Books
Maeve Kerrigan books in order
Internationally bestselling writer Jane Casey is perhaps best known for her crime series featuring Maeve Kerrigan.
Born and brought up in Ireland, Jane read English at Jesus College, Oxford before going on to study for an MPhil in Anglo-Irish literature at Trinity College, Dublin. After working in publishing for nine years, commissioning bestselling children’s books, Jane decided to start writing herself, both in the crime genre and for young adults. Being married to a criminal barrister provides Jane with unique insights into the brutal underbelly of urban life, from the smell of a police cell to the darkest motives of a serial killer – experience that give her work a true sense of realism.
Maeve Kerrigan, Jane’s heroine in her bestselling crime series, is an ambitious detective constable who is keen to make her mark on the murder task force. Her male colleagues believe Maeve’s empathy makes her weak, but she soon gains confidence and begins to earn the respect of the team. We decided to take a quick look at the Maeve Kerrigan books in order to give you a taster of her work.
Jane Casey’s Maeve Kerrigan books in order:
The Burning by Jane Casey
1. The Burning (2010)
The media call him The Burning Man, 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 the fifth victim has been found… How can Maeve Kerrigan catch a killer no one has seen when so much of the evidence they leave behind has gone up in smoke?
The Reckoning by Jane Casey
2. The Reckoning (2011)
To the public, a killer who targets convicted paedophiles is a hero. Two men are dead already, both tortured to death. Even the police don’t regard the cases as a priority. Most feel that two dead paedophiles is a step in the right direction. Maeve Kerrigan believes that no one should be allowed to take the law into their own hands. But as the killer’s violence begins to escalate, she is forced to confront exactly how far she’s prepared to go to ensure justice is served…
The Last Girl by Jane Casey
3. The Last Girl (2012)
The teenage girl was the first victim. Her mother was the second. Called to the South London crime scene, Maeve Kerrigan’s first thought is that this is a domestic dispute gone bad. But the husband – found bloody and unconscious in an upstairs room – insists he’s the third victim, not the killer. However, the only witness is his young daughter. And she’s not talking.
The Stranger You Know by Jane Casey
4. The Stranger You Know (2013)
He meets women; he gains their trust; he kills them. That’s all Maeve Kerrigan knows about the man she is hunting. Three women have been strangled in their homes by the same sadistic killer. With no sign of a break-in, every indication shows that they let him in. But the evidence is pointing at a shocking suspect: DI Josh Derwent, Kerrigan’s colleague. Maeve refuses to believe he could be involved, but how well does she really know him? Because this isn’t the first time Derwent’s been accused of murder.
The Kill by Jane Casey
5. The Kill (2014)
A killer is terrorising London, and this time the police are being targeted. Urgently re-assigned to investigate a series of brutal attacks on fellow officers, Maeve Kerrigan and her boss have little idea what motivates the killer’s fury against the force. But they know it will only be a matter of time before the killer strikes again.
After the Fire by Jane Casey
6. After the Fire (2015)
After a fire rips through a North London tower block, two bodies are found locked in an 11th floor flat. But is the third victim that ensures the presence of detective Maeve Kerrigan and the murder squad. It appears that controversial MP Geoff Armstrong, trapped by the fire, chose to jump to his death rather than wait for rescue. But what was such a right wing politician doing in the deprived, culturally diverse Maudling Estate?
As Maeve and her senior colleague, Derwent, pick through the wreckage, they uncover the secret world of the 11th floor, where everyone seems to have something to hide…
Let the Dead Speak by Jane Casey
7. Let the Dead Speak (2017)
Eighteen-year-old Chloe Emery returns to her West London home one day to find the house covered in blood and Kate, her mother, gone. All the signs point to murder.
Maeve Kerrigan is determined to prove she’s up to her new role as detective sergeant. She suspects Chloe is hiding something, but getting her to open up is impossible.
No one on the street is above suspicion. All Maeve needs is one person to talk, but that’s not going to happen. Because even in a case of murder, some secrets are too terrible to share…
Cruel Acts by Jane Casey
8. Cruel Acts (2019)
A year ago, Leo Stone was convicted of murdering two women and sentenced to life in prison. Now he’s been freed on a technicality, and he’s protesting his innocence.
DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent are determined to put Stone back behind bars where he belongs, but the more Maeve digs, the less convinced she is that he did it.
Then another woman disappears in similar circumstances. Is there a copycat killer, or have they been wrong about Stone from the start?
The Cutting Place by Jane Casey
9. The Cutting Place (2020)
Everyone’s heard the rumours about elite gentlemen’s clubs, where the champagne flows freely, the parties are outrageous…and what goes on behind closed doors is darker than you could possibly imagine.
Paige Hargreaves was a young journalist working on a story about a club for the most privileged men in London. She was on the brink of exposing a shocking scandal. Then she disappeared.
DS Maeve Kerrigan must immerse herself in the club’s world of wealth, luxury and ruthless behaviour to find out what happened. But Maeve is keeping secrets of her own. Will she uncover the truth? Or will time run out for Maeve first?
The Close by Jane Casey
10. The Close (2023)
The new neighbours seem just right for Jellicoe Close, a pretty street filled with perfect houses and happy families. But one neat front door hides a ruthless criminal – and the new neighbours aren’t what they seem to be either. DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent are undercover, posing as a couple to investigate a deadly conspiracy. As they try to gather the evidence they need, they have no idea of the true threat they face – because someone in Jellicoe Close has murder on their mind…
A Stranger in the Family by Jane Casey
11. A Stranger in the Family (2024)
When nine-year-old Rosalie Marshall vanished from her bed one summer night, her disappearance tore her family apart.
Now, sixteen years later, her mother Helena is found dead, her husband by her side. It looks like a straightforward murder-suicide but DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent soon discover nothing about this case is straightforward.
The Marshalls have been keeping secrets. And someone is prepared to kill to hide the truth. Until Maeve finds out what happened to Rosalie, no one will be safe…
The Secret Room by Jane Casey
12. The Secret Room (2025)
Wealthy, privileged Ilaria Cavendish checks into a luxury London hotel and orders a bottle of champagne. Within the hour, her lover discovers her submerged in a bath of scalding water, dead.
At first glance it looks like an accident. No one went in with her. No one came out. But all the signs point to murder.
For DS Maeve Kerrigan, the case is a welcome distraction. But when shock news hits close to home, affecting her partner, DI Josh Derwent, she faces the toughest challenge of her career. And if she fails her world will never be the same again…
Plus…
Left For Dead by Jane Casey
Left For Dead – digital short story
This digital short story takes Maeve Kerrigan back to her early days as a rookie policewoman. A violent rapist is attacking women, leaving them for dead on south London streets. Then Kerrigan responds to a domestic disturbance and stumbles across the latest victim. But as a new recruit – and a female to boot – she must battle sexism from her colleagues in her bid to be taken seriously enough to even assist on the case…
There you have it – Jane Casey’s Maeve Kerrigan books in order! How many have you read? Let us know in the comments below…
I’ve read all of the M. Kerrigan series and LOVE them. I’m anxiously awaiting the next one. I agree with another person in that it’s time Kerrigan and Derwent got together. Enough dancing around the obvious already. I love Casey’s writing style and her story telling ability. I’ve recommended this particular mystery series to others — often.
Just finished “The cutting place”, such a good exciting read. I still feel Maeve will never settle unless Rob comes back to her. Awaiting the next book impatiently !!!
i’ve read all the books in the series , book 7 “let the dead speak” was definitely my favourite, just started re-reading the series again , any suggestions of new authors and books who write similar novels
I have just read all of the Maeve Kerrigan books (in about a week) and I have to say that they are my favourite books ever. I love the relationship between Maeve and Derwant but think that they need to get together already! I am waiting with anticipation for the next one whenever that is. Would highly recommend these books to anyone that likes crime/thriller/mystery. Not only gritty but the humour made me laugh and I felt like I was a by stander whilst watching it all go in. Transported into their world.
Wonderful series of books. I am totally enjoying the love hate relationship that Derwent & Kerrigan have. Well written & thoroughly enjoyable.
I am also enjoying authors Tim Weaver & Tony Kent- ( who recommended Jane’s books on his FB page).