For some time now, this police procedural mystery series by Jane Casey has been on my radar. I thought I’d finally give in to my desire to read it by beginning with the series prequel novella that introduces the protagonist, Maeve Kerrigan. WOW!
You know, you just know, that you’ve found a new favorite when you can hardly wait to read the next book in the series! (“The Burning” is already loaded on my Kindle)
We meet DC Maeve Kerrigan as a 21 year old probationer, just two months out of police training college. It is her dream job, and she can hardly believe that she is finally where she wants to be. She has just been put on night shift and the hot, London August nights are prime for potential crime.
“I told myself I was excited but the knot in my stomach was the truth. I was scared, all the time, of getting it wrong.”
Feeling her way, both in the job, and with her co-workers, Maeve is nervous of making the right impression. Her female boss, Inspector Saunders, gives her some sage advice on how to deal with the bantering, jealousies, sexism, and other skills she will need to survive on the job.
Paired with the most senior policeman on her team, Maeve sets out on a typical night shift. But this one turns out to be about as untypical as they come. A caller has reported a woman screaming near a builder’s yard. When Maeve and her partner respond, they find a woman has been brutally raped (with a broken bottle), and ‘left for dead‘.
Despite her inexperience, Maeve spots some crucial evidence to identify the victim. Later, she is instrumental in apprehending the rapist. A keen eye for detail rewards her with a pat on the back and the notice of the Police Superintendent. This does not sit well with one of her co-workers in particular, Gary Lovell.
As many of you know, I have always had a soft spot for a well written police procedural. I am especially fond of series in which you get to know a lot of information about the protagonist’s character, and I’m just as interested in that as I am the actually solving of the crime. The end of this novella sees Maeve making three resolutions about her job. This series seems to a prime candidate to fit in my series favorites list already. I cannot wait to read further in this series to see if Maeve’s resolutions/job aspirations are realized.
Jane Casey was born in 1977 in Dublin, Ireland. She studied English at Oxford University. Jane lives happily in London with her husband and son. Being married to a criminal barrister helps author Casey to get the insights into the world of criminals. Her novels have been shortlisted for the Irish Crime Novel of the Year Award four times as well as the CWA Dagger in the Library Award.
Follow Jane Casey on Twitter.
Fictionophile 
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Lynne, I have collected and read all the
Maeve Kerrigan series and have promoted Jane Casey to many mystery
lovers. I remember reading four in the series in a row and was disappointed I would have to wait a year for the next
page turner!! The characters are well developed and very real. Josh Derwent
is one of the main protagonists and I have to say he is a joy…..you revert from not liking him to really enjoying him and you never know what he will say next. He adds much to this series!
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I have read a few from this series and did not know there was a prequel. Thanks for sharing this, I will have to check it out.
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Great Carla. Sometimes it’s fun to go back and see how a protagonist started out.
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I really enjoy police procedurals, altho it may be a tie with psychological thrillers. Of course, then there are cozy mysteries, and….
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Tee-hee. Bookworm problems…
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It’s great to see the order of the books. I think I have a paperback of one them but I can’t remember which one ;-). I love well written police procedural novels so I’ll have to catch up with this series 😉
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I hope you do. I’ll be interested in your opinion.
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Dare I start another series!! Oh well. going to check it out anyway 😉
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I know right! I already have series that I haven’t finished, yet I keep starting new ones. Bookworm problems…
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So true….but I downloaded it anyway 😅
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Oooh 8 books to devour, thanks for sharing! 💕
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Ha-ha! I can almost hear your hands rubbing together with glee…
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This one sounds great! Thanks for sharing it. I’ll be sure to add it. ❤
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Great! Thanks for letting me know.
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