Just love the Maeve Kerrigan books, her character is brilliantly drawn and the rest of the team also have depth. The crimes as well are really well plotted and there are always good twists along the way!

Utterly brilliant.
From start to finish, as always, I was totally gripped and read in one sitting.
I will never get bored with Casey's books. She's a fabulous writer.
Loved it and will be recommending it to the whole world!

** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley

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Let the Dead Speak (Maeve Kerrigan, Book 7)
by Jane Casey
★★★★☆

352 Pages
1st person, single character POV
Themes: murder, crime, violence, romance, relationships
Triggers: murder, violence, stalking, violent murder, familial abuse, rape, sexual assault
Genre: Crime, Contemporary, Murder Mystery, Police Procedural

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Let the Dead Speak is Book 7 in the Maeve Kerrigan series, that deals with a similar problem to Book 6 – you never quite know who your neighbours are, or what goes on behind closed doors. As they say, there's nought more queer than folk, and these people are...liars. And not always good ones.

The plot is full of twists, with suspects galore, though you never quite know who did it, because everyone has a motive. Everyone is hiding dark secrets behind the veneer of religion, family, and hiding in plain sight.

At the beginning of Book 7, we find out Maeve is newly promoted to Detective Sergeant. It was also great to see Derwent actually still with Melissa and Thomas, who I know he adores. It's great to see him settling down, even if Maeve's own love life is still chaotic. Though, we do get an update on Rob's whereabouts, it's sad and disappointing to know he can do a complete 180 from who he began the series as. It will be interesting to see how Maeve deals with that development in the next book.

The story deals with some tough issues, but does well to be neutral about most of them: rape, sexual abuse, abuse by a family member, mental health issues, as well as some more minor things, like the evangelical church, wicked stepmothers, night terrors, asthma, speech delay, ADD, anxiety, neurotypical teen.

In terms of plot, I found it a little predictable at times, but otherwise it had a good pace, it had a lot of potential suspects all harbouring their own secrets, and it did well to make us suspect each one, in turn. For the first time in the series, we get to read a Police Transcript of a filmed interview that Maeve wasn't attending, rather than having her watch it live through a viewing room. This was interesting, and a nice deviation from the same old method as previous books.

There were a few niggles – like not finding out until page 2 of Chapter 5 that it had been 8 months since the previous book. Which was when Maeve finally got rid of her stalker, Chris Swain, and when Derwent met Melissa and Thomas. It's also been a year since Rob left, which seems a ridiculous length of time for the police to let him be on 'indefinite leave' without anyone even whispering about whether he's got another job, a transfer, or what he's been up to. The fact he's had no contact with anyone from his old life seems weird, and I'm stunned he still has a job.

Again, Maeve is killing me with her behaviour. She has done this routinely throughout the series, and all so that she can conveniently be alone with, or provoke a suspect into confessing something important. However, I wish it would stop because it makes her appear completely incompetent, especially since she's newly promoted.
First, she puts another officer at risk, because she can't bear to ask for help or let Derwent get his way. So, while they're arguing, she puts a junior officer at risk of harm, leaving them alone with a suspect who is a potential flight risk. But, Maeve can't be the grown-up in any situation where she really needs to be, and it gets her, or others, hurt.
Just as it did later, when she had plenty of time to call for back-up, but didn't. Instead, she waded in with her big feet and bigger ego, to get herself strangled.

Georgia was a new character to the series, rising quickly, but I think this might be the last we see of her for a while. Georgia is whiny, scared of her own shadow, but not afraid to blackmail a senior officer, and she really needs to get her act together. She might have been promoted too quickly, and can't handle the responsibilities expected of her. If she comes back, I hope she's toughened up a bit. We really do need more female representation in the series, that isn't either a gorgeous-but-gay bestie, or the plain-and-hideous Una. For once, I want to see a strong, pretty, wilful female that Maeve isn't threatened by.

Considering execution, I had far less issues in this book than in previous books. However – full disclosure – I lost my copy from Netgalley, and didn't think it would still be available for download (which, really, I should have checked, first) so I bought a copy. I have no idea if the Netgalley ARC might have had more issues, but my copy from Kobo was clean, except for one issue. Some words had a hyphen and a space in the middle → “aban- don” This is similar to the issue from previous books, where an odd space would be in the middle of words, but it was far less prevalent here.

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OVERALL

In the end, I think Let the Dead Speak was probably the strongest plot, best paced novel of the series since the first book. I found some of the books to flounder in the plot, spending a lot of time doing nothing, but this one always had something going on. Whether it was a lie discovered, reinterviewing, finding a new problem, or resolving an issue, there was very little room to rest.
Which is fine. I prefer that in my crime books. It's advertised as a thriller, but I'd have to disagree. I find it more of a police procedural than a thriller, maybe because I can predict the endings and I don't find them particularly dark or time constrained. Even Maeve says herself, at the start, there's no rush for them, because when they show up the victim is already dead. And I feel each book in the series has that kind of attitude, that there's really no rush, except pressure from the media. This time was different, I admit. It had a time crunch aspect, but they mostly never knew about it until after the fact.

Maeve was less annoying in this one, because it barely covered any of her personal life. As the main character, I hate to say that she annoys me, but she does. I get that she's supposed to be a realistic character, who makes mistakes and shows that she's only human, but her mistakes aren't trivial and they're not made by accident or because she legitimately couldn't avoid it. Her mistakes are ego-driven, because she's inherently selfish and needs to prove herself at every opportunity, even if that means stepping on others (as I mentioned in my review of Book 6)

I connected with Derwent early on, and love that he's getting some personal growth, as well as getting more on-page time. One day, I'd like to see him get his own POV, the way that Rob used to, as I don't see why not.

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Favourite Quote

“'[...] he is her dad. He's the one who's brought her up. He's the one she loves.
'Like you and Thomas,' I said, knowing it was dangerous territory.
'Yeah. Like that.' Derwent's face was unreadable behind his dark glasses. 'He's mine now, whatever happens. There aren't many people in the world I care about, but he's on the list.'”

Omg talk about a roller coaster read wow this book kept me on the edge of my seat threw out I just couldn't put it down this writer keeps you hooked and once your hooked your not letting go I found this book thrilling the characters were fantastic and well thought out and the little clues all the way threw keep you guessing until the end this book stays with you long after you close the book this book is well worth the read I promise you wont be disappointed

The seventh book in this series but actually my first, so I was afraid I might have jumped in too late, but no, I found that I could easily read this as a standalone novel.
A very enjoyable read. Complex yet down to earth and readable, with a great blend of plot, character analysis and police procedural.
I will definitely look at reading the rest in the series.

With thanks to netgalley and the publishers and the author for this ARC

Let the dead speak is a good mystery/crime book that is filled more than a few twists and turns. I enjoyed this book.

A gripping read with lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing..Kate has disappeared from her house and all that remains is a lot of blood. Her daughter Chloe finds the house in a state and no idea what has happened. A fast paced read that kept me up until late trying to get to the end.

This is the first in the Maeve Kerrigan Series I have read by Jane Casey, although it's Book 7 it felt like a stand alone. Lots of twists to keep you in suspense right until the last page. Definitely an Author to be added to my list. Highly recommend this 5 star read

Jane Casey writes a cracking mystery! I remember reading the first Maeve Kerrigan book when it came out and knowing I'd found a new talent.

This book, like her others, grips you from the off. Then there was a very complicated plot and an awful lot of suspects and twists. Bravo!

A brilliant read from Jane Casey yet again! Another case for Maeve Kerrigan, an intelligent and determined detective, and an unusual crime scene. The twists and turns of the plot are absorbing and clearly outlined - I was pleased to have gleaned the main clue to the mystery before the end, but surprised by the eventual outcome - the perfect combination for a gripping read.

Really enjoyable read. Good characters and a Good story. Well worth a read. Think others will enjoy.

This is my first Jane Casey novel, which I received before I realised it was a number of books into a serial character. That said I had no difficulty in reading it with no knowledge of the previous books.

Pacy and tightly written I found it a cracking read, perfect for those rainy days when you just want to stay indoors and chill out, and first read it may have been, but now i know it won't be my last!

When eighteen-year-old Chloe Emery returns to her West London home she finds her mother missing, the house covered in blood. Everything points to murder, except for one thing: there’s no sign of the body.

London detective Maeve Kerrigan and the homicide team turn their attention to the neighbours. The ultra-religious Norrises are acting suspiciously; their teenage daughter and Chloe Emery definitely have something to hide. Then there’s William Turner, once accused of stabbing a schoolmate and the neighborhood’s favorite criminal. Is he merely a scapegoat, or is there more behind the charismatic façade?

As a body fails to materialize, Maeve must piece together a patchwork of testimonies and accusations. Who is lying, and who is not? And soon Maeve starts to realize that not only will the answer lead to Kate Emery, but more lives may hang in the balance.

With Let the Dead Speak, Jane Casey returns with another taut, richly drawn novel that will grip readers from the opening pages to the stunning conclusion.

I love this series and my love for Derwent still knows no bounds. Sharp, clever, nuanced writing with a truly addictive flair and a deeply delicious dark heart.

Gripping story with twists to keep you reading on. A great read for those who love a good suspense storyline.

The premise of this book really excited me, after all how often do you have a murder without a body? I enjoyed this book for the most part. The only thing I struggled with was I found the story a bit slow. Having said that the characters were well rounded and believable. I did not see any of the twists coming and was positively on the edge of my seat. Overall a good read.

I have loved the opportunity to spend time researching novels to re-stockl our senior bookshelves in the school library that plays a central role in the life of the school. When I first took over the library was filled with dusty tomes that were never borrowed and languished there totally unloved.
Books like this, play a central role in ensuring that the library is stocked with fresh relevant fiction that appeals to the readers. It has a strong voice and a compelling plot that ensures that you speed through its pages, enjoying both its characterisation and dialogue whilst wanting to find out how all of its strands will be resolved by the end.
I have no hesitation in adding this to the 'must buy' list so that the senior students and staff of the school can enjoy it as much as I did. This is a gripping read that will be sure to grip its readers whether they are fans of this genre or coming to it for the first time through our now-thriving school library recommendation system. Thanks so much for allowing me to review it!

I hadn't read any Jane Casey before, but I will be catching up on the older titles and seeking out the new ones. A terrific read, loads of interesting people well characterised. I've seem some reviews that say the characters are tropes and lacking in imagination, but I didn't find this at all. The police procedure is obviously well researched, and the bends and backtracks of a good crime novel are well realised. Recommended.

When. Chloe turns up at home unexpectedly she finds her mother missing and the house covered in blood, a murder investigation is started into the death of Kate Emery.

A great twisting turning thriller which gripped me from the beginning and kept me guessing until the final page.

Chloe Emery might have been eighteen, but she wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, as the saying goes. So when she came home from staying with her father and his new family earlier than she was expected, she didn't immediately notice the state of the house. It was when a neighbour arrived that they realised that the house was the site of a brutal attack and that her mother was missing. It's not long before DS Maeve Kerrigan and the murder investigation team decide that this is a case of murder, despite the lack of a body. Kerrigan's determined to get Chloe to talk, but it's impossible.

Chloe refused to go and stay with her father, but won't explain why. Something had obviously happened on her visit and on top of this she had to cope with her mother's disappearance. Fortunately the Norris family were able to offer her shelter for as long as she needed it and there's another benefit too: Chloe is very friendly with Bethany, the Norris's daughter. There's a four year age gap, but Bethany is mature for her age, whilst Chloe is immature for hers. It seems to work. But the more Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent investigate the more they realise that there's a wealth of secrets in the street, with everyone having their own ideas about who is responsible.

I seem to be making a habit of joining police procedural series when they've got a good few books under their belt. This time I'm joining at book number seven and I expected to feel at sea. There's obviously a history between Kerrigan and Derwent: a sexual chemistry which never seems to have been consummated, although there are those on the CID team who doubt the truth of that. But rather than feeling at sea I felt completely at home before I was more than a few pages into the book. More to the point, I simply couldn't put it down.

The plot is superb: it's not overly complex to the point where you give up trying to follow what's happening, but there are plenty of twists and I really hadn't sussed out what was behind the crimes which were committed, or the name of the murderer. And even when you get to that point there's still a particularly sharp twist at the very end. It's sheer brilliance.

Characterisation is absolutely superb. Even relatively minor characters come off the page and stay in your mind long after you've finished reading. They're three dimensional and each has their flaws. I liked new entrant DC Georgia Shaw, who's come through the graduate scheme, is very sure of herself despite being something of a liability on the streets. She'll be one to follow in future.

I was so keen to find out what happened that I bought an audio download of Let the Dead Speak (which I paid for myself). It was narrated by Caroline Lennon and I was impressed by her delivery. Her voice is easy to listen to and she has a good range of character voices, both male and female and I was never in any doubt about who was speaking. I'd be delighted to hear more from her.

I'd like to thank the publishers for making a copy available to the Bookbag.