On Wednesday afternoon, wealthy businesswoman Ilaria Cavendish checks into a luxury London hotel as usual. Shortly afterwards, her lover discovers her dead & submerged in a bath of scalding hot water. Accident or murder? The CCTV shows that no-one went in the room or came out during the time she was killed, so if she was murdered how did they do it?

DS Maeve Kerrigan is working on the case which is being run by DI Josh Derwent. This is the first time they have worked together in a while & things have been tense between them, but when he is accused of something that Maeve knows he would never do, she swings into action to clear his name.

The Cavendish case is quite interesting & a little more involved than at first sight with hints of an Agatha Christie-esque sleight of hand, however it's the case involving Josh & his interactions with Maeve which are the biggest draw. I did work out what was happening early on so it was quite satisfying to see it all unfold. As for Maeve & Josh - you'll just have to read it & see for yourself. 4.5 stars (rounded down)

My thanks to NetGalley & publisher, HarperCollins UK, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Wow, what a book!

I have read all of the Maeve Kerrigan books by Jane Casey and, like so many people, I’ve been hungrily awaiting this book since the cliffhanger in: A Stranger in the Family.

I don’t want to give any spoilers at all, but suffice to say it’s a rollercoaster of a ride….I was so concerned at one stage that I nearly flipped to the final few pages to relieve the tension, though I just managed to stop myself and I’m so glad I did. Whether you be newcomers, or old hands, I implore any ‘last chapter first’ readers to resist the temptation.

There are elements to this story that must have been extremely difficult for Jane Casey to navigate, as a psychiatric nurse myself I think she’s managed to get the balance and tone right. Showing Maeve’s frustration/disdain as a counterbalance to those with more sympathetic voices was skilfully done and credible.

We see and hear more from Luke in this book and it’s great to see his developing relationship with Josh and Maeve. There are also some new/returning police characters and I hope they are revisited in future books.

I’m a greedy reader with some authors so I read this in one sitting….I now need to digest it for a few days and go back and reread it, to pick up on all the small details I inevitably missed the first time around.

If you are new to the series this book has plenty of hints to Maeve’s and Josh’s backstory, so it shouldn’t cause you any difficulties. In fact I came to the books a few years ago and started at: Let the Dead Speak, I was hooked from there on in.

No pressure Jane, but when’s the next book out?

Finally many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing me the Kindle version of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Jane Casey has proven herself many times over and she does it again in this latest thriller "The Secret Room"!!

A woman is discovered dead in a hotel and Maeve Kerrigan needs to find out how she died and who could have done it. Nothing is straightforward but the CCTV recording should confirm who the suspects are likely to be - or can it?

Josh Derwent features prominently in a parallel thread which is completely unexpected and will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Another wonderful, multi-layered mystery that is superbly entertaining.

Bravo Jane Casey!

The Secret Room is the 12th novel in the gripping crime series by Jane Casey.

Our novel starts with a fascinating murder mystery that is investigated throughout the novel. However, the main focus soon moves to the shocking investigation into DI Josh Derwent for the attempted murder of his partner, Melissa.

For fans of the series (specifically "Kerwent" fans), The Secret Room is truly the novel that we have been waiting for the relationship between Maeve and Josh, plays a greater role than ever before. I loved the time given to their past and current situation. Newcomers to the series, are guaranteed to enjoy the tension and pace of this aspect of the storyline and sufficient background information is provided to allow the reader to understand their past, without sacrificing numerous previous plotlines.
However, I would always recommend
that you start with "The Burning" (201 0 that you dive in at book number one, to fully enjoy the humour and the entertainment of their early days.
Plus, we see an greater role for Maeve's family and some truly unexpected revelations.
While the relationships between our characters are integral to this novel, the murder mystery is also intriguing. We have what could well be a "locked room" mystery. And our author crafts a compelling mystery that you will be both puzzled and intrigued by.

This series has leaped onto my must reads and I’m so happy to have some previous ones to binge. I love the mix of crime fiction and the love story/tension between the main character Maeve and her colleague Josh.

This book sees them investigating a seemingly impossible murder in a hotel bathtub as well as Josh himself being the centre of a serious allegation.

The will they, won’t they aspect of their relationship continues throughout the plot and is both intriguing and infuriating! I don’t think I have ever wanted a fictional couple to get together more than these two.

I can’t wait to read the next one!

Having devoured all of the previous books in this series I was delighted to receive this as an ARC. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this, it was very much appreciated.

As always there is the main storyline which features what is essentially a locked room murder. Running behind this is the back story of the two lead characters, this time in two distinct elements adding to the suspense. One element of this I'm familiar with through my work and feel it was very well handled within the book.

This can be read as a standalone but in all honesty I'd suggest you pop life on hold, read the first eleven in the series and pack this as a treat for your summer holiday. Some things are worth waiting for...

Maeve is called to a suspicious death in an upmarket hotel in Mayfair. It is a locked room scenario, the CCTV tells them that the people going into the room couldn't have done it in the time available. It's a real conundrum.
Meanwhile Josh's partner, Melanie, is found unconscious and blooded by Josh on his return home. The attending police arrest him and despite him asking her not to, Maeve sets about proving his innocence.
This involves digging deep into the past and discovering things are not as they seem.
I loved reading this book!

Casey asks the reader not to spoil the surprises or fun for those who haven't yet read this latest in the long running series and I'm not going to do that because this one, well it ends with a whopper of a surprise. But to start DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent find themselves with a real mystery when a woman is found in a running, superheated bathtub in a hotel. Who killed Ilaria? Just as they start investigating, Josh is arrested for assaulting Melissa, his former partner who is found beaten at the bottom of the stairs in the house they still share. Of course Maeve can't let it alone and of course she's going to find things the others don't. Both mysteries are twisty and will keep you guessing. I'm a fan of this series for that reason-it's always clever. The characters are engaging and if you've been following along, you'll see growth. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This should be fine as a standalone but fans, well fans will be especially pleased.

This is a brilliant book, and one I’d highly recommend.
I’ve only read a few of the books in this series and I’ve enjoyed all of them, but this one is definitely the best.
Maeve is called when a woman’s body is found in scalding water in a bath at a prestigious hotel.
Looking at the CCTV it baffles them all as to how the murderer got in the room, and got out again.
Maeve is surprised to see Josh there, and things are a little tense, but they want to find the killer.
I can’t say too much more as the author has asked for no spoilers, but there’s a few things going on in this book alongside the crime which makes for a great story.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read this book.

Jane Casey is one of those authors that you see highly recommended on social media all the time… so much so that I was positive I had read some of her DS Maeve Kerrigan series and was delighted to be approved for an advanced copy of The Secret Room, Book 12 in the series. Rather belatedly at that point I investigated further only to discover that I had actually never read a book by this author before!! Having read the blurb and some earlier reviews, I thought I should read A Stranger In The Family first and downloaded the audiobook from my fabulous local library service. Thoroughly enjoying that and being left on such a cliffhanger, I was delighted to be able to go straight into The Secret Room.

Although The Secret Room can be read as a standalone, I truly feel it is best read having a few earlier books in the series under your belt. Although there is a solid case to solve with the death of Ilaria Cavendish in a luxury hotel room, let’s be honest the real story is the story within the police team investigating. Coming straight from A Stranger in the Family, I will admit I was invested in this storyline but not half as much as I imagine those readers who have been involved with this series from the start will be.

I’m not a good enough reviewer to say too much without giving away spoilers so I will simply say to long term followers of this series, buy this book and read immediately; and to those coming to it like me, read Book 11 and then buy this book and read immediately!

I enjoyed Jane Casey’s writing very much and will definitely read future books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and HarperFiction for an eARC of this book.

My thanks to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Secret Room’ written by Jane Casey in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

The body of wealthy Ilaria Cavendish is discovered by her lover Sam Blundell lying in a bath of boiling water in room 412 of the Governor Hotel and although he’s on DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent’s list of suspects they don’t believe he’s involved in her murder. When Josh Derwent is temporarily suspended from the investigation, Maeve continues working alongside her colleagues Liv Bowen and Georgia Shaw in an attempt to uncover the truth.

‘The Secret Room’ is the twelfth in the DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent series and in my opinion is the best one yet. There are two threads running through the story, the murder of Ilaria Cavendish and a second involving the private life of Josh Derwent, and the skilfully written plot has so much suspense and intrigue that it’s had me gasping out loud. As the tension increases my heart rate has risen until it’s impossible to stop reading and with so many suspects and unexpected twists it’s difficult to know how the story will end. Congratulations to Jane Casey who has the amazing ability to formulate such a gripping and thoroughly enjoyable thriller that’s worthy of far more than five stars and is one that I can wholeheartedly recommend. I’m very much looking forward to the next in the series.

I’ve seen a couple of talks about Jane Casey’s books, and the topic of Maeve and Josh always comes up. I usually steer clear of books with a strong romance thread, so I assumed this series might not be for me.

How wrong was I? I’m now completely invested – like it’s the 2000s and the Spike and Buffy storyline has just kicked off! I totally see why, after 12 books starting back in 2010, Jane Casey’s fans are so committed.

That said, there’s still plenty here for crime fiction lovers. The murder the book opens with is genuinely grim – I was surprised by how dark it was. The mystery of who, what and why the crime occurs was super interesting too. It’s a good puzzle to try and solve.

I won’t say too much more as I don’t want to spoil anything, but the book focuses a lot more on what’s happening in Josh’s life. The blurb says: “But when shock news hits close to home, affecting her partner, DI Josh Derwent, she faces the toughest challenge of her career.”

Casey does a fantastic job of filling in both Maeve and Josh’s backstories throughout the book so you can jump in here if you wish, though I will definitely be going back to read more now!

Thank you HarperFiction and NetGalley for the ARC.

A tale with three threads and twists galore makes, in this case, for a book well worth your time. Like the rest of this series, the interplay between the characters is really just like real life and I can well imagine the crimes involved pan out similarly in the real world, even down to the thing that was overlooked.

As is usual with Maeve, there are a few "left field" surprises and you must read the book to discover what they are; I do not do spoilers!

I read this as a stand alone, not realising it was 12th in the series (I know where have I been!) I'm now off to add all the others to my wish list. A fantastic read.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

After the agonising cliff-hanger at the end of her previous book, Jane Casey has really delivered the goods. The Queen of Crimance (Crime/Romance) has provided a startling way forward for her two main characters, Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent. Devoted fans have followed the two on a rollercoaster ride, with the obstacles keeping them apart just this side of believable. Even the sadly misguided Josh-haters cannot deny his almost fanatical devotion to Maeve and his desire to do the right thing, usually to his own detriment. Over the course of time, Maeve has come to appreciate his many virtues while still acknowledging his faults.

The Secret Room is an intriguing ‘locked room’ mystery that takes the whole of the book for Maeve to solve. The solution is surprising and very neatly presented with a number of suspects being gradually eliminated. Maeve has to work extremely hard as she is also intent on helping Josh with a potentially life-destroying problem. It goes without saying that he makes every effort to stop her from doing so. For her final trick, Maeve uncovers an act of unforgivable manipulation. She does not expected gratitude but is deeply upset by Josh’s reaction. The future does not look promising but Jane deftly brings about an unexpected conclusion that has the inimitable Josh Derwent written all over it.
Jane Casey has a remarkable knack for characterisation and with Maeve and Josh she has created two people who are multi-faceted and endearing. I know this is not a word that sits naturally alongside Josh’s name. The outcome is that readers are desperate to know more about them. Jane can convey more in a few short sentences, a phrase even, than many authors can do in a whole page. I am relieved to hear that this book is not the end of their story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to write this review.

Oh my goodness! How do I review this book without giving away anything??

First to say I was so happy to be back with Maeve and Josh. The storyline is great, it was a real mystery that took a lot of unpicking. The subplot of Meave and Josh was a rollercoaster! You’ll have to read it to find out just how much!

I loved this book all around…when is the next one?!

This locked room mystery has all the usual storytelling you'd expect from this author

It has drama and suspense and is a really good read. I was hooked from the start and the story unfolded unexpectedly. I could not guess what happens next so for me this was extra special..

A classic ‘locked room’ mystery here, with a really excellent and compelling plot. This book is also a romance and the two stories do not always sit absolutely comfortably together. Maeve Kerrigan is back solving heinous crimes with her partner Josh Derwent but if you’re looking for a police procedural the romance between them does get in the way a bit. Having said that, the murder story itself is a really cracking mystery with a completely unexpected denouement- a reader couldn’t ask for more. Josh comes across as a rather tricky character and Maeve really a bit pathetic in her inability to deal with Josh’s difficult personality but as far as solving the crime goes they do the job with great skill, imagination and compassion.

It’s no secret that I love a well written expertly plotted police procedural and this is no exception. Witty banter between the MC Maeve and her colleagues plus the dynamic between Maeve and Josh is just the icing on top.

I have read Book 1 in the series and this is Book 12 and while I may have missed out on the development of these characters up to this point, I think this works as a standalone too because it was clearly defined from the start who all of the characters were. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it hard to put down.

There is lots to delve into with this one but I don’t want to spoil it, especially for anyone who has faithfully read the full series to date. Suffice to say, I’d highly recommend it.

I’m so grateful to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC.

Another fantastic Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent novel. Great writing that hooks you in all the way from beginning to the end. Immersive characters with fulfilling back stories. Plenty of suspense to keep me enthralled. All you could possibly want from a mystery. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.