An enjoyable fast paced novel from Jane. I love these detective thriller stories, you can get really carried away with them. At first glance Jellicoe Close seems a respectable, nice area to live, but not is all as it seems. Maeve and Josh move in undercover to try and solve the crime and even they are taken aback by happenings.

I wasn’t initially impressed with the dialogue, some of it just didn’t ring true between police colleagues but after a few pages, the characters all began to slot into place and I was hooked! This is my first venture into. a Maeve Kerrigan series and I now know it won’t be my last! The mayor’s right hand woman, Rula Jacques’ brother in law has been missing and has now been found dead and Rula has made funds available for an undercover surveillance team to be set up in order to discover whether there is exploitation of homeless people occurring in The Close! Maeve has been called out to investigate the body of a Hospital consultant found murdered in his car but is then asked to join Josh, her Senior Officer, as part of the surveillance team! She and Josh need to convince the neighbours that they are a couple who have been asked to dog sit for a friend who lives in The Close! We know there is a suspicious character lurking in the nearby woods but which of the neighbours is the culprit? The local inhabitants certainly aren't your every day, run of the mill locals but we get to know them and we’re kept guessing as to who dunnit right to the very end! Both mysteries are tied up nicely except for………..? Which is why I HAVE to read the next book!

Brilliant binge reading. Relatable characters with a tantalising back story (which I now need to investigate).
Two detectives Mauve and Josh go undercover in glorious suburbia to find that all that seems respectable rarely is. Hugely enjoyable read

I absolutely loved this book. I didn’t realise it was the second in the series and got a little confused with some of the backstory. I will definitely read the 1st book

After an excruciating three year wait, Maeve and Josh are back, and boy, is it hot in here? And I’m not talking about the heatwave they're escaping. *fans self*

The Close, the tenth instalment of the sublime DS Maeve Kerrigan series. Jane Casey puts the spotlight on Maeve and DI Josh Derwent's personal and professional relationship by taking a romance genre trope - fake dating - having them go undercover as a couple to investigate people trafficking.

Pressure from the mayor's office has the team assigned to Jellicoe Close in the home counties to conduct surveillance to investigate the death of a vulnerable man.

With Maeve struggling with the aftermath of her attack by her ex-boyfriend, Josh urges her to join him so she can have a break, wit a much improved DC Georgia Shaw remaining in London to conduct the legwork of her current case.

The Close takes a huge leap forward into answering the 'will they, won't they?' question, along with highlighting the potential fallout. I am now DYING for the next book as this book brings up as much new questions as it does resolve others.

This book is very much for the fans. While you can read it as a standalone, you’ll find at least reading the previous book, The Cutting Place would allow you to drink in the developments of Maeve and Josh’s partnership. But honestly I think you should start from the beginning to get its full deliciousness.

The Close should cement Jane Casey's status as one of the world's top crime writers. This book has it all - a compelling mystery set in suburbia, and, at its heart, lead characters with banter, astute detecting, and explosive chemistry, which keeps me coming back for more. This series is the best police procedural out there.

Run now and pre-order yourself a copy. If you like audiobooks I can tell you that Caroline Lennon is one of the best narrators who won’t let your reading experience down.

Huge thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC (no way I could wait until March, after this release was delayed from May last year). I have pre-ordered my own copy.

Absolutely fabulous! I had read The Cutting Place and it was great to continue to follow the antics of DS Kerrigan and DI Derwent.

This had me gripped from the start, particularly as there were a number of storylines running at the same time.

5 stars.

God, has it been three years since the last Maeve Kerrigan? It was well-worth the wait.

This is easily my favorite series of this genre. The books are consistently engaging. Both the cases that needs to be solved and the dynamics between the team, especially Maeve and Derwent.

The Close was a step away from the usual policing dynamics and it was incredibly enjoyable. They were in their own bubble with lots of time for their entertaining back and forth.

I really hope there’s not a three year wait for another installment. I hoped the title wasn’t suggesting this was the end.

I quite enjoyed this book , it’s the first book I’ve read in the series and wished I’d read them from the start . I love the relationship between the two detectives, wanted to read more about them than the actual story they were investigating. I thought the story was average and not who I expected was doing the murder . If it hadn’t been for the relationship between the detectives I think it might have been a lot less interesting. I give this 4 stars and probably would read another from this author

The Close is the latest volume in Jane Casey's ongoing Maeve Kerrigan series. Maeve and her colleague Josh are sent undercover to a quiet suburban street where one of the residents is suspected of being involved in the trafficking and abuse of vulnerable adults. It is not clear how long the trafficking has been going on but when the latest victim is found in a pitiful state and identified as the brother in law of an assistant to the mayor, the pressure is on to uncover the extent of the operation and arrest those involved. Jellicoe Close is a tight knit community , so in order to fit in and avoid suspicion Maeve and Josh pose as a couple who are dog sitting for one of the residents. As they begin their covert investigation they soon learn that not everything is as it seems and behind closed doors darkness, violence and even murder awaits .
This was a real page turner of a book, and fans of the series will certainly enjoy it, however it could also be read as a stand alone by those new to the author, She incorporates enough back story into the book to ensure new readers are not lost but also makes sure that those familiar with the story to date will not find it too repetitive. Moving the action to a suburban close makes for a nice change of pace and the forced proximity trope is used very cleverly to ramp up the already simmering romantic tension between Maeve and Josh. For those worried that there may be too much focus on character development at the expense of plot, fear not , there are three separate cases to be solved and plenty of action and intrigue to keep the reader turning the pages.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher ,all opinions are my own.

Brilliant book I couldn’t put it down. Very believable characters that you felt you knew. Very good story line , with several unexpected twists

Where to begin…
I devoured this book in 9 hours.
Since I first discovered the Maeve Kerrigan Series in 2017 it has raised my expectations and standards for all the books I read. With every new novel and novella, Jane Casey exceeds all those expectations time and time again, and ‘The Close’ was no exception to this trend.
I say, with confidence, that ‘The Close’ is the best of the Maeve Kerrigan series I have read so far and I’m already desperate for book 11!

3 mysteries, two undercover detectives and a lot more than what they bargained for. Pressure to solve the cases collides with the shimmering tension between DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent. There has never been so much heat (both literally and figuratively) between our favourite detective duo. Starting off with the murder of Doctor Hassan Dawoud, Maeve must soon take the backseat on her own investigation and commit to another, rather unconventional case alongside Josh involving a missing persons investigation laced with suspicion and danger in the suburban Jellicoe Close. They stay in a small cul-de-sac while dog-sitting a particularly mischievous Jack Russell-cross, Pippin, where they are able to watch all the residents closely. But the residents aren’t the only people who are being watched…

After Maeve’s traumatic experiences in ‘The Cutting Place’, she has become a ghostly shell of herself. It has taken a toll on her work ethic and personal life and she can’t seem to pull herself free from her own numbness. Of course, this doesn’t sit well with the ever-attentive Josh Derwent, leading to many vulnerable, beautiful and even funny moments where he goes above and beyond to help her return to her old self; cue dancing, paddle pools, shopping, teasing and a particular kitchen scene that I suspect fans of Maeve and Josh will not forget for a very, very long time.

As always, the cases were exceptional. Written with the nuance, detail, realism and thrill that I’ve only ever seen work together so seamlessly in Jane Casey’s work. Despite having 3 mysteries rather than 1, and therefore, 3 opportunities to figure out who the criminals were, the cases were complicated enough that I was stumped until the end. And to top that off, it was 3 times more satisfying.

I loved the character-focus in this book. To me, it was the perfect balance between the investigations and character development that most Maeve and Josh lovers have become addicted to since ‘The Reckoning’. Confessions, close-proximity, sexual tension and emotion. I can only say that living together brought them closer than ever before… and that is not just a figure of speech.
Maeve Kerrigan fans are in for a treat! There is definitely a lot more romance in this book than any of the previous, and subsequently, a lesser focus on the cases. At its core, this is still a police procedural, and the mystery is present throughout. But there is certainly more attention on Maeve and Josh’s developing relationship than usual. I personally loved this new approach, but I have been waiting for something like this since book 2 so perhaps I’m biased.

As always, this can be technically read as a standalone, however I highly recommend at least reading ‘After The Fire’ and ‘The Cutting Place’ prior for the best understanding of who DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent are, where they are in their lives are and experiencing their phenomenally written character growth. And to take one step further, reading ‘The Reckoning’ and 'The Stranger You Know’ before the aforementioned books would provide more background knowledge and cast an even greater light on their growth.
That being said, the entire series is a must-read! Though I do believe that because this book brings us closer to the characters than ever before, having some connection to them would make the read far more enjoyable.

I feel as though I could never do the novel justice with my review. It was simply everything I wanted and more. Jane Casey not only exceeded my expectations but left them in the dust.

Maeve Kerrigan fans… all I can say is that you won’t stop thinking about 'The Close' until the next instalment.
THIS is the book we have all been waiting for.

Huge thanks to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!

It starts with a murder of a doctor and then a stack out to find the source of people trafficking in a small suburban street. Although a standalone book it feels you need to have read the previous ones to understand the relationship between DS Kerrigan and DI Derwent. Running two crimes does feel disjointed, and it paints a negative picture of all the characters in the close with a few side stories. As a crime novel I am sure many would like it, it just didn't fully connect with me.

Another excellent read in the Maeve Kerrigan series. Maeve is investigating the murder of a surgeon, found dead in his car in the hospital car park. On top of this, she then goes undercover with Derwent investigating the suspicious death of a young man, related to the mayor. It's a cleverly woven plot which I became totally immersed in. The sexual tension between Maeve and Derwent is addressed, at last! Great characterisation and plenty suspense makes this another 5* read for the author. I highly recommend the series to lovers of the genre. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

This detective novel continues the stories around DS Maeve Kerrigan. Good plot lines, well written, interesting characters, I would recommend reading the series.

Maeve and Josh move to Jellicoe Close posing as a couple in an undercover operation after the murder of Dr Hassan Dawoud.
This is an intriguing story with likeable characters and some villians too. There are hints of domestic abuse and some cold blooded murder. There is also a love story running in the background. I haven't read any of the other books before this and I guess if I had I would have had more background and awarded five stars. However I still very much enjoyed this story and it kept me guessing. It has also inspired me to add the authors other books to my reading list. Well done Jane Casey.

Whilst working on the murder of Dr Hassan Dawoud, Maeve Kerrigan is then seconded to work undercover in Jellicoe Close with her boss Josh Derwent. They are there to pose as a couple, to discover what happened to a former lodger of a neighbour, a vulnerable adult who had been found dead. But despite the facade of the close it appears that not all is as seems behind the closed doors and Maeve and Josh may find themselves in danger.
This is the 10th in the Kerrigan series but can be read as a standalone. Indeed in my own case this is the first one ive read but i didnt feel I'd missed anything. There's enough police procedures to fulfill crime readers, with a little bit of "will they won't they" to entice romance fans. All in all a solid read

I've read one book by Jane Casey before - The Killing Kind, which I thoroughly enjoyed, so was excited to see a new offering.

My only worry was that The Close is book 10 of a series that i knew nothing about involving Mauve Kerrigan and I was starting at the end. No need to worry, it can easily be read as a one off, and I now want to read all the other nine before it. Although it does give away a little of her back story it is enough to get you intrigued and if you have read the previous 9, I know you will enjoy this one.

I've already ordered the first one in the series on my Audible account so after I've caught up with a couple of other audio books that I need to review, this one will be right up there.

In this book Mauve goes undercover with her boss DI Josh Derwent and moves into a house together in Jellicoe Close to try and uncover the truth. A really interesting book, with some great characters and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

A big thank you to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and Netgalley, for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Enjoyed this one, with the main characters going undercover for their jobs. Love the mix between professionalism and not! A good edition to the series.

This the the tenth in a series of mystery thrillers based on DS Maeve Kerrigan and her colleague DI Josh Derwent. I've only read one (the seventh) in the series previous and that was fine as a standalone but I did feel a little disconnected to this book as a result of not having read the ones before. Something bad seems to have happened to Maeve in the not too distant past which is often alluded to in this book - an abusive relationship when she got physically injured. There is also a simmering romance in this book between Maeve and Derwent which has maybe been brewing for many books but it overshadowed this one too much for my liking.

The book starts with the discovery of the body of doctor Hassan Dawoud, aged 34, found in his car in the hospital where he works. He was murdered and one suspect is Hassan's husband, Cameron, I was expecting this to be the main storyline but this was actually a very brief story line as soon the plot moved to Maeve and Derwent living together in a house in Jellicoe Close, a supposed perfect suburban cul-de-sac. Their mission was to work undercover and pretend to be a couple while watching the neighbours following a series of unexplained deaths and disappearances of vulnerable young men. One of the residents in Jellicoe Close had fostered at least one of these young men before his untimely death. The hope was that she would lead Maeve and Derwent to the real perpetrators of the crimes.

I didn't care much for the story as firstly there were too many residents of Jellicoe Close to keep track of and remember who was who. Secondly there was also a lot of analysis going on between Maeve and Derwent about how they would have to behave if they really were a couple and this got really wearing. I was expecting a mystery thriller, not a romance. I also found the dialogue a little hard to follow at times as there were a few points where I didn't know who was speaking when Mauve and Derwent were chatting to one another, I found I had to pay very close attention to punctuation marks and occasionally had to reread more carefully to work it out.

There was some good gritty dialogue such as describing someone who is ostensible helping others in less fortunate circumstances as actually 'soaking up the misery'. It reminded me of a couple of people I know and I thought it was a good description. I did have to suspend belief at times such as when Derwent suddenly goes home in a hurry for a couple of days and leaves a note for Maeve in the early morning. This is hours after Derwent had raced outside in the dark after someone who was watching them in the house. There is no way a police officer would leave a colleague alone in a house in these circumstances without waiting for someone to take over from him. The reason for leaving so urgently was also very lame when it did come to light.

The residents of Jellicoe Close all seemed to be odd in different ways and quite irritating. I didn't care for any of them really. I was more invested in the murder of Hassan Dawoud and who had done that so was quite disappointed as all that was resolved very quickly in the last few pages with little storyline devoted to it.,

With thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The tenth is the series of books featuring Maeve Kerrigan is as propulsive and engrossing as the others. There is real strength in the character development, and we have come to care about Maeve and her team at the Met. Maeve and her boss Josh Derwent go undercover in a typical suburban location to investigate a ruthless criminal gang. The blurring of their boundaries lead to a wonderful tension of professional and sexual tension. Highly recommended.