Just for a change, I picked up book ten in a series. This is becoming a habit. I read this book without reading any of the other books in the series, so rest assured you can read this one first. This book is a gripping crime thriller that will keep you glued to the pages as Maeve Kerrigan solves not one, but three different cases all at the same time.
I have only read one other of this author books, so I cannot claim to know her work well. I find her writing to be gripping and creative, keeping you intrigued with colourful characters and detailed settings. While I started the series on book ten I found myself quickly getting to know the characters and not feeling as if I have missed anything. At the same time, I am keen to read at least some, if not all, of the other books in the series.
Recovering from a traumatic domestic violence situation in her personal life Maeve Kerrigan finds her focus lacking at work. She is not herself and that is not helping her to solve the current murder investigation on her desk. When she is presented with an opportunity of an undercover assignment it appears to be just what she needs. However, she quickly finds herself in the middle of not one, but two cases while living in close quarters with Josh Derwent who is more than just her boss. He is also someone she finds herself attracted to which makes life very difficult as she is expected to pretend that they are a couple.
I was quickly engrossed in this complex story and loved all the various elements. The author mixed various cases which kept you on the edge of your seat trying to see where each one will lead.
Maeve Kerrigan is a brilliant character. She is a good cop, while at the same time, she is a woman scared. This makes her realistic. You find it easy to get lost in her world and share her emotions.
I found Josh Derwent to be a little annoying. The man is arrogant and full of himself, yet you see how much he cares about Maeve. I felt as if he was messing with her and that bugged me a little bit. But I was left feeling that Maeve was very capable of taking care of herself.
Yep, this one has been added to my loved list and I will keep an eye out for other books in the series to add to my TBR. I am keen to see what else Maeve has been up to.
If you enjoy a complex crime thriller that will keep you flipping pages late into the night, then I would highly recommend this book.

After the body of a man in found in an abandoned house, Kerrigan and Derwent are called on to investigate. The man appeared to have no family but he actually had a brother who is married to a politician so the Met is sparing no expense. Maeve and Josh go undercover as a pair of house-sitters in the perfect commuter cul-de-sac but they uncover more than the crime they were originally assigned to when an old woman is murdered.
I have to honest and say that I haven't read many of Casey's books and I think that is because I find the covers slightly off-putting in that 'mass market' thriller way. That's a pity as these are strong characters and the plot is neat. It does all tumble to a very rapid climax but that is a minor quibble as the story leading up to the final scenes is engrossing.

Flo is sick of Tokyo. Suffering from a crisis in confidence, she is stuck in a rut, her translation work has dried up and she's in a relationship that's run its course. That's until she stumbles upon a mysterious book left by a fellow passenger on the Tokyo Subway. From the very first page, Flo is transformed and immediately feels compelled to translate this forgotten novel, a decision which sets her on a path that will change her life...

It is a story about Ayako, a fierce and strict old woman who runs a coffee shop in the small town of Onomichi, where she has just taken guardianship of her grandson, Kyo. Haunted by long-buried family tragedy, both have suffered extreme loss and feel unable to open up to each other. As Flo follows the characters across a year in rural Japan, through the ups and downs of the pair's burgeoning relationship, she quickly realises that she needs to venture outside the pages of the book to track down its elusive author. And, as her two protagonists reveal themselves to have more in common with her life than first meets the eye, the lines between text and translator converge. The journey is just beginning.

The Close by Jane Casey is a gripping and intense thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

The novel follows Detective Maeve Kerrigan as she investigates a series of gruesome murders in a London housing estate known as The Close. The victims are all young women, and their deaths bear eerie similarities to a notorious unsolved case from the past. As Maeve delves deeper into the investigation, she discovers a web of secrets and lies that threaten to destroy the community she is trying to protect.

Casey's writing is sharp and compelling, drawing readers into the world of The Close and its inhabitants. The characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional, with their own motivations and secrets that add depth to the story.

The pacing of the novel is excellent, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing. The tension builds steadily throughout the story, culminating in a dramatic and satisfying conclusion.

Overall, The Close is a thrilling and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of crime fiction and psychological thrillers. With its well-drawn characters, intricate plot, and powerful themes, it is a book that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

This is my first Marge Kerrigan novel but it won’t be my last! A sleepy Close in rural England is the last place you expect to potentially find multiple crimes but looks can be deceiving.

Sent in as a no expense spared favour for the bosses Maeve and Derwent figure it’ll almost be a ‘holiday’ going undercover as a couple who are last minute dog sitters to investigate a possible human trafficking crime. What they don’t expect is the secrets the Close hides, chemistry and finding themselves liking some of the locals and enjoying everyday life.

I easily read this book in a day as I wanted to
Know what happened next. There are multiple story threads to keep the reader guessing - although you don’t find yourself confused. Just fascinated.

Can’t wait for the next book in this series!!

A pair of detectives are asked to stay in a small village to check on some suspicious activity. Will they be able to mix with the locals and how will it affect their relationship?
I found all the diverse characters really interesting and felt I had to race through the book to find out what had happened.
A compulsive read.

When I started reading this, I didn't realise it was part of a series and that Josh and Maeve have history. But not having read any of the other books in the series, this didn't spoil it for me. More than one murderer is in their midst. Its a lovely slow burn with lots of possibilities, plus of course, the unspoken appreciation that Josh and Maeve have for each other! A good read.

My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Close’ by Jane Casey.

This is Book 10 in this popular series of police procedurals and after nearly three years it’s fab to have a new DS Maeve Kerrigan novel to read.

I have read a few of the previous books in the series and plan to eventually read them all. As is standard with an ongoing crime series, Casey provides background for new readers. It’s also handy as a reminder for those returning readers like myself.

‘The Close’ opens with the discovery of the dead body of a doctor in a hospital parking garage. DS Maeve Kerrigan begins an investigation. However, this case is superseded by another and she is pulled from the case though keeps in touch with her office and contributes as best she can.

The new case involves shady goings on in Jellicoe Close, a quiet suburban street lined with well-kept houses, friendly neighbours, and children playing together. Yet one house contains a dark secret.

DI Josh Derwent is assigned to an undercover surveillance operation. He selects Maeve to accompany him as they pose as a couple and move into the Close as dog sitters for one of the residents, who is willing to cooperate with the police. However, the living situation blurs the lines between their professional and personal lives as never before.

As they settle in and begin to gather evidence, it becomes clear that there is more going on in Jellicoe Close than they suspected.

‘The Close’ proved to be another excellent police procedural from Jane Casey, who is well known for the degree of authenticity that she brings to the depiction of police investigations. I certainly am invested in the series and Casey is a ‘must read’ author for me.

On a side note Pippin, the lively little mixed breed dog, that Maeve and Josh were looking after while undercover, was a brilliant supporting character. His antics were so amusing.

A highly recommended novel and series.

….und hätte ich mir den Untertitel und den Klappentext mal genauer durchgelesen, wäre mir aufgefallen, dass es sich hierbei um den 10. Band einer Serie um die Londoner Kommissarin Maeve Kerrigan handelt, und um ihren Vorgesetzten / Kollegen / best friend / potential Lover Josh Derwent. Nun, ich bin mit diesem Band eingestiegen, und prinzipiell war das auch machbar, aber das ganze Vorgeplänkel und zwischenmenschliche Geschehen zwischen den Hauptdarstellern hat mir gefehlt, das habe ich mir erst sehr langsam zusammengereimt. DS Maeve Kerrigan beispielsweise hat gerade keine gute Phase, und wieso weshalb warum das so ist, hat sich mir erst nach einer Weile erschlossen (häusliche Gewalt und ein traumatisierender Unfall mit Kopfverletzung in einem der Vorgängerbände), und auf jeden Fall ist sie bei ihrer aktuellen Mordermittlung nur mit halber Kraft – wenn überhaupt – dabei. Das prädestiniert sie aber, bei einer anderen aktuellen Ermittlung eingesetzt zu werden: gemeinsam mit Josh zieht sie undercover in einen idyllischen ländlichem Örtchen als Haussitterin ein. Die beiden sollen die Nachbarschaft ausspionieren, in der es vermutlich kriminelle Machenschaften und Menschenhandel gibt. Maeve und Josh mimen also ein verliebtes Pärchen, das auf Haus und Hund achtgibt, und dabei Freundschaft mit den lieben Nachbarn schließt. Es ist Sommer, die Gegend schön, könnte fast Urlaub sein, wenn sich nicht langsam die Anzeichen verdichten würden, dass die halbe anscheinend biedere Nachbarschaft nicht ganz dass ist, was sie vorgeben zu sein. Und nebenbei kommen sich Josh und Maeve auch näher, als dass es noch professionell sein könnte…..
Soviel mal zum Inhalt.
Der Roman hat sich recht flüssig gelesen, auch für mich als Nicht-Muttersprachlerin. Die Autorin schreibt recht bildhaft, ich war problemlos dabei 😉.
Und jetzt mein großes Aber: richtig gefesselt hat es mich nicht. Ich fand beide Fälle nicht wirklich spektakulär, weder den Mord in London, dessen Ermittlung sich so im Hintergrund während des gesamten Geschehens entlang zog, noch den Fall im Jellicoe Close mit dem Ausspionieren der gesamten Nachbarschaft. Ich fand, das Ganze hatte so seine Längen. Und auch mit Maeve und Josh bin ich nicht so recht warm geworden. Wobei man fairer halber auch sagen muss, das könnte daran liegen, dass ich die ganzen Vorgängerbände nicht kenne.
Ja, und dann das Gezappel zwischen den beiden – diese nicht abzustreitende Anziehungskraft zwischen ihnen, die sie dann teils aber endlos und ergebnislos durchdiskutiert haben – oh Mann, das hat mich irgendwann nicht mehr interessiert. Also, entweder sie kriegen sich jetzt, oder halt auch nicht, aber bis zur letzten Seite wird umeinander herum getanzt, das fand ich nervig.
Ich habe das Buch zuende gelesen, sprich, irgendetwas hatte es durchaus, um mich bei der Stange zu halten, und so im letzten Drittel hat das Geschehen auch durchaus etwas an Fahrt aufgenommen, aber für mich war das jetzt nicht der große Wurf. Die Autorin kann flüssig und gefällig schreiben, aber ich würde mal sagen, dieser Band ist was für Fans.
Trotzdem herzlichen Dank an den Verlag und Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar!

I have never read any of the Maeve Kerrigan series or anything by Jane Casey, but I will happily be reading more! I really enjoyed the storyline and the multiple plots being explored throughout. I was keen with every turn of each page to find out what the secrets of close knit Jellicoe Close were. I was kept guessing throughout and suspected every single character at some point. The ending did not leave me disappointed!

Jellicoe Close looks like the ideal suburban street with the immaculate homes and pristinely kept lawns. But dark secrets lurk behind this perfect facade. DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent are tasked with going undercover as a couple to unearth the truth. They don’t realise the danger that a murderer lurks nearby and has Kerrigan and Derwent in their sights…

Although this is part of the DS Maeve Kerrigan series which I haven’t read, you can pick up The Close and still enjoy it as a standalone. I loved this story, the characters and the twists throughout so I will definitely go and read the rest of the series.

Casey’s book is a real page turner and the fast-pace of the story doesn’t let up! This is a triple-threaded mystery which I loved and Casey seamlessly ties everything together in an authentic and intriguing way. The chemistry between the two protagonists was electric and now I need to go read the other nine books in the series to see where it all started!

A binge-worthy, gripping story with plenty of shocking moments and twists to keep the reader guessing who the bad guy is. The Close is out now! Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the arc. 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Jane and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Close. Although this is the 10th in the series, it is the first which I have read and I probably missed out on the nuances. ( My fault, as I did not check this before requesting the ARC).

The background to the precis is as follows:
Davy Bidwell was found dead 4 months earlier. His sister-in-law was unhappy with the way that the police carried out the investigation into Davy’s death. Now she is flexing her political muscles to have the case re-opened.
DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent are best suited to act as a couple in the undercover op, although there is obviously history between them which does not bode well.

Maeve is already running the investigation into the murder of a consultant in a hospital car park, but the decision is taken that she can manage the case remotely.
The reader is introduced to the various neighbours and their public personae are stripped back to reveal the true characters.

📖BOOK REVIEW📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️

#TheClose by #JaneCasey

⏩for synopsis

So perhaps I’m at a disadvantage as I’ve come in a book ten, but I really struggled to get to grips with this one.

Let’s start with the positives; I really really liked main characters Maeve and Derwent, the sexual tension with the whole will they won’t they was really a great part of the book to read along their investigation in Jellicoe close. The author drew you in easily and although book ten in the series, she made you feel comfortable and part of the team.

So my issue was there were three investigations going on here - and I felt with the need to pack it all in and tie up all the ends nice and neatly none of the storylines were developed or explored as far as they could have been; there were no red herring or mystery as such, you were always directed to who the ‘baddies’ were straight away and therefore the book really lacked excitement from that point of view. The investigations didn’t link at all - I kept waiting for the big reveal where it would all make sense but that never came and it was shame as there was definitely greatness here with the characters.

This is a series I’ve been interested in for a while and well aware that in series this long all the books aren’t always the greatest ever reads. So has anyone read this series? Is it worth starting from the beginning?

With thanks to the author, @netgalley and @harpercollinsuk for allowing us to read this one (sorry it’s late)

OUT NOW

-EMILY

@the_book_girls_1

I read this as a stand alone but I’m going back to book one to read the whole series. I really enjoyed this book and the relationships between the characters. But seriously I need more of Josh and Maeve

A really good book, I loved how it from start to finish, looking forward to seeing what’s next from the author in the future

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Jane Casey has really outdone herself with this one! I’ve loved the whole Maeve Kerrigan series but think this was the best so far. I had this book for months before I read it because I was saving it! And, as expected, once I started reading, it was impossible to put it down. Great writing and storyline as well as the utterly brilliant partnership of Kerrigan and Derwent, which was developed further in this book. Loved it, highly recommend it and can’t wait for the next instalment in this series!!

MY RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

DISCLAIMER: I was provided an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest thoughts - all opinions are my own.

READ IF YOU LIKE:
🔪 Domestic drama + police procedural
⏳ Singular, chronological timeline
📖 SHARI LAPENA books
🫶🏼 Will they/won’t they romance aspects
👮🏻‍♀️ Undercover investigations
👀 Multiple POV
📖 The HELEN GRACE series
✍🏼 ‘Anonymous’ pov chapters

𝘈𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘑𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘦 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵, 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘣𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘵. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘴, 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.

☁️ THOUGHTS:
If you’re looking for a gripping, unputdownable crime fiction book— look no further! I read this in a day! What a 👏🏼 brilliant 👏🏼 book 👏🏼.

This is the tenth in the Maeve Kerrigan series and although I’ve only read THE BURNING and THE CUTTING KIND (in the wrong order ofc) I cannot praise this series + set of characters enough! This book (and series) has it all: an engaging, multilayered plot, brilliant character development, flawlessly written crimes + police procedures. An absolute page turner!

The crime aspect takes the front row seat, but the friendships, romance and characters seal the deal. The office banter is brilliantly written and believable, the array of characters in the neighbourhood distinct and memorable, and Maeve and Josh are my FAVE police officer duo. I ADORE them. Their friendship, banter, will they/won’t they tension and kindling chemistry is just *chefs kiss*🤌🏼🫶🏼

This can definitely be enjoyed as standalone but I’d recommend reading the rest in the series, or at least THE CUTTING PLACE to enjoy + appreciate the character development! I’ve said this for the last two books but I REALLY NEED to order the rest of the series!

Jane Casey's DS Maeve Kerrigan series hits double figures with The Close. The London copper first has to deal with the murder of a doctor, Hassan Dawoud, found dead in his car in the hospital car park. His husband Cameron is a likely suspect, as the pair often fought, but he has an unshakable alibi. Then she is seriously sidetracked. The death of a vulnerable man called Davy Bidwell, found virtually mummified in a derelict house, has raised serious questions. Why was his broken body covered in all kinds of wounds, and what became of him after he left his last known address - in Jellicoe Close, an apparently safe middle-class suburban street?

Someone - or perhaps several - of the long term residents of Jellicoe Close  must know what happened to Davy Bidwell. The death has left the Met with egg all over its gold braid ceremonial uniform, and in order to make up for earlier failings, the top brass decide to  plant two officers - disguised as civilians - into the community in an attempt to discover what happened.The two chosen for this surveillance are Kerrigan - and DI Josh Derwent, They are 'of an age' to be a plausible couple, and are smart enough to pull off the deception that they are house-sitting for a genuine resident.

Meanwhile, Kerrigan has to try to keep tabs on the Hassan Dawoud investigation on the phone to her colleague DC Georgia Shaw, who comes over as attractive and talkative, but perhaps not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Jane Casey uses a sizeable chunk of the middle part of the book to dwell on the "will-they-won't-they" aspect of Kerrigan's relationship with Derwent. As they they insert themselves into the social dynamic of Jellicoe Close, a certain amount of public affection is necessary to keep up the charade, but what happens when the pair are out of the public gaze? Jane Casey lets us know that the killer is watching and observing the newcomers as they blend into the suburban lifestyle of barbecues, football matches and drinks parties.

Although the residents of Jellicoe Close are not on an island, Jane Casey recreates a similar sense of claustrophobia and mistrust pioneered all those years ago by Agatha Christie in And Then There Were None. The parallel, I suppose, is that what traps the people in Jellicoe Close is not the sea, but a combination of their own suspicions, misplaced loyalties and prejudices. After several false turns - and another death -  the two detectives find a way through the maze of apparently conflicting accounts of the events which led up to the death of Davy Bidwell.

Meanwhile, the not-as-dim-as-we-thought Georgia Shaw has cracked the case of the killing of Hassan Dawoud, which only leaves Kerrigan and Derwent to mull over the effects of their pretence as lovers. The romantic relationship between Kerrigan and Derwent became a bit too breathless for me, but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of a cracking police procedural where the main characters are skillfully drawn on a carefully observed backdrop of suburban life and - more importantly - the reality behind the charade that "perfect" families sometimes present to the public gaze is exposed as a charade. The Close is published by Harper Collins and is available now.

Maeve Kerrigan is struggling to get back to normal, she still suffers from headaches & feels sluggish. When a doctor is found dead in his car she finds it hard to get a grip. A vulnerable young man is found beaten & half starved. Investigations reveal that he had been staying briefly with a woman in Jellicoe Close- an upmarket residential street. It is decided that what is needed is eyes on the Close & DI Josh Derwent. & Maeve are asked to move into one of the houses as a young couple dog sitting for a resident. There is an attraction between them- how will living is such close quarters affect them? Will they manage to investigate without being found out?

How have I missed this series of books??? I really loved this one with its great characters, & red herrings to keep you guessing. I'll certainly be looking out for the next one! Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent are sent on an undercover operation to monitor the goings on in a beautiful suburban street in the height of summer. Their aim is to find evidence of criminal activity within one of the homes, yet they are unprepared for the fact that there is a potential murderer among their new neighbours.

This is so much more than a police procedural novel.

The Close has an incredibly gripping plot that is jam-packed with intriguing storylines. I could barely put it down as I couldn't wait to find out how it would end. The descriptions were written in such a way that painted a clear picture of the characters and their surroundings. Every scene really came to life on the page.

I enjoyed seeing how Maeve and Josh worked together to put on a believable act for their cover story while at the same time investigating their new neighbours. I loved the characters and even though this was my first time meeting them, I felt like I had known them for years through the little glimpses into their pasts.

I am looking forward to seeing where Jane Casey takes this series in the next book as The Close was such a fantastic read.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.