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Maeve Kerrigan #7.5
One in Custody
From award-winning author Jane Casey comes an exciting short detective story following Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent.
Everyone is capable of murder…
‘I’ve killed my husband.’
Those are the words Sheila Gleeson greets the police with when they arrive on her doorstep. There is a murder weapon, fingerprints, a confession. It’s clearly premeditated murder, end of the story.
Or is it?
Because when detectives Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent dig a little deeper, they realise things might not be quite what they seem. And soon, they’re forced to question whether the woman in their custody really is as guilty as she seems, or if the killer is still on the loose…
To avoid disappointment, please note this story has previously been published in the back of the Tesco edition of Let the Dead Speak.
Everyone is capable of murder…
‘I’ve killed my husband.’
Those are the words Sheila Gleeson greets the police with when they arrive on her doorstep. There is a murder weapon, fingerprints, a confession. It’s clearly premeditated murder, end of the story.
Or is it?
Because when detectives Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent dig a little deeper, they realise things might not be quite what they seem. And soon, they’re forced to question whether the woman in their custody really is as guilty as she seems, or if the killer is still on the loose…
To avoid disappointment, please note this story has previously been published in the back of the Tesco edition of Let the Dead Speak.
31 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 7, 2018
166 people are currently reading
1309 people want to read
About the author
Jane Casey
35 books2,662 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 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 30, 2022
Free Jane Casey?? Say less. This lil diddy puts the short in short story. Loved it though. Classic #TeamKerrwent seggsual tension + thought provoking case. Homegirl can write. But we already knew that.
May 4, 2019
This is a novella in the Maeve Kerrigan series by author Jane Casey.
I really enjoy this series, but if I am honest short stories rarely excite me in the way full length novels do. That is much the case here, familiar character and writing style that helps but not enough depth of story to make this a success for me.
The familiar duo of Kerrigan and Derwent are given the case of an abused wife killing her husband. She admits guilt, so everything should be straight forward, so what is bothering Kerrigan?
When detectives Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent dig a little deeper, they realise things might not be quite what they seem. And soon, they’re forced to question whether the woman in their custody really is as guilty as it appears, or if the killer is still on the loose.
I am writing this review now, thinking maybe I enjoyed the book more than I first thought?
A good story but read the full length novels to better appreciate this series.
I really enjoy this series, but if I am honest short stories rarely excite me in the way full length novels do. That is much the case here, familiar character and writing style that helps but not enough depth of story to make this a success for me.
The familiar duo of Kerrigan and Derwent are given the case of an abused wife killing her husband. She admits guilt, so everything should be straight forward, so what is bothering Kerrigan?
When detectives Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent dig a little deeper, they realise things might not be quite what they seem. And soon, they’re forced to question whether the woman in their custody really is as guilty as it appears, or if the killer is still on the loose.
I am writing this review now, thinking maybe I enjoyed the book more than I first thought?
A good story but read the full length novels to better appreciate this series.
August 25, 2019
Borrowed ebook from library and settled down for a good long read...... Didn't realise it was a short story/novella! Nicely written so I might seek out the full-length books.
May 14, 2019
A quick fast paced little story with my all time favourite detective duo ! It was very hard to get a hold of but I managed to get a pdf from a friend. The latest Kerrigan novel Cruel Acts left me in quite a state and although this short story wasn't enough to satiate my Josh & Maeve withdrawals I enjoyed it thoroughly and was engrossed for the short while it lasted. I can hardly wait for book nine and her other upcoming short story Love Lies Bleeding which is said to be released in June. If you haven't got your hands on the Kerrigan series yet I highly recommend that you do !
January 26, 2020
This book only loses a star because it wasn’t 1000 pages of Maeve and Derwent. 😬
February 16, 2021
Cool investigation but very short and not terribly special.
September 19, 2022
This is really only a short story, but it's still worth reading if you like the Kerrigan series, which I do.
February 28, 2019
Nowhere near as satisfying as a novel. And I don't like Kindles
February 15, 2022
My lowest rating for the series, so far. Unfortunately, I don't really see the point of this story, unless it was included in some kind of anthology or sample/taster. It didn't tell you anything informative about the series, the characters, and served no real purpose that I can see. I could maybe see that, in the fact that Derwent (though not Maeve) is introduced as if he's a brand new character.
Once again, Maeve can't see the biggest picture. She sacrifices logic, rational thinking and reasonable actions, to her over-rated selfishness to be right, and reaffirm her place on the team. She continues to come to her own conclusions, risking the case, even if it comes at the expense of other people, hurting them to further her ego and career. Though this was super short - only 30 pages - it was all the things that irritate me about Maeve, and none of the good parts.
What annoys me even more is that I have been waiting SO LONG for a story that wasn't about rape/sexual assault, with a clever crime that wasn't predictable halfway through, and this could have been it. Except, the crime had no substance. There was more this plot could have done, but it was wasted on 30 pages that were nothing but Maeve proving herself right, no matter the consequences.
Also, on my Kobo, the actual story only takes up 61%, and then you get a preview of Cruel Acts, the next book in the series.
Once again, Maeve can't see the biggest picture. She sacrifices logic, rational thinking and reasonable actions, to her over-rated selfishness to be right, and reaffirm her place on the team. She continues to come to her own conclusions, risking the case, even if it comes at the expense of other people, hurting them to further her ego and career. Though this was super short - only 30 pages - it was all the things that irritate me about Maeve, and none of the good parts.
What annoys me even more is that I have been waiting SO LONG for a story that wasn't about rape/sexual assault, with a clever crime that wasn't predictable halfway through, and this could have been it. Except, the crime had no substance. There was more this plot could have done, but it was wasted on 30 pages that were nothing but Maeve proving herself right, no matter the consequences.
Also, on my Kobo, the actual story only takes up 61%, and then you get a preview of Cruel Acts, the next book in the series.
March 2, 2019
Nice easy writing style, the story just flows and read it in one sitting, perfect for a quick read.
Kerrigan and Derwent are allocated to what seems a straight forward case of an abused wife killing her husband. She even admits killing him. So what is niggling Maeve Kerrigan? Why can't she believe the wife has done it? She talks to Derwent and highlights a few points and slowly brings him to see her point of view, there is just the small case of obtaining evidence to prove the theory!
It was great to be reading a Kerrigan and Derwent story again. The pair are good together although Derwent does rile Kerrigan up at times. It may only be a short story but it has all the usual trademarks and is a good read, the pointers are there, just a shame it ended so quickly. Can't wait for the next book.
Kerrigan and Derwent are allocated to what seems a straight forward case of an abused wife killing her husband. She even admits killing him. So what is niggling Maeve Kerrigan? Why can't she believe the wife has done it? She talks to Derwent and highlights a few points and slowly brings him to see her point of view, there is just the small case of obtaining evidence to prove the theory!
It was great to be reading a Kerrigan and Derwent story again. The pair are good together although Derwent does rile Kerrigan up at times. It may only be a short story but it has all the usual trademarks and is a good read, the pointers are there, just a shame it ended so quickly. Can't wait for the next book.
December 30, 2021
One in Custody is a novella in the Maeve Kerrigan series (about 30 pages in length) set between the novels Let the Dead Speak, no. 7 and Cruel Acts, no 8.
A new 'Maeve and Derwent' (Maeent? Dereve?) tale is always a delight - it's just a pity that a novella is not a 1,000 pages long.
This time around, Maeve is presented with a decidedly straightforward sounding case when a wife calls the police and confesses to murdering her husband. She has even preserved the murder weapon for them! But Maeve is suspicious and a visit to the crime scene soon causes her to wonder what really happened that night.
As this is a short tale, we do not have the time for Casey's usual in depth development of her characters and fascinating, flawless mystery. However, the story is a quick 20 minute read and does pass a few mins, while serving as an introduction to the series.
A new 'Maeve and Derwent' (Maeent? Dereve?) tale is always a delight - it's just a pity that a novella is not a 1,000 pages long.
This time around, Maeve is presented with a decidedly straightforward sounding case when a wife calls the police and confesses to murdering her husband. She has even preserved the murder weapon for them! But Maeve is suspicious and a visit to the crime scene soon causes her to wonder what really happened that night.
As this is a short tale, we do not have the time for Casey's usual in depth development of her characters and fascinating, flawless mystery. However, the story is a quick 20 minute read and does pass a few mins, while serving as an introduction to the series.
January 31, 2025
Sheila Gleeson confesses to killing her husband but Maeve Kerrigan is not so sure. It's her first solo case (albeit being supervised by Josh Derwent) & things aren't adding up. Derwent sees a slam-dunk verdict but they return to the Gleesons' house.
This (very) short story is a fast-paced whirlwind through the case but Derwent still manages to get in a line of sexual innuendo towards Maeve whilst she is trying to recreate the murderer's position by kneeling on the Gleesons' bed.
This (very) short story is a fast-paced whirlwind through the case but Derwent still manages to get in a line of sexual innuendo towards Maeve whilst she is trying to recreate the murderer's position by kneeling on the Gleesons' bed.
January 3, 2023
I generally dislike short stories. I downloaded this book without too much thought. Opened it on my Kobo and it said it had 26 pages? WTF? Had a look at some more guff on the book and it was a short story! Crap. I was going to delete it, but it was only 26 pages and the cover looked good. I read it and wished that I had deleted it. Don't bother
February 26, 2019
Short story
Very quick story about a case that should be cut and dried. A nice catch up with everyone's favourite detective duo.
Very quick story about a case that should be cut and dried. A nice catch up with everyone's favourite detective duo.
Read
July 20, 2019Cannot purchase
September 27, 2019
Short story. Pleasant enough quick read, and essential for fans of Maeve Kerrigan.
May 27, 2020
Really not sure what the point of this one was. If you are reading the series and are having trouble finding this short story, don't stress.
July 12, 2020
Usually enjoy this series, but this felt like it ended before it even began. Waste of 5mins. Skip it.
August 14, 2020
This was a free short story which featured Maeve and Josh, although with very little of their usual banter. It was brief and depressing.
August 30, 2020
An excellent short story by Jane Casey.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
January 21, 2021
Really no point in reading this story, sadly.
I usually loooove everything about the Maeve Kerrigan series, but this one doesn’t attribute to the series at all and didn’t satisfy me one bit.
I usually loooove everything about the Maeve Kerrigan series, but this one doesn’t attribute to the series at all and didn’t satisfy me one bit.
April 19, 2022
This was an easy one but still enjoyable to read.
June 22, 2022
Not worth $5
I love Jane Casey, however, this ‘short story’ was VERY short
I am disappointed, especially when you compare the bigger books and there price.
Elizabeth
I love Jane Casey, however, this ‘short story’ was VERY short
I am disappointed, especially when you compare the bigger books and there price.
Elizabeth
May 14, 2023
Really good for a short story!
Read
October 31, 2023[reread 30/10/23]
April 20, 2024
How is she such a genius like dhdjskakodosos that’s insane
January 1, 2025
The bump of josh derwent propelling himself across the room on a chair ❤
September 11, 2020
Nice mini read with Kerrigan & Derwent whilst on the long wait for ‘Cruel Acts’ to be published...
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews