I really enjoyed this latest instalment of the Shetland series. Jimmy Perez is now living and working in Orkney with his partner, Willow and son, James.

One stormy night just prior to Christmas his oldest friend, Archie Stout, goes missing. Perez catches a boat to Westray where Archie farmed with his wife and two sons to investigate. His body is found at an archaeological dig with an ancient story stone beside him. The circumstances suggest premeditated murder. Being so close to the family it is hard for him to investigate.

Two further murders increase the complexity of the case and strain the resources of the island police force. By working together Willow and Jimmy bring a conclusion to the case - to a perpetrator I never suspected!

The investigation of the crime takes place alongside Perez’s home life and island celebrations. Again the rich island setting adds to the atmosphere of the novel.

A gripping and thoughtful novel.

Another intriguing and fascinating story featuring Jimmy Perez Lots of twists and turns and a surprising conclusion.

Anytime there's a new Ann Cleeves slated for release, I get so excited! While Vera is my absolute favourite, I was intrigued that we were going back to Shetland for this year's story.

The Shetland series has always been a mixed bag for me. I love the sense of place, and the mysteries in the claustrophobic communities, but I've never fully warmed to Jimmy Perez as a character. This book was intriguing because it's set several years after the 'last' Shetland book, and, while Perez is still a MC, we spend equal time with Willow! Willow is definitely my preferred of the two: she's smart, quick, and offers a less whiny and insecure POV than Perez. I was glad to spend time with her and get to know her a bit better! I'm still not feeling a genuine connection between these two. I didn't like how much Willow was constantly adjusting to his moods, emotions, and feelings. I felt like she had to water herself down a lot so as to not upset him and I hated that. Willow deserves better than mothering a grown man.

As always, the sense of place was fantastic in this book. We trade our usual Shetland for Orkney, which was a cool change of geography and community.

The mystery was solid. Annoyingly, I guessed the perp right after they were interviewed for the first time; but, there were enough twists and turns to keep me entertained.

If you enjoyed the Shetland series, give this a whirl.

Solid 3.5

Excellent, well-written instalment in the new Jimmy Perez series set on Orkney; but it could also be regarded as a 'stand-alone' read. The characters are well-rounded and believable, the locations are instantly 'in one's mind eye'. 'The Killing Stones' covers Orkney's geography, archaeology, history, but never veers too far from the story-telling. Grips the reader from Page One to the end.

With many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for an ARC.

Life away from Shetland is a hit! 4*

Full disclaimer: I'm a HUGE fan of the BBC Shetland series and I have previously read the other eight in the Jimmy Perez series - but don't worry if you haven't. There's not much background knowledge you need in this story to understand it. Anything you do need, Cleves explains it succinctly as to not detract from the story.

This is Perez's first outing since he moved to Orkney 7 years ago, and he has not changed. He is still determined and like a dog with a bone, itching to find the right answers. He's accompanied by his heavily pregnant girlfriend/partner Willow and together they solve the works of an eventual serial killer.

It turns out I didn't miss Shetland because what made this series will always be Jimmy Perez and he naturally draws characters in. I think Jimmy Perez can be best summarised from a quote earlier in the series. Apologies if this is not perfect. Jimmy Perez understands people: he is like David Attenborough watching animals and studying their every move.

Be warned. Keep your wits about you. This book throws red herrings left, right and centre. I also wanted to add (spoiler free, of course) that I think the ending and the killer reveal was incredibly important. If you were ever worried if Ann Cleves was going to keep up with the 2020s, this reveal proves that she understands the UK more than a lot of politicians and middle aged people.

Finally, I LOVED the shoutout to Teesside Uni. I'm always convinced Ann Cleves is from the north east - probably due to Vera - and then I'm shocked because she truly understands the places she sets her stories in.

If there's a Jimmy Perez #10, sign me up!

I was so pleased to hear that a new Jimmy Perez' s investigation was due!!! I like his character: not the strong macho type, but a man who dares cry ... I love the series (I read all books), also because of the setting. It is like being there, feeling the weather in your bones, smelling the sea. I loved reading about the traditions still present nowadays and about the archeological founds and their meaning.
The plot is hooking from the (powerful and dark) beginning of the novel. Knowing that Archie was a friend of Jimmy's involved the readers ' eagerness to find out the culprit! The well structured plot let me wondering about the suspects all through the storyline and the conclusion was convincing... A great novel!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

Ann Cleeves' The Killing Stones takes us to the remote Orkney Islands, where a violent storm has just unearthed a murder victim-larger-than-life local Archie Stout. The murder weapon? A Neolithic stone carved with ancient symbols, intertwining the past and present in an unsettling way.

Detective Jimmy Perez, who grew up with Archie, must navigate a case fraught with personal history and the islanders' hidden lives. As he sifts through loyalties and grudges, the line between local folklore and fact begins to blur, forcing him to uncover the truth before violence strikes again.

Perez's personal life plays a central role in the story, balancing his detective work with his commitments to partner Willow and their young son. His emotional connection to Archie fuels his urgency, and his interactions with villagers peel back layers of secrets. Supporting characters are authentic and complex, their relationships forged by the isolation and interdependence of island life.

The novel grapples with how history haunts places like Orkney, where ancient artifacts coexist with modern lives. The stone weapon symbolizes this tension, suggesting that past and present are inextricably bound. The island's harsh isolation and landscape amplify distrust, paralleling the characters' inner turmoil. Themes of gossip, loyalty, and fear of outsiders resonate deeply, mirroring tensions in real-life small communities.

Cleeves' vivid prose pulls readers into Orkney's brooding beauty, from salt-sprayed cliffs to relentless storms. The setting becomes a character in its own right, shaping relationships and decisions. While the mystery's pacing keeps suspense high, Perez's investigative logic remains largely hidden, which might make the final reveal feel sudden for some readers. However, crisp dialogue and atmospheric detail maintain the story's authenticity.

The book successfully balances suspenseful moments with quieter ones, particularly in Perez's home life. His vulnerability lends depth, contrasting with his professional resolve. The community's grief and suspicion create an undercurrent of tension, heightening the personal stakes beyond the central crime. While a greater focus on Perez's thought process during the investigation could deepen satisfaction, the emphasis on human dynamics is compelling.

In the realm of crime fiction, The Killing Stones sets itself apart with its rich setting and nuanced characters. Fans of Perez's earlier cases will appreciate his evolving character arc, while newcomers can enjoy this as a standalone story. The blend of archaeology and modern policing offers a unique angle, avoiding genre clichés. It's a story less about cracking a puzzle than understanding how people cope-and heal-under pressure.

Cleeves delivers a mystery steeped in place and character, offering a nuanced look at how secrets fester in insular communities. For readers drawn to simmering tension and vividly drawn settings, this novel proves both gripping and thoughtful.

As an Ann Cleeves fan I was very happy to get early access to a copy of the latest instalment in the Shetland series. I guess we still call it that even though this book is set in the Orkney islands, a lovely excuse to give the readers a taste of what these are like. We get a great sense of local life and customs, I especially liked the part about the Ba', and the landscape, as always, contributes greatly to the atmosphere of the story. Ann Cleeves knows how to create an intrigue and incorporates a lot of contemporary issue into it right alongside history and folklore. The reader also gets the next episode in the life of the familiar characters of Jimmy Perez and Willow, a bonus if you have read the other novels in the series. All in all, a satisfying read.

Detective Jimmy Perez is back with a complicated close to home case. After a storm on Orkney, the body of Archie Stout is found, a man Perez has known for decades and is more like a brother. Stout’s death shocks the community, and there’s a motley crew of suspects, including those who have made the island their home and those just passing through. Couple this with the murder weapon – something that ties the island to its neolithic origins – and Perez and co have an investigation that will require much to-ing and fro-ing, planes and asking some deeply unpleasant questions. Also, it’s the week before Christmas and the weather isn’t improving… I’ve read some of Ann’s books, never the Perez series, but this would encourage me to start from the beginning.