A complex case, wonderful settings and flawed protagonists all make this book a tremendous read from a well established author you can rely on to produce the goods. I hope this is the start to a 'new' Orkney series.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

I love the Vera series bur, I've never read The Shetland series. I enjoyed this one and will now read all the others in this series. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I’m a fan of Ann Cleeves, but this is my first in the Shetland series, although I am familiar Jimmy Perez from the TV! This time he returns with a new mystery set not in Shetland, but in the hauntingly beautiful Orkney Islands. The story revolves around the murder of Archie Stout, one of Perez’s oldest friends, on the remote island of Westray. This personal connection adds weight to the investigation and brings a more introspective side of Perez to the forefront. Supporting him is Willow, his partner in both life and work.
The novel has an intricate plot, with several red herrings and a steady buildup. However, some readers may find the early pacing slow and the final resolution somewhat abrupt, with key revelations arriving a bit too suddenly.
Despite these minor drawbacks, ‘The Killing Stones’ is a compelling and atmospheric mystery, and leaves the door open to what could be an exciting new phase in the Jimmy Perez series. I’m sure long time fans will appreciate the continuity, while new readers like myself, will find an accessible entry point into Cleeves' richly drawn world.

The Killing Stones is a complex, twisty mystery that's full of suspense, great characters and so much detail. Ann's writing absorbs you instantly into this mystery and the landscapes, you can truly imagine each chapter playing out. This is great to either read as part of the series or a stand-alone and a lot of mystery/thriller fans will love this.

This is the first of the Shetland series I've read, although I've enjoyed other books by Ann Cleeves so I was happy to read it.
The story revolves around Jimmy Perez, a Shetlander, now located on Orkney and living with a new parter, Willow, their son and Jimmy's stepdaughter from a previous relationship. In the days leading up to Christmas Jimmy receives a call telling him that one of his oldest friends is missing. Archie's body is discovered and it is quickly clear he has been murdered, and moreover killed with one of the famous story stones that Orkney is known for.
The setting of Orkney and the timing, close to Christmas were well told to the extent that each time I looked up from the book I expected it to be winter outside. The several islands of Orkney make a great background for the book, coupled with their incredible history and customs which the author brings alive and makes relevant to the plot. However, there was a certain amount of over-telling in places, which I felt slowed down the story. As a reader I felt I had 'got it' first time round.
The twists and turns of the plot however, keep the pace going, and as usual with this author, the reader is kept guessing until the end, which was another problem for me because I felt the ending rather came out of the blue and we weren't as prepared for it as we should have been. The ending is explained in the final interview but it came as rather a jolt to me.
Having said that the book is very readable and certainly wouldn't put me off reading anything by this author in the future., just doesn't come top of my reading list of Ann Cleeves' novels. And I definitely want to visit Orkney even more now. I'm entirely sold on the place.
With thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

I very much enjoyed the description of island life however the book as a whole fell very flat. The relationship between the two lead detectives is disjointed and unbelievable. The significant conflict of interest mars and slows the whole story. I would not have finished but for being given an ARC. I should have stopped as the ending was my least favourite part in a disappointing book.
I am grateful to the publisher and author for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Jimmy Perez is officially back! He has now relocated from his beloved Shetland to Orkney with Willow Reeves, his boss and partner. They live there with his stepdaughter Cassie, their young son James, and Willow is heavily pregnant with their second baby.

The story starts with the murder of a local man, Archie Stout, who is a close friend and distant relative of Jimmy’s, which draws him into the new investigation whilst also grieving. The starting point is the unusual murder weapon that is significant to the history of Orkney. As Christmas approaches, and the mystery deepens, will Jimmy and Willow be able to navigate the undercurrents of islander life in order to find out what is really going on?

I was very interested to read this mystery, as I was such a huge fan of Shetland, and I was very intrigued to see how the change in location would impact the character and the story. I think it was an interesting choice as Jimmy Perez is a well-loved character, but I also like that this is a way to reset the series, without exceeding the bounds of belief for the murder rate in the Shetland Isles. Willow is a much more significant character which is good, as it lends another perspective to the story and I think that Willow being Jimmy’s boss adds an interesting dynamic to the book, as they have to navigate around the boundaries of their personal life as well as their professional life and as expected, friction can arise. Jimmy is a familiar touchstone, still melancholy, but I found the change of location refreshing as Jimmy is still seeing it through fresh eyes.

I really enjoyed the story - the characters were interesting and well-detailed, and I liked the change in Jimmy feeling like a bit of an outsider, even though he knew many of the islanders well. The mystery was intriguing and not immediately obvious - from the way it is written, I think that the culprit could have been changing until fairly late in the writing process. The conclusion is satisfying and I really enjoyed the read!

I think the break from Jimmy Perez has been a good move for Ann Cleeves, and the move from Orkney to Shetland has potentially opened up a whole new series - I hope!

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was delighted to receive this book, as I have read most of this author’s work.
I have mixed feelings about this novel. It was great to meet Jimmy Perez again, now with his new partner Willow and his little son James. Willow is now Jimmy’s boss, and carrying their second child. Sometimes this relationship struck a jarring note, when Willow ‘explains’ on more than one occasion, that she did not want to interfere with Jimmy’s investigation, and therefore risk undermining him. Perez comes across as a rather more fragile, indecisive, unsure police officer than he was in previous books. Willow, on the other hand, seems to suffer no self- doubt whatsoever, being robustly confident in her own capabilities at all times, despite the constrictions of her advancing pregnancy. I found this aspect just a bit uncomfortable. Strong, capable woman versus unsure, under confident man. Perez is an Inspector of police now, after all?
The story and the murder mystery itself, was good, but the pacing was ponderously slow, in my opinion.
Descriptions of Orkney were wonderful, and very evocative, as this author’s descriptions always are. It was a lovely change from the Shetland novels, and made Orkney sound just as inviting, but in different ways.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars from me.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

Fantastic as always! I really love the way Ann Cleeves manages to evoke the atmosphere of the Islands in her books, taking the reader on a journey around the scenery as she sets the locations of the crimes. This time Jimmy Perez was investigating the murder of Archie Stout, a close friend who he had grown up and was very close to. This added to complications when he was interviewing friends who may have been suspects, so we got a lot more of Willow investigating in this book which added a layer of interest in how they worked together and apart. This story involved historical artefacts as murder weapons which led the police to investigate island visitors, and red herrings along the way. Set at Christmas time, with the challenges of getting a bigger murder squad in from Glasgow there in the worsening weather and timescale. The culprit was a surprise in a unpredictable twist. I cannot say more without spoilers!

Set in the Orkney Islands, mainly in the remote island of Westray, this is a tale of murder in a small, close-knit community. Author Ann Cleeves evokes the atmosphere of a bleak but much-loved island full of nature, often stormy, isolated, but with much mutual support among the small population, as well as a constant flow of visitors. Then a well-liked but hot-tempered individual is killed, with the weapon being one of two ancient rune-engraved stones. Who did it, and why, and will the killer strike again?

It's a clever plot but I found the book slow to grip me. The pace is perhaps too slow, though I can imagine the story working well on the screen one day, especially if it is filmed on location. The final quarter of the book was the best for me, with the tension building as multiple themes come together: Christmas is approaching, there is an annual traditional game with fierce rivalries, and detective Jimmy Perez and partner Willow seem close to identifying the villain though much is hidden from the reader. I do not want to spoil the plot but was kind-of expecting the finale to be even more dramatic than it was; it is easy to see ways in which this could have been arranged. A dark but crucial secret is revealed in these last pages and on reflection, I feel that not enough is made of it; the book would be more compelling if there had been more hint of it earlier and I think this could have been done without giving away the identity of the killer.

Nevertheless, a good read and one that made me want to visit the Orkneys, a credit to the descriptive powers of the author.

Jimmy Perry is now living on Orkney after a number of years on Shetland. It’s a complex mystery, an Ann Cleeves trademark, which makes for a very satisfying read. What adds to the interest is the difference between the two islands, landscape, vegetation etc. but also the archeology of Orkney, an integral part of the plot.
Another excellent book in the series.

I was very pleased to be allowed to review this book, because I have loved the series so much. I have also just returned from a holiday to both Shetland and Orkney, so many of the places mentioned feel extra special as I can visualise them. I didn’t visit Westray unfortunately.
As you would expect from an author of this calibre, there were red herrings galore. I sure most other readers won’t have guessed who the actual killer(s) were, but will have enjoyed predicting what was involved. A very modern solution too.
Perez’s family life fitted in well with the main story in addition.

Back in the company of Jimmy Perez again, with another complex case for him to solve. This one is a bit too close to home for comfort and we see more of the emotional side of Perez as he works with his pregnant partner Willow, to solve the mystery of the murder of one of Perez’s closest friends. Ann Cleeves’ knowledge of the history of the Scottish Isles is impressive and it becomes almost a character in itself, as historical artefacts are integral to the progress of both the murder investigation and the motive of the killer. Relationships are important too, and the author displays a deep understanding of the human psyche with all its complexities. Above all though, this is a cracking good story and one which will no doubt encourage visitors to Orkney, Fair Isle, Westray and the other glorious Scottish Isles.

I have watched most if not all of the Shetland TV series featuring DI Perez but this is the first book of the series that I have read. The TV series was closely based on the books I think so that I did not feel confused reading the book despite the relocation to Orkney.
Ann Cleeves manages to portray a great atmosphere of the islands geography and it’s inhabitants and culture and it takes no time to feel right in the thick of things. As often the case in small communities DI Perez knows the victim but to make things worse it was his best childhood friend. Then another two deaths occur and weather prevents any police help from the Scottish mainland.Before half way through the book there are several pointers to the likely suspect , which to me usually means it was not them! I did not spot the perpretator and overall I liked the way the plot developed.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

What a treat to return to the life of Jimmy Perez and his nearest and dearest now on Orkney but still
investigating murders and other dark deeds. As evocative as ever, this will have you looking up the best way to get to Orkney and its surrounding islands to take in some of the sights for yourself all the while reminding you that the darkness in humanity can be found anywhere.

Hugely relevant, I found it darkly intriguing. I cannot wait for more in the series!

A new Perez story is always something to look forward to. A warm and interesting character, Jimmy Perez always bring an emotional reaction to his investigations making him very human and fallible.

In The Killing Stones, the crime of murder is very close to home, which gives Cleeves the opportunity to allow Perez's partner Willow to carry out a lot of the detective work. Their move away from Shetland also allows the author to explore new territory. However, the central style of the "Shetland" books is still there, so the appeal to regular readers of the series will still remain.

I enjoyed The Killing Stones, but there was a slight feeling of disappointment; maybe the Perez series is running out of gas a little. I felt like I'd read some of the themes before and at times the plot stretched credibility. It was hard to believe some of the facts about the characters hadn't surfaced and been acted on earlier in such a small community. That said, it is still a decent book. I was intent on giving a 3* but on reflection, it's more of a 4* based on some of the rubbish on the market at the moment. Maybe there's a few more books left in the Perez series after all!

Another atmospheric Perez novel from Ann Cleeves, set on the Orkney islands. As usual the stark scenery and weather provide the perfect backdrop to a murder investigation, particularly as this is timed to straddle the chilly holiday period before and after Christmas, when outside help from Glasgow is not forthcoming and Perez with his boss, Willow, are left to fathom out the series of murders largely on their own.
The familiar characters sit well in the troubling case, exacerbated by the close personal connection of the first victim. As ever the obvious solutions are thwarted by ongoing events and we follow the twists and turns of the plot with Perez. I was slightly miffed that some of the key information is withheld from the reader towards the end, making a stab at the perpetrator rather hampered. However, I was carried along throughout and enjoyed the journey and its conclusion. An absorbing read, if not necessarily my favourite in this series.

I enjoyed this book & its locations which I had to google. Fascinating story but not one of Anne Cleese’s’ best for me.

My thanks to Netgalley and publishers Pan Macmillan for an ARC of this book. It's by one of my favourite authors, but it's the first Shetland story that I've read, having seen all the TV versions, some more than once.. I've now realised that for the TV series, the words "based on" are important. This novel doesn't fit in with what I had previously perceived, certainly not with the final instalment. I now need to read all of this series. The books have been on my shelves for years. Not having actually read any of the previous novels, it makes it difficult to review this one.

I was pleased to see that maps of the islands were included at the beginning of the book. These are always useful, particularly when the characters journeying between them is part of the plot, and I have no knowledge of the area. Unfortunately, they failed to reproduce in this Kindle ARC, but having enjoyed the book so much, I look forward to reading it again in paperback as part of my rerading catch-up on the whole series.

This is Ann Cleeves at her very best, writing about an area that she clearly knows and loves. Amongst the many backdrops for the story, she gives us a Neolithic burial chamber and a Viking settlement as they are today, centuries later. The atmosphere of the remote Northern Scottish Islands seeps out of every paragraph. It makes you want to go there and see everything as she described it. But in better weather and longer days ! ! This is a superbly plotted tale with a very powerful and unexpected ending. Halfway through the book, I became totally caught up in the story. I had to abandon household jobs that I had been planning. Not good ! ! ! ! !

Two police officers charged with solving murder complicated by their personal relationship and imminent close down of amenities for Christmas. Local folklore, island long held relationships and family loyalties all contribute to complicating an already complex murder investigation. With time running out, , facilities closing down, and exhaustion a contributing factor, the protagonists begin to lose concentration, confidence and patience. The potential victims and suspects escalate with little assurance that a result is forthcoming. A shocking if potentially incredible conclusion delivers a dramatic resolution. Many thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.