The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves
An early review of the new DI Jimmy Perez book. Perez is back, but this time it's personal. He has to solve the murder of a childhood friend in Orkney.
Ann Cleeves has crafted a masterpiece with the return of DI Jimmy Perez. It's an excellent read and a pleasure to review.
Story snapshot
Perez is back, but this time it's personal. When a childhood friend is killed in cold blood, Jimmy has to solve the murder and manage his emotions.
A Shetland fan?
For fans of the Shetland series, which includes me, this is a welcome return for DI Jimmy Perez.
The Killing Stones has all the crucial elements that make these stories compelling - an empathetic detective, a small community of well-rounded characters, a riveting plot and a unique setting.
It has a familiar feel to earlier tales of island life. Only this time, it's the Orkney Islands rather than Shetland.
A Perez first-timer?
For first-time readers, the story is a great introduction to DI Jimmy Perez, the way he works and his relationships with his team and the islanders.
Even without knowing Jimmy's history, you'll still be absorbed by the Killing Stones and want to read more of these stories.
What's the writing like?
You're immersed in the Orkney setting as the remote communities are brought to life.
The story introduces you to the islands, their history and the people living there. You also learn about the differences between Orcadians and Shetlanders, from traditions to local foods.
Alongside the investigation, we experience the latest chapter in Jimmy's life with his family. It's carefully woven into the story with enough context for first-time readers.
Each scene is so vivid that you feel you're there - listening to the conversations, watching what happens, noticing the silences and remembering the questions the suspects didn't answer.
The pressure builds on Jimmy to solve the case as Christmas approaches, from his bosses, colleagues and the victim's family. But the story remains tense right to the end, with some final edge-of-your-seat moments.
In a nutshell
Ultimately, it's a story about people and their secrets. It's more than crime fiction though - it's also a history lesson, an insight into human behaviour and a reflection of the darker side of life today.
Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions are my own.
