Leo Stone is a killer. Convicted of killing two women, he is in prison for life. That is, until it's revealed that one of the jurors who helped convict him was responsible for compromising the trial. Leo is released to await a retrial, and detectives Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent are tasked with re-examining the evidence against him. Maeve in particular is interested in a third possible victim, Rachel Healy, who went missing around the time of the murders, but whose body has never been found. When Maeve starts digging, she turns up some surprising information. But can Maeve find out who really killed those women before the killer comes for her?

This is the first of Jane Casey's novels I've read, and I did enjoy it. It was well written, well plotted, and I didn't see the final twist coming. That being said, it was a little dense in places, and some of the red herrings fell a little flat for me. I liked the characters of Maeve and Derwent, but I felt like there was a wall between me and them - I didn't connect with them the way I wanted to. On the whole though, I found it a well paced and clever novel, and would definitely read more from Jane Casey.

Thank you to NetGalley, who provided me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book it had enough twists to keep me guessing which is always a good thing. I will be looking out for more in this series.

This book was definitely one of those stories that you cannot put it down and won't stop before turning the last page.
A fast paced book , great writing style, even greater characters and a very interesting story overall. It just didn't stop and everything turned out to be more than I was expecting.
I need more stories like this one.

Loved this book.. Had me hooked, certainly without a doubt they were cruel acts on defenceless women. Full of twists and turns. Can't wait for more stories to follow. Booked from the beginning

Having read lots of detective based crime thrillers I opened this one with rather a pessimistic view. Will it be just another serial killer with gruesome methods of removing victims?
No, definitely not, as this book has both very strong characters and a really strong storyline. I loved every minute of it - never wanting to skip on pages that dragged and added nothing to the story. I have not read any Maeve Kerrigan books before. The interactions between Maeve and Josh were nothing short of excellent and provided a superb base for the book. Definitely a book not to be missed if you are into crime thrillers.
A minor point and nothing to detract from this book is I am still waiting to read a book of this genre that does not end with a 'Hollywood' style finish i.e. chase, capture, fight for life, saved at the last minute. I guess what I want is a 'Perry Mason' style ending. Ends with clever words and not gung-ho action

I do love a good police procedural thriller, and this is a very good one. The story is gripping, with clever twists, and the characters, especially Maeve and Derwent are likeable and believable. I will definitely be reading more books in this series. Jane Casey deserves to be much better known.

I haven’t read all of this series so perhaps that affected my enjoyment of the book. I love a good thriller and this was that, in parts, but I couldn’t warm to all of the characters and a fantastic, fast-paced start turned into a left field twist which for me didn’t work. I like Maeve, not so much the others right now. Perhaps I need to go back and read all in order! Decent thriller, not exceptional.

It wasn’t exciting enough for me too much detective work which became tedious I couldnt relate to the characters so was hard work trying to finish it but was well written just not my cup of tea

Engaging, thrilling I really enjoyed reading this one. looking forward to reading more from this wonderful author.

A really good example of a crime thriller that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Definitely recommended to those who enjoy this type of book.

Thank you to netgalley the publisher and the author for this ARC in return for an unbiased review

really enjoyed this read kept me guessing all the way though!

This was so good I couldn’t put it down! I was absorbed in the story and it kept me guessing throughout!

A good thriller with well developed characters that kept me turning the pages! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced review copy.

I haven’t read any Jane Casey before but I will remedy that after reading this one. I want to go back and read the rest in the series. The characters- especially Maeve Kerrigan - are well rounded, credible people acting how you would expect. The ending is excellent and looking back, well signalled but I didn’t see it coming. A serial killer is being released from prison for a retrial and Maeve and her boss are looking for any new evidence to ensure he goes back. We have the families of the victims, the press, the son of the killer and even police rivalry.

I’d recommend this series if you like police procedurals with a bit of grit and realism.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book which I received via NetGalley. As a DS, Maeve, the leading character is feisty and draws the reader to her side. Jane Casey gives good insights into her previous life, her way of thinking and her values. This book is 8th in a series but it read fine aa standalone although I am intending to go back and read those which came before... I'm delighted to have found a new author.
The story is of the release of a multiple murderer after a juror is revealed to have acted on other information during his trial. Another murder takes place on his release but it is clear he is not the culprit as he is with Maeve at the time. As the story progresses, more deaths come to light, more bodies are discovered and doubt is thrown onto the whole investigation.
Maeve 's relationships with other officers, with her boss, Lambert, and with other professionals feature throughout the book and are relevant but don't take over.
The book is well written and I found myself keen to get back to it when I had a spare moment.

Who would have thought that reinvestigating a crime some years later would provide the material for such a gripping story? Cruel Acts was a novel I found very hard to put down. The relationship between DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent was definitely love – hate, without the love, or at least was it? I was convinced Derwent held a torch for Maeve but had a strange way of showing it and in some ways vice versa. However, it was not to be (in this novel anyway). A well written, intriguing and fast paced detective thriller.

Cruel Acts is book eight in the Maeve Kerrigan series and features all the usual suspects from Kerrigan to the ever charming, Josh Derwent, whom I adore!

Leo Stone, is a criminal convicted of killing two women and serving a life sentence without parole. The trial, however, looks as though it may have had issues that throw the sentence into question therefore Kerrigan and Derwent are called to examine the evidence. Another body is found with a similar modus operandi to Stone's crimes but how could he be guilty when he is locked up? This ups the ante for Stone as he pleads his innocence and then some.

Cruel Acts is another terrific read in this series. Packed with good characterisations and gritty storytelling that keeps you hooked as you embark on this fact finding mission. Kerrigan and Derwent are very likable characters and you feel as though you know them well at this stage. A part of me wants them to hook up ..... but I know they never will!! *sigh*

If you haven't started on this series already then wait no more. Dive in, you won't be sorry!

Cruel Acts is the eighth installment in the successful Maeve Kerrigan stories. It’s a new series (and author) for me but I wish that I had started reading Jane Casey’s books sooner. This book is still enjoyable even if you aren’t familiar with the back-story but no doubt there would be more to savour if you already know and love the characters. I particularly enjoyed the prickly camaraderie of Maeve and Derwent, it’s intriguing and holds the whole narrative together.

This book introduces us to seedy Leo Stone, a convicted killer released following an appeal which cast doubt on the evidence brought against him. He’s thoroughly unlikeable but does that make him guilty? Kerrigan, Derwent and the team are tasked to find fresh evidence against him or perhaps trace the real culprit. Maeve decides to keep an open mind and use the investigation to tie up loose ends. So starts an excellent tale with lots of twists and dark turns.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

These type of crime thrillers are my perfect read, and this one was no exception. The writing style, characters and pace always ensure you don’t put it down until you’ve gotten all the answers.

I’ve read all of Jane Casey’s Books with DI Maeve Kerrigan as the main protagonist. This lives up to its predecessors. Leo Stone a convicted killer has been released on a technicality. Kerrigan and her boss are put in charge of reviewing the case ready for retrial. Maeve becomes involved in Rachel a missing woman who was not investigated fully as it didn’t fit with Leo Stone’s MO.
There are lots of twists and turns that Keep you hooked. I liked the conclusion and the further insights into Maeve’s personal life. Can’t wait for the next instalment.
Thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.