Book Review –The Last Girl by Jane Casey

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This is the third book in the Maeve Kerrigan series.  The book summary teased me, instantly sparking off lots of questions and possible reasons for whodunnit and why

The book starts with DC Maeve Kerrigan and her DI, Derwent, called to a multiple murder in a wealthy London suburb.  One of the survivors, Kenford is a barrister specialising in criminal defence and hated by the police.  One of his twin teenage daughters found her sister and mother brutally murdered and Kenford unconscious.  Kerrigan and Derwent struggle to identify the motive for the murders and believe that both Kenford and his daughter are hiding something.

To provide variety, there is a Police subplot of a violent gang war, with plenty of grisly shootings and a personal subplot with Kerrigan feeling uncertain about the fidelity of her new partner Rob.  And, just as you think you’re starting to keep all the balls in the air and that things are driving to a conclusion, from left field comes Chris Swain, Kerrigan’s stalker from the previous book.

I liked the mix of plot and characters, but struggled with Derwent, who seemed just too much of a vulgarian and far too abrasive.  Could someone with so little subtlety be a good senior detective?  I don’t know, but if I was Kerrigan, I’d have slapped him across the face a long time ago, senior officer or not! 

Overall I thought the book was good.  The elements of the plot came together well without being too convoluted and there were enough clues along the way to keep you guessing.  The reveal was a surprise and the book wrapped up well, with some obvious teasers for Kerrigan’s next outing.  This book is definitely worth a read and I’ll be looking out for the next in the series.

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