After loving the last book i was unfortunately let down by this one. I found a lot of it drawn out and repetitive and the overarching mystery just wasn't interesting enough. The ending was also a big let down and felt gimmicky.

It's sixteen years since nine-year-old Rosalie Marshall disappeared from her bed one summer night. She was never found and the investigation ground to a halt. Now, her mother, Helena, and her father are dead in their bed. Initially, it looks like a straightforward murder/suicide but there's something about the positioning of the bodies that makes DS Maeve Kerrigan and her boss DI Josh Derwent suspicious. What looked as though it was going to be an open-and-shut case is now a complex double murder. Kerrigan is convinced that the explanation lies in Rosalie's disappearance: others (such as Derwent's boss, Una Burt) are less convinced.

Whenever I pick up one of Jane Casey's books - particularly her Maeve Kerrigan series - I have a sense of dread. Is this going to be the one where the bubble bursts? Will this be the one that I finish thinking that it was OK? Decent but nothing better? Inevitably - and usually by the time I've read to the bottom of the first page - I know that I'm in safe hands, that this will be another cracker. A Stranger in the Family was no exception. It wasn't just good - it was the best yet and I've read them all.

With most detective stories either the plot or the personal life of the lead detective predominates. When the personal life is at the forefront it's usually because of some problem such as alcoholism, womanising or a complete inability to accept authority or work as a part of a team. They are, of course, brilliant detectives who solve complex cases without much (or any) help from other people. They're also completely unbelievable. In the Maeve Kerrigan series, I've always found a perfect balance between plot and personal life. The chemistry between Kerrigan and Derwent burns off the page but nothing happens. Derwent is with a partner. Although that relationship is barely functioning, Melissa has a young son, Thomas, and Derwent is devoted to him. He doesn't want to hurt him: he has an older child from an earlier relationship and doesn't want to repeat the mistakes he made with Luke. He's reluctant to make Maeve 'the other woman' - and Maeve doesn't want that either. They're normal, decent people, struggling to do the right thing.

The plot is complex and very satisfying, although I must give a health warning about the ending. I nearly cried but do read the acknowledgements at the end - you will be reassured.

As well as reading the book, I listened to an audio download, which I bought myself. It's narrated by Caroline Lennon and is excellent. Lennon has a very varied range of voices and I was never in any doubt as to which character I was hearing. The pacing is perfect and I'd happily listen to more from her. I'm particularly looking forward to the next Kerrigan book in April 2025.

I'd like to thank the publishers for letting Bookbag have a review copy.

EXCERPT: Did you notice anything out of the ordinary?
Afterwards, when the whole horror of it had been laid out, and their innocence - or rather, the degree to which they should feel guilty - had been debated by people who knew them, and many more who didn't, it was the small, uneasy details that lingered in the mind.
What went missing with her, and what did not.
What happened during the holiday a month earlier.
The argument two days before.
The car with a broken number plate, and how many times it was seen near the house.
The tiny, bare bedroom with blood on the floor.
The visitors to the house that week.
The letters before.
The phone call after.
The open door.
The river.
The bruises and scrapes.
The way her brothers reacted, or did not; the things they said, or did not.
The way her father cried.
Her mother. Her mother. Her mother.
But most of all, how long it was before anyone realised she was gone.

ABOUT ' A STRANGER IN THE HOUSE: When nine-year-old Rosalie Marshall vanished from her bed one summer night, her disappearance tore her family apart.

Now, sixteen years later, her mother Helena is found dead, her husband by her side. It looks like a straightforward murder-suicide but DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent soon discover nothing about this case is straightforward.

The Marshalls have been keeping secrets, and they aren't alone. Josh has been holding something back too – something that could change everything for Maeve.

But one person is prepared to kill to hide the truth.

Until Maeve finds out what happened to Rosalie, no one will be safe . . .

MY THOUGHTS: A Stranger in the Family is a tantalising read. The parents of a girl who has been missing for sixteen years are brutally murdered in their home, their deaths staged to look like a murder-suicide. Why? And by whom? I was quite sure early on in this read that I knew exactly what had happened to Rosalie and who had killed her parents. I was solid on this almost until the end when I realised just how wrong I was.

This is a twisty and complex mystery with a number of viable suspects, the number of whom seems to multiply as the story progresses. My one niggle is a minor one: there are changes in the timeline from the present to when Rosalie was a child, and back, none of which are clearly marked. A couple of times I had to return to the beginning of the chapter, but this became less of a problem as the plot progressed.

Intertwined with the mystery is the complex relationship between Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent - will they? won't they? will they? won't they? Their chances are hindered by obstruction and meddling from friends and foe alike. The tension and anticipation this creates is unbelievable! And, instead of detracting from the investigative storyline, it adds to it! It is impossible not to become invested in the outcome.

As always, this was an engrossing read and I read the second half of the book in one sitting. I can't wait for #12.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.4

#AStrangerintheFamilyJaneCasey #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Born and raised in Dublin, she lives in London where she works as an editor.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | Hemlock Press via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of A Stranger in the Family by Jane Casey for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Sixteen years ago Rosalie Marshall disappeared from her home and vanished without trace. Her adoptive parents spent most of their money looking for her and now they have been found dead. Maeve Kerrigan realises that this is a double murder, not the murder suicide it first appears, and that it is linked with the missing girl. However the Marshall family is complex and they, and the others linked to them, have a lot of secrets. Maeve is also dealing with the increasing attraction between her and Josh Derwent which could derail the investigation.
This is such a solid set of police procedurals and the latest episode does not disappoint. The sexual tension is cranked right up but does not detract from a solid, if rather far-fetched, plot. The characterisation is just right and the twists are unexpected. It may be a police procedural but Casey knows how to write one which is gripping.

Another story featuring D'S Mauve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent. They struggle with their relationship and with a new case. Rosalie went missing years ago ,is the killing of her parents connected?

This is another installment to the Maeve Kerrigan series and with its great plot and as always believable characters this was one of my favourites in this the 11th book.Filled with twists and turns your left trying to link things together and figure out who is telling the truth.A great storyline which can be read as a standalone but really would recommend you read the other books you definitely wont be dissapointed.
The chemistry between Maeve and Josh is literally explosive. I can't wait to read how it all plays out..
Hope the next instalment is on its way very quickly because that ending was something else.
Recommend
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC.

As I can always expect from Jane; a gripping storyline with plenty of you never know what’s coming next moments. I will hasten to add that I’m still in shock from that ending and not sure how I can cope with the not knowing, until the next book!

A Stranger in the Family is the eleventh book in the Maeve Kerrigan series. I think I’ve only read one other book in the series so I’m not very familiar with the recurring characters. This book was fine to read as a standalone but you probably appreciate what’s going on between the characters more if you’ve read the other books.

Sixteen years ago nine year old Rosalie went missing. No trace of her has ever been found. Her adoptive parents have been found dead in an apparent murder suicide. Maeve and Josh are trying to solve the case whilst navigating their own complex relationship.

The book was easy enough to read and held my interest but I felt it was missing something for me. I didn’t feel invested in the story or feel connected with any of the characters and it was a bit flat. There’s the odd moment of suspense but these are few and far between. None of the characters are very likeable and I couldn’t understand Maeve’s childish obsession with Josh.

At times the plot felt a bit disjointed and I always felt a disconnect from the story. I had a prime suspect quite early on and was disappointed to find out they were the culprit after all. Towards the end the story became a bit too far fetched for me and it just didn’t work.

Overall, this was an alright quick read but I’m not sure I would recommend it. Perhaps if you’ve already read the previous books this one would interest you.

2.5 stars rounded to 3.

Jane Casey never fails to entertain and A Stranger in the Family is no exception. I would never have guessed the ending but that was really just a small part of why I enjoyed this book. The teasing of the relationship between Josh and Maeve is continued and more to come I dare to hope despite the Epilogue!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC of this book.
An absolutely fantastic book featuring Maeve and Josh. Following them has become a slight obsession and there will they won’t they relationship looks like it is about to be addressed. The storyline was convoluted due to the timeline changes but very enjoyable with the somewhat surprising ending.
On the edge of my seat for the next one.

I didn’t realise this was part of a series and number 11 at that! That didn’t affect the enjoyment of the book but there were a few references I didn’t understand. It was an enjoyable thriller with some good characters and an interesting storyline. Not my favourite from this author though, I think her standalone’s are much better.

This is a nail biting addition to the amazing Maeve Kerrigan series and I couldn’t put it down, wow that ending!

In their latest case Maeve and Josh are part of a team looking into the murder of a couple who were the adopted parents of a girl who disappeared some years ago. Rosalie was 9 when she disappeared without trace and the parents were suspected but no evidence meant the case went cold. At the door the parents a new investigation starts that leads to the past and the chance that Rosalie is still alive but the suspects in her disappearance and the death of her parents start to stack up.

Lots of attention in this book on the relationship between Maeve and Josh, amid the deterioration of his existing life with his partner and her son. This is played out in public as they work together and lots of opinions are aired. As with the other books in this series the reader gets to know the characters well and alongside the investigation there is the will they won’t they act on their feelings.

Great plot and the characters are believable and interesting, as a reader of the series watching the lives of all the regular characters feels like being taken on the journey with them.

The ending is a nail biter and I can’t wait for the next instalment!

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

My favorite book of the series and of the year. I literally finished it and then went back to the beginning and read it again. I've read it three more times since then. Fans of this series won't be disappointed. No spoilers but you won't be disappointed, except that it ends and you have to wait for the next book, which I have a feeling will be even better still. Please don't leave us in suspense for too long. In the mean time I'm going to go read this one again. Jane Casey is one of my favorite authors and her ability to weave such amazing characters who grow and develop over this series alongside unique and interesting mysteries is what hands down makes her an incredible author. I've not read a book or a series that I've enjoyed this much in a long long time.

Absolutely brilliant. Such a good plot and the will they / won't they storyline continues to develop, very raunchily at times !

I confess to being completely addicted to this brilliant crime series which manages to combine great characters with compelling murder mysteries. ‘A Stranger in the Family’ is the 11th installment in Jane Casey's wonderful DS Maeve Kerrigan series. The story revolves around every parents' worst nightmare, the disappearance of a young child, and the deadly ripples that may or may not be caused by it. Alongside the details of the police investigation, Casey manages to provide just the right amount of tension, humour, and of course romance. I love the 'will they, won't they' dynamic between Maeve and Josh. And as for the cliff-hanger at the end - well let's just say I hope book ~12 is already well underway as I can't hold my breath for too long! With thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC.

The sexual tension between Maeve and Josh was so overpowering it almost over took the plot! I was rushing through the book to find out what would happen between them. Plus that ending! I hope the next book comes out very quickly!

The story itself did have me intrigued, what happened to little Rosalie who vanished from her bed, and why where her parents killed so many years later? I had various theories throughout but was surprised by what actually happened. It was an enthralling read for both reasons.

"All that anyone wanted, Rosalie thought, was to be loved. She had known nothing but love, if you understood people, and why they did what they did."

Rosalie Marshall is nine when she disappears from her house, without a trace, something that affects her family for years to come. Sixteen years later, her parents are found murdered. Could the killings be linked to Rosalie's disappearance?

Detectives Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent are on the case. The more they investigate, the more they realise nothing about Rosalie's disappearance or her parents' murders is straightforward – everyone involved had secrets they never told the police about.

I really enjoyed the central mystery of this book, and trying to figure out if and how the two crimes fitted together. The book has a fairly even pace that picks up in the last third of the story. I liked Maeve but her romantic obsession with Josh can be annoying at times – I liked that banter between them but she was CONSTANTLY thinking about him and how unavailable he is which I found a little frustrating at times. I think I would have preferred to have the book written in the third person rather than the first person.

Overall this is a fun and interesting piece of crime fiction that I read in one day.

Jane Casey absolutely smashed it again
the ending. Wow. It is still taking some getting over and I need book 12 right now. But I’m going to have to wait!! The worse thing about receiving advanced copies or reading as soon as they are out
I was so engrossed in the actual storyline and the disappearance of Rosaline. I had so many theories and suspicions but once again the author proved me completely wrong
the Maeve Kerrigan series is without a doubt one of my favourite police procedural series. I feel as though I actually know this person and I am so invested in the character development within the books
jane Casey is a league of her own and I hope there are so many more books to come out of this series
whilst it can be read as a standalone to fully appreciate the backstory the reader should definitely start at the beginning for an amazing, addictive series

I finished A Stranger in the Family a couple of days ago and needed some time to digest things. After thinking long and hard about it I can only conclude that Jane Casey is disgustingly talented. A Stranger in the Family is half crime fiction, half infuriating (in a good way) will-they-won't-they-romance with characters I have been in love with for a good decade at least. It's gripping, tense, emotional and quite frankly everything you want (and more) from detective fiction. And my GOD that ending.

This is the sixth of the Maeve Kerrigan books that I’ve read, after inadvertently starting with the last book in the series a few years ago, and I just love 👏🏽 these 👏🏽 books— they are the perfect blend of police procedural + personal lives of the characters.

Gripping, pacy + gritty, the enigmatic + interesting characters and sharp + engrossing plot following two dramatic events occurring sixteen years apart, made this a super fast and fun read. The mystery was compelling and full of twists but also emotional and kept me guessing throughout.

Maeve and Josh, our detective MCs are brilliant together— resilient, fearless, genuine Maeve is a flawlessly written leading woman while Josh adds the broodiness and quick wit (I always picture him as Chris Pratt!). Plus the sexual tension between a certain two characters was, as always, *chefs kiss*😚🤌🏽

These books can be read as standalones (I’ve now read books 1, 5, 7, 9 + 10) but I’d recommend reading the series, probably in order, to get to know Maeve and understand her relationships with other characters and her past.

(4.5 rounded up to 5🌟)

𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜 𝐻𝑎𝑟𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑑𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑖𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤. 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑜𝑤𝑛. 𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝐼𝐺 (@𝑟𝑒𝑑ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑔𝑖𝑟𝑙), 𝐺𝑅 & 𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ.