With thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the ARC.

Leo Stone has been released on appeal from his sentence for multiple murders.
DS Maeve Kerrigan alongside her boss DI Josh Derwent are tasked with re-examining the evidence for the upcoming retrial.

Straightforward? Not likely.

More murders occur, is it Stone or a copycat?
Twisted family secrets are slowly revealed.
Can Kerrigan beat the clock to get to the bottom of everything and potentially save more innocent lives?

An excellent book that had me racing through the pages with that feeling of "just one more chapter."

Maeve Kerrigan is a brilliant and totally believable character, her relationship with DI Derwent is intriguing and captivating.

Time to go back and read some more of these.

I love this series and this may be the best one yet. The interplay between Kerrigan and Derwent is so believable and laugh out loud funny at times. Very convincing police politics too.
The story itself was very clever with believable twists and turns and genuine surprise at the end on at least two fronts. It kept me up very late last night to finish it. Looking forward to the next one...

The latest book in the Maeve Kerrigan series finds her once again with DI Josh Derwent as they look into murders committed a year ago after Leo Stone the original suspect is released from prison after new evidence comes to light proving his supposed innocence.When a another woman disappears in similar circumstances is Stone back to haunt them again or is there another killer out there ?As always with Jane Casey's books it is well written and bounds along at a good pace while keeping you guessing just who is the culprit and the love/hate relationship with Maeve and Derwent is again to the fore and makes for a cracking sideshow to the main story.In my opinion this book can be read as a stand alone book,but why would you not want to read this superb series of books ? 5 stars all the way.

Cruel Acts by Jane Casey
Although this is the 8th in the series about Detective Sergeant Maeve Kerrigan I have, so far, not read any of the previous books. Having read this book I am determined to correct this oversight. The book reads well as a standalone and is an authentically written crime novel. I found the detail and the way in which the characters were written compelling and engaging.
In this story they have to reinvestigate the sentencing of murderer Leo Stone when it seems he has been the victim of a miscarriage of justice. Maeve’s superior, Josh Derwent seems convinced of Leo’s guilt but the more she investigates the less convinced Maeve becomes. Then another victim dies in what appears to be a copycat killing whilst Leo Stone is on bail. Leo however has a cast iron alibi so who is the actual murderer? You are gripped throughout and fully engaged with the mystery. This book is a welcome addition to the crime genre. Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book.

Jane Casey has a gift for storytelling. Her DS Maeve Kerrigan series is a firm favourite of mine and Cruel Acts does not disappoint. A notorious serial killer is released from prison on a technicality. Derwent and Kerrigan are tasked with re-investigating the case in order to convict him a second time as soon as possible. As they probe further into the investigation the evidence isn't stacking up. Could an innocent man have been wrongly convicted? If so, who is the real killer? Nothing is what it seems. I loved this book, bring on the next Ms Casey! Thank you Netgalley for my advanced copy.

Great story of an an investigation into Leo Stone by DS Maeve Kerrigan . He is claiming a miscarriage of justice because of a pathologist ‘s mistakes when he has cancer..
The dynamics in the police station are very realistic. Georgia is desperate to be like Maeve which leads to difficulties in the investigation.
The relationship between Leo and his son Kelly Lambert adds interest to the story and makes Leo seem innocent.
The relationship between Kerrigan and Derwent is complicated and well written .
Enjoyable read and would definitely read mor if Jane Casey’s writing.

What a great book that I could not put down until I had completed reading it.
Leo Stone is getting a retrial he claimed his innocence al the way through the first trial - the question is guilty or innocent? He certainly is a creepy fellow makes the hairs on your back tingle in trepidation. DS Maeve Kerrigan is on the team to gather new evidence and she is a very likable character who stands no nonsense, even from her partner in crime Derwent. Very early on we meet his son and his lawyer who are both handsome and cause Maeve issues. The characters are superb and the life in the police station comes across as so real, backstabbing all the way. The acts were truly cruel acts of murder and descriptions made them very clear.
Fantastic book and although it is 8th in the series it is a fully stand alone story.
Bring on more Jane Casey as you write so well...

This is a really good crime fiction book. DS Maeve Kerrigan is looking into the deaths of two (possibly three) women after Leo Stone, man suspected of murdering them, is released in the hope of finding new evidence to put him back in prison.

It is full of twists as you follow Maeve and her colleague DI Josh Derwent. I thought I had it sussed about halfway through but it went another direction. This is the eighth book in the Maeve Kerrigan series but only the first I've read. After seeing how well written this book is, and the fact I loved the characters, I'm definitely going back to read the rest!

Another fantastic book . This had me hooked from the start . Leo was found guilty of the murder of two women a year ago but now he’s out and saying he’s innocent .Was it a mistrial or is he guilty. His son is on his side has he got something to do with the murders . Plenty of twists and turns

HUZZAH! The tremendulant (copyright @BookishChat) Maeve Kerrigan returns in this, her 8th outing as if she has never been away!

She and Derwent are bickering like an old married couple as they try to determine Leo's innocence or guilt in the cases of 3 murders-2 bodies found and the third tied to Leo with evidence which at best is cicrumstantial. Is Leo guilty of these crimes? Was he working with someone else or is he guilty of entirely different crimes?

This book twists and turns as it plays with your perceptions of right and wrong, the concept of trial by media and what an authetnically 'bad guy' looks like.Leo Stone is an odious criminal prescence who you want to bat away from Maeve and yell 'Leave her alone' as he sets his sights on getting to know her better after his release from prison.

Due to a 'tell all' juror writing a memoir of the case, all evidence was considered and a retrail with a new trial granted. The families of the 2 women who were found have little faith that the police did a good job first time around and Jane Casey does a fantastic job putting you in the room with the victims of the crime. Her light touch and small nuances really bring home the human elements behind the public story-the beautiful victims, the hunt for them, the nasty killer with criminal written through him like a stick of rock.

Or is he?

Are we too quick to condemn a person due to their class, their background and past behaviour?

When Leo is finally out, and another woman goes missing, is it to throw the police off the scent and away from him? Is it an accomplice or a copycat? Is Leo guilty of anything more than being a reprehensible dickhead or is he capable of more?

The examination of the justice system is seen from so many sides that the reader has a fully rounded idea of the practicalities of a murder investigation and reopening of case files. You see it from, the detecting side, the public side, the forensics aspect and the legal one too.

As a police procedural, it is intensely gripping. The sheer talent that Jane has to keep these characters moving and developing after 8 books and short stories whilst juggling plotlines as gripping and relevant as this is a mark of sheer talent. 

The prospect and application of justice is a concept we all juggle with as pedestrians so how must it feel for those behind the wheek, the ones who do not pass go and drive their passengers straight to jail?

It's no surprise to say I was gripped to the very last word after which I am going to re-read the whole series (again). It's a book to lose yourself in, a great and recommended read.

A serial killer released due to potentially botched post mortem. A son who seems the complete opposite of his father and bodies, lots of bodies.

DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent are put onto the reopened case and whilst Derwent seems to want to make Kerrigans life hell at work she is focused on the task at hand. But her enthusiasm in wanting to see Leo Stone back in jail and misjudged opportunity taking brings her closer to the danger than she ever could have imagined. However, her passion and hard work pays off as she starts figuring out the clues and finds more bodies.

But then the evidence starts pointing away from Leo Stone and towards his son, is his persona all an act? Did he help his father?

This is a great book, the characters are believable although they didn’t seem developed enough. You need a strong stomach for some of the book and the twist is a great part of the final story. It is a fantastic read and a struggle to put down.

This author is guilty of continually misleading the reader! As soon as you think you know the outcome,another discovery or new character arrives to change your mind. The plot is unusual in concept which is very welcome in murder mysteries. The characters are well drawn and even the detectives are characters the reader can like. Overall, a very,very good read which I recommend.

Cruel Acts is number eight in this tense chilling series but can be read as a stand alone.I was drawn in from the first pages so well written multi layered involving.Another edge of your seat thriller from Jane Casey. #netgalley #harpercollinsuk

cruel acts

BOOK 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?

‘I couldn’t put it down’ Erin Kelly‘The story is captivating’ Patricia Gibney



BOOK REVIEW

A race against time for Maeve and her team as not only are they looking for a missing person but trying to make the case for a released killer to be rearrested.As this book races you along you find yourself glued to the action. The writing flows along without letting up the pace. The author has created a great crime novel that delivers everything you need from a good book. Pace, impulsiveness, grit, tension and a believable range of characters. The relationships between the characters are explored and brought to life within the pages. In some parts the jealousy that flows out of one character Georgia bleeds between the pages touching your core. It's this believability that helps make this book stand out from run of the mill crime books. That and the fact you just cant put it down. If you don't believe me then go buy it and see what i was talking about.

As always these are my own views and opinions and i thank Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the chance to read and review it.

STAR RATING 4

Absolutely superb police procedural - this author goes from strength to strength with her characters and plots. Can't wait for more.

A really good detective novel with a splash of office romance,maybe! I liked this and when I am going to read the rest of the series that’s a good sign. Highly recommended #NetGalley#CruelActs

Bestselling crime writer Jane Casey is back with the eighth instalment in the gripping DS Maeve Kerrigan series, and once again it is packed with the gritty realism we have come to expect from Ms Casey. Although part of a popular and long-running series these books work perfectly as standalones as each plot is contained to that particular episode. If you appreciate your crime fiction to be authentic and based in fact then this is not to be missed; every tale the author tells is infused with believable detail, fully rounded characters and unpredictability aplenty.

This is by far her best procedural to date and that really is saying something given all of her books make it impossible for you to read them in anything but a single sitting. This is a series for those who enjoy intelligent plotting, compassionate characters and exploration of prevalent real-world issues which provides much food for thought throughout. All of this and a stunningly unexpected climax to boot. Jane Casey is one of the master storytellers of our time. I urge crime connoisseurs who haven't indulged in her novels yet to pick, this. up. Many thanks to HarperCollins for an ARC.

This was an OK read. A solid police procedural with some strong characters. For me, it was too slow and plodding in parts to warrant more than an ok. However, for those hooked on this series, I’m confident it will have a good audience. Just, not one for me.
I appreciate the opportunity to preview.

Although this book is 8th in the series I didn't really feel like I couldn't it as a standalone though now I want to go backwards and start from the beginning and find out about the team.
A little bit slow first few chapters but I guess this is needed esp if reading as a standalone.
Can't wait now to start from book 1.

For the first few chapters this semed like a bit of a slow burner but then as the pace picked up it felt exactly like I was part of the investigative team and that I was in the midst of the investigation, slowly gathering information and leads to begin and then as things become more and more convoluted and the body count rises, picking up to breakneck speed.
An extremely clever novel with a real "is it him or is it not" ending.