Review ~ The Stranger You Know by Jane Casey

Random House Uk
Ebury Publishing
2013

This is the fourth book in the series of crime novels which feature the detective, Maeve Kerrigan. As always the book hits the ground running with a series of seemingly unrelated violent crimes against women. Gradually, as the story progresses, it becomes increasingly sinister, and when Maeve's maverick colleague, DCI Josh Derwent becomes implicated in the crime, Maeve's loyalties are stretched to the limit.

Of all four books in this series, I think that this is the strongest of them all. The story is well plotted and keeps its momentum throughout. As always the police procedure is tight and authentic, and there are some nice flashes of humour which helps to add contrast , to what is, in effect, a gritty and at times gruesome story of serial murder.

There is no doubt that this series is best enjoyed from the beginning as the characters have progressed immensely since the start, however, there are enough pointers in the narrative to explain why some characters behave as they do.

Recommended as a good read within the crime genre.

Thanks to Random House Kk, Ebury Publishing and NetGalley for my ecopy of this book.