Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When I saw that Nicci French had a new book out, I knew that I had to read it right away! The Last Days of Kira Mullan by Nicci French is the latest book in the Maud O'Connor series, but you don't have to read the first book to understand the second. Maud is the detective in the series, but the main character in this book is Nancy North, who hears voices and suffered a psychotic break last year. Nancy and her boyfriend Felix have just moved into a new neighborhood. Everything seems idyllic. Suddenly, Nancy discovers one of her neighbors Kira hanging from a rope in her apartment. Was she the victim of a crime? If so, why is everyone else insisting that it was a suicide?

Overall, The Last Days of Kira Mullan is an absolutely unputdownable thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. It will appeal to fans of Monica Arya and Sarah Pekkanen. One highlight of this book is how well-written this book is. This husband-and-wife team are absolutely magic together. All paths are well-thought-through, and the reveal was completely satisfying. Another highlight of this book is how it is about an ordinary woman who decides to be nosy and do the investigation herself when police drop the ball. One highlight of this book is how suspenseful and action-packed it was. I felt all of the emotions, from sadness and anger, to fear and anxiety, and finally satisfaction. If you're intrigued by the synopsis above, or if you're a fan of thrillers in general, you won't regret checking out this book, which is available now!

The plot follows a character named Nancy North, who is seeking a fresh start after a psychotic breakdown, Nancy moves home to a flat in Harlesden with her boyfriend Felix. However, her newfound fresh start is short-lived as she feels increasingly confined by her boyfriend, Felix. His constant concern for her mental state and his willingness to share her struggles with the building residents leave Nancy feeling isolated and vulnerable. t was interestng and I did enjoy the book, it held my attention. However there were times when Nancy continues to convince herself that Felix has made sacrifices for her etc. where I really just want her to kick him to the curb and move on. Otherwise I did really enjoy the book and would recommend it to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers. Thanks to NetGalley for the ebook to preview.

"The Last Days of Kira Mullan" is a gripping psychological thriller by international bestselling author Nicci French. The novel centers on Nancy North, a woman striving to reclaim her life after a psychotic break upended her world. As Nancy attempts to recover while managing her mental health with medication and therapy, she becomes entangled in a chilling mystery following the suspicious death of her downstairs neighbor, Kira Mullan.

Nancy’s life is in fragility—her friendships strained, her business stalled, and her living situation disrupted. When Kira is found dead, officially ruled a suicide by the police and others around Nancy, she senses that something is amiss. Struggling with her own doubts due to her mental health history, Nancy’s instincts push her to seek justice for Kira despite being dismissed as unreliable.

Detective Inspector Maud O’Connor serves as a crucial ally, dubious of the quick police closure on Kira’s death. As Maud confronts institutional resistance and gender biases within law enforcement, the story highlights themes of trust, resilience, and the blurred lines between reality and perception.

THE LAST DAYS OF KIRA MULLAN is the reason why I keep coming back to read Nicci French books. The writing duo never disappoints in delivering a multilayered mystery with twists, turns, and fabulously complex characters.

Here is what is so great about this book. There are interesting and flawed characters propelling this narrative forward. The mystery and investigation are good, but the people are what made this book shine for me. The candidness of Nancy’s situation, as well as all the intricacies of her condition, were wonderfully crafted. In general, Nancy’s journey to discover the truth was an up-and-down rollercoaster ride that was gripping and even managed to throw in some more shocking moments.

If you want a bingeable book, in my humble opinion, this is the book to read. I devoured every chapter while trying to figure out who was behind the murder of Kira Mullen and what was going on with Nancy. This was a crazy good ride, and I cannot wait for another book in the Maud O’Connor series.

Audiobook Note: While spending only part of the time listening to the audiobook, I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed Sophie Roberts’ narration. Her pace and rhythm were on point for this type of novel. In addition, the way she brought the words to life through the dialogue was great.

Well-written and engrossing, this is the ultimate unreliable narrator (or is she?) story. The husband and wife team known as Nicci French have been writing together for years and it really shows in their tight plotting and expert prose. I was a bit intimidated at how lengthy the book was, but it was always interesting and well worth the read. Authors are experts in the field and have been doing twisty suspense before twisty suspense was a mainstream thing, so it's no surprise that they were able to flawlessly execute this ending. Five stars.

I did not realize that this was number 2 in a series, but I read, and it is not necessary to read the first book. I really enjoyed this mystery/thriller. Going into it just be aware of trigger warnings. The pacing is slow but well done because it kept me interested throughout. Make sure to pick up a copy. Thank you to Nicci French and William Morrow Books for my ARC copy. All opinions are my own.
4 star

This second installment of a series that can be read as a stand-alone was a frightening take on a woman's slowly declining mental health. While this was very slow-paced throughout, it still worked its way to a twisty ending that will leave you second-guessing yourself. The characters were brilliantly developed, and the loathing I felt towards a certain one goes to show the talent the author has for creating a descriptive yet realistic fictional world. Fans of the unreliable narrator will devour this one. Four stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and William Morrow, for this ARC.

I have a very hit or miss relationship with Nicci French's work; sometimes I love it, and sometimes I'm very disappointed. This was one of those disappointed times.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. The Last Days of Kira Mullan, is the second book in the Maud O’Connor series but can be read as a stand-alone novel. It's a domestic suspense novel that I couldn't put down. Some things I saw coming but the big twists I had no idea!

Nancy seemingly has it all, but suffers a psychotic break after everything proves to be too much. Once home, things between she and her husband Felix are understandably strained. They've had to move to a smaller flat and Nancy feels parented by Felix and her neighbors aren't friendly. When a young woman Kira in the apartment below is believed to have committed suicide, Nancy can't help but be suspicious of everyone. She doesn't believe it was suicide.

I loved the characters of Maud and Nancy. I was infuriated by what total pigs Maud's colleagues are. They should be working together to solve crime, not working against her because she threatens their egos. I hate Felix. Nicci French did a great job writing his character, because boy did I hate him.
The ending haunted me. Yes, I recommend this book and thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read it as an ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This thriller had an intriguing premise and some suspenseful moments, but it didn’t fully captivate me. While the plot had potential, the pacing felt uneven at times, and some of the twists didn’t quite land as expected. I did enjoy certain aspects, like the atmosphere and a few well-developed characters, but overall, I didn’t feel completely invested in the story.

It was an okay read, and thriller fans may still find something to enjoy, but it wasn’t quite as gripping as I had hoped.

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars. I enjoyed this story but I did find it to be a tad slow. A lot of build up, character building and descriptive narratives made it better but I did wish for a tad more excitement, maybe a little more suspense. Definitely well written. I definitely am becoming attached to Maud and her struggle in a profession most of us are all too familiar with. I love a strong, female lead.

Kira Mullen is found hanging in her flat. Ruled a suicide, the cops are more than happy to close the case and move on. Nancy and her partner move in to the flat above Kira Mullen. Nancy, recovering from a mental breakdown, is convinced Kira did not take her own life.

A solid. Whodunnit that will speak to fans of Pat Cornwell and Karin Slaughter.

This was the first that I have read of this author and I will be reading more.
Kira is a tenant in a building with other tenants. When Nancy and Felix move in something horrible happens to Kira. As the story unravels, two things are happening: Nancy is battling psychotic episodes and Nancy believes Kira was murdered. These two stories build and intertwine. There are suspects throughout the house and some good misdirection. I was not sure of the twists and the final one seemed a little pushed, but overall it was a good story!

Thank you to William Morrow Books for the copies to review.

This was my first read by this author duo, and I really liked it. Note that it is book 2 in a series, but it read perfectly fine as a standalone to me. I was not sure what to expect as I went in blind but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this. It was infuriating how Nancy was treated given her past mental issues, but it went with the story. The pacing is slow and steady but I was fine with it, and I loved the plot as well as how it all wrapped up. I will definitely read more by this duo.

Nowhere did it say this was a series, and I felt like something was missing only to discover after it's book two.

This book was a solid 5 stars for me. I absolutely loved the methodical way Maud solved the mystery and yet it was kept from the reader while she ensured she had evidence. Very well done and reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes. At first, the book seems a bit slow as the two characters are being developed and the plot is being set up, but just hang on for the ride as Nicci French definitely delivers on this one. I also appreciated the follow up and that no lose ends were left. Just a real good mystery!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. I always like to read books by Nicci French. This one was no different. It was paced well and had the intrigue to keep me reading

It was ok and sent me in all different directions. The title, "The Last Days of Kira Mullan" should be called "The Life and Times of Nancy North". We are told bits and pieces of Kira as well as Maud with the whole book on how Felix is gaslighting Nancy. Yes she has mental health issues and had an episode and the whole building is ready to have her committed. Too many people who couldn't be trusted in the house and next door such as Michelle and Dylan, Seamus and Harry.

Nancy has become an unreliable narrator in her own life.

After finally making her dream a reality—opening her own restaurant—Nancy pours every ounce of herself into it: her money, her time, her energy… and then her mind. A full-blown psychotic break lands her in a psychiatric ward, and while she’s healing, her world falls apart.

Felix, her ever-loyal partner, stays by her side through it all. But with the restaurant gone and their lives upended, the couple is forced to move into a shared home in a cheaper part of west London. That’s where things get… strange.

On their first night, Felix joins a party thrown by the two men living in the basement, while Nancy—exhausted but uneasy—stays behind. When she goes for a walk the next morning, she collides with a young woman who seems panicked, maybe even terrified. Nancy’s sure she hears her say something like “I need help” before the woman bolts.

That woman is Kira, another resident in the house. And the next time Nancy sees her… she’s hanging from the ceiling of her flat.

Everyone says it’s suicide. Case closed. But Nancy can’t shake the feeling that something is very, very wrong. The people in the house? Off. The couple next door? Cagey. Felix? Suddenly questioning her sanity. Again.

But what if Nancy’s not spiraling?

What if she’s the only one seeing things clearly?

This book had me second-guessing everything. I love a good “is-she-losing-it-or-is-she-right” storyline, and this one delivers tension, paranoia, and ever increasing suspense.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nicci French, and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for a review.