The Burning by Jane Casey

 

A serial killer is brutally beating young women then burning their bodies and the police are at a loss. When victim number five is discovered one of the detectives, Maeve Kerrigan, feels that something doesn't quite fit the pattern of the previous murders. Kerrigan's boss gives her permission to investigate the murder.

Back in January I read and reviewed The Close by Jane Casey. I absolutely loved the story line and the characters and was shocked that it was book ten in a series I knew nothing about. I was determined to get to know Maeve Kerrigan better. I was a little surprised to discover that the first book in the series had been sat on my Kindle since 2017!

The Burning is a great introduction to the series. The pace is a little slow but this really gives time to get to know the central character, Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan. Maeve is an ambitious young woman, determined to succeed in a male dominated team. She knows that the way some of the other detectives treat her isn't quite right and she could report them but she's thick skinned and knows that it wouldn't be the way to find her place in the team. Hard work, perseverance and solving the case will be the way to make her mark.

As Meave digs into the background of victim number five, Rebecca Howarth, she discovers a chaotic life; one that makes her look closely at her own life and relationship. She also meets Rebecca's closest friend and her ex-boyfriend, both of who give Maeve some serious reservations about their stories. The more questions asked, the more Maeve is convinced this case is completely separate to the murders of "The Burning Man". There are even possible links to a mysterious death in Oxford, seven years previously.

The best friend and ex-boyfriend are very unlikeable characters. Both are cold, calculating and controlling. Neither have any redeeming qualities and you question how anyone could be involved with them, however they both seem to be expert manipulators.

All the threads are finally tied together, including the one involving "The Burning Man", as we learn what drives people to treat others with such dispassion. I'm already looking forward to my next outing with DC Kerrigan.