The Last Days of Kira Mullan is a dark and complex psychological suspense. The story is told from two points of view: Detective Inspector Maud O’Connor, from "Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter?" and Nancy North, a young woman who is putting her life back together after experiencing a psychotic break that resulted in her losing her job and many friends. With Nancy losing her job, she and her devoted partner, Felix, have had to move to a new apartment in a shared house in a different part of London. On their first day in the new flat, Nancy's voices briefly, but she recovers quickly, visits her doctor to up her meds and her psychologist to try to understand what triggered the event. During the episode, Nancy meets one of her neighbors, Kira Mullan, who is found dead soon after. Everyone thinks Kira committed suicide, but Nancy doesn't buy it and her resistance to the idea is seen as a symptom of her condition. The story is driven by the characters and their psychology, and the authors do a fabulous job of building tension and keeping the reader guessing: what is real? What is only in Nancy's mind?

Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by the husband and wife writing duo known as Nicci French, and the second in the Maud O'Connor series. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Nancy North is trying to get back to normal after suffering a psychotic break that blew up her life. She and her partner, Felix, have moved into a new flat and are anxious for a fresh start. She's doing everything right, but things still seem wrong. She hears mysterious voices that triggered her first episode, but she tries to justify it as the sounds of a new flat. But when the young woman in the downstairs flat is found dead, everyone says it's a suicide. But Nancy feels differently, and no one will listen except for DI Maud O'Connor.

I love this series, but you don't need to read the first book to enjoy this one. I enjoy how in both books, Maud doesn't make an important appearance until the story is well developed, but she is a great character. This is part police procedural, but it's also a great story about mental health. That aspect is done really well, and you can feel Nancy's frustration at being labeled, gaslit, and trapped. It's a good mystery as Maud tries to figure out exactly what happened to Kira. Told from both Nancy's and Maud's POV, this is the perfect combination of genres and I couldn't put it down. Hope there are more books to come in this series!

The Last Days of Kira Mullan by Nicci French is a riveting thriller!
French's writing is both atmospheric and thought-provoking, drawing readers into the heart of the mystery.
This duo writes the best suspenseful stories!
The characters are vivid and believable.
The writing is compelling.
This atmospheric psychological thriller has everything you want. It was compelling, captivating, twisty, gripping, unpredictable, and kept you on the edge of your seat. In French typical fashion, the plot was built in twisty layers enriching the unpredictability.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Nancy North is finally on the path back to her life as she knew it prior to her psychotic break that destroyed her life, her restaurant and friendships. Despite taking her meds, going to therapy and doing everything she is supposed to, her first day in her new flat she hears the mysterious voices again that triggered her first episodes. Is it just the strange, unfamiliar noises that are tricking her or is something more sinister going on? When her downstairs neighbor, Kira, is found dead by suicide, the police insist its just a tragic accident, but is it? Detective Maud O'Connor believes that all is not as simple as originally thought by the boys club at the top and investigates.

This is a well written psychological thriller full of suspense and murder! Nancy's anxiety is palpable. The characters are very relatable and likable. This is a wonderful twisty read full of surprises!!!

Highly recommend!!

3.5 stars
I was so happy to see the detective from Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter? return in this book. DI Maud O'Connor is just as wonderful in this book - smart, caring, and determined to get to the truth behind Kira Mullan's death. Everyone except Nancy North, a brand new neighbor of Kira, assumes the young woman's death was suicide. However, Nancy is considered an unreliable witness because of her past mental health issues. Maud is the only one willing to hear what Nancy is saying.

It would have been great if the whole book could have been just Nancy and Maud, but unfortunately almost everyone in Nancy's life is horrid. Nancy did have some mental health issues, but now she is healing. I don't want to give anything away about the plot, but gaslighting plays a large role and is taken to extremes by her partner, Felix. I had a very hard time getting through those portions of the book. I know not everyone will have this issue, but it affected how much I could enjoy the book. There are also some pacing issues, but the ending was fantastic and satisfying. I hope this isn't the last we see of Maud.

I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley and William Morrow books for review consideration, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

Nancy North and her boyfriend Felix move into a new flat after a psychotic break, only to find new neighbor Kira Mullen hanging from a girder in her own flat two days later. This triggers another psychotic break for Nancy, who is convinced Kira was murdered and did not commit suicide. But the problem is no one believes her. I was worried when I received the ARC of this book and found out it’s part of a series about detective Maud that I would be lost, but it easily read as a stand alone book. I’m not sure what I expected from this book but I assumed that Kira Mullen would be the main character and she turned out to be a plot line instead where you never really learn anything about her other than her death. Overall it was a decent book but not what I expected.

Based on the quantity and quality of the suspense, this novel achieves a 5 star rating. There are a good number of characters but, as the story gets underway, it is easy to keep them straight. As a murder mystery, the authors have provided lots of viable candidates for the guilty party with great character development for them. It is also a strong feminine novel as the “good guys” are the strong, honest, and dedicated ones.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the ARC to read and review.

I became a fan of the husband & wife writing team, Nicci French, through their Doctor Feida Klein series. Those books are amongst my favorite thrillers so having the opportunity read an ARC of their soon to be released book, The Last Days of Kira Mullan, was very exciting. I enjoyed the book, and understand it is the second book in their Detective Inspector Maud O'Connor series. After a failed entrepreneur endeavor and an emotional breakdown Nancy North and her long-suffering boyfriend Felix Lindberg must downsize by moving into a drab multi-unit apartment, recently vacated by a friend of Felix. Felix knew the residents and didn't hesitate to share Nancy's business disappointment and mental health issues with them. When a young woman is found hung in her apartment everyone assumes Kira Mullan committed suicide- everyone except Nancy. When Nancy shares her concerns they are essentially ignored, even by the police, as the ravings of an unbalanced woman. She doesn't give up; despite being again committed under false pretenses, being threatened, ostracized and belittled. However, when she meets DI O'Connor she is not perceived as a lunatic rather a reasonable person. There are many potential suspects, and while I might have had a slim suspicion at one point I was surprised with the ending and O' Connor's sleuthing. I found the first part of the
book tedious, however it definitely gained steam and held my interest. It is not my favorite Nicci French book, however it is quite a satisfactory read; I intend to read the first DI Maud O'Connor book soon. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins Publishers and the authors for the opportunity to read The Last Days of Kira Mullan, and to provide my honest feedback. 4 stars

Psychological thrillers have been so hit or miss lately - this one was the biggest hit I've had in a while! Plot and characters were equally engaging and I couldn't put it down.

I would like to begin this review by thanking William Morrow and author Nicci French for allowing me to read this book, The Last Days of Kira Mullan, via #netgalley. All opinions following are my own.

The novel begins with a couple moving into a new apartment building after one of the main characters (there are two), Nancy, has just spent time in a psych ward because she had a psychotic break and had been hearing voices. Shortly after moving into their new place, though, Nancy begins hearing them again. The same day, their downstairs neighbor, Kira, is found dead from an apparent suicide.

Meanwhile, Detective Maude O'Connor is finishing up another case and relentlessly trying to prove herself in a male-dominated profession. When Nancy comes in saying that Kira didn't kill herself and was actually murdered, the male detective assigned to the case thinks that Nancy is just a raving mad woman. When he goes on vacation, though, Nancy comes back and is able to speak to Maud, whose boss begrudgingly agrees to let her investigate.

Is Nancy really crazy, or did a murder take place despite what all the neighbors and Nancy's partner seem to think?

I thought this novel was okay. There were times I thought it was brilliant, especially in the character development of Detective Maud, but I thought the novel could have been shorter in some areas. It was about halfway through the book before Nancy and Maud even crossed paths. Then, while it was a twist, I didn't thoroughly buy the conclusion of the case. Overall, I gave this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️, and I invite others to read it if crime dramas are their thing when it hits shelves March 04, 2025!

#BrenBreathesBooks #BrenReviewsBooks #NicciFrench #maudoconnor #mystery #crimedrama #netgalleyreviewer #williammorrow #3starreads #Februaryreads #comingsoon #march04 #reader #readerlife #kindlereads #bookstagramcommunity #bookstagram #bookworm #booknerd #bookish #thelastdaysofkiramullan

I wish it was more obvious on netgalley when a book is part of a series. I didn’t realize this was a second book so I didn’t even attempt due to not reading the first one

Former chef, Nancy North had a breakdown and now cannot be trusted to know reality from her psychotic breaks. Moving to a new flat with her boyfriend, Felix, Nancy is feeling very fragile and starts to believe she is coming apart again. She calls her therapist, has a session and even has her meds adjusted. Then her new neighbor Kira is found dead. Everyone believes it was suicide. But Nancy knows Kira was murdered. Everyone else seems to think Nancy is having more issues so Felix remands her back into a sanitarium.
Nancy plays the game, (even though she is quite sane), and upon release from the hospital, starts to quietly investigate Kira's death again. Luckily, this time DI Maud O'Connor is there to help and believes Nancy. Both women work to get justice for Kira and get Nancy out of a bad situation.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this digital e-arc.*

Wow wow wow. Nicci French has hit this right out of the park. From the very first page, its go go go!
Maud returns from the first book, this time she sort of inherits a colleague's case and has to fish out which of the occupants in an apartment building is the killer when a woman is found hanging in her flat. What was thought to be a suicide is starting to look very suspect.
The only person who seems to think it was murder has a history of a mental break down and her concerns are being dismissed. The other residents seem to be convinced she is losing her mind! Boyfriend isn't helping matters eithers

solid 4.5 stars!!!!

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this ARC! Beyond grateful and humbled

"THE LAST DAYS OF KIRA MULLEN" out MARCH 4th 2025

P.S; please bring Maud back again, I love her wit and sass!!!! She clearly loves what she does, and is such a badass!!!!!

Yes Nancy has mental health issues but DI Maud O'Connor is willing to listen to her-when no one else will- about Kira, who has been written off as a suicide. Nancy firmly believes Kira was murdered. Maud's not sure but she is sure that her superiors and colleagues seem to be off about this case. This has good twists but it's notable for the portrayal of Nancy's mental health and the struggle she has to be taken seriously. No spoilers from me because there's more than one surprise. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Good storytelling and pacing make this a good read.

The first part of this book tested my patience. Nicci French introduces us to most of the main characters with the exception of Maud O’Connor, the lead detective who is central to the story.

We meet Nancy North and her boyfriend, Felix, who move to a seedy flat after Nancy’s discharge from a mental hospital following a breakdown. We meet the neighbors; all of whom appear to be as questionable as the building they share. We briefly encounter Kira who quickly ends up dead; hanging from a rope in her apartment. The police call it a suicide, but Nancy has questions.

No one believes Nancy because Felix is the gaslighter of all gaslighters. Nancy, however, persists and finally gets the attention of DI Maud O’Connor. From here the story gets new life. The pace picks up, tension builds, and the reader is rewarded for slogging through the slow start. The book becomes impossible to put down. The payoff is fantastic.

This is the second book featuring Maud O’Connor, but can easily be read as a standalone.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

I didn't realize that this is the second book featuring Maud O'Connor but, I didn't feel like I was necessarily missing anything to enjoy the book. This story is about Nancy, a seemingly mentally unstable woman living in a complex with the rest of the characters. Kira, one of the neighbors, winds up dead and while it seems like a straightforward case to the rest of the neighbors, Nancy feels like there's more to it.

Nancy eventually speaks to Maud who begins to dig a bit deeper. This was a classically unreliable main character, surrounded by a cast of lying and what my book club would call 'sketchy' supporting characters. You spend a good portion of the book guessing who did what, who is in there to try and throw you off and finally is Nancy actually mentally ill or are there other factors in play.

The challenge for this genre is that avid fans have read so many at this point that we are looking for something that really pulls you in, a really well buried twist or a fresh take on the classic plot line. For me, this one was average, it was a solid, good read, but did not blow me out of the water.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

Unfortunately this book didn't hold my interest...perhaps it was because it was the second book in the series? I am still willing to read more by Nicci French, but for now this one is not for me. I think I may try the audio later on down the road....

This is the second book in the Maud O’Connor series. I didn’t know when I started reading it, but I found it was still enjoyable and you don’t need to read the first novel to understand what is happening.
We follow Nancy, who recently moves into this apartment complex and her downstairs neighbor, Kira, is found dead. Nancy seems to be the only one who suspects that something isn’t right and that maybe there is foul play involved, but no one takes her or the case serious. While I am not that huge on short chapters, I think it helped in building up suspense as the book went along. Overall an enjoyable read that satisfied my urge to read a thriller!!

I enjoyed this book and for the most part it kept my attention. Nancy is the protagonist and has mental health issues that drag her down. I found the focus on those issues a little over the top and they consumed the story. I skipped over a good portion of the book with Nancy again in the hospital because it truly felt irrelevant. Otherwise the characters were well-developed and all of them seemed plausible as the murderer. Overall, a decent read.

Nicci French is fast becoming one of my favorite thriller authors! Nancy North recently was hospitalized for a mental breakdown where she was hearing voices and has finally come home. However, she has lost the restaurant she worked so hard to create and her partner, Felix, has decided they can no longer afford their flat and moves them across town to a smaller flat. When they move in, her neighbors are clearly tight knit if not nosy and she runs into Kira who seems distraught and mumbles something that Nancy takes as a warning. However, she had been hearing some voices again and can't be sure. The next day Kira who has always been known as happy and upbeat is found in her flat downstairs hanging from the beam. Nancy cannot accept that she committed suicide but no one will believe her and she is not sure she believes herself. As she struggles for answers that could prove she is getting better mentally, Felix becomes more controlling and her neighbors behave in strange ways as their secrets emerge. Loved this psychological thriller that takes you on the journey to find the truth among the secrets, lies, and doubts and can't wait for her next book!

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC! #TheLastDaysofKiraMullen