A long-time fan of the Maeve Kerrigan series by Jane Casey, I was very excited to step back into Kerrigan's world (and of course Derwent's too...). This has all of the elements of Casey's earlier novels - a puzzling murder, professional politics, drama and, of course, the ever-evolving friend/relationships. "The Close" is especially focused on the personal elements, and it works brilliantly at this point in the series.

Kerrigan and Derwent are tasked with going undercover as a couple in a seemingly idyllic neighbourhood, but peel back the veneer of normalcy and you'll discover a darker side, one that appears to harbour unsavory characters who stop at nothing to maintain their shady activities. As they navigate the perilous labyrinth of secrets and lies, Maeve and Josh find themselves caught in a web of deceit and danger, unsure whom to trust and haunted by their own demons. Plus the continuing tension of line between duty and desire. The plot thickens with each page turn, unveiling twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

I'm already looking forward to the next in the series!

This book is part of a series, however it can be read as a stand alone book. A well written story following a police investigation and the lives of the main police involved. I enjoyed reading this book and will certainly be going on to read the others in the series. Thank you to Netgalley and author/publishers for this ARC.

I used to love this series because it used to be about crime. Now it is about the deeply uncomfortable relationship between Maeve, who has turned into a pathetic needy sub-1950s woman who must have a man to be complete and yet can't find or keep one, and her boss Josh, who has turned into her stalker and repetitive sexual harasser, which she seems to find both repellent and attractive simultaneously. I was never one of Josh's legions of fans since sexual harassers have never attracted me - odd, I know - and I said books ago that I really hoped Casey would pull back from trying to portray this abusive relationship as romantic or titillating, but I fear my hopes have finally been destroyed. The vision of Josh forcing his physical attentions on a traumatised survivor of domestic abuse, which is sadly what the once-fun Maeve has become, in the pretence of it being necessary for work nauseates me. And I don't want to read hundreds more pages of it. I'm abandoning the book at 15% and the series at book 10. Thanks for the good times, Maeve - I hope you get over your sick obsession with your revolting boss some day, make a complaint and have him thrown out of the Met, but I won't be around to find out.

This book was what I call a slow builder, slowly building characters and the plot to suddenly ramp it up for an all out thriller ending with twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to read more.

I haven't read all of Jane Casey's Kerrigan and Derwent books (I know, I'm rubbish!!) but the ones that I have read, I have thoroughly enjoyed, and the Close is no exception. This could definitely be read as a standalone novel, though it may be useful to have read at least one other in the series to understand Kerrigan and Derwent's (complicated) relationship...

The novel opens with Kerrigan being called to investigate a murder at a hospital, it's a tricky case with no obvious leads. The usual suspects having cast iron alibies. She is absorbed in the case when a member of the local government is seen in her boss' office.

DS Maeve Kerrigan knows that it doesn't mean anything good for her or her team. She's proven right when she's asked to go undercover to assist in solving a case involving someone close to the government member.

This is personal, and they need to get it right.

As if being asked to go undercover, in a high pressure case wasn't enough, she's asked to go with her boss, DI Josh Derwent, as his partner in more ways than one. They are being asked to pose as a couple... To say that they have a volatile relationship would be putting it mildly, but could spending so much time together actually be good for them?

Only time will tell.

The Close is one of those picture perfect neighbourhoods that is so far from perfect in reality. Each of the front doors holds secrets behind it, some neighbours more eager than others to let the strangers into their world.

The house that the pair have been sent to investigate on first glance appears to house the most normal occupants, but as the sweltering summer heat rises, tensions in the close escalate, and it's clear that almost no one in the close could be considered normal.

In such a complex case they are all suspects..

This novel is a brilliant installment in the series, I can't wait to read the next!

Really really good! I enjoyed this book alot. Was written very well, a good story, good characters and great story. Would definitely recommend

First time reading this author, but won’t be the last. Loved this book, couldn’t put it down. Maeve and Josh’s interaction is brilliant, could visiualise every moment. Loved trying to work out who the killer was, kept changing my mind. Frustrated with how it ends, but that is the intention to read the next instalment, hope it isn’t too long a wait.

A good old whoddunit mystery. Grab the book, sit in the sunshine & while away the hour’s with The Close.

Thank you Netgalley & Jane Casey for a copy of this book.

I will be going on to read the rest in the series

This was an interesting thriller with a lot of characters to get to know. Not sure how accurate the police procedural aspect was and some of it was predictable, but an easy read nevertheless.

I've read a few of the Maeve Kerrigan novels before so I was delighted to read this. It didn't disappoint. Casey is brilliant here at ratcheting up the tension in an enclosed world of a suburban close set against a shimmeringly hot summer. Volatile tempers flare, feuds ignite and all the time Maeve and Josh have to pretend to be a nice, normal couple, which in itself is exquisitely difficult.

Lots of red herrings, sub plots and twists and turns means that you're never entirely sure who did what, or even if anyone actually did anything criminal rather than just nasty until the last fifty pages where it all comes to fruition in a gloriously tense climax.

Clever writing, strong characters, great pace and taut plotting make this an absolute delight.

Having read a couple of this author’s earlier books some years ago I was happy to accept an ARC download from Netgalley. Unfortunately this does not pass my one third rule and I have now added it to the list of Books-to-be-Deleted.

Briefly, two police officers – Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent are tasked with under cover surveillance of a person, or persons, on The Close. There is obviously a certain amount of tension between these two so it’s not really a case of Will They Won’t They hope into bed together, but When. I just wish they’d get on with it instead of skirting around each other like a pair of porcupines, feigning interest when we, the readers, know only too well it’s bound to happen before this assignment runs its boring course.

So that’s it, folks, in the proverbial nutshell. If you want to see if these not-so-starry-eyed police officers get up to whilst on, or off, duty, read it for yourselves. Some people seem to have enjoyed it. I like something with a bit more pace and a lot less predictability.

I absolutely adored this book, a great addition to the Maeve and Josh universe!!! To make them be living together was a brilliant way to further their relationship without being too obvious, leaving way for more to develop in the future books. I am a sucker for those "stuck together" and "sharing a bed" cliches so I might be a bit biased, but trust me, this book is well worth reading!! The tension was immaculate; seeing Maeve and Josh interact outside of the workplace with all their ~feelings~ got me kicking my feet at times in this book—especially at a certain kitchen scene ahem ;). The crime aspect was just the right mix of mysterious and chilling. There were two official cases that Maeve was working on when they went undercover but came to be three because as the lovely Pettifer said, "solving one crime isn't enough for [her]." Only one suspect did I very wishy-washily catch onto, but that's why I'll leave the crime-solving to these real (but fictional) detectives. We also got to see Georgia in a new light, which I appreciated. Her one-sided beef with Maeve was getting a bit dull. She's still as feisty as ever, but less abrasively competitive. Una also became more mellow in this one; the scene with her, Maeve, and Josh near the end of the novel almost made me screech because I really want to know what she was thinking at that moment !!

definitely 5/5 from me. can't read the next book which (according to amazon) is set for Feb 2024!


(On an unrelated note, if you are a fanfiction writer that happens to come across this series please start writing. The lack of fanfics for these Maeve and Josh is absolutely criminal. They have so many good moments!!)

Jane Casey writes gripping and intriguing mysteries and I loved Maeve Kerrigan as she's a strong character.
This is a strong novel, a twisty and fast paced story I couldn't put down.
There's a solid plot, a lot of mysteries and a cast of well plotted characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

We’re back with Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent in The Close, and they certainly have a full case load!

Maeve starts investigating the murder of a hospital consultant, whose body is found in his car in the hospital car park. She is also roped in to helping Josh on another case. One where they have to go undercover as a house/ dog sitting couple, whilst they investigate the death of a man with a learning disability. Oh, what a bind - to be stuck in a house with Josh Derwent for weeks!

Well, all doesn’t go quite as expected, but the tension is high with both Maeve, Josh and the case!

There are some great interactions in what appears at first glance to be an idyllic neighbourhood. It really isn’t.

The crimes are shocking, and it comes as no surprise that outwardly good people do terrible things.

I can’t wait to see what happens between Kerrigan and Derwent in the next book, but I suppose I’ll just have to!

Highly recommended!

I do love a bit of domestic noir! A close where all the neighbours are dodgy characters was right up my street!
This is the first book I have read in the Maeve and Josh saga which was a shame as I felt I had missed out on a lot. I don't know how long the will they/won't they has been going on and because a lot of the book was focused on their relationship, perhaps too much to the new reader, I feel I need to go right back to the beginning now!
However it was an very enjoyable read with plenty of twists and surprises before we find out what has actually been going on.

I've just finished this book and I'm honestly not sure what I think about it! It's a decent enough read about the sexual tension between 2 police officers who work together. In addition, there's a murder and a suspicious death that requires the 2 to work undercover as a couple. It's police procedural mixed with simmering romance and there's more of the latter than the former, which I found frustrating.

It held my interest, I just found it to be an OK / decent read. If you're looking for an easy page turner with a bit of both mystery and romance, this is for you.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK for the opportunity to preview.

I loved this book and read it over 3 nights.
Jellicoe close looks a fab place to live, but it seems not all is quite right when h there's a murder.
Our 2 detectives head undercover and pose as a loving couple to try and figure things out. Moving into a house as the "dog sitter" they slowly get too know the neighbours in the close.. Their quirks, their problems, their lives .. Maybe not everyone is as nice as they try to appear. What secrets do they all have. Is everyone who they say they are?
Great fast paced read

"The Close" is a must read for anyone who likes a good psychological crime novel with twists and a clever plot. It kept me captivated until the last page. The smoldering tension between Maeve and Josh adds an extra layer to the story as Jane Casey has turned up the heat on their relationship. You do not need to read the previous books to read this but you will get a lot more from it if you have. I cant wait for the next one. I am on tenterhooks and wanting more. 5 Well deserved stars.

I have read a few of this author's other books, but by no means all and certainly was not familiar with the Maeve Kerrigan character. However i enjoyed this and looked forward to returning to it each day.
A nice combination of mystery and a hint of romance.

Reviewed on Waterstones

The Close (Maeve Kerrigan, #10)
by Jane Casey (Goodreads Author)
U 50x66
Eileen's review Apr 01, 2023 · edit
it was amazing
bookshelves: thriller

The Close by Jane Casey
Wow, what an excellent read. Well deserving of 5 stars.
DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent certainly have some sexual tension bubbling to the surface when they go undercover as a couple in Jellicoe Close. Ideally a lovely place in the suburbs but unfortunately there is a murderer afoot and there are plenty of suspects and tension.
Well written with a superb plot and characters. This is the first novel I’ve read by the talented Jane Casey and it won’t be the last. It was hard to put down so I read well into the night.
Thank you to Jane Casey, Harper Collins and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this fantastic novel. In return I have written an honest and unbiased review.