Novels No. 109

 

Nicci French. The Last Days of Kira Mullan. UK: Simon & Schuster/William Morrow Large Print, 2025.

Nancy North’s worst nightmare is about to unfold. With the loving care and attention of her partner Felix, she recovered from a hospitalized breakdown – a psychotic break – due to the demands and stress of running her own boutique restaurant. Moving to an old house of four apartments, they meet fellow tenants: Harry and Olga across from them on the second floor, and Barney and Seamus in the basement. They don’t meet Kira from the main floor because she’s dead, having hung herself. Nancy realizes she’d literally bumped into Kira the day before, noting the girl’s rather fearful agitation. Hearing a few more bits of information convinces Nancy that this was no suicide, but no one takes her seriously—not with her history.

The neighbours, including Michelle and Dylan in the duplex next door, mercilessly provoke Nancy about her murder theory until she loses it again—she’s “sectioned” into a drab, cruel psychiatric facility where medication is forced on her. Privately she can’t forgive Felix for agreeing to it, and Michelle for lying to police; it feels like a conspiracy to shut her up. She’s so stubborn about not being mentally ill that it takes far too long until she understands she must play the game to earn a discharge. Only one person, DI Maud O’Connor, sees the truth in Nancy’s statements; she begins a painstaking construction of Kira’s last hours despite lies and obstructions from almost everyone. Maud is finding her professional purpose, supported by a tender new relationship. Nancy regains control of her own life.

Any one of them – or someone else – could be the killer. Tension marches along like a relentless ticking time bomb. Beautifully paced, and very unpredictable—master authors at work.

Overheard

▪ “I can’t remember her exact words, but she said something bad was happening to her, and she was going to do something about it.” Nancy concentrated so much that it hurt, trying to remember. (69-70)

▪ “Did you actually see her, or was she part of your episode? That’s why you didn’t tell me. Because you didn’t know if it was real or not.” (79)

▪ “She’s a fucking fantasist and this is my case, O’Connor,” he said. “You do your job, if you can, and I’ll do mine.” (96)

▪ Nancy suddenly noticed something about Michelle’s expression. “Has Felix been talking about me?” (101)

▪ “If you think that people are going to stand by and let you do harm to those who are suffering and grieving, then you may need to learn a lesson.” He paused and looked down at her. (144)

▪ “I’m not angry, but if you keep telling me I am, then I probably will be before long.” (331)

▪ “Do you know how much you’ve hurt me, Nancy? Do you have any idea of what I’ve done for you, what I’ve given up?” (419)

▪ “No,” Maud said sharply. “She wasn’t deluded. Kira Mullan was murdered. You tried to keep Nancy quiet.” (489)

Ashley Elston. Anatomy of an Alibi. USA: Random House Large Print, 2026.

Another unpredictable, tangled rat’s nest! Murder is on someone’s agenda and those people with potential motives are expecting police questions. The man found dead in his home office is Benjamin Bayliss, high-profile criminal defence lawyer. Wife Camille returns home Sunday morning after an overnight away, to discover his body; yesterday she was busy playing out a wholly different scenario of her own. Hank Landry, partner in the two-man law firm, is still Ben’s executor even though Ben had initiated dissolution of the partnership. No doubt police will also look at any clients or associates who did jail time or carried a grudge. Will anyone look at Aubrey, the bartender persuaded to impersonate Camille on Saturday? And how did Ben know two of Aubrey’s dodgy house-mates, men she co-opted to help her secretly alter Camille’s plan? We visit and re-visit the Saturday of the murder to see how alibis will hold up.

Camille simply wanted to free herself from a miserable marriage, by finding evidence on Ben that will nullify the rigid pre-nuptial agreement she signed. It was an extremely busy Saturday for Camille and Aubrey as their mutual plan gets disrupted, requiring spontaneous amending to their private plans. Camille’s overbearing father, Randall Everett, has strings to pull; he and his son Silas control nearly everything in town, including the police chief. Paul Granger, railroaded into Angola prison for a crime he didn’t commit, has dangerous information to share. Sneaky private investigators, spyware, an impenetrable safe, and Detective Sullivan are just some of the obstacles the two women face to solidify their alibis at the time of Ben’s death.

This one may well have you going in circles. Connections among the characters keep multiplying at a desperate pace. Ben himself pursued mysterious activities the night he died. His death has roots in a fatal car accident ten years ago. Timelines are everything. Enjoy!

Pieces

▪ Our plan was to create a clear and unwavering digital trail that started at noon and ended just before midnight. Every move planned out in advance. (14, Aubrey)

▪ Do I trust that if Camille is able to find proof of Ben’s wrongdoing that she’ll share it? No, I don’t.(78, Aubrey)

▪ I have no idea what he would do if he discovered me up here. Found out I had hidden cameras around our home to spy on him. (85, Camille)

▪ If Randall Everett decides he wants everyone to believe I killed Ben, that’s exactly what will happen. (103, Hank)

▪ Deacon squeezes my foot through the comforter. “Hey. We’re going to figure this out. Let’s give Vic a chance to get us some more info and we’ll make a plan.” (143, Aubrey)

▪ “I’m guessing it was a cop who came to see you?” I’m pushing Paul to see if he’ll trust me with Foster’s name. (178, Aubrey)

▪ It’s hard not to feel like I’ve been set up in some way. That Aubrey knew more about what was happening today than she was willing to tell me and I’m some pawn in her game. (184-5, Camille)

▪ Silas stumbles his way out of my room while Margaret sinks back down on the floor. “Don’t tell Mr. Everett I’m here. That I was with him.” (199, Ben)