Book Review: Cruel Acts by Jane Casey, the new Maeve Kerrigan book!

Available here

I'm a complete fan of Jane Casey's writing. I love her Young Adult books and I adore her Maeve Kerrigan series. Jane is one of those writers that manages too keep her series fresh and relevant and in Cruel Acts she does that with aplomb. 

n Cruel Acts,  Maeve runs a gamut of emotions and her position with in the investigation team goes from being the respected, lead detective to plummeting to a peripheral role, which leaves her angry and frustrated. 

A convicted serial killer is about to be released pending investigation following inconsitencies and breaches at his first trial. While almost certian he is guilty, the team have to re-investigate the case from scratch.. However, one of the victim's is being overlooked and Maeve, despite instructions from her bosses, is loathe to let this vicitm's death go unpunished.

It is this dogged determination for justice, that makes Maeve so appealing as a character,

but what really enhances her, is the dynamics between her and her DI Josh Derwent. The two make an improbable team, with a frisson of 'somethin' thrown in, yet somehow they rub along nicely together, complementing each other even as Derwent annoys the hll out of her. 

Casey offers us a range of suspects, each one beautifully written, each one convincing, yet very different. And just when you think you might have it sussed and know whether Stone is innocent or not, Casey throws something else in the ring.

The plot is pacy, with some 'hold your breath and don't let go' moments as well as some 'aww' ones and a few, "Really?... that just happened?' ones. 

All in all, you couldn't ask for more. A brilliant female protagonist with strenths and vulnerabilities ... Fab! Fab! Fab!



Blurb

From award-winning author Jane Casey comes a powerful Maeve Kerrigan crime thriller which will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final page!

How can you spot a murderer?

 
Leo Stone is a ruthless killer – or the victim of a miscarriage of justice. A year ago, he was convicted of the murder of two women and sentenced to life in prison. But now he’s free, and according to him, he's innocent.
 
DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent are determined to put Stone back behind bars where he belongs, but the more Maeve finds out, the less convinced she is of his guilt.
 
Then another woman disappears in similar circumstances. Is there a copycat killer, or have they been wrong about Stone from the start?