This book was definitely one of those stories that you cannot put it down and won't stop before turning the last page.
A fast paced book , great writing style, even greater characters and a very interesting story overall. It just didn't stop and everything turned out to be more than I was expecting.
I need more stories like this one.

I do love a good police procedural thriller, and this is a very good one. The story is gripping, with clever twists, and the characters, especially Maeve and Derwent are likeable and believable. I will definitely be reading more books in this series. Jane Casey deserves to be much better known.

I haven’t read all of this series so perhaps that affected my enjoyment of the book. I love a good thriller and this was that, in parts, but I couldn’t warm to all of the characters and a fantastic, fast-paced start turned into a left field twist which for me didn’t work. I like Maeve, not so much the others right now. Perhaps I need to go back and read all in order! Decent thriller, not exceptional.

It wasn’t exciting enough for me too much detective work which became tedious I couldnt relate to the characters so was hard work trying to finish it but was well written just not my cup of tea

Engaging, thrilling I really enjoyed reading this one. looking forward to reading more from this wonderful author.

A really good example of a crime thriller that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Definitely recommended to those who enjoy this type of book.

Thank you to netgalley the publisher and the author for this ARC in return for an unbiased review

really enjoyed this read kept me guessing all the way though!

This was so good I couldn’t put it down! I was absorbed in the story and it kept me guessing throughout!

A good thriller with well developed characters that kept me turning the pages! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced review copy.

I haven’t read any Jane Casey before but I will remedy that after reading this one. I want to go back and read the rest in the series. The characters- especially Maeve Kerrigan - are well rounded, credible people acting how you would expect. The ending is excellent and looking back, well signalled but I didn’t see it coming. A serial killer is being released from prison for a retrial and Maeve and her boss are looking for any new evidence to ensure he goes back. We have the families of the victims, the press, the son of the killer and even police rivalry.

I’d recommend this series if you like police procedurals with a bit of grit and realism.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book which I received via NetGalley. As a DS, Maeve, the leading character is feisty and draws the reader to her side. Jane Casey gives good insights into her previous life, her way of thinking and her values. This book is 8th in a series but it read fine aa standalone although I am intending to go back and read those which came before... I'm delighted to have found a new author.
The story is of the release of a multiple murderer after a juror is revealed to have acted on other information during his trial. Another murder takes place on his release but it is clear he is not the culprit as he is with Maeve at the time. As the story progresses, more deaths come to light, more bodies are discovered and doubt is thrown onto the whole investigation.
Maeve 's relationships with other officers, with her boss, Lambert, and with other professionals feature throughout the book and are relevant but don't take over.
The book is well written and I found myself keen to get back to it when I had a spare moment.

Who would have thought that reinvestigating a crime some years later would provide the material for such a gripping story? Cruel Acts was a novel I found very hard to put down. The relationship between DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent was definitely love – hate, without the love, or at least was it? I was convinced Derwent held a torch for Maeve but had a strange way of showing it and in some ways vice versa. However, it was not to be (in this novel anyway). A well written, intriguing and fast paced detective thriller.

Cruel Acts is book eight in the Maeve Kerrigan series and features all the usual suspects from Kerrigan to the ever charming, Josh Derwent, whom I adore!

Leo Stone, is a criminal convicted of killing two women and serving a life sentence without parole. The trial, however, looks as though it may have had issues that throw the sentence into question therefore Kerrigan and Derwent are called to examine the evidence. Another body is found with a similar modus operandi to Stone's crimes but how could he be guilty when he is locked up? This ups the ante for Stone as he pleads his innocence and then some.

Cruel Acts is another terrific read in this series. Packed with good characterisations and gritty storytelling that keeps you hooked as you embark on this fact finding mission. Kerrigan and Derwent are very likable characters and you feel as though you know them well at this stage. A part of me wants them to hook up ..... but I know they never will!! *sigh*

If you haven't started on this series already then wait no more. Dive in, you won't be sorry!

These type of crime thrillers are my perfect read, and this one was no exception. The writing style, characters and pace always ensure you don’t put it down until you’ve gotten all the answers.

I’ve read all of Jane Casey’s Books with DI Maeve Kerrigan as the main protagonist. This lives up to its predecessors. Leo Stone a convicted killer has been released on a technicality. Kerrigan and her boss are put in charge of reviewing the case ready for retrial. Maeve becomes involved in Rachel a missing woman who was not investigated fully as it didn’t fit with Leo Stone’s MO.
There are lots of twists and turns that Keep you hooked. I liked the conclusion and the further insights into Maeve’s personal life. Can’t wait for the next instalment.
Thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really great read, hard to put down, twists and turns as the detectives reinvestigate a series of murders. Well written

Families are complicated and nobody knows what's going on behind closed doors. And the biggest question: Is it possible to be born evil, can evil be hereditary? Through all the book I was sure I knew who's the suspect. But in the end, no, I had it all wrong. There where a few moments I wasn't sure how it would all play out and the twist had med biting my nails and holding my breath. This is such a great series and I hope there is a lot more to come.

Maeve Kerrigan is likeable, slightly unpredictable and a great detective! I've read the others in this series and this latest one doesn't disappoint. Jane Casey puts a lot of thought into her books, so it's difficult to second guess what's going to happen next - in this one I thought I'd worked out who was responsible for the disappearance and murder of young women but there was a twist I hadn't anticipated! I think that in addition to a very good storyline the undercurrent/attraction between Maeve and her boss, Josh, adds to the enjoyment in the book. I highly recommend Cruel Acts.

When convicted killer Leo Stone is released on a technicality, DS Maeve Kerrigan is assigned to reviewing the case to prepare for his retrial. As she delves into the files, she suspects there may be more to this case and starts to have doubts about Leo's guilt. Working again with Josh Derwent, she is determined to find the truth, even when she is removed to the bottom of the investigation team she won't stop.
This is not the first in the series and can be read without the others; however there are some references to the history of the relationship between Kerrigan and other characters from previous books which you may find a little confusing.

I really enjoyed the steady pace of this book and the twists throughout and look forward to reading the other books in the series.

An excellent crime novel with lots of interesting twists. I really enjoyed the characters and although this is a stand alone story I wish I had read the first in the series first to find out more about them. I recommend you to read both books.