Interesting story and characters
Enjoyed the book but felt the ending was kinda rushed or missing info.

Would probably read the next or the rest on the series.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy

Twisty!

Undercover cop, Rob Langton, is tasked to infiltrate himself with the notorious Carter family. After a random event leads to Rob saving the patriarch's life, it becomes much easier than originally expected! Due to his quick thinking and decisive actions, he's invited to come work for the family - and this includes room and board. Rob ends up coerced into participating in plans for a bombing - first a test run in the subway, and then a larger scale event. All of this is to try to drive out the immigrants (note: some serious prejudices are present in the book as a part of the story - I did not find them overly offensive.).

It's hard to write a proper review without spoilers! Fast paced, hard to put down. I didn't see the ending coming at all!

TW: racism, domestic abuse

Thanks to NetGalley, Harper 360 and Jane Casey for the eARC.
Pub Date Feb 04 2025 | #TheOutsider #NetGalley

I enjoyed this stand alone book in the Maeve Kerrigan universe. I liked reading from Rob's perspective more than I thought I would, and I appreciated the appearance of Maeve and Josh. The plot was fast-paced, I love Jane Casey's writing, but the ending felt a bit rushed - lots of build up to a brief final scene.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for the chance to read this book!

I would have loved to come on here and praise this book and say it was such a fast paced read, I got through it yadda yadda.. but honestly I did not, It was a slow go with this one, Not sure if it wasn't my genre or because I was suppose to be following characters from this series I haven't read. But there were a lot of characters to keep straight, who was whose wife, who was in the house who was in the agency or a cop or whatever but I got through it and it ended up good, I just had to get there to enjoy it. Thank god for the twist at the end, I Was really having a horrible time reading the last part, hoping it wasn't actually happening the way i was reading it lol

But in the end I was glad i stuck with it. I might have to check out the actual Series, I know it only follows a character or two from this book but i did enjoy the authors writing style and it was very thought out

Jane Casey’s Maeve Kerrigan series is one of my favorites, so when I realized this book features Rob Langdon from that series I was pleasantly surprised. Now an undercover police officer, Rob’s inserted himself into a crime family only to discover there’s much more going on then anticipated. His character is so well written, his conflicted emotions as he grows to like some of those he’s been thrown in with, the burnout from the stress he’s living with, and his feelings for Maeve all make him seem authentic and easy to empathize with. The pacing of the book and the constant tension as Rob tries to balance everything going on around him make for a thrilling read. It’s a bit different from the normal police procedurals I enjoy but in a welcomed way, it’s a bit more of a thriller.
I’m always looking forward to more books by Jane Casey, it will be interesting so see what, if anything, she does with Rob in the future.
NetGalley and Harper 360 made my day when they provided me with an advance readers copy of The Outsider, I appreciate it and will recommend it to all of my mystery loving friends!

The Outsider by Jane Casey is a complex undercover cop novel that is gripping and intense. Mark Howell is an out of work, down on his luck kind of guy who stumbles upon a car accident where the driver Geraint Carter has had a heart attack. Mark helps Mr Carter, does CPR and saves his life, sending him off to the hospital to recuperate. But Mark has secrets and he knew Mr Carter well before that accident. Mark is actually undercover, planning on bringing Mr Carter down for various crimes. By getting into his good graces, Mark now has a chance to live in the family house, do odd-jobs for the family and gather evidence. But he must be careful because one mistake and his job and his life will be in danger.
This novel is connected to a series but it can 100% be read as a standalone. Very fast paced and full of action this was a good crime novel. I am definitely going to read more of Jane Casey's work.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jane Casey, and Harper 360 for this ARC. Expected release date is February 4th 2025.

Rob Langton, an policeman working undercover as Mark Howell, has a lucky break when the suspected crime lord he is following has a heart attack and a car accident. Mark saves Geraint Carter’s life and is hired to work for him and live at his estate. The Carters are a dysfunctional family and Mark tiptoes through difficult relationships with them. Loyalty to the Carters will test his own values and may lead to tragedy and death.

The Outsider spotlights Langton, a secondary character from the excellent Maeve Kerrigan/Josh Derwent series. We see why he broke off his relationship with Maeve and how they both have changed since then. Jane Casey is a master of the police procedural and while the Outsider describes the constant stress of undercover work, it spotlights her skill at characterization. Each Carter family member is so well described that you would recognize them on the street. The plot is complex and full of surprises. I can’t wait for the next in the series and hope to see Rob Langton again. Of course, 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper 360 and Jane Casey for this ARC.

Jane Casey’s The Outsider delivers a gripping, fast-paced undercover detective story that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. From the very first chapter, the book sets a brisk tempo, pulling readers into a world of high stakes, suspense, and well-crafted twists.

At the heart of the story is the detective, whose character is not only compelling but refreshingly well-rounded. He is written with depth, showcasing both his professional drive and snippets of his personal life that make him feel authentic. Casey strikes a delicate balance here—while the primary focus remains on the mission, these glimpses into his personal struggles and motivations add a humanizing layer that enriches the narrative.

The build-up throughout the story is superb, with moments that leave you genuinely wondering, “How will this end?” The tension rises with precision, and Casey keeps the reader guessing without veering off track or losing focus on the central plot.

Overall, The Outsider is an expertly written thriller that combines a tightly constructed plot with memorable characters. Fans of detective fiction will find much to love here, from the intense pacing to the subtle emotional beats that elevate the story. A must-read for those who enjoy fast-paced mysteries with a strong emotional core.

I’ve loved all her books and this one is another Winner . She creates plot and characters that make you want to read and keeps you engaged
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book

This mystery book was just an ok read for me. Overall it was decently written, but I felt at times that it was very hard to follow. It seemed to jump all over the place and move onto new scenes and topics suddenly. It was engaging enough for me to want to read it to the end, despite wanting to not finish it after about a 1/3 of the way through. The ending felt sudden and not like it matched the rest of the story.

This was the first Jane Casey book I have read and since this one was based on characters from a series from her, I spent part of the book confused on who the people were since I was not familiar with the background of these characters. I would consider trying to read some of the Maeve Kerrigan books by this author in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper 360 for the ARC of this book.

I felt so many different ways about this one. I’ll take any chance to see Maeve and Josh, and the glimpse we got here was substantial. Some I loved, but a lot just felt painful. I also didn't like that the bad night with Rob in The Kill was basically glossed over. Despite all those feelings I was still drawn in and enjoyed the story as a stand-alone

I have never read anything by this author in the past, but I may check out future books. The writing quickly pulls readers in, and there is ample tension, along with a fast pace, to keep readers turning the pages. Dialogue was witty and realistic. There are numerous twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Maeve is intelligent and determined, which makes her an engaging character to follow. In general, all the characters were realistic, yet flawed. Fans of crime fiction, as well as psychological suspense, will likely enjoy this book.

Apparently this was part of the series. It did make sense as a standalone, but readers may have a greater appreciation for the characters if they read the books in order.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360 for the eARC.
Jane Casey is one of my favorite authors and her Maeve
Kerrigan and Josh Derwent series is one of the best out there.
In this book the duo only appears shortly. The main protagonist is Rob, Maeve's former colleague and lover,
He's infiltrated a mob family that is scary as heck and he barely survives the job ... but survive he does, by the skin of his teeth. It's a knuckle-biter from beginning to end,
I ended up really liking Rob and definitely recommend the book.

Warning, spoilery review! Read at your own risk!

I know many fans ship Josh and Maeve, but I don’t. He’s her boss. He’s her landlord. He has power over her. He has no business getting involved with her. On top of that, he’s a sexist chauvinist pig. Not every man can be saved, even if he is decent sometimes. (I never wanted to see Scully and Mulder get romantically involved either, but at least they were partners. They were equals.)

I had been hoping Rob would return and win Maeve back. Well, Rob has returned and they had a nice interlude resolving their unresolved issues but they clearly – probably? - aren’t getting back together. Too bad. This is the rare time I’d welcome a romantic triangle. I find Josh an interesting character, but Jane Casey needs to find Maeve a nice, uncomplicated, non-cop partner who will treat her right. NOT Josh Derwent. Or maybe she can be single and happy.

I don’t think this book would work as a standalone for someone who doesn’t read the Maeve Kerrigan books. The Maeve/Rob/Josh interlude would read pretty odd I think, if you didn’t understand the past and the dynamics.

I will of course keep reading the amazing Maeve Kerrigan series but I truly hope that Jane Casey surprises us all and does not get Maeve and Josh together. Everything about that relationship screams red flag. At the very least, he should lose his job. I find nothing about their relationship romantic. Can we not buy into the fantasy that Maeve needs Josh to save her?

There are some pretty unbelievable plot points toward the end, but overall I was invested in the story and the characters and needed to know what was going to happen next. I was worried about Rob even though he was narrating the story.

It is a credit to Casey’s writing skills that I care this much about these fictional characters.

I read an advance reader copy of The Outsider from Netgalley.

Jane Casey’s The Outsider is an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride! With its fast pace and explosive twists, this book hooks you from the first page. Rob Langton’s high-stakes undercover mission is gripping, and the Carter family’s dark secrets add layers of tension and intrigue.

The blend of action, suspense, and psychological depth makes this a standout crime thriller. As the clock ticks down, every chapter feels like a race against time, keeping you turning the pages late into the night.

A must-read for fans of action-packed thrillers and unrelenting suspense. Don’t miss it! 🕵️‍♂️💣✨

I'm a big fan of Jane Casey's Maeve Kerrigan series and this book is from the perspective of Maeve's ex-boyfriend. It answers some questions about why he disappeared from her life and what was going through his head. It's always fun to see a protagonist through someone else's eyes or even just hear about them as the circumstances of the book made that seem unlikely (he is undercover).

This book feels more like a thriller than a mystery especially as compared to some of her other books. I did not anticipate many of the twists and turns and often found it very hard to stop reading because I had no idea what would happen next.

This book would work as a standalone so it's worth a read even if you haven't read the Maeve Kerrigan series as Rob, the protagonist, gives background so you wouldn't miss out on what is happening. But if you have read the series, it's immensely satisfying to have some of the backstory filled in. As always, Jane Casey's writing is compelling and beautifully executed.

Rounding up from 4.5 stars.

I liked this book! I liked the thrill and the suspense of it all. It started off a bit slow and did also have some parts in the middle that were slow but it picked up at the end. It was full of action and suspense. The characters were written pretty well and it kept me wanting to read on and find out what would happen.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

This was an exciting book. I was not prepared for the twist at the end, but felt like I shpuld have known. I was invested in the characters and was excited to learn that I can read about a few of them in other books.

This one is from the POV of Rob Langton, Maeve's feckless ex.

And feckless he remained to me in this book. He comes across as strangely bloodless. He's clearly still crazy about Maeve, but I never got any feeling of passion from him otherwise.

Rob left Maeve because he was going to do undercover work. In this particular case, he's investigating a rich and powerful family with shady white supremacist connections. It's tough to write about undercover work, and the author is so careful not to give too much away that she doesn't end up giving us enough. She had a "behind the curtain" magic solve at the end and to keep the reader from knowing, she kept too much to herself. Rob never seems to feel much worry about his situation and so neither did I. Admittedly, I did begin to skim about 25% of the way through the book.

I slowed down for the Maeve and Derwent bits. We see a bit of Maeve from someone else's point of view, which is sort of interesting, but Rob doesn't seem to understand Maeve well enough for it to be meaningful for me. Derwent and Rob have more passionate moments than Rob and Maeve, even when the two of them sleep together (Rob and Maeve, I mean).

All in all, I'd say that this didn't add much to the series for me. Still don't like Rob or care about him.

This was my first Jane Casey book, which I read not knowing it was a stand-alone novel linked to a series starring Maeve Kerrigan. I was glad not to have this background as I enjoyed the story told from Rob’s point of view as he goes undercover to save the country from a wealthy and powerful group with extremist views. The stakes are high and intense in this fast-paced suspense novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.