THE KILLING STONES by Ann Cleeves brings the beloved Detective Jimm Perez from the Shetland series into a new series where the disappearance of a close friend makes for a difficult investigation.
Detective Jimmy Perez now lives in Orkney, Scotland, with his pregnant romantic partner, Willow Reeves, and their young son, James. This new life agrees with Jimmy until he receives a call that his close friend, Archie Stout, is missing on the island of Westray. Jimmy quickly travels to the island and begins searching, only to find his dear friend bludgeoned to death by a story stone, on an archeological dig site in the stormy, frigid weather.
Jimmy is distraught over Archie’s death, but with the help of Willow, he begins an investigation to find justice for the widow and her two sons. Archie was a larger-than-life figure who had many friends and acquaintances, some more amiable than others. As the investigation progresses, Jimmy and Willow focus on the Neolithic story stones and the history of the island. One story stone was the murder weapon, whereas the other is still missing. Who had a motive to steal the stone, and who has access to the heritage center? The suspect list grows to include a popular teacher, a professor vacationing with his wife, an archeologist, local hotel proprietors, a bird-watching widower, a likely mistress, and a scorned wife. As the story continues, more murders occur, and Jimmy’s theories change as quickly as the Westray winds, until an elusive piece falls into place, changing the trajectory of the investigation and stunning the island community.
THE KILLING STONES is a captivating mystery set on the mainland of Orkney and the island of Westray, Scotland. The cultural details and events surrounding the locations are enthralling, as is the history of Neolithic discoveries and Viking treasures. Westray is only reached by ferry, increasing the isolation and seclusion as winter and Christmas descend on the area. The mystery is well-plotted with several red herrings, interesting suspects, and competing motivations for the crime. Jimmy and Willow are well-complemented, sharing the load in their detections and the balancing of their family life, and the victim is a larger-than-life persona, flawed but loved by many. The characters are so intricately crafted that they feel like the neighbors you won’t want to leave, and the atmosphere of the novel is tense, persistent, and methodical. The issues faced are universal, and the events, such as the annual Ba’, are exhilarating and fascinating. The last several scenes of the novel are filled with activity and chaos, showcasing the expert writing style of the author as she builds tension amidst lingering doubts. THE KILLING STONES will transport readers to an enchanting place, provide them with a complex mystery, and leave them wanting more Jimmy Perez and Willow Reeves mysteries.
The Killing Stones marks the eagerly awaited return of Ann Cleeves\' beloved detectives from the Shetland series, and a gripping new investigation with a stunning new setting, from the New York Times bestselling author and creator of three iconic detectives beloved in TV and print: DI Jimmy Perez (the Shetland series), DI Vera Stanhope, and DI Matthew Venn (The Long Call).It\'s been several years since Detective Jimmy Perez left Shetland. He has settled into his new home in Orkney, the group of islands, off the northern coast of Scotland, with his partner Willow Reeve and their growing family. One stormy winter night, his oldest and closest friend, Archie Stout, goes missing. Ever the detective, Perez catches a boat to the island of Westray, where Archie worked as a farmer and lived with his wife and children.But when he arrives he finds a shocking scene: Archie\'s body, on an archaeological dig site and an ancient Westray story stone with precise spirals carved into it beside him, the clear murder weapon. The artifact, taken from a nearby museum, seems to suggest a premediated murder.But Perez is so close to the case that he struggles to maintain an objective distance from the potential suspects. He finds it difficult to question Archie\'s wife, whom he\'s known for years. Rumors swirl about the dead man\'s relationship with a young woman new to the island, an artist. With each new lead, the case becomes more twisted and Perez wonders if he will ever find out what happened in his friend\'s final days.
Audiobook Narrators- Kenny Blyth.
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