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Maeve Kerrigan #2
The Reckoning
To the public, he's a a brutal killer who targets sex offenders. To most of London's police force, he's the suspect in a gruesome, time-consuming case to be avoided. But to Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan, he's a murderer—no matter the sins of his victims—and catching him is her job. Assigned to the case with the division's unreadable new DI, Josh Derwent, young and inexperienced Maeve is determined to prove she has what it takes to make it as a female in the tough world of the London police.But for a killer who strikes with such spectacle, this one is proving remarkably elusive. And when Maeve learns his motive might be about exacting revenge, his acts of incredible violence move from abstract justice to the intensely personal, and become all the more terrifying. Unsure whom she can trust even within her own department and knowing her life is at stake, Maeve will have to decide how far she's willing to go to ensure justice is served.Jane Casey's taut, brilliantly executed thriller will have readers on the edge of their seats from the opening chapter to the stunning conclusion.
382 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2011
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4101 people want to read
About the author
Jane Casey
35 books2,656 followersShe studied English at Jesus College, Oxford, followed by an mPhil in Anglo-Irish Literature at Trinity College, Dublin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 630 reviews
December 19, 2018
Pedophiles are being murdered and Maeve Kerrigan and her partner, Detective Josh Derwent, are called in to investigate. Shocked at the violence of the killings, Maeve throws herself into the investigation only to find out halfway through that there is more going on than meets the eye.
I first became introduced to Jane Casey and her character, Maeve Kerrigan when I read Let the Dead Speak (which I loved!). I knew one day, I would go back and read some of the earlier books. It is always interesting when you read a book out of order to go back and read earlier books. From reading this one, I can clearly see how much not only the author's writing has improved, but also the degree of character development she has built over the course of her series.
Maeve is a strong female character who must put up with sexism and a partner who is rough around the edges and reminds her constantly that she is female. The story is told from her point of view, so the reader is privy to her thoughts, emotions and doubts. We also see her in a relationship with her co-worker, Rob, believing that no one knows. Although I enjoyed this book, I found myself wanting things to hurry up a bit here and there. The book is summed up nicely in terms of the plot and subplot.
This is the second book in the series and gets the series off to a nice start. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
I first became introduced to Jane Casey and her character, Maeve Kerrigan when I read Let the Dead Speak (which I loved!). I knew one day, I would go back and read some of the earlier books. It is always interesting when you read a book out of order to go back and read earlier books. From reading this one, I can clearly see how much not only the author's writing has improved, but also the degree of character development she has built over the course of her series.
Maeve is a strong female character who must put up with sexism and a partner who is rough around the edges and reminds her constantly that she is female. The story is told from her point of view, so the reader is privy to her thoughts, emotions and doubts. We also see her in a relationship with her co-worker, Rob, believing that no one knows. Although I enjoyed this book, I found myself wanting things to hurry up a bit here and there. The book is summed up nicely in terms of the plot and subplot.
This is the second book in the series and gets the series off to a nice start. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
February 24, 2017
The Reckoning is the second book in the Maeve Kerrigan series and though not quite as good a read as the debut, still an interesting read nonetheless.
This time paeodophiles are being brutally murdered and no obvious reasoning is forthcoming. Kerrigan and the team are put onto the case and soon enough the bodies start piling up. About halfway through the book the storyline takes on a different turn sending the whole thing into a different direction. It was cleverly done and not an obvious route to follow. I enjoyed the book for the most part but did think some parts of the book were stretched out a little. Too much detail at times that wasn't really necessary and I would actually prefer shorter chapters to keep the flow and momentum going. Occasionally I would wonder into 'when is this chapter finishing?' territory as chapters would sometimes drag on. The second half of the book really picks up pace and this is where it really held my attention and I didn't want to put the book down until the end.
Maeve Kerrigan herself is a likeable character albeit her decisions at times leaves the head shaking. She isn't perfect my any means, quick tempered and could do with thinking before acting rationally but she has a flair for the job and is growing on me as her character develops through the books.
I'm hoping the next book in the series picks up a little but I have to say I'm really enjoying getting to know the rest of the characters in the Murder Squad - even DI Derwent!! Looking forward to the next one.
This was more of a 3.5 star read.
This time paeodophiles are being brutally murdered and no obvious reasoning is forthcoming. Kerrigan and the team are put onto the case and soon enough the bodies start piling up. About halfway through the book the storyline takes on a different turn sending the whole thing into a different direction. It was cleverly done and not an obvious route to follow. I enjoyed the book for the most part but did think some parts of the book were stretched out a little. Too much detail at times that wasn't really necessary and I would actually prefer shorter chapters to keep the flow and momentum going. Occasionally I would wonder into 'when is this chapter finishing?' territory as chapters would sometimes drag on. The second half of the book really picks up pace and this is where it really held my attention and I didn't want to put the book down until the end.
Maeve Kerrigan herself is a likeable character albeit her decisions at times leaves the head shaking. She isn't perfect my any means, quick tempered and could do with thinking before acting rationally but she has a flair for the job and is growing on me as her character develops through the books.
I'm hoping the next book in the series picks up a little but I have to say I'm really enjoying getting to know the rest of the characters in the Murder Squad - even DI Derwent!! Looking forward to the next one.
This was more of a 3.5 star read.
July 22, 2015
The Hook - A promising series I started and forgot about.
The Line – ”The morning after the night before is never a lot of fun, especially if don’t drink much as a rule.”
The Sinker – Nothing horribly earth shattering but I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Maeve Kerrigan Series.
I suppose you could call it a London police procedural. Just as I would expect there’s a new round of brutal killings of women and the perpetrators of these to find. There are grizzly details so this is not for those of you who don’t like graphic violence. I didn’t get a strong sense of London but that may just be me. It certainly didn’t bother me. The police department and flats, etc. are described well enough. What I really liked was the nod to how British police are unarmed and just who comes in with the guns. I honestly think this is the first time I have gotten a clear sense of this in a book.
Maeve Kerrigan is a strong character making her place in a man’s world. She has room for growth as self-doubt is still coming through loud and clear. She continues her romantic relationship with Rob Langton and spars with enough of her male colleagues to make this woman want to join her team. The addition, though minor, of DC Liv (can’t remember her last name) was a plus, giving Maeve a female ear and someone to commiserate with and also to mentor. I hope to see this character and their relationship grow. It seems more likely for there to be more than one woman on the team.
Count me in for number 3.
The Line – ”The morning after the night before is never a lot of fun, especially if don’t drink much as a rule.”
The Sinker – Nothing horribly earth shattering but I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Maeve Kerrigan Series.
I suppose you could call it a London police procedural. Just as I would expect there’s a new round of brutal killings of women and the perpetrators of these to find. There are grizzly details so this is not for those of you who don’t like graphic violence. I didn’t get a strong sense of London but that may just be me. It certainly didn’t bother me. The police department and flats, etc. are described well enough. What I really liked was the nod to how British police are unarmed and just who comes in with the guns. I honestly think this is the first time I have gotten a clear sense of this in a book.
Maeve Kerrigan is a strong character making her place in a man’s world. She has room for growth as self-doubt is still coming through loud and clear. She continues her romantic relationship with Rob Langton and spars with enough of her male colleagues to make this woman want to join her team. The addition, though minor, of DC Liv (can’t remember her last name) was a plus, giving Maeve a female ear and someone to commiserate with and also to mentor. I hope to see this character and their relationship grow. It seems more likely for there to be more than one woman on the team.
Count me in for number 3.
June 13, 2021
The Reckoning has one of the twistiest plots I've read that still managed to leave me not needing to suspend disbelief too hard. Maeve Kerrigan's second outing was a lot of fun actually - super absorbing and easy to get lost in, while still feeling authentic and accurate.
This time around the alternating chapter format is gone (though Rob gets a couple of one-offs), and I preferred it this way; it felt like it moved the book away from more domestic thriller turf and more firmly into procedural-land. If only Derwent had been such a positive addition - Maeve rolled over a little too easily at times, and Jane Casey had done an excellent job at making an antagonist. I just wanted more teeth.
Overall though, a really good entry in the series - takes the right things seriously, is good at making me forget I'm reading, and a nice twisty mystery to boot. Stands alone, though I'd recommend starting at the start for full context.
This time around the alternating chapter format is gone (though Rob gets a couple of one-offs), and I preferred it this way; it felt like it moved the book away from more domestic thriller turf and more firmly into procedural-land. If only Derwent had been such a positive addition - Maeve rolled over a little too easily at times, and Jane Casey had done an excellent job at making an antagonist. I just wanted more teeth.
Overall though, a really good entry in the series - takes the right things seriously, is good at making me forget I'm reading, and a nice twisty mystery to boot. Stands alone, though I'd recommend starting at the start for full context.
March 1, 2019
4.5 stars
This is my second read of the series. These are nuanced, deeply realistic feeling books on many levels—psychological, relationships, procedural, professional.
The complexity of this novel unfolds and unfolds with a moderate, persistent pace. There’s lots here to hold your attention, curiosity, and problem-solving mystery-reading brain. But it never feels overly complicated or confusing. There’s a Goldilocks quality to the writing that’s hard to pinpoint.
The crime aftermaths, experienced in the investigative/forensic context, is pretty gritty but not overdone.
As real-seeming and distinct as the main characters are, even technically relatable and likable, I somehow don’t find a true link with any of them the way I often do with series characters that are less skillfully written. I don’t know how to explain that. But I find I’m reading the series for the quality of the writing and story but not because I’m compelled to come back to the lives of the characters. It’s not really a knock to the books, but it’s a gap in the reading experience for a series.
This is my second read of the series. These are nuanced, deeply realistic feeling books on many levels—psychological, relationships, procedural, professional.
The complexity of this novel unfolds and unfolds with a moderate, persistent pace. There’s lots here to hold your attention, curiosity, and problem-solving mystery-reading brain. But it never feels overly complicated or confusing. There’s a Goldilocks quality to the writing that’s hard to pinpoint.
The crime aftermaths, experienced in the investigative/forensic context, is pretty gritty but not overdone.
As real-seeming and distinct as the main characters are, even technically relatable and likable, I somehow don’t find a true link with any of them the way I often do with series characters that are less skillfully written. I don’t know how to explain that. But I find I’m reading the series for the quality of the writing and story but not because I’m compelled to come back to the lives of the characters. It’s not really a knock to the books, but it’s a gap in the reading experience for a series.
November 4, 2022
Much to my surprise, after having started with the 7th in this series and then going back to the 1st and having enjoyed both, I didn’t much like this one. It was slow and failed to engage me, far too much fokus on Maeve Kerrigan’s love life. And I noticed something odd, after having spent about half an hour in the company of one the male characters, she felt compelled to make an in depth analysis of his personality and the the impact he had on her, very confusing as she had from the start categorically refused to acknowledge as someone who could become a love interest.
I think I may return to this series, but I will let some time pass.
I think I may return to this series, but I will let some time pass.
April 9, 2020
İlk kitaptan daha iyiydi. Nasıl başladı, nasıl bitti - o kısımda baya karmaşa var. Bana göre biraz da gereksiz uzundu ama yine de ilgi çekiciydi.
August 24, 2013
I found The Reckoning to be somewhat of a curious read. At one level, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The writing was engaging, the procedural elements are well done, there’s a nice mix of characters, and the plot has a nice puzzle. The twist halfway through was well executed and worked to elevate the plot above usual police procedural fare. That said, the story was a little uneven in pacing, was a little clichéd in terms of character traits (the world weary superintendent, over-bearing, misogynist DI, headstrong DC, etc), though this is becoming difficult to avoid in a saturated genre, and there were a couple of clunky plot devices. Kerrigan’s romance with her colleague, Rob, was often drawn out and worked to slow the storytelling at times (e.g., pages 90-123 is basically a set of conversations between them that could have been 8-10 pages and still have conveyed the same sentiments). Moreover, her inability to commit to a relationship with him seemed contrived and a little ridiculous -- it made her appear as a serious, committed copper with a Bridget Jones complex that I just didn’t fully buy. As the story neared its conclusion it relies on two elements that I always find somewhat annoying (a highly unlikely coincidence and a critical piece of evidence being delivered on a platter for no discernible reason). Finally, towards the end, the narrative swaps from Maeve’s perspective to Rob’s, but whereas Maeve’s voice is strong and compelling, Rob’s felt flat and lifeless. I realise that sounds quite negative, but as noted, The Reckoning is enjoyable, compelling and clever; with a little editing it would have been a real standout.
December 5, 2015
The Reckoning is the 2nd book in the Maeve Kerrigan series by Jane Casey though it is actually the third book I have read due to previously reading one out of order. I enjoy this series and this book but thought its strength was more in the attempt to add meat to the bones of the characters than a one off novel.
In this book Maeve is searching for a killer who is targeting paedophiles and torturing them. Like a lot of good thrillers all is not as it seems and all becomes clear around halfway through. This book adds a fair deal of personal background to the main character Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan and I feel sure this will add to the enjoyment of future books in giving the characters more substance.
Not the best book in the series so far but certainly a good read and I could easily have marked slightly higher on another day.
In this book Maeve is searching for a killer who is targeting paedophiles and torturing them. Like a lot of good thrillers all is not as it seems and all becomes clear around halfway through. This book adds a fair deal of personal background to the main character Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan and I feel sure this will add to the enjoyment of future books in giving the characters more substance.
Not the best book in the series so far but certainly a good read and I could easily have marked slightly higher on another day.
May 28, 2021
peki.... peki..... bu pis chris olayı ne olacak 🤔
January 14, 2025
Rereading Maeve &Derwent story from start to present. The Secret Room coming later this year.
First time Derwent was a revelation. I love that character so much.
ANYWAY these are brilliant. Police procedural/psychological thriller hybrids always beautifully written and plotted. If you've not read them yet I'd recommend starting if you are a crime fan.
First time Derwent was a revelation. I love that character so much.
ANYWAY these are brilliant. Police procedural/psychological thriller hybrids always beautifully written and plotted. If you've not read them yet I'd recommend starting if you are a crime fan.
March 26, 2021
In the second book in the Maeve Kerrigan series, we follow Maeve as she joins the investigation into what appears to be a serial killer targeting paedophiles and sex offenders within the same area. As the case evolves, and the investigation becomes more urgent, Maeve's personal life becomes entangled with the case and she may be in danger herself.
Okay, I just loved this and I could not put it down. The starting case itself is violent (but not overly descriptive) and I felt hooked into what was going to happen next, who could be the next victim and who the perpetrator was. I didn't expect the story to go where it did and to evolve into a completely different kind of case but I really enjoyed that turn of events, and I became even more hooked when the story became about finding Cheyenne and then Patricia with the links to a crime lord making everything a bit more intense.
There's moments in this book that definitely are hard to read - not only the descritions of the violence done to all of the victims, as well as in the sex offenders case, things they had done/been accused of - but also the main killer and how they had gotten away with their crimes for so long.4
As in other books, I just love Maeve as a character. She's a bit of a mess in her personal life or more so her romantic life, and I don't know why it's a thing with female characters in crime books they always have to be anal about cleaning or the complete opposite in Maeve's case with cleaning and cooking but she's the type of character and police detective that if you had her on your side, you would feel safe, listened to and well cared for and that's nice.
I enjoyed seeing Josh's introduction in this book as I remember him now from The Cutting Place and it's funny seeing his comradely friendship/work relationship with Maeve started out with him pressing all her wrong buttons.
I can't wait to read on.
Okay, I just loved this and I could not put it down. The starting case itself is violent (but not overly descriptive) and I felt hooked into what was going to happen next, who could be the next victim and who the perpetrator was. I didn't expect the story to go where it did and to evolve into a completely different kind of case but I really enjoyed that turn of events, and I became even more hooked when the story became about finding Cheyenne and then Patricia with the links to a crime lord making everything a bit more intense.
There's moments in this book that definitely are hard to read - not only the descritions of the violence done to all of the victims, as well as in the sex offenders case, things they had done/been accused of - but also the main killer and how they had gotten away with their crimes for so long.4
As in other books, I just love Maeve as a character. She's a bit of a mess in her personal life or more so her romantic life, and I don't know why it's a thing with female characters in crime books they always have to be anal about cleaning or the complete opposite in Maeve's case with cleaning and cooking but she's the type of character and police detective that if you had her on your side, you would feel safe, listened to and well cared for and that's nice.
I enjoyed seeing Josh's introduction in this book as I remember him now from The Cutting Place and it's funny seeing his comradely friendship/work relationship with Maeve started out with him pressing all her wrong buttons.
I can't wait to read on.
September 23, 2020
I read the first book in this series, The Burning, some eight years ago! I don't really remember much about it, other than it was well-written, and an otherwise decent combination of police procedural and psychological thriller. However, The Reckoning is out-and-out police procedural, which is really not my favourite subgenre. It is well-written, but that's about the only nice thing I can say about this bloated, boring effort.
The story starts off with Maeve Kerrigan being assigned the case of the gruesome murders of convicted paedophiles, along with Josh Derwent, new to her force, and a real chauvinist. However, halfway through, the story completely changes course. It felt almost like two different books. This switch also introduced the British gangster underbelly element, WHICH I HATE. I have no interest in this. None. NONE. It thankfully isn't too prevalent, but nonetheless indicative of just how bog-standard and dripping in British police procedure cliches this effort really is.
And even with the two distinct plots, the real focus seems to be Maeve's relationship with colleague Rob Langton. At points, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were reading a romance novel.
Nothing really worked for me. The two plots (vigilante murders, a missing girl) were completely by the numbers and relied heavily on coincidence and contrivance. It hardly feels like the police actually solved anything! The gangster underbelly character was taking care of everything! Whenever Maeve visits a crime scene or somebody's house to question them, she seems far more interested in their wallpaper patterns and other descriptive elements than anything else! At 483 pages, this really could have done with a bit of editing. For crying out loud, I don't need to know what a minor character's wallpaper looks like!
Late in the story, the point of view abruptly shifts to that of Maeve's on-off love interest Rob Langton seemingly for no other reason that Maeve can't be there when certain things are going down. And even then things are happening because someone outside of Maeve and the police force are putting them into action. I just had no investment in anything. Things just seemed to happen, and Maeve and her colleagues were always just playing catch-up. Probably because they were too busy taking note of what everybody's wallpaper looked like.
I've got another book in this series stacked away in one of my many bookshelves (the curse of cheap op-shop finds). Hopefully, in the eight years it takes me to read it, I won't forget how, well, forgetful this one was and erroneously cheaply pick up any more.
The story starts off with Maeve Kerrigan being assigned the case of the gruesome murders of convicted paedophiles, along with Josh Derwent, new to her force, and a real chauvinist. However, halfway through, the story completely changes course. It felt almost like two different books. This switch also introduced the British gangster underbelly element, WHICH I HATE. I have no interest in this. None. NONE. It thankfully isn't too prevalent, but nonetheless indicative of just how bog-standard and dripping in British police procedure cliches this effort really is.
And even with the two distinct plots, the real focus seems to be Maeve's relationship with colleague Rob Langton. At points, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were reading a romance novel.
Nothing really worked for me. The two plots (vigilante murders, a missing girl) were completely by the numbers and relied heavily on coincidence and contrivance. It hardly feels like the police actually solved anything! The gangster underbelly character was taking care of everything! Whenever Maeve visits a crime scene or somebody's house to question them, she seems far more interested in their wallpaper patterns and other descriptive elements than anything else! At 483 pages, this really could have done with a bit of editing. For crying out loud, I don't need to know what a minor character's wallpaper looks like!
Late in the story, the point of view abruptly shifts to that of Maeve's on-off love interest Rob Langton seemingly for no other reason that Maeve can't be there when certain things are going down. And even then things are happening because someone outside of Maeve and the police force are putting them into action. I just had no investment in anything. Things just seemed to happen, and Maeve and her colleagues were always just playing catch-up. Probably because they were too busy taking note of what everybody's wallpaper looked like.
I've got another book in this series stacked away in one of my many bookshelves (the curse of cheap op-shop finds). Hopefully, in the eight years it takes me to read it, I won't forget how, well, forgetful this one was and erroneously cheaply pick up any more.
November 16, 2022
I reckon I would have enjoyed "The Reckoning" more had it been shorter.
So many times, I heard myself asking "Are we there yet?", as I plowed through this 16-hour audiobook. (Huff, puff, huff, puff!)
This was my fourth Jane Casey book and my first Maeve Kerrigan thriller.
Jane Casey's characterizations, plotlines, and police procedurals are always over-the-top and this book was no exception.
Although there was no repetitive text In "The Reckoning", the author provided waaaay too many details on all aspects of this intricately plotted thriller.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a superb job with the narration.
This book was one of Jane Casey's earlier books (2011), and I look forward to listening to future books by this talented author.
So many times, I heard myself asking "Are we there yet?", as I plowed through this 16-hour audiobook. (Huff, puff, huff, puff!)
This was my fourth Jane Casey book and my first Maeve Kerrigan thriller.
Jane Casey's characterizations, plotlines, and police procedurals are always over-the-top and this book was no exception.
Although there was no repetitive text In "The Reckoning", the author provided waaaay too many details on all aspects of this intricately plotted thriller.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a superb job with the narration.
This book was one of Jane Casey's earlier books (2011), and I look forward to listening to future books by this talented author.
September 2, 2022
İlk kitabı yeniden okumak nefsimi köreltir sanmıştım ama dayanamayıp bu kitabı da ikinciye okudum 🤭 Neyse gidip üçüncüye de bir bakayım tekrar 😏
October 24, 2019
↠3+
To be honest I don’t remember the first book, the only thing I remember for sure is the main character’s name and that there, possibly, were some burnt bodies.
At first it was difficult to get back to a world I don’t remember with characters I had forgotten, so I got to meet them all over again. This is not the usual mystery story as it concentrates more on Maeve’s life and how she deals with police stuff than with the mystery of the murders although that too is present. It’s not something I would usually read, but I liked it and I’m looking forward to continuing the series…hopefully it won’t take me much time to pick up the next one
To be honest I don’t remember the first book, the only thing I remember for sure is the main character’s name and that there, possibly, were some burnt bodies.
At first it was difficult to get back to a world I don’t remember with characters I had forgotten, so I got to meet them all over again. This is not the usual mystery story as it concentrates more on Maeve’s life and how she deals with police stuff than with the mystery of the murders although that too is present. It’s not something I would usually read, but I liked it and I’m looking forward to continuing the series…hopefully it won’t take me much time to pick up the next one
May 20, 2022
“You’re either going to walk through life and experience it fully or you’re going to be a voyeur.” – Nicole Kidman
One of my last reads of 2021 was Jane Casey’s “The Burning.” And it was only as I reached the halfway mark, at that point 99% sure that I was to be enthralled right to the finish, that I learned it was the first in the “Maeve Kerrington” series.
And let me say, realizing that I love a story, then later discovering that it’s part of a series is always a thrill for me. And for clarity, I only use the word “thrill” when the second is just as good or better than the first, I mean, you never know, sometimes a series starts strong with the first, then the later stories seem like nothing more than increasingly disappointing duplications of the first. Kind of like a photocopy of a photocopy…what your looking at becomes less well defined, softer on the edges and of lower quality.
Such was not the case with the second in the series, “The Reckoning.”
In this installment, London’s police force is investigating a series of savage murders, the victims of which are sex offenders. To many in the public, this killer is something of a hero, ridding their communities of the worst of the worst, a condition that only makes the work of the police that much harder. Assigned to the case is a veteran detective inspector with a prickly personality that seems to suit what looks to be a thankless and underappreciated investigation.
And that where Maeve Kerrington finds herself, right smack in the middle of.
So, the story was really very captivating, just like the fist in the series. And such was the case with the first, the added bonus was the amazing cast of primary, and secondary characters. It was the presence of these standout characters that helped push this story up from “very good,” to “excellent,” here were just a few:
Mrs. Driscoll, the small, wiry, entertainingly opinionated sexagenarian witness.
Mark Whittaker, the barrister with the Essex twang and the cheeky chappy sort of charm.
The “Brothers Grim,” purveyors of flash mobs, pop-up shops, and galleries, all very popular with the “bright young thing” London set.
Claudia, the tall and wonderful witness, lovely as an Arum Lily.
A chain smoking, recently exhumed granny.
And aside from the characters were a few standout set pieces in this story, my favorite of which was a broken-down rural mansion that seemed to lament on windy days.
Lastly, I always delight in learning new slang and phrases, among the gems in this story were: “Sailing too close to the wind,” “collywobbles,” and most notable, “norks.”
Two winners in a row, happily leaving me no option but to seek out the third.
One of my last reads of 2021 was Jane Casey’s “The Burning.” And it was only as I reached the halfway mark, at that point 99% sure that I was to be enthralled right to the finish, that I learned it was the first in the “Maeve Kerrington” series.
And let me say, realizing that I love a story, then later discovering that it’s part of a series is always a thrill for me. And for clarity, I only use the word “thrill” when the second is just as good or better than the first, I mean, you never know, sometimes a series starts strong with the first, then the later stories seem like nothing more than increasingly disappointing duplications of the first. Kind of like a photocopy of a photocopy…what your looking at becomes less well defined, softer on the edges and of lower quality.
Such was not the case with the second in the series, “The Reckoning.”
In this installment, London’s police force is investigating a series of savage murders, the victims of which are sex offenders. To many in the public, this killer is something of a hero, ridding their communities of the worst of the worst, a condition that only makes the work of the police that much harder. Assigned to the case is a veteran detective inspector with a prickly personality that seems to suit what looks to be a thankless and underappreciated investigation.
And that where Maeve Kerrington finds herself, right smack in the middle of.
So, the story was really very captivating, just like the fist in the series. And such was the case with the first, the added bonus was the amazing cast of primary, and secondary characters. It was the presence of these standout characters that helped push this story up from “very good,” to “excellent,” here were just a few:
Mrs. Driscoll, the small, wiry, entertainingly opinionated sexagenarian witness.
Mark Whittaker, the barrister with the Essex twang and the cheeky chappy sort of charm.
The “Brothers Grim,” purveyors of flash mobs, pop-up shops, and galleries, all very popular with the “bright young thing” London set.
Claudia, the tall and wonderful witness, lovely as an Arum Lily.
A chain smoking, recently exhumed granny.
And aside from the characters were a few standout set pieces in this story, my favorite of which was a broken-down rural mansion that seemed to lament on windy days.
Lastly, I always delight in learning new slang and phrases, among the gems in this story were: “Sailing too close to the wind,” “collywobbles,” and most notable, “norks.”
Two winners in a row, happily leaving me no option but to seek out the third.
September 5, 2014
4.5 again, although things are already starting to blur slightly between the two books, which I read back to back.
The description on this one is quite misleading, as "the public" hardly gets the chance to consider the killer a hero at all. Very grim killings, and Maeve struggles hard with her new "partner"/superior and his attitudes towards her (in particular, and everyone in general) and his moods and his behaviour. She's also struggling with her personal life, having moved into the latest of a series of new flats with some - interesting - tenants, being pressured by her mother, as always, and unsure about the potential relationship that never got going in the first book. I don't think I'm likely to have been too unusual in hoping against hope that she got over her reluctance before it was too late, as this relationship would pretty clearly be a good one. In fact, I was more than a bit cranky about it at times, despite the sensible element to her determination not to go for it. But the way it worked out in the end was both satisfying and slightly surprising. Surprising in showing a different side to Maeve's personality, which was both funny and touching.
There's another woman in the newly-expanded team for this book, and while she and Maeve should be immediate allies against the still-predominantly sexist and harassing males on the team, it's not that easy for Maeve. I liked how it resolved though, and hope to see the friendship develop more in future books. As Maeve has to focus so intently on her professional life, and as she believes in what she's doing so much, not all of her considerable intelligence is applied to life outside the job. This works well for me, as she's far more interesting than just an emotionally stunted workaholic, while not always being totally clued in about herself. I mention this because I just noticed that much of what I've written has to do with her relationships, even if many of those are with colleagues. Always difficult to talk about mysteries anyway, so I'll just let it stand at that for the moment. I will be reading the rest of the series - I read the novella Left for Dead and then had to stop myself from binge-reading all of the books, right-now-this-minute, as I was quite tempted to do.
The description on this one is quite misleading, as "the public" hardly gets the chance to consider the killer a hero at all. Very grim killings, and Maeve struggles hard with her new "partner"/superior and his attitudes towards her (in particular, and everyone in general) and his moods and his behaviour. She's also struggling with her personal life, having moved into the latest of a series of new flats with some - interesting - tenants, being pressured by her mother, as always, and unsure about the potential relationship that never got going in the first book. I don't think I'm likely to have been too unusual in hoping against hope that she got over her reluctance before it was too late, as this relationship would pretty clearly be a good one. In fact, I was more than a bit cranky about it at times, despite the sensible element to her determination not to go for it. But the way it worked out in the end was both satisfying and slightly surprising. Surprising in showing a different side to Maeve's personality, which was both funny and touching.
There's another woman in the newly-expanded team for this book, and while she and Maeve should be immediate allies against the still-predominantly sexist and harassing males on the team, it's not that easy for Maeve. I liked how it resolved though, and hope to see the friendship develop more in future books. As Maeve has to focus so intently on her professional life, and as she believes in what she's doing so much, not all of her considerable intelligence is applied to life outside the job. This works well for me, as she's far more interesting than just an emotionally stunted workaholic, while not always being totally clued in about herself. I mention this because I just noticed that much of what I've written has to do with her relationships, even if many of those are with colleagues. Always difficult to talk about mysteries anyway, so I'll just let it stand at that for the moment. I will be reading the rest of the series - I read the novella Left for Dead and then had to stop myself from binge-reading all of the books, right-now-this-minute, as I was quite tempted to do.
October 20, 2020
Baltayı taşa vurduk. Kötü bir kitap değil ama o kadar uzun ki kitap okuma sevginizi sorgulatıyor. Hikaye gereksiz dallanıp budaklanıyor. Gayet de kısa kesilebilecek yerleri bile sayfalarca detaylı anlatıyor... Son 50 - 60 sayfaya kadar 2 yıldız düşünüyordum ama bu gereksiz detayları güzel bi yere bağladı en azından o yüzden yükseltiyorum. Seriye devam edeceğim ama hareket lazım.
November 26, 2020
I am reading this series completely out of order. While I don't recommend that, I DO recommend the series. The Reconing, the second in the Maeve Kerrigan series, has Kerrigan with a new partner as they investigate what will soon become multiple murders. As they uncover information, they realize that a very dangerous mobster is involved but the question that remains is why....
I adore the characters in this book. They are very flawed, very rude and still very interesting! Maeve is such a perfect Irish copper! I simply cannot get enough of her and this series! Highly recommend especially if you like intense police procedurals.
I adore the characters in this book. They are very flawed, very rude and still very interesting! Maeve is such a perfect Irish copper! I simply cannot get enough of her and this series! Highly recommend especially if you like intense police procedurals.
February 11, 2024
Audiobook version!
I seem to recall I really loved the first book in the Maeve Kerrigan series and although I did enjoy this; I found it far too long winded. The conversations between Maeve (whom I love!) and her other misogynist partner grew tiresome.
At this point, I am unsure whether I will continue with this series, but if I do I am going to read the third book physically.
I seem to recall I really loved the first book in the Maeve Kerrigan series and although I did enjoy this; I found it far too long winded. The conversations between Maeve (whom I love!) and her other misogynist partner grew tiresome.
At this point, I am unsure whether I will continue with this series, but if I do I am going to read the third book physically.
August 7, 2012
Casey is definitely getting better as she goes along. #1 (The Missing) was truly dreadful. #2 (The Burning) was pretty good. And this is much better. The dialogue is still a little trying/unbelievable at times, but the doers were not as obvious this time around. My only real complaint: it's great to have a strong, young female detective as the protagonist, but when she is also the target of violence and stalking and harassment, some of which have nothing to do with her job (and none of the other cops are), she doesn't seem so strong and capable anymore. Maybe next time Maeve Kerrigan will emerge unscathed? Here's hoping...
October 4, 2018
Another strong entry in the Maeve Kerrigan series. In this book, Maeve gets an extremely abrasive new partner/supervisor, and a female colleague/friend, which is great because Maeve was almost on her own as a female in the police department in the last book.
The plot is a bit scattered. We get a prologue that gets left a bit too long before being pulled back into the story. The bad guys are thoroughly creepy, though, and Casey can write a good action scene as well as a good interrogation scene.
There's also a set up for what will become an important storyline later in the series. I've been reading these out of order, and going back it's really impressive how Casey was planning a greater series story arc back in book 2. It makes me wonder what else she's got planned! I'm almost entirely through this series at this point, so I hope she keeps writing! I'm not sure what makes this particular police procedural stand out so much for me. Probably Maeve. I like being in her head and am interested in her, her life, and how she uses her empathy to catch killers through victimology.
The plot is a bit scattered. We get a prologue that gets left a bit too long before being pulled back into the story. The bad guys are thoroughly creepy, though, and Casey can write a good action scene as well as a good interrogation scene.
There's also a set up for what will become an important storyline later in the series. I've been reading these out of order, and going back it's really impressive how Casey was planning a greater series story arc back in book 2. It makes me wonder what else she's got planned! I'm almost entirely through this series at this point, so I hope she keeps writing! I'm not sure what makes this particular police procedural stand out so much for me. Probably Maeve. I like being in her head and am interested in her, her life, and how she uses her empathy to catch killers through victimology.
February 14, 2022
A serial killer seems to be killing pedophiles, and budding feminist detective Maeve Kerrigan is on the case. She hates the rampant sexism around her but sure likes a cute detective who she's on-again-off-again with. This makes the story seem a bit silly; it's not. It's a strong genre book in the police procedural category. The books remind me a bit in structure of the DCI Banks books by Peter Robinson, with a younger, single, female detective in the lead.
The occasional forays into first person from her boyfriend Rob didn't feel quite as clunky as they did in the first book so that was good.
For fans of UK crime fiction with a strong female lead.
The occasional forays into first person from her boyfriend Rob didn't feel quite as clunky as they did in the first book so that was good.
For fans of UK crime fiction with a strong female lead.
January 17, 2022
Maybe it’s just that I don’t read a lot of realistic fiction but I was really impressed with the descriptions and characters in this book. Not sure I’d really recommend it to anyone since the subject matter starts dark and travels into truly disturbing, but objectively I think it is well-written and it definitely held my attention.
March 31, 2023
Mysteries so good that I'm staying up too late, procrastinating over lunch - the usual buried in a book life.
September 15, 2015
I'll be honest, I was pretty ambivalent towards the first book in this series, The Burning. However, I was desperate for a new audiobook on my drive to work, and so I found myself engrossed in a mystery that otherwise I would not have picked up.
In this second book in Casey's Maeve Kerrigan series Maeve's personal life isn't the best, she's moved into the latest of bad apartments, and she's got a new superior who really rubs her the wrong way. On top of that, someone's targeting and torturing known child abuse offenders and it's Maeve's job to find justice for those that many believe got what they deserved.
The first half of The Reckoning was a bit of a slow start. I wasn't into the mystery and I wasn't into Maeve's inner torment about her relationship with her colleague, Rob. In the first half Maeve was hard to like, but her back and forth with Rob was believable.
As for the mystery, I thought it was very cut and dry from the start. Someone is murdering people and the Met is going to figure out who. However, about halfway through this mystery totally changes. There's a reason why these specific people are being murdered and suddenly this mystery is all about tracking down a missing young girl. The Reckoning started off very simply (albeit gruesomely) and it was the complications that evolved in the case that kept me engrossed. Casey sure knows how to crank up the suspense.
What I found a lot stronger in The Reckoning was the changes in the characters. There was a lot more focus on Maeve as a individual, which worked for me. Mystery fans need not worry, despite amping up character development, the mystery remained centre stage. There is also several additions to Godley's team, including another female DC as well as the likeable/unlikeable Derwent. DI Derwent was an interesting addition to the team, he's not exactly endearing, but he is entertaining and it appears that there's more stuff going on below the surface with him. I suspect that there will be much more of Josh Derwent in the subsequent books.
As for the audio component, I thought it was narrated very well. Sarah Coomes did a great job of bringing DC Kerrigan to life and if I could get my hands on the next book in audio format that would be my first choice. There's something about mystery audiobooks that just work for me.
The Reckoning was a twisty, procedural mystery that was balanced out well with a fabulous but flawed young woman as it's main character. This one is definitely a darker mystery, Casey does not shy away from describing the murder scenes, so fair warning for the squeamish, a cozy mystery this 'aint.
Originally reviewed at The Book Adventures.
In this second book in Casey's Maeve Kerrigan series Maeve's personal life isn't the best, she's moved into the latest of bad apartments, and she's got a new superior who really rubs her the wrong way. On top of that, someone's targeting and torturing known child abuse offenders and it's Maeve's job to find justice for those that many believe got what they deserved.
The first half of The Reckoning was a bit of a slow start. I wasn't into the mystery and I wasn't into Maeve's inner torment about her relationship with her colleague, Rob. In the first half Maeve was hard to like, but her back and forth with Rob was believable.
As for the mystery, I thought it was very cut and dry from the start. Someone is murdering people and the Met is going to figure out who. However, about halfway through this mystery totally changes. There's a reason why these specific people are being murdered and suddenly this mystery is all about tracking down a missing young girl. The Reckoning started off very simply (albeit gruesomely) and it was the complications that evolved in the case that kept me engrossed. Casey sure knows how to crank up the suspense.
What I found a lot stronger in The Reckoning was the changes in the characters. There was a lot more focus on Maeve as a individual, which worked for me. Mystery fans need not worry, despite amping up character development, the mystery remained centre stage. There is also several additions to Godley's team, including another female DC as well as the likeable/unlikeable Derwent. DI Derwent was an interesting addition to the team, he's not exactly endearing, but he is entertaining and it appears that there's more stuff going on below the surface with him. I suspect that there will be much more of Josh Derwent in the subsequent books.
As for the audio component, I thought it was narrated very well. Sarah Coomes did a great job of bringing DC Kerrigan to life and if I could get my hands on the next book in audio format that would be my first choice. There's something about mystery audiobooks that just work for me.
The Reckoning was a twisty, procedural mystery that was balanced out well with a fabulous but flawed young woman as it's main character. This one is definitely a darker mystery, Casey does not shy away from describing the murder scenes, so fair warning for the squeamish, a cozy mystery this 'aint.
Originally reviewed at The Book Adventures.
July 16, 2013
The Reckoning is Janie Casey's second crime novel starring Maeve Kerrigan as Detective Constable of the London Police force. Someone is targeting registered pedophiles and the violence is escalating and even the police don't regard the murders as a priority. Maeve is shocked by the violence inflicted during these kills – the victims were made to suffer.
On the personal side, she and Rob are realizing how much they care about each other, although dating a co-worker is frowned upon. Maeve is paired with a new Detective Josh Derwent and has to play second fiddle to his macho take-no-prisoners attitude. Maeve catches the attention of her superior Godley and begins getting better assignments, but the one she must solve is the latest in the pedophile murders--this one an eighty-year-old ex priest. When Caroline Banner, a woman working at the police station, admits she gave a list of convicted child molesters to a man who threatened to harm her eleven-year-old son, Maeve and Josh recognize the first three are their murder victims. There are nine remaining and all names live close to the A23. Catching a lucky break, when Maeve and Josh go to the residence of the next name on the list, they interrupt the brutal beating in progress and arrest the man who is behind the murders. John Skinner, a notorious criminal, states his daughter has been kidnapped by a pedophile and he is working through the list to find her.
A terrifying sub plot involves two brothers who kidnap young girls and eventually kill them. When John Skinner's daughter is found dead, the suspense is heightened to an almost unbearable extent.
Good versus evil wages a fierce battle before the surprising and satisfying ending to an excellent book.
On the personal side, she and Rob are realizing how much they care about each other, although dating a co-worker is frowned upon. Maeve is paired with a new Detective Josh Derwent and has to play second fiddle to his macho take-no-prisoners attitude. Maeve catches the attention of her superior Godley and begins getting better assignments, but the one she must solve is the latest in the pedophile murders--this one an eighty-year-old ex priest. When Caroline Banner, a woman working at the police station, admits she gave a list of convicted child molesters to a man who threatened to harm her eleven-year-old son, Maeve and Josh recognize the first three are their murder victims. There are nine remaining and all names live close to the A23. Catching a lucky break, when Maeve and Josh go to the residence of the next name on the list, they interrupt the brutal beating in progress and arrest the man who is behind the murders. John Skinner, a notorious criminal, states his daughter has been kidnapped by a pedophile and he is working through the list to find her.
A terrifying sub plot involves two brothers who kidnap young girls and eventually kill them. When John Skinner's daughter is found dead, the suspense is heightened to an almost unbearable extent.
Good versus evil wages a fierce battle before the surprising and satisfying ending to an excellent book.
April 21, 2012
The Reckoning
By
Jane Casey
My Speedy Summary...
Maeve, a detective, is involved in finding out who is meticulously murdering some of London's pedophiles... among other crimes.
My Thoughts...
I found this to be a riveting detective story with tons of dysfunctional characters...this included some of the good guys, too. I read this as a stand alone but I truly wish I would have read the first book in this series...The Burning. The central character, Maeve Kerrigan, a detective, was damaged in a way that was just a teensie bit unclear to me. She moved a lot...had issues with men...didn't get attached to things and I wasn't sure why.
But...that is me and not this book...I love reading books in order within a series. The Reckoning is perfectly fine as a stand alone.
It is always difficult to write about a mystery lest anything be given away inadvertently...but this is what I will say...it was a complicated mystery that kept me reading and wondering throughout the book. There were twists and surprises and it seemed as though one crime led to the next one and everything ultimately led to the reason for the crimes in the first place...hmmm...confusing?
It really isn't when you are reading. The book is chock full of interesting characters. The story flows easily and ultimately led to a surprising culmination.
Readers who love Deborah Crombie, Elizabeth George, Val McDermid and Carol O'Connell will appreciate this book and this series. Maeve is a complex character and I will enjoy reading more about her in future books. She stands firm in her beliefs, she cares about the victims and was believable throughout the book.
By
Jane Casey
My Speedy Summary...
Maeve, a detective, is involved in finding out who is meticulously murdering some of London's pedophiles... among other crimes.
My Thoughts...
I found this to be a riveting detective story with tons of dysfunctional characters...this included some of the good guys, too. I read this as a stand alone but I truly wish I would have read the first book in this series...The Burning. The central character, Maeve Kerrigan, a detective, was damaged in a way that was just a teensie bit unclear to me. She moved a lot...had issues with men...didn't get attached to things and I wasn't sure why.
But...that is me and not this book...I love reading books in order within a series. The Reckoning is perfectly fine as a stand alone.
It is always difficult to write about a mystery lest anything be given away inadvertently...but this is what I will say...it was a complicated mystery that kept me reading and wondering throughout the book. There were twists and surprises and it seemed as though one crime led to the next one and everything ultimately led to the reason for the crimes in the first place...hmmm...confusing?
It really isn't when you are reading. The book is chock full of interesting characters. The story flows easily and ultimately led to a surprising culmination.
Readers who love Deborah Crombie, Elizabeth George, Val McDermid and Carol O'Connell will appreciate this book and this series. Maeve is a complex character and I will enjoy reading more about her in future books. She stands firm in her beliefs, she cares about the victims and was believable throughout the book.
July 17, 2012
What an exciting sequel! Finding a new mystery series is always exciting - especially when an anticipated sequel ends up being stronger than the first book! The criminals in the second Maeve Kerrigan book are truly depraved, and the plot twists and turns in some very surprising ways! Casey’s characters remain strong, and fully developed. And not at all static - I think I anxiously flipped pages partly for the plot itself and partly just to see the relationship between Maeve and Rob! Some new characters are introduced here, too - I particularly enjoyed Maeve’s friendship with Liv, and found the ladies-man, Brody, to be downright hysterical. I am so excited for the third book in the series - I just can’t wait! I loved reading this thriling book!
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