The killing stones by Ann Cleeves

Although I hadn’t read any of the books in the Jimmy Perez series for many years, I decided to  pick up The killing stones after watching Shetland the TV series and thoroughly enjoying books in Cleeve’s other series (Two Rivers and Vera Stanhope Jimmy has moved away from Shetland and is living in Orkney with his partner Willow Reeves and son James.  When his close friend Archie Stout is reported missing on the island of Westray, Perez goes in search of him and discovers his body on an archaeological dig with the weapon, a Neolithic stone, lying beside him. Jimmy and Willow are quickly drawn into the investigation, with Willow taking the lead as Jimmy is close to the family. Rumours are rife with tales of Archie’s relationship with an artist on the island and his preoccupation with a personal worry. The ancient murder weapon also raises questions about a professor who has built his reputation around the archaeology of the islands and a schoolteacher who is writing a book for children about Orkney. As Jimmy and Willow delve into the mystery there are many threads to follow and more murders to solve.

The book opens with a map of Westray and one of the Orkney Islands which give the reader a grasp of the stunning location of the Orkney islands, the main towns and the likely ferry routes. These add an understanding of the setting which Cleeves is so good at describing, including the wonderful standing stones, the Neolithic stones with the runes inscribed on them, the cold water of the seas surrounding the islands and the life of the islanders.

I found that it was easy to relate to the characters in The killing stones. Although I was unaware of the background to Willow and Jimmy’s relationship and may go back to some of the earlier novels to find out about it, I was able to read The killing stones as a stand-alone, relating to their committed working and personal relationship.

The killing stones was a gripping mystery, with many suspects and twisty leads, and kept me reading to the end, not knowing who committed the murders. I look forward to more books starring Jimmy and Willow.

Themes: Murder, Orkney Islands.

Pat Pledger