I was on edge the entire time I was reading The Last Days of Kira Mullan. The story follows Nancy North, a woman who’s recently suffered a mental breakdown and psychotic episode. After being hospitalized, she loses everything she’s worked for, including her restaurant. The book begins with Nancy trying to rebuild her life with her overprotective partner, a man who controls every aspect of her existence. They move into a rundown flat in London, where the story unravels. Nancy witnesses the suicide of her flatmate, but soon starts to question whether it was actually a murder. As the plot progresses, Nancy faces constant dismissal and cruel treatment from everyone around her, leading her to question not only the truth of what happened, but her own sanity.

What I really appreciated about The Last Days of Kira Mullan is how author Nicci French immerses the reader in Nancy’s mind. I felt as if I were losing my grip on reality right alongside her. The gaslighting and emotional abuse she endures had me genuinely angry, and the book does a fantastic job of portraying that frustration. The voices Nancy hears throughout the story feel like her intuition, driving her—and me—forward to uncover what really happened to her flatmate.

Although the ending was somewhat underwhelming in terms of what happened to the flatmate, the unfolding of events continues right up to the very end, keeping me hooked. This was my first Nicci French novel, and I’m excited to dive into more of their work.

A special thanks to the publisher, William Morrow, author Nicci French, and Net Galley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was very slow. I always try to finish a book, but I could not finish this one. I have read other books by her and would recommend them, but not this one.

Suspicious characters definitely kept my interest and made me invested in the story. Women with mental illnesses are often cast aside, so I enjoyed that this topic was covered.

Ah, another Nicci French!

A cast of characters all live in flats in a unit when one is found in an apparent suicide. The person who may have seen Kira last, is deemed unreliable due to some mental health issues, but as the investigation continues and secrets are revealed, she may prove to be the most mentally healthy of the bunch!

So many misdirects that all were interesting. I also hope that this is not the last time that we see Maude investigating a crime, especially since I feel her ending was unresolved.

Nancy was such an interesting character to me. Although she was dealing with some uncertainty, it also delved into issues of how vulnerable people can be taken advantage of and how sometimes the system does not work for some of the most fragile people.

I would have liked to know more about Nancy pre crime, and a little more about the actually crime, but overall this is an engaging and intriguing read that kept me guessing.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to offer my opinions

Nancy North’s life is turned upside down. After suffering a psychotic break, she found herself in a very dark place. She was forced to leave her dream job and her lovely flat. When she moved into a new flat with her partner Felix, she had hopes of regaining a new start in life, but that was not to be.
Nancy found herself under the care of a therapist, trying to avoid unnecessary stress and taking her prescribed medication. However, her troubles continued. Life in her new flat became highly stressful. Once again, she began hearing the same mysterious voices that haunted her during her first psychotic episodes, and she feared that something strange was going on in her new environment. Her fears were confirmed when Kira, her downstairs neighbor was found dead. Nancy observed Kira’s hanging body, and when the authorities believed it was death by suicide, Nancy’s instincts told her it was a case of murder.
Inspector Maud O’Connor supported Nancy’s claims, but because of her troubled background, nobody wanted to believe her. The book is an edge-of-your-seat read as Nancy’s battle for the truth amidst the high tensions among the local authorities leads to a climactic ending.

This was such an amazing book! The Last Days of Kira Mullan was a story that really needed to be told. It has two women’s stories and has mental illness at the forefront. The book talks about mental illness and how people living with it are often written off. I was very invested in both characters and this whole story.

This is an interesting book, two women's stories. Nancy who is dealing with mental illness and an overly controlling partner. And Maud the detective who ultimately believes her (both Nancy and her own instincts) It is both a mystery of what happen to Kira and a look at what happens to people with mental illness, how everything they say and do is looked at as a sign of illness and what happens when they try to be believed and the power of other people to get them institutionized and the system further asks them to further distrust themselves 4.5 I cared about both of the characters and rooted for them

The synopsis of the story was interesting enough to catch my attention, so I was hopeful. However, despite having some parts that peaked my attention it fell flat for me. Took me some time to get through. Maybe it was timing because like I said it appeared interesting enough for me to want to read it. Maybe others will have enjoy it more.

I really enjoyed this and flew through it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Nicci French’s The Last Days of Kira Mullan is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully intertwines suspense with deep emotional resonance. This novel, set in the atmospheric city of London, delves into the complexities of mental health, justice, and the often-blurred line between reality and delusion.

The story centers around Nancy North, a woman striving to rebuild her life after a devastating psychotic break. Moving into a new flat with her supportive partner Felix, Nancy is determined to regain a sense of normalcy. However, her fragile stability is shattered when she begins hearing mysterious voices again, reminiscent of those that triggered her initial breakdown. The tension escalates when Kira Mullan, a young woman living in the downstairs flat, is found dead. While the police and neighbors dismiss it as a tragic suicide, Nancy’s instincts tell her otherwise.

Nancy’s journey is harrowing and inspiring. Her struggle to distinguish between her own mental health issues and the sinister reality unfolding around her is portrayed with empathy and depth. French’s depiction of Nancy’s internal battles and her determination to uncover the truth, despite being dismissed by those around her, adds a poignant layer to the narrative.

Detective Inspector Maud O’Connor, another central character, brings a refreshing perspective to the investigation. Skeptical of her colleagues’ quick conclusions and driven by her own experiences of being underestimated, Maud becomes an ally to Nancy. Their partnership, though fraught with tension, is a testament to the power of perseverance and the quest for justice.

French’s writing is evocative and atmospheric, capturing the eerie and claustrophobic feel of the setting. The novel’s pacing is impeccable, with each chapter peeling back another layer of the mystery. The interplay between Nancy’s psychological struggles and the external investigation keeps readers on edge, questioning what is real and what is imagined.

The Last Days of Kira Mullan is not just a thriller; it’s a profound exploration of the human psyche and the lengths one will go to seek the truth. Nicci French has crafted a story that is chilling yet deeply human, making this novel a home-run.

The Last Days of Kira Mullan is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. With its complex characters, intricate plot, and emotional depth, this novel is a testament to Nicci French’s skill as a storyteller. It will leave readers pondering the fine line between sanity and madness, as well as societal judgement of those with mental fragility, which is much different from those with physical issues.

If you are a fan of crime novels or psychological thrillers and you haven't yet read Nicci French (comprised of a husband and wife ✍️ team) believe me, you ARE missing something truly SPECTACULAR!

Another good mystery from Nicci French. Great job conveying a dreary and slightly sinister atmosphere through the book. Full of suspicious characters, definitely enough to keep anyone guessing. Would recommend, especially to readers who love slow-building tension.

Thanks to Wm. Morrow & NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I run hot and cold with Nicci French, but this one is a good one for me. Our protagonist is relatable, less tetchy than the usual FMC we get in these books. Nancy North is a chef who opened up her own restaurant, but then spiraled out of control mentally due to the stress of running her own place at such a fast pace. She was committed ("sectioned," as they call in in the UK), and now she and her boyfriend of two years, Felix, must move to a smaller apartment in a worse neighborhood now that she isn't working and must convalesce. Nancy knows no one there, but Felix knows some of the neighbors through a friend, and Nancy's convalescence stretches in front of her, as Felix has told all the neighbors of her problems and has them "looking out" for her. The poor woman cannot even go for a walk to the shops on her own without these people spying on her and ratting her out.

Meanwhile, a young, pretty woman in the basement apartment is living her life. In the midst of an almost-psychotic episode (who can blame her with all the gaslighting she's endured), Nancy comes across this woman, the titular Kira Mullan, who is apparently in some distress. They part after meeting briefly, only for Kira to be discovered later in her apartment, hanged. It's declared a suicide but Nancy knows something smells fishy, and after several false starts and a TON more gaslighting (not to mention getting sectioned again after her neighbors lie about her to Felix for their own ends), she gets to DI Maud O'Connor, who we first met in Have You Seen Charlotte Salter?, Maud is a great character: level headed and reasonable, and really the only one to offer Nancy any solace and trust. Maud is going through her own stuff, being run through the mill by sexist coworkers at the Met on a daily basis, but she's a terrier, and she starts reexamining the case with fresh eyes while the previous DI is on vacation.

The end is very satisfying. More Maud O'Connor please!

I had no idea this was the second book in the series, but it turned out to be a great mystery—more of a drama, really. The way the story unfolded kept me engaged, and the thriller elements made me think deeply. I found myself reflecting on the darker aspects of life and the struggles that the characters faced.

The psychological depth of the narrative was striking. It evoked real feelings of sadness and depression as it delved into the characters' mental health issues. Their journeys highlighted the importance of addressing mental well-being, something that often gets overlooked in everyday life.

The character development was profound, allowing me to empathize with their experiences. This book isn’t just about solving a mystery; it’s about understanding the complexities of the human experience and the emotional weight that comes with it. It lingers in my mind, prompting deeper thoughts about life and the challenges we all face.

I usually like this writer but this book didn’t keep my interest it just felt all over the place and I kept putting it down
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

From the darkest depth of a psychotic break Nancy is drowning. Everyone is lying about her. Her friends have conspired to commit her, even her lover has betrayed her. No one believes her account of events. The doctors, therapists and her own father thinks she’s delusional. Nancy sometimes hears voices telling her things, but she’s taking meds and getting help. All Nancy wants is to be a chef, run a restaurant. It’s her passion. It’s set in London where multiple people live in tiny, old building in various stages of disrepair. Nancy has a very attentive boyfriend, he always has her best interest in mind. Nancy knows what she saw and heard in that brief moment with a tennant in their building. Now she’s dead, declared a suicide, but Nancy doesn’t feel like that’s true. She’s tried telling the police, but she has no credibility. The more she attempts to find answers the greater danger she exposes herself to. Is Nancy just imagining things again? The tension in the events as they unfolded had me racing through the book. I’ve been dying to read this author for ages and I was very impressed with the characters and plot of this story. It is the epitome of psychological thriller.
William Morrow (via NetGalley) provided an Advance Reader Copy of “The Last Days of Kira Mullan” by Nicci French, it’s expected to be published 03/04/2025. These are my honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

This was just not the book for me. I couldn't get myself to stay interested.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

A couple, Nancy and Felix, move into a new flat. Shortly after settling in, their neighbor Kira is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Nancy, who has a history of hearing voices and was once in a psych ward, becomes certain Kira was murdered. As her suspicions grow, Felix and her new neighbors have her committed back to the ward. However, Detective Maud, investigating the case, begins to doubt it was a suicide as well. This story had me constantly questioning whether Nancy is truly unraveling or if she's being manipulated by those closest to her.

While the writing was fine, this novel did not keep my attention for some reason.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211673939

Everyone thinks Nancy North is delusional.

After all, she has just recently gotten out of the hospital where she was being treated after having a psychological breakdown. She’s still fragile, and her boyfriend Felix is trying his hardest to help her settle into their new flat. When Nancy claims she knows their downstairs neighbor’s death was murder and not suicide, everyone’s worries about her mental state reach a high. Has she lost the plot?

This book is stressful, particularly in the sections where Nancy is hospitalized. The authors do a fantastic job adding to the tension, revealing just enough to put her readers on edge. As Nancy is either met with concern or gaslighting from those around her, she finds more of her life unraveling, and the villains in the book truly are diabolical.

Fans of the authors will recognize DI Maud O’Connor, as this is part of a series. However, it reads well as a standalone (I didn’t realize it was part of a series until after completing the book). Maud plays a fair role in the book, and her dynamic with Nancy is enjoyable. This book will entice readers to give their others a try.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Wow! This was an interesting book!
Nancy loved her restaurant until she had a mental breakdown. Felix who she lived with was very overprotective of her, She is taking her meds and seeing a therapist she doesn’t feel she needs his continual watching her. She begins to hear voices again and then a woman is found murdered in the apartment below them, They say suicide but Nancy doesn’t agree. She struggles to find someone who will believe her but because of her illness they think she is delusional until Maude takes the case!