THE LAST DAYS OF KIRA MULLAN is the reason why I keep coming back to read Nicci French books. The writing duo never disappoints in delivering a multilayered mystery with twists, turns, and fabulously complex characters.

Here is what is so great about this book. There are interesting and flawed characters propelling this narrative forward. The mystery and investigation are good, but the people are what made this book shine for me. The candidness of Nancy’s situation, as well as all the intricacies of her condition, were wonderfully crafted. In general, Nancy’s journey to discover the truth was an up-and-down rollercoaster ride that was gripping and even managed to throw in some more shocking moments.

If you want a bingeable book, in my humble opinion, this is the book to read. I devoured every chapter while trying to figure out who was behind the murder of Kira Mullen and what was going on with Nancy. This was a crazy good ride, and I cannot wait for another book in the Maud O’Connor series.

Audiobook Note: While spending only part of the time listening to the audiobook, I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed Sophie Roberts’ narration. Her pace and rhythm were on point for this type of novel. In addition, the way she brought the words to life through the dialogue was great.

Well-written and engrossing, this is the ultimate unreliable narrator (or is she?) story. The husband and wife team known as Nicci French have been writing together for years and it really shows in their tight plotting and expert prose. I was a bit intimidated at how lengthy the book was, but it was always interesting and well worth the read. Authors are experts in the field and have been doing twisty suspense before twisty suspense was a mainstream thing, so it's no surprise that they were able to flawlessly execute this ending. Five stars.

I did not realize that this was number 2 in a series, but I read, and it is not necessary to read the first book. I really enjoyed this mystery/thriller. Going into it just be aware of trigger warnings. The pacing is slow but well done because it kept me interested throughout. Make sure to pick up a copy. Thank you to Nicci French and William Morrow Books for my ARC copy. All opinions are my own.
4 star

This second installment of a series that can be read as a stand-alone was a frightening take on a woman's slowly declining mental health. While this was very slow-paced throughout, it still worked its way to a twisty ending that will leave you second-guessing yourself. The characters were brilliantly developed, and the loathing I felt towards a certain one goes to show the talent the author has for creating a descriptive yet realistic fictional world. Fans of the unreliable narrator will devour this one. Four stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and William Morrow, for this ARC.

I have a very hit or miss relationship with Nicci French's work; sometimes I love it, and sometimes I'm very disappointed. This was one of those disappointed times.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. The Last Days of Kira Mullan, is the second book in the Maud O’Connor series but can be read as a stand-alone novel. It's a domestic suspense novel that I couldn't put down. Some things I saw coming but the big twists I had no idea!

Nancy seemingly has it all, but suffers a psychotic break after everything proves to be too much. Once home, things between she and her husband Felix are understandably strained. They've had to move to a smaller flat and Nancy feels parented by Felix and her neighbors aren't friendly. When a young woman Kira in the apartment below is believed to have committed suicide, Nancy can't help but be suspicious of everyone. She doesn't believe it was suicide.

I loved the characters of Maud and Nancy. I was infuriated by what total pigs Maud's colleagues are. They should be working together to solve crime, not working against her because she threatens their egos. I hate Felix. Nicci French did a great job writing his character, because boy did I hate him.
The ending haunted me. Yes, I recommend this book and thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read it as an ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This thriller had an intriguing premise and some suspenseful moments, but it didn’t fully captivate me. While the plot had potential, the pacing felt uneven at times, and some of the twists didn’t quite land as expected. I did enjoy certain aspects, like the atmosphere and a few well-developed characters, but overall, I didn’t feel completely invested in the story.

It was an okay read, and thriller fans may still find something to enjoy, but it wasn’t quite as gripping as I had hoped.

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars. I enjoyed this story but I did find it to be a tad slow. A lot of build up, character building and descriptive narratives made it better but I did wish for a tad more excitement, maybe a little more suspense. Definitely well written. I definitely am becoming attached to Maud and her struggle in a profession most of us are all too familiar with. I love a strong, female lead.

Kira Mullen is found hanging in her flat. Ruled a suicide, the cops are more than happy to close the case and move on. Nancy and her partner move in to the flat above Kira Mullen. Nancy, recovering from a mental breakdown, is convinced Kira did not take her own life.

A solid. Whodunnit that will speak to fans of Pat Cornwell and Karin Slaughter.

This was the first that I have read of this author and I will be reading more.
Kira is a tenant in a building with other tenants. When Nancy and Felix move in something horrible happens to Kira. As the story unravels, two things are happening: Nancy is battling psychotic episodes and Nancy believes Kira was murdered. These two stories build and intertwine. There are suspects throughout the house and some good misdirection. I was not sure of the twists and the final one seemed a little pushed, but overall it was a good story!

Thank you to William Morrow Books for the copies to review.

This was my first read by this author duo, and I really liked it. Note that it is book 2 in a series, but it read perfectly fine as a standalone to me. I was not sure what to expect as I went in blind but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this. It was infuriating how Nancy was treated given her past mental issues, but it went with the story. The pacing is slow and steady but I was fine with it, and I loved the plot as well as how it all wrapped up. I will definitely read more by this duo.

Nowhere did it say this was a series, and I felt like something was missing only to discover after it's book two.

This book was a solid 5 stars for me. I absolutely loved the methodical way Maud solved the mystery and yet it was kept from the reader while she ensured she had evidence. Very well done and reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes. At first, the book seems a bit slow as the two characters are being developed and the plot is being set up, but just hang on for the ride as Nicci French definitely delivers on this one. I also appreciated the follow up and that no lose ends were left. Just a real good mystery!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. I always like to read books by Nicci French. This one was no different. It was paced well and had the intrigue to keep me reading

It was ok and sent me in all different directions. The title, "The Last Days of Kira Mullan" should be called "The Life and Times of Nancy North". We are told bits and pieces of Kira as well as Maud with the whole book on how Felix is gaslighting Nancy. Yes she has mental health issues and had an episode and the whole building is ready to have her committed. Too many people who couldn't be trusted in the house and next door such as Michelle and Dylan, Seamus and Harry.

Nancy has become an unreliable narrator in her own life.

After finally making her dream a reality—opening her own restaurant—Nancy pours every ounce of herself into it: her money, her time, her energy… and then her mind. A full-blown psychotic break lands her in a psychiatric ward, and while she’s healing, her world falls apart.

Felix, her ever-loyal partner, stays by her side through it all. But with the restaurant gone and their lives upended, the couple is forced to move into a shared home in a cheaper part of west London. That’s where things get… strange.

On their first night, Felix joins a party thrown by the two men living in the basement, while Nancy—exhausted but uneasy—stays behind. When she goes for a walk the next morning, she collides with a young woman who seems panicked, maybe even terrified. Nancy’s sure she hears her say something like “I need help” before the woman bolts.

That woman is Kira, another resident in the house. And the next time Nancy sees her… she’s hanging from the ceiling of her flat.

Everyone says it’s suicide. Case closed. But Nancy can’t shake the feeling that something is very, very wrong. The people in the house? Off. The couple next door? Cagey. Felix? Suddenly questioning her sanity. Again.

But what if Nancy’s not spiraling?

What if she’s the only one seeing things clearly?

This book had me second-guessing everything. I love a good “is-she-losing-it-or-is-she-right” storyline, and this one delivers tension, paranoia, and ever increasing suspense.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nicci French, and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for a review.

I absolutely adore Nicci French and have read EVERYTHING published to date. To end up with an early copy of The Last Days of Kira Mullan, was such an honor!

This book delivers.

A compelling and psychologically rich thriller that delves into themes of perception, reality, and the insidious nature of doubt. This quite literally might be my favorite French book to date.

Nicci French excels in character development. I watched Nancy North come alive before my eyes. I instantly felt my stomach cramp with unease and began to question reality. This book masterfully handles the theme of gaslighting, and made me question everything right alongside Nancy. I could no longer tell fact from fiction.

The mystery surrounding Kira Mullan's death is intriguing and well-paced. French skillfully weaves together the investigation with Nancy's internal struggles. I truly felt for Nancy and wanted to reach out and hug her. This book explores the delicate balance between mental health and reality, raising important questions about perception and trust. It also addresses themes of isolation, vulnerability, and the power of intuition.

This book right here is a gamechanger. A perfectly crafted psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Check out this teaser :

Nancy North is ready to put her life back together. After suffering a psychotic break that ruined friendships, stalled her fledgling restaurant, and forced her to move out of her comfortable flat, she’ll do anything to get back to normal. She and her partner Felix—who has been a saint through her recent troubles—move into a new flat for a fresh start.

Nancy is taking her pills, seeing her therapist, and avoiding unnecessary stress. She’s doing absolutely everything right, but something is still very, very wrong. On the first day in the new flat, she hears them again; the mysterious voices that triggered her first episode. It could just be the unfamiliar sounds of water in the pipes, or the screaming baby across the hall, but deep down she knows something more sinister is going on. Her fears are confirmed when the young woman in the downstairs flat, Kira, is found dead. Felix, her neighbors, and even the police insist it’s a tragic suicide, but the pieces aren’t adding up for Nancy. Can she trust her own instincts, or is it all in her head?

Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Maud O’Connor has misgivings about her colleagues’ investigation of Kira’s death. The boys club at the top seems intent on closing the case as quickly as possible, especially since the only person who thinks it could be anything other than suicide is known to be unreliable. But Maud knows what it’s like to be dismissed as an overemotional woman and isn’t so quick to discount Nancy’s claims. As tensions reach an explosive breaking point, the line between fact and delusion becomes dangerously blurred, but Maud will stop at nothing to ensure that the truth comes to light.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley

Nancy had a psychotic breakdown and she is ready to put her life back together. She and her partner move to a new place for a fresh start.
Nancy is doing everything right and following doctors orders but things are still not right. Then her neighbor Kira is found dead and everyone insists it is suicide. But Nancy seems to thing otherwise.

One of the detectives seems to have some misgivings about how quickly they came up with suicide and is wondering about what really happened.

This one pulls you in and makes you wonder who is really the crazy one!

This was a slow-burn, suspense filled story. It definitely has you questioning things but the one constant I got from it was how consistent Nancy was despite the others around her. The mind games being played around her to destabilise things and challenge her credibility was saddening but also pretty infuriating. I really wanted her to pull through it all and for someone to just stop and listen.

The characters in this are all quite questionable and you can't help but wonder how many skeletons are actually hidden in the closets of the apartment block. I can't think that many really have any redeeming qualities and their own issues result in Nancy being a target for distraction. Luckily Maud is a breath of fresh air and uncovers some of the secrets that others gave tried to hide. It does come close to the end so you are really kept on the edge of your seat with no real hints as to whether things will be ok in the end or not!!