Ann Cleeves back to her excellent self and excellent writing.

Jimmy Perez on Westerray comes back in this tale. Who did kill his old good friend, who had motive, and did they only kill 1 person or more?

Loved the build up in this story.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book.

On the island of Westray, part of the Orkney Isles, Archie Stout is found killed in mysterious circumstances with a weapon from the Neolithic age. Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez along with his boss, Willow Reeves set out to untangle the reasons behind the death. Jimmy, Willow and their young son are now living on Orkney. What makes it harder for Jimmy is that Archie is a childhood friend. Who was behind the killing? Why? We uncover deceptions, secrets and lies as the police race to find the culprit. I loved how Jimmy and Willow are as a couple and how they worked together to solve the crime. It was well written, very descriptive and I could see the locations clearly in my mind's eye. It was emotional to be back with Jimmy, evocative, full of twists and turns, gripping, gritty, pacy and unputdownable. More please!!

I am SO OVER THE MOON that I got to read an ARC copy of the Killing Stones!! Ann Cleeves is the first mystery writer I picked up for myself, and while I didn’t start with the Shetland Series, it has easily become my favorite. I was so sad when the series ended, so to have Jimmy back is just absolutely amazing.

I loved the new setting, and getting to see the dynamic between Jimmy and Willow as a family.

I loved the supporting characters and the world building was as immersive as always.

I have never successfully guessed who the bad guy is in an Ann Cleeves book and this one was no different! (The bad guy wasn’t even on my radar this time. 😂 )

The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because I missed Sandy and can’t believe his missing presence wasn’t acknowledged more! I want to know what he’s getting up to; I’m nosy that way 😅. I also wished that we’d gotten to see more of Cassie (I love so much that Fran isn’t forgotten).

The Killing Stones Ann Cleeves

5 stars

Jimmy Perez moves to Orkney

I have always loved the 'Jimmy Perez' books set in Shetland, as well as the TV series.

Jimmy and his partner Willow, who is also his boss, are now living in Orkney with their 4 year old son, James and Willow is expecting another baby. It is near to Christmas and when a body is discovered Jimmy is horrified to discover that it is one of his oldest friends, Archie Stout. He is found dead having been killed by one of the stones stolen by the nearby museum. As Jimmy and Willow begin to investigate they discover secrets not only about Archie, his wife Vaila, his sons Iain and Lawrie but also of his friendship with Rosalie Greeman, a widow who has recently moved to the island..

As in all of Ms Cleeves books the atmosphere is just stunning as is the description of the Scottish islands where her characters live. In the small island community everyone knows about everyone else and the suspects are very difficult to decipher. Just as Jimmy feels he is getting somewhere, another body is found and then another. How are all of these people interconnected?

As always Jimmy and Willow find out the truth which for me was totally unexpected, always a good thing for me in any book of this type. However I just love the way the atmosphere and description of the landscape is woven into these stories which is why I will always read any future book featuring Jimmy and Orkney.

Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net Galley

A very welcome return to Jimmy Perez and Willow where together they have to investigate murders in Orkney. One of those bodies belongs to a dear friend of Perez so brings a load of torments. There are avenues to explore and red herrings to keep you reading but there are underlying issues within the text that give an added layer. And depth

The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves

There’s something about Ann Cleeves’ writing that always draws me in. I’m not usually a fan of historical fiction, but the way she builds her stories makes me want to keep turning the pages. The Killing Stones was no exception.

I’ll admit, it took me a little while to settle into the story, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. I had my suspicions about who the killer was, and while I ended up being right, the reveal still managed to surprise me which is exactly what I want from a mystery.

The Killing Stones is another gripping entry in the Jimmy Perez series, set this time on the Orkney Islands.

The opening - the murder of one of Jimmy's old friends with an ancient Neolithic artefact - has a brilliant dramatic quality. What follows is a pacey, dialogue-driven mystery, featuring some vivid island characters.

But I was disappointed by the denouement - Cleeves recycles a few too many of her own tropes, including some elements which seem directly lifted from earlier Perez books, leading to an all too predictable ending.

It's an enjoyable read, but not the most original mystery.

Jimmy Perez in Orkney rather than Shetland, but still with strong local connections which both enhance his detective work and emotionally complicate things. Ann Cleeves complicates things nicely and I stood no chance of working out whodunnit, but the characters and the place kept me engrossed.

I cannot believe this is the first Jimmy Perez book I have read.
I have seen some of the television series but never got around to the books.
It is a great read, and so atmospheric. I want to go to Orkney now.
This is a new chapter in the life of Perez and his partner Willow and their young son.
It works perfectly as a standalone, but I still want to catch up on all the stories I have missed.
When Jimmy's cousin is found dead, he knows he has to find the killer but as the bodies pile up it seems to be an impossible puzzle.
Ann Cleeves is such a talented writer, I love her DI Matthew Venn series and of course DI Vera Stanhope.

#NetGalley #AnnCleeves #TheKillingStones #DIJimmyPerez #MinotaurBooks #Macmillon

Another great book from Ann Cleeves. The final instalment about Detective Jimmy Perez, as he sets out to find the murderer of his friend. He struggles with keeping his personal involvement with the family separate from his professional view. His partner Willow and his team work together to investigate the crime. As always the characters are very real and the reader feels sympathy for those affected by the murder. The life of the Scottish islanders is different from that which most readers experience. The scenery and weather is very atmospheric and adds to the drama.
A recommended read to lovers of crime fiction.

"'This island,' Vaila said at last. 'It's just full of stories. Stories of the past, of shipwrecks and heroes and lost children. And if that wasn't enough, we make up more stories to explain the present.'"

The first in a spin-off series featuring Jimmy Perez with colleague and partner Willow Reeves (also the mother of their son James) working on Orkney, starts very promisingly. It has the author's characteristic enveloping setting, several suspects, a complex plot, well-drawn characters and of course secrets. I was thoroughly invested after an old friend of Jimmy's is founded murdered with an archaeological find and was truly shocked when the killer was revealed. Much recommended to fans of the author, crime fiction fans and fans of Scottish-set fiction.

The 1st book in a new series, Jimmy Perez and Willow Reeves, set in the Orkneys where Jimmy and his now pregnant partner and boss Willow are living after moving away from Shetland. They are looking forward to Christmas but when an old friend of Jimmys goes missing they have to organise the search for him. As always this is a well written easy read although quite a slow burn.

Briefly, when a body is discovered on an old archaeological site on the island of Westray Jimmy fears the worst. It is his friend Archie Stout and it is clear he has been murdered using a Neolithic tool stolen from the local museum. With poor weather meaning no help is forthcoming from the mainland the team have to get on with the case on their own. Matters get worse when another murder occurs and then the main suspect disappears.

All the history and the folklore in this book was fascinating and quite a big part of the story. We find out a fair bit of backstory of some characters, when you live on a remote island everyone knows pretty much everything about everyone else! A good police procedural/ crime thriller and one I thoroughly enjoyed. I look forward to reading more of this series. 4.5⭐️

Jimmy Perez and his partner Willow are living on the Orkney isle. Willow is pregnant and they also have a four year old son James, as well as Jimmy's adopted daughter Cassie living with them, although Cassie is currently with her father on Shetland.
It's late in December with christmas just days away. Jimmy is a detective police inspector based on Orkney but also covering Shetland, whilst Willow is his boss with a brief for all the islands.
On Orkney Archie Stout is missing. Archie is Jimmy's oldest friend. When Archie's dead body is found, both Jimmy and Archie's wife Vaila are devastated and distraught. Archie has been killed and a local stone which is kept in the museum is the murder weapon.
The weather is very bad and with christmas approaching the detectives based in Aberdeen are reluctant to come out to Orkney. The police team on Orkney is small. Ellie Shearer is a sergeant married to a Orcadian and constable Phil Bain recently completed his training on Teeside.
Jimmy finds from the local pub landlord that there is a visiting professor and his wife staying on the island and they were particularly interested in the special stone used to kll Archie. However Jimmy eventually finds out that Archie was very close to Rosalie Greeman, a widow who has moved to the island from England.
As is usual for small local communities, secrets are slow to be revealed. When there is a second murder jimmy is desperate for answers.
It is slow progress with this book, but it is just wonderful that Jimmy is back. Very much recommended.

When Detective Jimmy Perez is called to a suspicious death on Orkney he is shocked to discover the body is that of his long time friend Archie Stout.
With fog and bad weather grounding all flights from the mainland Perez and his team have no choice but to take on the investigation.
But the good people of Orkney have their secrets and are not willing to share them, even with Perez.
The deeper they dig, the more people they discover could have wanted Archie dead.
When a second body is found Perez knows there must be a connection but is struggling to find it.
As the cold and dark of winter sets in Perez and the team are up against time to find the killer before they strike again.
This is a welcome return for Jimmy Perez. The setting is atmospheric, the characters complex and intriguing. The case is full of twists and turns. A masterclass of crime writing.

Ann Cleeves is Ann Cleeves and Jimmy Perez, thanks to "Shetland" is an established detective in the pantheon of British investigating lawmen. It isn't an accident that Cleeves has been so successful, her writing style is easy and clear. The mysteries/investigations follow a discernible pattern where her detectives follow strong leads, uncovering secrets and lies, ascertaining means, opportunity and motive for their subjects. The investigations personalise the investigators and their environment Then, near the end of the investigation a completely unexpected guilty party is dragged in from left field with some old axe to grind. Case solved.
Despite this, her books are always entertaining, drawing the reader in with her strongly formed and flawed characters, where their back stories, in the remote areas they police, mean they are always personally and emotionally involved in the events that unfold, either directly or indirectly through family members. The intriguing back stories develop from book to book, and draw you back.
Another success for Ann and Jimmy

Jimmy Perez goes to Westray when he receives a call saying his friend is missing. Sadly he discovers his body so must start an investigation. Life on the islands can be claustrophobic and also very caring. Community matters and when a death occurs it affects many, especially those who have to investigate people they may know.

Very well written and well paced novel. We see how Perez and Willow are developing as a couple, family and work colleagues. The history of the island will be a central theme as well as the pressures of island life. Plenty of suspense and unexpected twists. Highly recommend.

I found the landscape descriptions of Orkney as atmospheric as I knew they would be and little details of island life interesting. The snippets of historical detail were a welcome diversion because as a whole the story itself is fairly dull and overly repetitive. None of the characters stood out and the denouement was a total disappointment it made me feel like I had read one long red herring.

I am a huge fan of Ann Cleeves but this is the first Jimmy Perez novel I have read, and I wanted to enjoy it but like the TV series I found it very slow and failed to be gripped by the characters and the story, Sorry Ann this one wasn’t for me.

I welcome the return of Jimmy Perez who was the main character in the Shetland series of novels. He has moved to Orkney with his pregnant wife Willow, who is also his boss, and their son James.

When Jimmy's oldest friend is murdered he is not allowed to lead the investigation and as its close to Christmas and the weather too bad for the Glasgow team to get there Willow temporarily comes back from maternity leave. More murder follows and the detectives have their work cut out.

I have read nearly all of her Ann Cleeve books and find them very enjoyable, this was no exception. Lots of twists to hold my interest and information about the island and life there.

I suspected who the murderer was but hadn’t worked out the logistics.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Another brilliant read in the Jimmy Perez series set in Shetland, although this one is set in Orkney. There is a lot of historical information in this one, which slowed the pace at times but I liked the descriptions and the setting. I love that Perez and Willow have teamed up, they make a great pair, and the writing is excellent as usual. I never figured out who the killer was and the twist at the end took me by surprise. This is one of the most consistent series in the genre and one I highly recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.