"The Burning" by Jane Casey follows Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan as she investigates a series of brutal murders in London. The story delves into the complexities of the case, with Kerrigan facing challenges within the male-dominated police force and navigating personal relationships. The narrative alternates between Kerrigan's perspective and that of the victims' friends, providing a well-developed plot with compelling twists and turns. Casey's writing style captures the tension and suspense of the investigation, drawing readers into a psychological thriller that keeps them guessing until the end.

Characters:

Characters are well-developed, particularly Maeve Kerrigan, who is intelligent and resilient in a male-dominated environment, alongside Louise North, who adds depth to the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is straightforward and engaging, featuring well-developed characters and a blend of psychological depth with elements of police procedural.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a serial killer in London and the investigation led by DC Maeve Kerrigan, focusing on the complexities surrounding the latest victim, Rebecca Haworth, and the implications of her murder.

Setting:

The setting takes place in present-day London, creating a tense backdrop for the unfolding crimes.

Pacing:

The pacing is initially slow but accelerates with the investigation, though some parts feel drawn out.

I didn’t know where I was or what I was doing when the phone rang; I didn’t even know that it was the phone that had woken me. I came up from miles below the surface and opened an eye as one part of m...

Notes:

The Burning is the first book in the Maeve Kerrigan series by Jane Casey.

Maeve Kerrigan is a young Detective Constable in the London Metropolitan Police.

The story revolves around a serial killer known as The Burning Man who brutally murders women and sets their bodies on fire.

The novel alternates between Maeve's perspective and that of Rebecca's best friend, Louise.

The central plot involves the investigation of Rebecca Haworth's murder, with suspicions of a copycat killer.

The character Maeve faces challenges related to sexism and racism in the male-dominated police force.

Rebecca's character is more complex than initially presented, with various potential motives for her murder.

The resolution of the mystery is somewhat predictable, but the character development and tension keep readers engaged.

The writing style includes elements of psychological suspense rather than being a typical crime thriller focused on serial killers.

Readers appreciated the incorporation of police procedural aspects and the dynamics of office politics among the characters.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for The Burning include themes of violence, murder, and mental health issues, which could be distressing to some readers.

From The Publisher:

"Astute, complex, layered-and very twisted. You'll remember this one for a long time."-Lee Child

The Burning Man. It's the name the media has given a brutal murderer who has beaten four young women to death before setting their bodies ablaze in secluded areas of London's parks. And now there's a fifth.

Maeve Kerrigan is an ambitious detective constable, keen to make her mark on the murder task force. Her male colleagues believe Maeve's empathy makes her weak, but the more she learns about the latest victim, Rebecca Haworth, from her grieving friends and family, the more determined Maeve becomes to bring her murderer to justice. But how do you catch a killer no one has seen when so much of the evidence has gone up in smoke?

Maeve's frenetic hunt for a killer in Jane Casey's gripping series debut will entrance even the most jaded suspense readers.

Ratings (9)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (5)
Liked It (2)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (34):

Read It (8)
Want To Read (22)
Not Interested (4)

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About the Author:

JANE CASEY was born and raised in Dublin. A graduate of Oxford with a masters in philosophy from Trinity College, Dublin, she lives in London where she works as an editor. This is her second novel.

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The Burning

Jane Casey

Book 1 in the series:Maeve Kerrigan