for some quite dramatic though funny scenes. It was interesting to learn more about their lives outside of being police officers as it helped me to understand what makes them tick. Kerrigan is a wonderful, clever character who was fascinating to watch solve the case as she often found little clues that no one else manages to. She works hard and has gained a lot of respect from her colleagues for this. It was sad to see her wrong footed from a seemingly innocent mistake but watching her fight back made for great reading.

This is a fast paced gripping book which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. There is lots of action happening either with the case of in their personal lives which made the book hard to put down. The twists in this book took me totally by surprise and I kept being wrong footed over what had happened. The way the investigation goes was completely different to what I expected and I was completely shocked with the ending which had me on the edge of my seat whilst reading. This is the first book from this author that I’ve read and I’m excited to have found a new crime series to enjoy.

Huge thanks to Harper Collins for my copy of this book via Netgalley which I received in exchange for an honest review.

This book was well worth the wait, it is the 8th in the Maeve Kerrigan series and it doesn't disappoint.
Maeve and Josh are reinvestigating after Leo Stone a convicted murderer is released early after it is found the jury were impartial.
Leo was convicted of murdering two women and suspected of a possible third.
I highly recommend this book and this series.

You always know when you pick up a Jane Casey book your in for s good read and this one is no exception. Kerrigan is in the team looking into the murder of three woman. The man accused having been released due to a jury member acting inappropriately. Now there is a time scale to prepare for the retrial but is everything as it should be or could the killings have been by someone else. A really good police procedural book. Kept me guessing till the closing chapters.

Compelling, interesting twist of a story. Shows how we can be influenced by pre-judgement of people. People aren't always what they seem to be.

Did not know I was reading a book from a a big series. I will now go and read from the start..Good solid read with believable characters ending with a great plot twist. Highly recommended.

Summary:

Two women were killed and 1 woman disappeared 2 years back.
Leo Stone is convicted for the two murders and is in the prison. But after a year he stands a chance for a retrial (because of an incompetent jury). Met Police assigns DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent to re-investigate the case. While case reopens, a 4th woman disappears or perhaps kidnapped.

Is Leo Stone a serial killer? Or is a victim of a flawed justice system? What happened to the 3rd women? Will DS Kerrigan solve the complex mystery of murder and heinous crime?

My take on the book:

The book is a series of Maeve Kerrigan. In fact, this is the 8th book in the series. I realized this when I read the last page. Each character is carefully built and given enough background. I absolutely admired the author for this.

Most of them involved in the investigation are recurring characters. Each of these characters has great depth. One of the positive aspects is the female detective is not a typical one. She’s not invincible types. She’s flawed, yet, a well-liked employee and also has colleagues who don’t like her. She has sound thinking and doesn’t rush on emotions. DI Derwent is diagonally opposite to Kerrigan. She does the diligent work, and he enjoys it. He’s a snob but enjoys working with Kerrigan.

The author has spun a well-knit tale of murder, mystery, and crime. I am not a fan of serial killers or killings but the book brought out the case well.

The book isn’t a fast-paced thriller. In fact, the story is built steadily. The reader is supposed to absorb the clues and then along with the storyline look for the real culprit. One could relate to the detectives and their frustration when the clues prove a dead end.

The author touched a sensitive issue of the misuse of the internet. Today we have this weapon called the internet. Internet is predominantly filled with rumours (fewer facts). And these rumours affect people and we look around us through a mirror of judgment.

There were, however, flaws in the story. One of the big ones being, why the 3rd disappearance was never clarified. The police never worked the case. The new investigation teams solve the case but there were no reasons mentioned why it wasn’t solved the first time. Kerrigan keeps repeating shoddy police work for this case but it seems very unlikely. Especially, the disappearance happened at the same time as the initial murders.

This is my first book by the author and I liked her style of writing. And it got me interested in her other books.

I highly recommend this book, it's an excellent read.

I will rate this book 3.5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the book in exchange for my honest review.

I love the Maeve Kerrigan series. I love the relationship with Josh Derwent and Kerrigan and Jane Casey always tells a fabulous crime novel at the same time.

There has been such a long wait for the 8th book, but it was well worth the wait.

In this novel, Maeve and Derwent investigate a serial killer and whether he is innocent or not.

I really enjoyed the novel, I just hope Jane Casey doesn't leave it as long for the next installment.

Jane Casey is the very first female crime author who's books I read and she got me into female crime books and she is one of my top 5 favourite authors and I've read and loved all of her books but I especially love the Maeve Kerrigan series she is one of my favourite all time detectives and I've really enjoyed seeing her character evolve through the series. Cruel Acts is another cracking read and it kept me guessing the whole way through absolutely addictive and such a fantasticly gruesome storyline it definitely is right up there with my favourites and is exactly the standard I have come to expect from her books. I love the relationship she has with Derwent and the office banter between herself and her colleagues really adds to the whole story.....I just have a tiny wish I hope to see forthcoming in future books ;-)

Cruel Acts is the first book by Jane Casey that I have read but it won't be the last as Cruel Acts is an excellent police crime thriller.

The main character is Maeve Kerrigan assisted by her colleague Josh Derwent and both characters are clearly well established and formed. There is obviously a significant backstory to their relationship but having not read any of the previous books in the series wasn't an hindrance as there was sufficient backstory for me to follow.

The story itself is well written and excellently paced as it keeps you hooked throughout with numerous twists and turns along with a good level of action.

This book is definitely recommended

D'S Maeve Kerrigan is part of a team revisiting the evidence that put Leo Stone away for life after he is released awaiting a retrial following appeal. As soon as he is out a girl disappears - coincidence or has Leo struck again? I thought I knew the answer, changed it but still didn't see the twist coming at the end. A tense, fast moving crime thriller that had me hooked from page one, couldn't put down and finished in a day! Believable characters with a smattering of Maeve's personal life that helps make her real. A fabulous read, gripping storyline but if I have one criticism it's I dislike the title. I can't wait for the next book in this series but don't worry as each book can be read as a stand alone crime thriller

Although there are a series of books featuring the main cast of characters, the stories work perfectly well as standalone novels. There is no need to read previous books to follow the narrative or be drawn into the story.

The story begins with a serial killer being released on a technicality pending a retrial. This causes Maeve and her team to be called upon to try to reinforce the original investigation into the killings to ensure that the suspect is returned to jail. quickly and this time for good.

The characters are unique and enjoyable and there are plenty of interpersonal relationships that are believable and do not detract from the main story.

Well written and enough twists to keep you guessing until the end without going overboard. Highly recommended.