An honest review is always asked for when reviewing pre-released novels.

I have read several of Jane Casey’s novels and have enjoyed them all. This one was no different. Love Maeve and Josh, and the intertwining of their relationship and the who-dun-it element of the novels.

This book graduated the tension towards the inevitable denouement which was excellent, both tying up the ends of the who-did-it, with an exciting cliffhanger in their personal storyline, so that the reader eagerly awaits the next instalment.

But I felt that the start of the book, was a little higgledy-piggledy, and it took several chapters to place all the who, why, what, where and when. But the problem with the novel, in my opinion, and it is of course only my opinion, was the over use of the pronoun I. Obviously, the book is written in the first person, and Maeve drives the narrative however I felt there was too many uses of the I, and alternative descriptors would have made the book more enjoyable.

A thriller of a read featuring Maeve Kerrigan and part of a series. A compelling read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

This was another fab thriller featuring Maeve Kerrigan which sees her investigating a double murder but with the focus mostly in the past when the couple’s daughter went missing. There was a different pace to this probably due to it being as much a cold case investigation as a current one but it absolutely hummed with tension though mostly between Maeve and Derwent. There were some great characters in this and most of them had an edge which left you wondering just what their relationship to the kissing girl was like and how they fit into this. There was an element of it that I anticipated but still plenty of surprises and the crimes were interlinked very well. This finished on quite a cliff hanger so I’m definitely intrigued to see what happens next between Maeve and Derwent.

"A Stranger in the Family" by Jane Casey is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that delves into the deep-rooted secrets and hidden truths of a fractured family. The story revolves around the disappearance of nine-year-old Rosalie Marshall, which not only shattered the family but also left lingering questions and unresolved mysteries.
Jane Casey skilfully weaves a complex and intricate plot, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The characters are well-developed, each with their own secrets and motivations, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative. The pacing is relentless, with twists and turns that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning the pages to uncover the truth.
What sets "A Stranger in the Family" apart is Casey's ability to delve into the emotional turmoil and psychological impact of the characters. The exploration of grief, guilt, and the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones adds a layer of depth and complexity to the story.

Overall, "A Stranger in the Family" is a compelling and engrossing thriller that will captivate fans of the genre. Jane Casey's masterful storytelling and skillful characterisation make this book a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery with plenty of twists and turns.

A Stranger in the Family is a fantastic addition to the Maeve Kerrigan series of books by Jane Casey. The story follows on from the events of the previous book, The Close, where Maeve and colleague Josh Derwent were living together as part of an undercover operation. Since returning to London, Josh has been keeping his distance from Maeve, but they now find themselves working together on what appears to be a complex murder/suicide case.

As their investigations develop, they link the murders to a historic case of a missing child that was never solved, leading them to dig into the family background and have to deal with interference in the case from a true crime podcaster.

The structure of the story is perfectly plotted as it introduces you to the members of the family using their points of view and sets the scene around the time of the child’s disappearance, I particularly liked the way some of the loose ends were tied up at the end, using the characters from the family.

The development of the relationship between Maeve and Josh, for me, is even better than the events of The Close. With Maeve starting out determined to ignore her feelings for Josh, it doesn’t take long for events to propel them together both at work and home. Despite the advice from her friends and colleagues, Liv and Georgia, it never feels like Maeve is being taken for a fool by Josh and that she is almost giving him a chance to act upon their attraction wurst knowing that if he doesn’t, she will move on, at least she tells herself that! Needless to say, once again, fans will not be disappointed by the twists and turns in this slow burn romance in this novel!

It is interesting to see in the few reviews given already the like/dislike for the epilogue. All I’ll say is it sets up the suspense for the next book perfectly!

This book was a winner for me.
Highly enjoyable and was able to keep me engaged throughout though not flawless.
I understand this is the 11th book in the series but it is my first book from the series and from the author though i have heard of her before.
I think it is time to pick up her other works for sure including the ones from this series as well.
It read well even without background knowledge of the characters and there were no spoilers of previous books which was a great plus point for me.
I liked and cared for all the central characters and will be looking forward to hearing from them again.
And the plot in this story- kept me guessing till the end, with its fair share of detractors and red herrings.
Most definitely a recommended read.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this arc.

Jane Casey delivers a masterclass at notching up the tension while balancing a compelling mystery and the sizzling personal life of her heroine in the 11th DS Maeve Kerrigan instalment, 'A Stranger in the Family'. DS Maeve Kerrigan and the team, including boss/landlord/friend DI Josh Derwent investigate a double murder with links to an unsolved missing person case 16 years ago. Meanwhile, Maeve and Josh grapple with their attraction and all the potential messy consequences.

The mystery had clever twists and turns that were difficult to guess and had me glued to the page. Most poignant and heartbreaking were the Rosalie chapters. Casey seamlessly balances between the case and the combustable attraction between Maeve and Josh, which makes this series so compelling. Maeve has been oblivious for a long time, so its good to see this finally develop. Fraught with tension (and holy smokes, I nearly fainted!), the two dance on the precipice of giving into their feelings. It's raw, extremely messy (yes, agree Liv and Georgia. I really did want to yell at both of them, especially Josh), but very human and also a natural step forward given how their relationship has developed ever since Josh arrived in book two.

With its gripping mystery and the most delicious, chemistry between these two compelling characters, I consumed this book like the fire that burns between Maeve and Josh. By the final two words, my jaw hit the ground. This is one of the best police procedurals with characters that feel so real I'm always me greedy for more. I cannot wait for book 12! I'm calling this early, but I think this is going to be one of the best crime novels of 2024.

Massive thanks to Harper Collins UK/Hemlock Press and NetGalley for the ARC. I have pre-ordered my own copy and audiobook.

This is still one of my must-read series but this entry feels like it's slightly more tipped towards the ongoing lives of the main characters than the crime plot: a double murder in the present leads to the search for a solution to the disappearance of a child sixteen years ago but the story gets quite muddled and I'm still not sure I understand the reason for the first murders...

At times it almost feels like an afterthought that the characters are investigating a murder case; it's more a vehicle to bring characters together or keep them apart. And it's significant that, for the first time, Maeve and Josh don't discover the full story of Rosalie as we are privy to 3rd person inserts that give us information that they never have. It's an interesting technique and possibly a departure in this series.

Kudos to Casey, then, that I still loved this because I'm so invested in Maeve and Josh Derwent. Some of the interventions by Georgia and Liv become a little hard to swallow in a professional setting but add some humour amidst all the emotional angst. And I thought the ending was perfect... till the slightly cheap epilogue with its cliff-hanger.

Still, a one-sitting read and I'll be counting the days till the next episode!