EXCERPT: All murder investigations were different and yet all of them began the same way, at least for me: standing in silence near a body, trying to catch the faintest echo of what had happened. Sometimes the air still vibrated with violence and high emotion, and sometimes the silence was empty. It was a habit I kept to myself, but one that reminded me of the fundamental truth: this was more than a job. Someone's life had been ended too soon. Finding out who had done it, and why, was my duty. This book probably won't work for you if you haven't read the earlier books in the series. But if you have, make sure you have time to binge it in one sitting - you'll want to 😍 Odd things might be happening at Jellicoe Close. But without proof, there’s nothing that can be done. it’s up to DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent to find something, and the only way that can be done is to somehow integrate themselves into this suburban street’s community. Posing as a happy couple, they move into one of the residents’ houses, ostensibly to do a bit of dog-sitting. So now we have Maeve who’s worrying about Georgia and Josh who’s worrying about his marriage and his feelings for Maeve. And a street full of people who made it their hobby to know everything about the neighbours, without knowing that one of them may be a killer. At first glance, Jellicoe Close seems to be a perfect suburban street - well-kept houses with pristine lawns, neighbours chatting over garden fences, children playing together. But there are dark secrets behind the neat front doors, hidden dangers that include ruthless criminals who will stop at nothing. It's up to DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent to uncover the truth. Posing as a couple they move into the Close, blurring the lines between professional and personal as never before.

There's a lot more going on in The Close than is at first apparent and, despite Maeve and Josh's intention to not get involved in any crime other than the one they are investigating, fate and their natural instincts work against them. I’m an executive producer of the TV adaptation of my novel The Killing Kind, which is being filmed at the moment. I’m finishing the 11th Maeve book and planning a novel set in Dublin. I’m only bearable when I’m writing, so I write a lot. Have you ever made a literary pilgrimage?

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About the Book From award-winning , Sunday Times bestselling author Jane Casey comes a gripping new detective novella set in the world of Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent. There are three main mysteries/crime here,and if the investigation/s seems a bit low key a,and somewhat predictable,it´s no mean feat to keep all those lines running,and solve them seamlessly. There’s a whole lot of “wanting what you can’t have” in this story, in more ways than one. As it happens, the residents on this street are hiding quite a few things, and the neighbours are always watching. Gossip is rife. Maeve and Josh can’t afford to relax for a single second, for fear they’ll be found out for what they really are, and their purpose in the Close. Lines are blurred, and as far as the whole “will they, won’t they” it’s all just a massive tease, and I couldn’t have been more invested if I tried. Obviously you’ll have to read for yourself to discover what happens, but I will say that the level of intensity has definitely left me wanting more.

Maeve Kerrigan arrives at a hospital car park to open an investigation into a murder, following the discovery of a body in a car. The male victim has suffered brutal injuries. With little evidence and no obvious motive, the team are perplexed. But Maeve is off form, not feeling on top of her game. Her edge is gone, her focus is slipping and she finds herself preoccupied, her mind elsewhere and clearly not on the job. Maeve’s mood is not missed by the observant Josh Derwent and he sees an opportunity to provide her with a very unexpected distraction. Book 10 in the Maeve Kerrigan series and did we get what we've all been waiting years for? 🤐 not telling.I really enjoyed the characters in The Close. Maeve has suffered a recent traumatic event and, although she keeps telling everyone she is fine, she definitely isn't operating with her normal flair and passion. A gripping, chillingly believable book that holds a mirror to the dark side of high society. The Cutting Place is Jane Casey’s best book yet – and that’s really saying something’ Erin Kelly The Cutting Place is SO good. I love Maeve so much and this is a really gripping, timely plot’ Elly Griffiths

This will not withhold me from trying another book by Jane Casey but I will not be running to the bookstore for any more books in this series. He suggests a new case, one that requires a different approach, one that could make or break a career. Josh offers Maeve the opportunity to join him on a stake-out but it will require them living together and posing as a couple in a quiet rural estate. This is a definite situation of lines being blurred and Maeve is nervous of what to expect and the challenges they will face, but decides to take Josh up on his offer. A new scene might just be what she needs to shake her out of this reverie. On the surface, Maeve and Josh don't appear to get on, but underneath they have a deep respect for one another. But what is living in close quarters and posing as a newly loved-up couple going to do to that relationship? The Close is basically a police procedural crossed with a fake dating romance (if couples end up together EVERY time in romance books, I wouldn't know and this doesn't mean they do here and it doesn't mean they don't either). I loved the mix of genres and all the suspense. After a man’s body is found in a derelict house, DS Maeve Kerrigan goes undercover, posing as a couple with DI Josh Derwent in a small suburban cul-de-sac that hides some unexpected dark secrets. It’s your 10th Maeve Kerrigan novel. What makes for a successful series character?

One sentence review: Half Kerrwent (Maeve Kerr + Josh Derwent) romance, half police procedural, all the vibes

Anyways, this was a solid and enjoyable read. I am definitely looking forward to #11 because I stan Kerrwent.Really well done. Having loved all the previous ones,I was a bit wary of the premise here (I don´t read romance, and too many series are ruined by being more romance than crime) but I was pleasantly surprised. Jellicoe Close is their new home. With a few brief practice runs, Josh loses his DI coat and Maeve her DS one. They are now a regular couple with Maeve between jobs and Josh working from home, providing them with the alibi they need. Life in Jellicoe Close is claustrophobic on so many levels. The neighbours are a curious bunch, all immersed in each others’ business. As Maeve and Josh slowly infiltrate this small community, certain individuals emerge as suspicious, a little more on edge. Maeve and Josh become extra vigilant that their behaviour is as expected, that of a young couple in love. They do not want to attract any unnecessary suspicion or provide cause for more than normal curious eyes and ears. In social situations they perform as expected but behind closed doors…well enough said. As for the interaction between the two main characters, it was very deftly done. It reminded me of Jill McGown´s Lloyd and Hill series,a sadly underrated great mystery author of a splendid series.