The Outsider by Jane Casey is a spin-off of her hugely successful Maeve Kerrigan series of books. Fans of the series will recognise Rob Langton as Maeve's ex-boyfriend who walked out on her and then disappeared. In The Outsider we find out a little more information about why Rob disappeared - he had to cut all ties with his former life to become an undercover officer.
My nerves are in shreds after reading The Outsider, from the opening scene involving a car accident and a heart attack, through to the terrifying conclusion. As Rob slowly ingratiates himself with Geraint Carter, the head of the family, you are fearful for his safety. Every task Carter gives Rob seems to be a test of his loyalty and you wonder if this is going to be the moment when his true identity is revealed.
Geraint Carter is a businessman with a wide variety of interests, all of which seem to be a cover for his illegal activities. The more involved Rob becomes he realises that his boss is a far-right sympathiser with plans to cause chaos across the country.
During one incident Rob, in his undercover persona, is arrested and questioned. The officers that interview him are Josh Derwent and Maeve Kerrigan. It was fantastic to see these well known characters make an appearance. It also gave Rob a chance to clear the air with Maeve and explain the reasoning behind his disappearance. I felt very emotional during these scenes but happy that there was a sense of closure for Maeve.
Danger doesn't just exist in the jobs that Geraint Carter gives Rob. The family isn't a happy one and the interactions between some of them feel like a ticking timebomb. One scene in particular filled me with revulsion and it was the fallout from this that ultimately led to Rob's downfall and a heart-racing conclusion.
The Outsider by Jane Casey is currently available in ebook and audio format. The paperback is due for release on 7th November 2024.
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