I need to talk about Maeve Kerrigan - includes The Secret Room[SPOILERS] *Title edited by MNHQ*

[Zitouna]

Following recommendations from on here I’ve just read the whole Maeve Kerrigan series by Jane Casey over the Christmas holidays, and need to talk about my latest obsession!

has anyone else read them all? Happy to try and discuss without spoilers if people haven’t. They are basically brilliant police procedurals with a lot of character-driven background stuff - there are 10 main books, plus a few shorter spin offs set in the same world. The next one is out in March and I’d like to fill the gap with chat if possible!

Thoughts/predictions from me: Hoping beyond hope that the relationship stuff is resolved at least a bit in the next one, but predict more angst before it is. It might sort of ‘end’ the series - but then Casey could continue a series of the spin offs instead.

I had a question on chronology if anyone has read them all- wondering whether The Outsider (Rob spin off) is supposed to come before or after The Close? I think it matters for the relationship arc, and I can’t decide!

Am I the only one who is bullying there friends into reading this series so that I can have someone to talk to in real time? 😳

*their friends

I bullied my friend, who converted her mum… I’ve also converted MY mum 😂

My best friend has just finished book 11 and sent me this text “You are the worst! Sucking me into this world when there’s at least 8 months of a wait to find out the cliffhanger! ”.😫

Yeah, @FortunataTagnips looking at you! I’m grateful really! Also recommended the series to a friend who is stuck at home with chronic illness and she’s enjoying them. Not sure how far into them she’s got.
Jane Casey posted on Insta that Book 12 is now finished and with her editor. It’s very long apparently! I wonder if there will be a short story before April?

Hahaha, sorry about that, @WendyWebersdrugget . You’ve done the same for me many a time over the years. 😁

😂 it’s a good problem to have!

I am so jealous of you all - no one in RL shares my obsession. I have one friend who is a good reader and off for the Summer so I am going to keep nagging her 😬.

@WendyWebersdrugget did you see the quote and inspiration photo she posted 😮. My mind has gone into overdrive about what they mean. She also made a comment about Maeve's mother....🤔

No! Where is the quote?

https://www.buzzfeed.com/lilyjunet/proof-that-michael-fassbender-is-the-most-perfect-1sl0j?epik=dj0yJnU9blU5QjhYbDYwSENiLWphNjc0NE8wcW92dExBWGxPczkmcD0wJm49bnByUmpxZVNNMERqYW1nVkl2ZlpGUSZ0PUFBQUFBR2FEWFpF

This sums up my feelings of who should play Josh Derwent.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?client=safari&sca_esv=a5295d27d6bcdf79&q=Eric+Winter&udm=2&fbs=AEQNm0Aa4sjWe7Rqy32pFwRj0UkWd8nbOJfsBGGB5IQQO6L3J5MIFhvnvU242yFxzEEp3BdBGG7-GpSlpGrWJfg4SJpGa7v8mbTtVNGXdbv81jtwsyX9Va_t7_DOhycO0k2zFDGEbfjA7m_jDUGzK1bBZXZzk3e0CVQmiJGpyUj4thu8mTJAYBcXemUTlcaNB9xIuPtmo8DD&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwja4Z6Kt4eHAxUEXUEAHaCJDPoQtKgLegQICxAB&biw=339&bih=569&dpr=3#vhid=W7rVbVoN5IIxWM&vssid=mosaic

I've been binge watching The Rookie and Eric Winter is how I imagine Josh. Only British obv.

I read the whole series last summer. Nothing compares.

@LH1977 I'm not sure if this will work but it's on this post (along with 'Josh' inspiration). If you can't see them I can try to screengrab.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8rfowyowzz_

I still don't have a definite image of Josh or Maeve in my head, but for Josh I find myself imagining someone like Tom Hardy lately 🤤.

But Michael Fassbender and Eric Winter would also be...ahem... adequate 🔥 (also love the Rookie especially Chenford storyline).

Ha ha!👆 I can totally see him as Josh😍. I can't quite get him out of my day dreams in the staircase scene.😋

Yes saw the quote - and the reference to Maeve’s mum having a glass of wine in the next book!

I still can’t seem to find that. Is it on insta?

I’m having the same issue. My husband is beginning to wonder what’s going on with me. I think the obsessive rereading of certain passages is a bit of a tip off.

So I'm binge watching The Rookie - which is not my usual taste - because Eric Winter reminds me of Josh. I'm also rereading the books - again.
In my defense I have Covid.
I need to get better and go back to work.

@LH1977 yes, this is the link bet you’ll need to look at comments and replies:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C8rfowyow_z/?igsh=MWlpeThjcTc5OTBocw==

on X I noticed JC quoting her editor as saying book 12 is peak Joshness/Maeveness. What I really liked was a reply that suggested the better word is Maevity!

Maeveté

Get well soon @Applepencilplant but I can't think of a better way to endure Covid than doing a re-read.

I'm trying to imagine what peak Joshness/Maeveness means - lots of banter (or flirting now I guess) and action packed detective work? Hopefully it's not Josh being withdrawn/closed and Maeve being dithery again about him/men in general.

Also, what scenario could have us witness Maeve's mother drinking wine? Will there be a family dinner with Josh formally meeting his future in-laws (even though they seem to know him better than Maeve does) 😂. Or maybe I have lost the run of myself after reading that brilliant fanfic 🫠

@Atlantic252 oh there’s plenty of potential for dithering and over complicating things. I’m still trying to work out how Josh decided going back to Melissa for a couple of months was the best way of leaving her. Maybe Maeve’s mum invites him to stay with them for a bit and the wine is to celebrate! 😀

Oh I love the idea of that Wendy - he loves Maeve's mother already so it would be fun to see him getting the full Irish Mammy treatment (I am Irish so allowed to say this 😂).

I'm also not sure about the whole going back to Melissa thing. I know it was deliberately vague but he seemed to tell Maeve before he told Melissa. If marriage was the ultimatum what would change Melissa's mind to let him back?

However, I am keeping the faith that this is all intentional and Book 12 will make it all make sense (early in the book I hope).

I also hope we get a short story before then - I'm desperate for anything new with Maeve or Josh - even that one quote from Book 12 was so exciting 🤪

I'm relieved there is a lot of Joshness. It means nothing too terrible has happened to him. Poor Josh has had too many shitty things happen to him.

Somewhere I read a comment that the short story might involve what he said on the conference call.

That would be great although half the fun is not knowing what he said! but I’d still like to know!