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Shetland #4
Blue Lightning
ASIN B0040JHNYI moved to the most recent edition here
Shetland Detective Jimmy Perez knows it will be a difficult homecoming when he returns to the Fair Isles to introduce his fiancée, Fran, to his parents. It’s a community where everyone knows each other, and strangers, while welcomed, are still viewed with a degree of mistrust. Challenging to live on at the best of times, with the autumn storms raging, the island feels cut off from the rest of the world. Trapped, tension is high and tempers become frayed. Enough to drive someone to murder ... When a woman's body is discovered at the renowned Fair Isles bird observatory, with feathers threaded through her hair, the islanders react with fear and anger. With no support from the mainland and only Fran to help him - Jimmy has to investigate the old-fashioned way. He soon realizes that this is no crime of passion - but a murder of cold and calculated intention. With no way off the island until the storms abate - Jimmy knows he has to work quickly. There's a killer on the island just waiting for the opportunity to strike again ...
Shetland Detective Jimmy Perez knows it will be a difficult homecoming when he returns to the Fair Isles to introduce his fiancée, Fran, to his parents. It’s a community where everyone knows each other, and strangers, while welcomed, are still viewed with a degree of mistrust. Challenging to live on at the best of times, with the autumn storms raging, the island feels cut off from the rest of the world. Trapped, tension is high and tempers become frayed. Enough to drive someone to murder ... When a woman's body is discovered at the renowned Fair Isles bird observatory, with feathers threaded through her hair, the islanders react with fear and anger. With no support from the mainland and only Fran to help him - Jimmy has to investigate the old-fashioned way. He soon realizes that this is no crime of passion - but a murder of cold and calculated intention. With no way off the island until the storms abate - Jimmy knows he has to work quickly. There's a killer on the island just waiting for the opportunity to strike again ...
380 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2010
3314 people are currently reading
6500 people want to read
About the author
Ann Cleeves
132 books8,752 followersAnn is the author of the books behind ITV's VERA, now in it's third series, and the BBC's SHETLAND, which will be aired in December 2012. Ann's DI Vera Stanhope series of books is set in Northumberland and features the well loved detective along with her partner Joe Ashworth. Ann's Shetland series bring us DI Jimmy Perez, investigating in the mysterious, dark, and beautiful Shetland Islands...
Ann grew up in the country, first in Herefordshire, then in North Devon. Her father was a village school teacher. After dropping out of university she took a number of temporary jobs - child care officer, women's refuge leader, bird observatory cook, auxiliary coastguard - before going back to college and training to be a probation officer.
While she was cooking in the Bird Observatory on Fair Isle, she met her husband Tim, a visiting ornithologist. She was attracted less by the ornithology than the bottle of malt whisky she saw in his rucksack when she showed him his room. Soon after they married, Tim was appointed as warden of Hilbre, a tiny tidal island nature reserve in the Dee Estuary. They were the only residents, there was no mains electricity or water and access to the mainland was at low tide across the shore. If a person's not heavily into birds - and Ann isn't - there's not much to do on Hilbre and that was when she started writing. Her first series of crime novels features the elderly naturalist, George Palmer-Jones. A couple of these books are seriously dreadful.
In 1987 Tim, Ann and their two daughters moved to Northumberland and the north east provides the inspiration for many of her subsequent titles. The girls have both taken up with Geordie lads. In the autumn of 2006, Ann and Tim finally achieved their ambition of moving back to the North East.
For the National Year of Reading, Ann was made reader-in-residence for three library authorities. It came as a revelation that it was possible to get paid for talking to readers about books! She went on to set up reading groups in prisons as part of the Inside Books project, became Cheltenham Literature Festival's first reader-in-residence and still enjoys working with libraries.
Ann Cleeves on stage at the Duncan Lawrie Dagger awards ceremony
Ann's short film for Border TV, Catching Birds, won a Royal Television Society Award. She has twice been short listed for a CWA Dagger Award - once for her short story The Plater, and the following year for the Dagger in the Library award.
In 2006 Ann Cleeves was the first winner of the prestigious Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award of the Crime Writers' Association for Raven Black, the first volume of her Shetland Quartet. The Duncan Lawrie Dagger replaces the CWA's Gold Dagger award, and the winner receives £20,000, making it the world's largest award for crime fiction.
Ann's success was announced at the 2006 Dagger Awards ceremony at the Waldorf Hilton, in London's Aldwych, on Thursday 29 June 2006. She said: "I have never won anything before in my life, so it was a complete shock - but lovely of course.. The evening was relatively relaxing because I'd lost my voice and knew that even if the unexpected happened there was physically no way I could utter a word. So I wouldn't have to give a speech. My editor was deputed to do it!"
The judging panel consisted of Geoff Bradley (non-voting Chair), Lyn Brown MP (a committee member on the London Libraries service), Frances Gray (an academic who writes about and teaches courses on modern crime fiction), Heather O'Donoghue (academic, linguist, crime fiction reviewer for The Times Literary Supplement, and keen reader of all crime fiction) and Barry Forshaw (reviewer and editor of Crime Time magazine).
Ann's books have been translated into sixteen languages. She's a bestseller in Scandinavia and Germany. Her novels sell widely and to critical acclaim in the United States. Raven Black was shortlisted for the Martin Beck award for best translated crime novel in Sweden in 200
Ann grew up in the country, first in Herefordshire, then in North Devon. Her father was a village school teacher. After dropping out of university she took a number of temporary jobs - child care officer, women's refuge leader, bird observatory cook, auxiliary coastguard - before going back to college and training to be a probation officer.
While she was cooking in the Bird Observatory on Fair Isle, she met her husband Tim, a visiting ornithologist. She was attracted less by the ornithology than the bottle of malt whisky she saw in his rucksack when she showed him his room. Soon after they married, Tim was appointed as warden of Hilbre, a tiny tidal island nature reserve in the Dee Estuary. They were the only residents, there was no mains electricity or water and access to the mainland was at low tide across the shore. If a person's not heavily into birds - and Ann isn't - there's not much to do on Hilbre and that was when she started writing. Her first series of crime novels features the elderly naturalist, George Palmer-Jones. A couple of these books are seriously dreadful.
In 1987 Tim, Ann and their two daughters moved to Northumberland and the north east provides the inspiration for many of her subsequent titles. The girls have both taken up with Geordie lads. In the autumn of 2006, Ann and Tim finally achieved their ambition of moving back to the North East.
For the National Year of Reading, Ann was made reader-in-residence for three library authorities. It came as a revelation that it was possible to get paid for talking to readers about books! She went on to set up reading groups in prisons as part of the Inside Books project, became Cheltenham Literature Festival's first reader-in-residence and still enjoys working with libraries.
Ann Cleeves on stage at the Duncan Lawrie Dagger awards ceremony
Ann's short film for Border TV, Catching Birds, won a Royal Television Society Award. She has twice been short listed for a CWA Dagger Award - once for her short story The Plater, and the following year for the Dagger in the Library award.
In 2006 Ann Cleeves was the first winner of the prestigious Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award of the Crime Writers' Association for Raven Black, the first volume of her Shetland Quartet. The Duncan Lawrie Dagger replaces the CWA's Gold Dagger award, and the winner receives £20,000, making it the world's largest award for crime fiction.
Ann's success was announced at the 2006 Dagger Awards ceremony at the Waldorf Hilton, in London's Aldwych, on Thursday 29 June 2006. She said: "I have never won anything before in my life, so it was a complete shock - but lovely of course.. The evening was relatively relaxing because I'd lost my voice and knew that even if the unexpected happened there was physically no way I could utter a word. So I wouldn't have to give a speech. My editor was deputed to do it!"
The judging panel consisted of Geoff Bradley (non-voting Chair), Lyn Brown MP (a committee member on the London Libraries service), Frances Gray (an academic who writes about and teaches courses on modern crime fiction), Heather O'Donoghue (academic, linguist, crime fiction reviewer for The Times Literary Supplement, and keen reader of all crime fiction) and Barry Forshaw (reviewer and editor of Crime Time magazine).
Ann's books have been translated into sixteen languages. She's a bestseller in Scandinavia and Germany. Her novels sell widely and to critical acclaim in the United States. Raven Black was shortlisted for the Martin Beck award for best translated crime novel in Sweden in 200
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,719 reviews
March 2, 2019
Still in shock from the totally unforeseeable ending. At least it explained a situation I have wondered about from certain episodes of the TV show. But wow! What an ending.
Anyway the book was great. Perez is just happily visiting his parents with his new fiancée when a major storm blows up, cutting the island off completely from the mainland for several days. When a murder is committed Perez is the only representative of the police force on the island and therefore has to do everything himself - including rolling up the body and storing it in a shed! That is just the beginning.
I love everything about these books. Ann Cleeves writes really well, her characters are good and the atmosphere of the isolated place and the extreme weather is superb. Couple all this with an excellent story and an ending that requires a big box of tissues and you have a winner!
Anyway the book was great. Perez is just happily visiting his parents with his new fiancée when a major storm blows up, cutting the island off completely from the mainland for several days. When a murder is committed Perez is the only representative of the police force on the island and therefore has to do everything himself - including rolling up the body and storing it in a shed! That is just the beginning.
I love everything about these books. Ann Cleeves writes really well, her characters are good and the atmosphere of the isolated place and the extreme weather is superb. Couple all this with an excellent story and an ending that requires a big box of tissues and you have a winner!
June 14, 2017
2017 UPDATE So there's this BBC TV series and this book (out of order, why do producers do that?) gets the business in it. The series isn't faithful to the books, but it's good anyway.
Rating: 4 very very disgruntled stars of five
The Publisher Says: In the fourth book of Ann Cleeves’ critically acclaimed series set in the Shetland Islands, Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez brings his fiancée home to Fair Isle, a birder’s paradise, where strangers are viewed with suspicions and distrust. When a woman's body is discovered at the island’s bird observatory, the investigation is hampered by a raging storm that renders the island totally isolated. Jimmy has to find clues the old-fashioned way, and he has to do it quickly. There's a killer on the island just waiting for the chance to strike again.
My Review: Jimmy and Fran go to visit Jimmy's parents, Big James and Mary, on Fair Isle, since they're planning to be married. Big James and Mary make a nice engagement party for the happy couple at the North Light, which now serves as the centerpiece of a birding reserve and research center. Maurice and Angela, who run the reserve, have attracted the best chef *ever* in the form of Jane, a lesbian escapee from life's more hectic and less forgiving pace in London. Throw in some birders, a weird subspecies of Homo obsessivus, a misery of a teenaged daughter, a snotty young upperclass Brit-twit, and some genuinely surprising revelations about the families and lives of the characters we who are fans have come to love, and then...drumroll please...kill off an extremely main character for absolutely avoidable reasons and throw the entire cast of characters into a major tumult, and you have book four of the Shetland Islands Quartet.
Oh, owww. I thought Lousy Louise Penny had hurt me as badly as a novelist could with her perfidious, horrible, and completely unforgiven emotional drubbing in book 5 of Three Pines. I suppose I should have been on the alert for a similar anguishing event because Lousy Louise herself blurbed this book. I was, however, all padded up in cotton wool, interestedly following Jimmy around his hometown Fair Isle, meeting and tutting over the characters who are slated to die; I had my murderer all picked out (I was right) and I was practically *drooling* with eagerness to see my candidate suffer, be blamed, pay for a horrible crime, a forgivable one too though honestly had the first murder gone unpunished I wouldn't've been even a little fussed about it; and then *BLAMMO* right between the eyes, *smash* went the skull with a twist I did NOT see coming; and then, and then...! Cleeves kicked me square in the teeth with the ending!!
I cried. I was very upset. I felt I'd been hurt in my real life. It takes a good, good storyteller to make that happen.
These are well-written books, and they convey a clear sense of life in the Shetland Islands. They're very much worth reading on that basis alone. But Cleeves creates characters that are deeply real, ones you can invest in, and that's the most important quality a writer can have. I strongly recommend the books. This one, obviously, should be saved for last; I suspect, though, given the last few lines of the book, that Cleeves's publishers have prevailed upon her to make the Quartet more open-ended. I am not at all sure I think that's a good thing, if it's true. Still, I hope you will go and procure them for your reading pleasure, because it will be a pleasure.
Rating: 4 very very disgruntled stars of five
The Publisher Says: In the fourth book of Ann Cleeves’ critically acclaimed series set in the Shetland Islands, Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez brings his fiancée home to Fair Isle, a birder’s paradise, where strangers are viewed with suspicions and distrust. When a woman's body is discovered at the island’s bird observatory, the investigation is hampered by a raging storm that renders the island totally isolated. Jimmy has to find clues the old-fashioned way, and he has to do it quickly. There's a killer on the island just waiting for the chance to strike again.
My Review: Jimmy and Fran go to visit Jimmy's parents, Big James and Mary, on Fair Isle, since they're planning to be married. Big James and Mary make a nice engagement party for the happy couple at the North Light, which now serves as the centerpiece of a birding reserve and research center. Maurice and Angela, who run the reserve, have attracted the best chef *ever* in the form of Jane, a lesbian escapee from life's more hectic and less forgiving pace in London. Throw in some birders, a weird subspecies of Homo obsessivus, a misery of a teenaged daughter, a snotty young upperclass Brit-twit, and some genuinely surprising revelations about the families and lives of the characters we who are fans have come to love, and then...drumroll please...kill off an extremely main character for absolutely avoidable reasons and throw the entire cast of characters into a major tumult, and you have book four of the Shetland Islands Quartet.
Oh, owww. I thought Lousy Louise Penny had hurt me as badly as a novelist could with her perfidious, horrible, and completely unforgiven emotional drubbing in book 5 of Three Pines. I suppose I should have been on the alert for a similar anguishing event because Lousy Louise herself blurbed this book. I was, however, all padded up in cotton wool, interestedly following Jimmy around his hometown Fair Isle, meeting and tutting over the characters who are slated to die; I had my murderer all picked out (I was right) and I was practically *drooling* with eagerness to see my candidate suffer, be blamed, pay for a horrible crime, a forgivable one too though honestly had the first murder gone unpunished I wouldn't've been even a little fussed about it; and then *BLAMMO* right between the eyes, *smash* went the skull with a twist I did NOT see coming; and then, and then...! Cleeves kicked me square in the teeth with the ending!!
I cried. I was very upset. I felt I'd been hurt in my real life. It takes a good, good storyteller to make that happen.
These are well-written books, and they convey a clear sense of life in the Shetland Islands. They're very much worth reading on that basis alone. But Cleeves creates characters that are deeply real, ones you can invest in, and that's the most important quality a writer can have. I strongly recommend the books. This one, obviously, should be saved for last; I suspect, though, given the last few lines of the book, that Cleeves's publishers have prevailed upon her to make the Quartet more open-ended. I am not at all sure I think that's a good thing, if it's true. Still, I hope you will go and procure them for your reading pleasure, because it will be a pleasure.
December 17, 2022
EXCERPT: Fran sat with her eyes closed. The small plane dropped suddenly, seemed to fall from the sky, then levelled for a moment before tilting like a fairground ride. She opened her eyes to see a grey cliff ahead of them. It was close enough for her to make out the white streaks of bird muck and last season's nests. Below, the sea was boiling. Spindrift and white froth caught by the gale-force winds spun over the surface of the water.
Why doesn't the pilot do something? Why is Jimmy just sitting there, waiting for us to die?
She imagined the impact as the plane hit the rock, twisted metal and twisted bodies. No hope at all of survival. I should have written a will. Who will care for Cassie?
ABOUT 'BLUE LIGHTNING': With the autumn storms raging, Fair Isle feels cut off from the rest of the world. Trapped, tension is high and tempers become frayed. Enough to drive someone to murder . . .
A woman's body is discovered at the renowned Fair Isles bird observatory, with feathers threaded through her hair. The islanders react with fear and anger. Detective Jimmy Perez has no support from the mainland and must investigate the old-fashioned way. He soon realizes that this is no crime of passion - but a murder of cold and calculated intention.
There's no way off the island until the storms abate - and so the killer is also trapped, just waiting for the opportunity to strike again.
MY THOUGHTS: Oh, Ann Cleeves, you just ripped my heart to shreds. I screamed 'Nooooo!', and I'm sure the whole valley heard me so I'll apologise to my neighbours now. How could you do that? Have you no heart, woman? I am traumatised, bereft, in emotional pain.
Although I have read most of this wonderful series, Blue Lightning is,to my mind, the outstanding book of the series.
Cleeves has created a 'locked room' murder mystery in an incredibly atmospheric setting with a wonderful cast of characters.
Jimmy has brought his bride-to-be, Fran, home to meet his family and to celebrate his upcoming nuptials with the islanders, the people he grew up with. But like all best laid plans, his are derailed by a murder on the island and since they are cut off by the weather, Jimmy has to assume the role of investigator.
Beyond that, I am saying nothing about the plot. Cleeves, as always, kept me guessing to the end. There were plenty of red herrings and twists to keep me on my toes and I read this in record time.
A magnificent piece of writing.
The audiobook is superbly narrated by Kenny Blyth.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
https://www.instagram.com/p/CmQSxdxrG...
Why doesn't the pilot do something? Why is Jimmy just sitting there, waiting for us to die?
She imagined the impact as the plane hit the rock, twisted metal and twisted bodies. No hope at all of survival. I should have written a will. Who will care for Cassie?
ABOUT 'BLUE LIGHTNING': With the autumn storms raging, Fair Isle feels cut off from the rest of the world. Trapped, tension is high and tempers become frayed. Enough to drive someone to murder . . .
A woman's body is discovered at the renowned Fair Isles bird observatory, with feathers threaded through her hair. The islanders react with fear and anger. Detective Jimmy Perez has no support from the mainland and must investigate the old-fashioned way. He soon realizes that this is no crime of passion - but a murder of cold and calculated intention.
There's no way off the island until the storms abate - and so the killer is also trapped, just waiting for the opportunity to strike again.
MY THOUGHTS: Oh, Ann Cleeves, you just ripped my heart to shreds. I screamed 'Nooooo!', and I'm sure the whole valley heard me so I'll apologise to my neighbours now. How could you do that? Have you no heart, woman? I am traumatised, bereft, in emotional pain.
Although I have read most of this wonderful series, Blue Lightning is,to my mind, the outstanding book of the series.
Cleeves has created a 'locked room' murder mystery in an incredibly atmospheric setting with a wonderful cast of characters.
Jimmy has brought his bride-to-be, Fran, home to meet his family and to celebrate his upcoming nuptials with the islanders, the people he grew up with. But like all best laid plans, his are derailed by a murder on the island and since they are cut off by the weather, Jimmy has to assume the role of investigator.
Beyond that, I am saying nothing about the plot. Cleeves, as always, kept me guessing to the end. There were plenty of red herrings and twists to keep me on my toes and I read this in record time.
A magnificent piece of writing.
The audiobook is superbly narrated by Kenny Blyth.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
https://www.instagram.com/p/CmQSxdxrG...
July 18, 2014
By the time I started reading Blue Lightning, I was engaged in the story of Jimmy Perez and Fran Hunter - that was what kept me reading the books, that was what I was invested in. The Shetland books themselves, are at times frustratingly slow, and this one suffers from that (Raven Black is the best of the books for pacing). You get so little for so long, then Jane dies, then again little happens.
The thing that kept my attention was the character interaction and the differing views on Jimmy - the impact of a murder happening when he's home and meant to be celebrating. This is all overshadowing by a weak, rushed ending.
Ultimately, I expected the ending - the chosen narrative track for the 'shetland quartet' is Jimmy Perez meets Fran Hunter - falls in love - commits - then loses her. It doesn't work for me. In fact, it's the most frustrating part of reading the books, getting invested, hoping that they wouldn't fall to the trope, then having it do it. Fran Hunter, to use comic book born phrasing, gets fridged at the end of Blue Lightning. Her death does not serve the narrative. It doesn't add anything. All it does is inspire Jimmy's man pain. There is little I dislike more than the woman dying to inspire change and heart ache in their man.
In all but Red Bones - there is a threat play in the narrative in regards to Fran - she could be next, but isn't. You get to Blue Lightning, and besides her presence on the island, and connection to Perez, there is no reason to suspect she will die, apart from the constant foreshadowing in the previous books.
Add in the fact that Jane and Fran are both killed for playing detective - and when there are others who could have acted to save them - is annoying, because it plays into the kind of anti-active women tropes that exist far too much. Why couldn't the trope have been turned and Fran have presented the answer? Why couldn't poor Sarah get some strength in the end?
Fran could have actually been an active partner for the first time in the books, instead of Perez's fantasy. Or if you wanted to explore real tragedy, given the thing about a baby, Fran could have survived but with consequences.
So much is raised but not dealt with in this story - much of it relating to women and their power over their lives - ultimately, Jimmy and Fowler are the ones with the power (and Big James) while the women get to be the passive participants in the story. Fowler kills Fran as a last power play effectively. The last twenty pages of the book suddenly throw together something resembling an ending, that isn't satisfying, and lacks the charm of the previous books.
I will be reading Dead Water at some point - but my interest in Jimmy Perez's story has faded, with the key driving relationship dead.
The thing that kept my attention was the character interaction and the differing views on Jimmy - the impact of a murder happening when he's home and meant to be celebrating. This is all overshadowing by a weak, rushed ending.
Ultimately, I expected the ending - the chosen narrative track for the 'shetland quartet' is Jimmy Perez meets Fran Hunter - falls in love - commits - then loses her. It doesn't work for me. In fact, it's the most frustrating part of reading the books, getting invested, hoping that they wouldn't fall to the trope, then having it do it. Fran Hunter, to use comic book born phrasing, gets fridged at the end of Blue Lightning. Her death does not serve the narrative. It doesn't add anything. All it does is inspire Jimmy's man pain. There is little I dislike more than the woman dying to inspire change and heart ache in their man.
In all but Red Bones - there is a threat play in the narrative in regards to Fran - she could be next, but isn't. You get to Blue Lightning, and besides her presence on the island, and connection to Perez, there is no reason to suspect she will die, apart from the constant foreshadowing in the previous books.
Add in the fact that Jane and Fran are both killed for playing detective - and when there are others who could have acted to save them - is annoying, because it plays into the kind of anti-active women tropes that exist far too much. Why couldn't the trope have been turned and Fran have presented the answer? Why couldn't poor Sarah get some strength in the end?
Fran could have actually been an active partner for the first time in the books, instead of Perez's fantasy. Or if you wanted to explore real tragedy, given the thing about a baby, Fran could have survived but with consequences.
So much is raised but not dealt with in this story - much of it relating to women and their power over their lives - ultimately, Jimmy and Fowler are the ones with the power (and Big James) while the women get to be the passive participants in the story. Fowler kills Fran as a last power play effectively. The last twenty pages of the book suddenly throw together something resembling an ending, that isn't satisfying, and lacks the charm of the previous books.
I will be reading Dead Water at some point - but my interest in Jimmy Perez's story has faded, with the key driving relationship dead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2014
I've loved Ann Cleeves. I've loved the Shetland Mysteries.
And I loved this one right up till the final 20 pages, when a plot twist so irritating ruined the whole thing. Ugh.
And I loved this one right up till the final 20 pages, when a plot twist so irritating ruined the whole thing. Ugh.
September 23, 2017
Poor Jimmy Perez can't even travel home to introduce his fiance to his parents without someone gets murdered and since he is the only cop there, and it's bad weather and no one can get there and no one can get off the island, he has the solve the murder. A bit like Midsomer Murders, on an island, with a lot of suspects. And, of course, with a lot of suspects with motives.
Was I surprised how good this book was? Hell yes, the previous three books can't compare to how intense this book was, or perhaps it all has to do how surprising the ending was. Anyway. I felt that I needed a decent crime novel to read and since I have somehow missed reading this one, I thought, "why not". I didn't think that I would get sucked into the story and spend a good part of Saturday reading it. I like Jimmy Perez, I like that he is a bit old fashioned that he is thoughtful. He gets the job done. But this time, well it's a tough case for him.
It was a really good crime novel and I can't wait to read the next one!
Was I surprised how good this book was? Hell yes, the previous three books can't compare to how intense this book was, or perhaps it all has to do how surprising the ending was. Anyway. I felt that I needed a decent crime novel to read and since I have somehow missed reading this one, I thought, "why not". I didn't think that I would get sucked into the story and spend a good part of Saturday reading it. I like Jimmy Perez, I like that he is a bit old fashioned that he is thoughtful. He gets the job done. But this time, well it's a tough case for him.
It was a really good crime novel and I can't wait to read the next one!
August 21, 2023
If you are reading this review I am going to assume you have read the other books in this series and are simply peeking to see if it was as good as the others. Judging whether or not you want to read this one too.
The answer is yes. On all counts.
These books are not stand alone books. They weave a larger story and should be read in order.
One thing I want to say about this book is that Ann Cleeves was not afraid to be bold in her writing. There are surprises ~ and they work.
The answer is yes. On all counts.
These books are not stand alone books. They weave a larger story and should be read in order.
One thing I want to say about this book is that Ann Cleeves was not afraid to be bold in her writing. There are surprises ~ and they work.
January 19, 2022
I don't know what to say. I have only been in this situation with Elizabeth George and I ended up just giving up on her series. I don't know if I will finish this series. I don't see the point. I am honestly so aggravated. Probably because the mystery/flow in this one was so good. And I loved the characters of Jimmy and Fran. Jimmy taking Fran to visit his mother and father and to have a celebration of their upcoming wedding was an interesting backdrop. And then the book went totally to [swear word] with like 10 percent to go. I almost didn't finish at that point. And don't get me started on the farcical ending. Too bad this book came out before How I Met Your Mother, because Cleeves in essence pulled a Ted Mobsy and I am just trying very hard to not punch a wall.
The good things were that we got to see more of where Jimmy came from. His parents, the island. And the bird watching portions of the book seem very well done. You have Jimmy feeling like this case is getting away from him (and it is). I think having him on the island with no help outside of Fran was a shame. Cleeves missed a great opportunity to have the character of Jane become Jimmy's Watson in this one. It would have been better than what she did instead with that character.
Yep, going to be mad for a while. Turning to romance reads for a bit.
The good things were that we got to see more of where Jimmy came from. His parents, the island. And the bird watching portions of the book seem very well done. You have Jimmy feeling like this case is getting away from him (and it is). I think having him on the island with no help outside of Fran was a shame. Cleeves missed a great opportunity to have the character of Jane become Jimmy's Watson in this one. It would have been better than what she did instead with that character.
Yep, going to be mad for a while. Turning to romance reads for a bit.
November 5, 2023
Listened to the audiobook together with Simon as we worked on renovating our home. Narration by Gordon Griffin. The ending was quite gripping and brought me to tears. I think the paint on one window frame maybe be marred.
April 23, 2020
Book number 4 in the Shetland Island mystery series and certainly one of the most explosive for Detective Jimmy Perez. He has brought his fiancée, Fran, back to celebrate their engagement. However, the whole island is trapped due to weather and Jimmy must attempt to solve the mystery of a murder at the island's bird observatory.
There is a lot of backstory for Jimmy and his parents brought out in this book in addition to the suspects that are slowly revealed to the reader. As is usual, we always have the one that we are hoping is the killer and one(s) that we think "no way" could they do this.
There is a big upset at the end where Jimmy will never be the same again.
There is a lot of backstory for Jimmy and his parents brought out in this book in addition to the suspects that are slowly revealed to the reader. As is usual, we always have the one that we are hoping is the killer and one(s) that we think "no way" could they do this.
There is a big upset at the end where Jimmy will never be the same again.
January 9, 2022
A woman's body is found at the Fair Isles bird observatory. It turns out that the victim wasn't well-liked and some people may have wanted her out of the way.
Among the suspects are a group of obsessed birdwatchers, the victim's step-daughter and the center's cook.
Among the suspects are a group of obsessed birdwatchers, the victim's step-daughter and the center's cook.
May 18, 2020
I'm sorry to say but this one didn't convince me in many aspects!
As always the setting plays a big part of the story but the parts with the birdwatchers bored me!
The crimes committed and the motives behind them were well written except one! Also I don't see why many people chose to speak to irrelevant people and not to Perez or Sandy or why Perez didn't give Sandy a more clear task and why he just didn't go arrest the murderer after he received the phone call and was sure of his guilt and also a comment he made to the fiscal didn't make sense in the end.
I understand that someone changes after a big tragedy but the way the author chose to handle this part doesn't make sense to me and isn't convincing! No reason was given as to why it happened and many things were written in a way to just lead up to this event! I would prefer an accident instead to this mess!
Anyway this was it! Curious to see where this new situation will lead Jimmy Perez! I really like his character and I wouldn't mind if he didn't change but his author had other plans for him!
As always the setting plays a big part of the story but the parts with the birdwatchers bored me!
The crimes committed and the motives behind them were well written except one! Also I don't see why many people chose to speak to irrelevant people and not to Perez or Sandy or why Perez didn't give Sandy a more clear task and why he just didn't go arrest the murderer after he received the phone call and was sure of his guilt and also a comment he made to the fiscal didn't make sense in the end.
I understand that someone changes after a big tragedy but the way the author chose to handle this part doesn't make sense to me and isn't convincing! No reason was given as to why it happened and many things were written in a way to just lead up to this event! I would prefer an accident instead to this mess!
Anyway this was it! Curious to see where this new situation will lead Jimmy Perez! I really like his character and I wouldn't mind if he didn't change but his author had other plans for him!
January 13, 2011
ARRRGGHHH!! I was SO looking forward to this book! As the fourth and final book in a quartet of books set in the Shetland Islands, the author was supposed to tie things up neatly and leave the reader satisfied. For the first 326 pages, I thought she was going to do that and then, she sucked the life right out of the book for me. SOOO disappointing. I'm not sure if the ending has left the possibility that the author will continue with the same main character but even if she does, I'm not certain I trust her enough to read any more.
September 29, 2019
4.5 stars.
The series deepens, plots mature as do characters. I may jump into the next book pretty soon.
The series deepens, plots mature as do characters. I may jump into the next book pretty soon.
June 14, 2025
Number 4 is so sad!!! I am eager to follow Jimmy Perez as he navigates the future.
October 5, 2020
Excellent mystery set on remote Fair Isle and a bird watchers lighthouse haven. Cleeves writes so well of this area, you can just feel the atmosphere seeping through the pages. Well plotted, and then there is the ending, wow! I did not see that coming.
May 23, 2017
The Shetland quartet comes to a close in Anne Cleeves’ Blue Lightning, and it’s end is a satisfying blend of tragic mystery and hope, perfectly suited to that ever-present character in these novels—the gray winds, clouds and seas of the Shetland Isles. (Of course, there are further books now, but Blue Lightning is the last of the original set—and yes, I shall be looking out for more.)
Characters have been built up over the sequence of novels. Now there are plans for the future in the air, families to meet, obligations, relationships, hopes. And, of course, there’s mystery. But Jimmy Perez is at his childhood home on Fair Isle in this tale, with limited technology and communication. He really wanted to spend more time with his fiancee, who is fast becoming friends with his family.
But fractured relationships, splintering trust and frayed tempers combine with mystery and intrigue to keep them apart.
As usual, readers and protagonists come slowly to the truth of things, while a murderer seems almost to get away… Blue Lightning is probably best read in sequence with the other novels, not because it doesn’t stand alone (it does, beautifully), but because it gives away too much, tying books to the later TV series, and because it’s dénouement is so beautifully and hauntingly drawn on the past. I love this quartet.
Disclosure: Now I want to buy more
Characters have been built up over the sequence of novels. Now there are plans for the future in the air, families to meet, obligations, relationships, hopes. And, of course, there’s mystery. But Jimmy Perez is at his childhood home on Fair Isle in this tale, with limited technology and communication. He really wanted to spend more time with his fiancee, who is fast becoming friends with his family.
But fractured relationships, splintering trust and frayed tempers combine with mystery and intrigue to keep them apart.
As usual, readers and protagonists come slowly to the truth of things, while a murderer seems almost to get away… Blue Lightning is probably best read in sequence with the other novels, not because it doesn’t stand alone (it does, beautifully), but because it gives away too much, tying books to the later TV series, and because it’s dénouement is so beautifully and hauntingly drawn on the past. I love this quartet.
Disclosure: Now I want to buy more
February 8, 2022
Continuing with my reading of Ann Cleeves' Shetland series, this is number four in that series. We get to know Jimmy Perez a lot better in this one. Mainly, we get to see where he came from and what his parents are like.
Jimmy grew up on Fair Isle and it is where his parents still live. It is to Fair Isle that he goes with Fran, his newly acquired fiancée, the former wife of Duncan Hunter and mother of young Cassie. He wants Fran to meet his parents, Big James and Mary. This book provides quite a bit of backstory for Jimmy and his parents.
Fair Isle is famous as a birders' paradise. It features a birding reserve and research center that is run by Maurice and Angela. They have managed to attract a marvelous chef named Jane who was eager to escape the hectic pace of London. She has been happy on Fair Isle.
Big James and Mary host an engagement party at North Light, the headquarters of the birding center, in order for their and Jimmy's friends to meet Fran. Jane prepares a sumptuous feast for them. It's a successful party and a good time is had by all. Then the murders start.
To make matters even worse, a storm cuts the island off and the islanders are trapped there with Jimmy Perez the only investigator to find the murderer. (Shades of Agatha Christie!) If Jimmy's trapped there then the murderer must be trapped there also, not a comfortable position for the islanders to be in.
It turns out that the first victim, discovered at the bird observatory, was not well-liked. In fact, she was pretty obnoxious and any number of people are probably perfectly happy to see her out of the way. A plethora of suspects does not make Perez's job any easier. Moreover, he only has the limited technology and communications of the island available to him while the storm rages. By the time things begin to calm down and he's able to get some of his team out to Fair Isle, another murder has occurred.
Cleeves, as always, is very cagy about developing her plot and revealing clues along the way and I confess I really did not figure this one out. The big reveal came as a bit of a surprise for me. But then, of course, it all made perfect sense.
In the last few chapters of the book, though, Cleeves delivers an absolute gut punch when she kills off one of the characters whom I had liked and sort of identified with. It's a gut punch for Jimmy Perez as well and further complicates the investigation.
It seems that Ann Cleeves knows her birds well. She is a birder herself, I've read. Some of the best parts of the book for me were her passages about the birds of the island and about the birders who pursue them. All in all, this was a very satisfying read, even with the unexpected tragedy near the end. I look forward to reading the next entry in the series to see how this event plays out in Perez's life.
Jimmy grew up on Fair Isle and it is where his parents still live. It is to Fair Isle that he goes with Fran, his newly acquired fiancée, the former wife of Duncan Hunter and mother of young Cassie. He wants Fran to meet his parents, Big James and Mary. This book provides quite a bit of backstory for Jimmy and his parents.
Fair Isle is famous as a birders' paradise. It features a birding reserve and research center that is run by Maurice and Angela. They have managed to attract a marvelous chef named Jane who was eager to escape the hectic pace of London. She has been happy on Fair Isle.
Big James and Mary host an engagement party at North Light, the headquarters of the birding center, in order for their and Jimmy's friends to meet Fran. Jane prepares a sumptuous feast for them. It's a successful party and a good time is had by all. Then the murders start.
To make matters even worse, a storm cuts the island off and the islanders are trapped there with Jimmy Perez the only investigator to find the murderer. (Shades of Agatha Christie!) If Jimmy's trapped there then the murderer must be trapped there also, not a comfortable position for the islanders to be in.
It turns out that the first victim, discovered at the bird observatory, was not well-liked. In fact, she was pretty obnoxious and any number of people are probably perfectly happy to see her out of the way. A plethora of suspects does not make Perez's job any easier. Moreover, he only has the limited technology and communications of the island available to him while the storm rages. By the time things begin to calm down and he's able to get some of his team out to Fair Isle, another murder has occurred.
Cleeves, as always, is very cagy about developing her plot and revealing clues along the way and I confess I really did not figure this one out. The big reveal came as a bit of a surprise for me. But then, of course, it all made perfect sense.
In the last few chapters of the book, though, Cleeves delivers an absolute gut punch when she kills off one of the characters whom I had liked and sort of identified with. It's a gut punch for Jimmy Perez as well and further complicates the investigation.
It seems that Ann Cleeves knows her birds well. She is a birder herself, I've read. Some of the best parts of the book for me were her passages about the birds of the island and about the birders who pursue them. All in all, this was a very satisfying read, even with the unexpected tragedy near the end. I look forward to reading the next entry in the series to see how this event plays out in Perez's life.
November 7, 2010
I wish I could give this book six stars.
I have no idea why Ann Cleeves isn't more famous. She is an exceptional story teller. This latest book was an absolute masterpiece. Everyone should read her books.
This book is the fourth in her Shetland Island series. Her character development is deep without becoming boring, the plot flows perfectly without seeming contrived. I am always disappointed when her books end. I can't wait for the next one!
FYI - She has a series about a couple who are bird watchers (many of her books involve bird watching to some degree). I admit, bird watching isn't exactly my thing, so it's been a bit of a turn off. However, she is so good I'm going to try to overlook the birding and read that series.
I have no idea why Ann Cleeves isn't more famous. She is an exceptional story teller. This latest book was an absolute masterpiece. Everyone should read her books.
This book is the fourth in her Shetland Island series. Her character development is deep without becoming boring, the plot flows perfectly without seeming contrived. I am always disappointed when her books end. I can't wait for the next one!
FYI - She has a series about a couple who are bird watchers (many of her books involve bird watching to some degree). I admit, bird watching isn't exactly my thing, so it's been a bit of a turn off. However, she is so good I'm going to try to overlook the birding and read that series.
July 22, 2018
I don’t think I’m in a fit state of mind to really review this book, so I’ll keep it brief. Fair Isle during a powerful gale is the atmospheric backdrop to the scene of multiple murders. Jimmy works the case, but in this one he has a very personal stake. I am wrung out after reading this one… it’s fitting that the victims were run through with a knife, because that’s just about how I feel now. Right through the heart. But damn. Anne Cleeves just does it so well.
October 27, 2014
I have to admit I'm disappointed in this book although I really enjoyed the series overall. I disliked the ending and it felt like some of the decisions made were just really stupid and didn't make sense when there's a murderer among a small group of people. Good writing although it moves a bit slowly but I found that to be typical in this series. I probably will pick up the next one eventually.
February 24, 2023
Cleeves set this book on the home island of Detective Jimmy Perez, where he has brought his wife-to-be for an introduction to parents and community. It has the smallest population of any of the island string and is home to a scientific (and birdwatchers) center & lodge, which is the action center for the mystery. Cleeves herself lived on this island as a young woman and worked as an assistant chef at the lodge so she knows this place very well and it comes through in the story. I can see the waves, hear the wind and feel the dampness of the fog that closes the little island off from boats and planes.
Story and mystery puzzle were both good; my only complaint was the ending. Was it really necessary to break our detective's heart??
Story and mystery puzzle were both good; my only complaint was the ending. Was it really necessary to break our detective's heart??
September 6, 2017
The writing merits four stars if not more, but I can't forgive Ann Cleeves for killing off Fran like that. Why can't crime writers tolerate a happy detective? Why do they have to wound them deeply in some way? And I deplored the last line, that Jimmy will come back as a detective, but a hard, unforgiving one. The whole charm of Jimmy Perez for me was his unusual compassion. Hard detectives are a dime a dozen.
Will I not read the next Jimmy Perez book then? Of course I will! I can't wait to start :-) And I am very pleased that Jimmy will have Cassie to look after.
Will I not read the next Jimmy Perez book then? Of course I will! I can't wait to start :-) And I am very pleased that Jimmy will have Cassie to look after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2016
Oh no, Ann! Don't do that to me! – I love this series, but it crushes me that the author is killing off every character I like especially... The ending kind of spoiled my morning? I need a cuppa.
November 8, 2019
Cleeves pulled an Elizabeth George on this one, and I'm pissed off about it.
May 4, 2020
3,5/5 αστεράκια.
Η «Γαλάζια αστραπή» της Ann Cleeves σηματοδοτεί την επιστροφή του επιθεωρητή Τζίμι Πέρεζ στην ενεργό δράση, στο τέταρτο βιβλίο της σειράς με τον συγκεκριμένο ήρωα.
Ο Πέρεζ επισκέπτεται τον τόπο καταγωγής του, το Φερ Άιλ, μαζί με την αρραβωνιαστικιά του, τη Φραν Χάντερ, προκειμένου να τη γνωρίσει στους γονείς του. Ενώ όμως ο ίδιος πιστεύει πως το μοναδικό πρόβλημα που μπορεί να προκύψει αφορά τη συμβίωσή τους σε ένα απομονωμένο νησάκι, όπως το Φερ Άιλ, τελικά θα αποδειχτεί πως εκεί τον περιμένει ένας πολύ μεγαλύτερος πονοκέφαλος. Στο διάσημο παρατηρητήριο πουλιών που υπάρχει στο νησί ανακαλύπτεται το πτώμα μιας γυναίκας. Ο Πέρεζ θα πρέπει να αναλάβει μόνος του την εξιχνίαση της υπόθεσης, μιας και οι δυσμενείς καιρικές συνθήκες δεν επιτρέπουν καμία εξωτερική βοήθεια.
Ύποπτοι είναι όλοι όσοι μένουν στο παρατηρητήριο. Παρόλο που αρχικά όλα δείχνουν πως πρόκειται για έγκλημα πάθους, ο επιθεωρητής δεν αργεί να ανακαλύψει πως ο δράστης είχε σχεδιάσει πολύ προσεκτικά τη δολοφονία. Αυτό που μένει να ανακαλύψει τώρα, είναι το κίνητρό του. Οι έρευνες όμως μοιάζουν άκαρπες και, όταν εμφανίζεται ακόμη ένα πτώμα, ο Πέρεζ θα καταλάβει πως ο χρόνος έχει αρχίσει να μετράει αντίστροφα για όλους· για εκείνον, τη Φραν, τους εναπομείναντες υπόπτους και φυσικά τον ίδιο τον δολοφόνο. Με σύμμαχο την θύελλα που κρατάει τους πάντες καθηλωμένους στο νησί, θα πρέπει να ανακαλύψει την ταυτότητα του δράστη προτού εκείνος αποφασίσει να χτυπήσει ξανά…
Η συγγραφέας δημιουργεί μια ιστορία μυστηρίου που διαθέτει όλα τα φόντα για να προσελκύσει τον αναγνώστη – ιδιαίτερα το περιβάλλον δίνει έξτρα πόντους στην πλοκή. Ένα μικρό νησί, μια κλειστή κοινωνία, άνθρωποι που βλέπουν ή ξέρουν πολλά και λένε λίγα και –το επιστέγασμα όλων– μια θύελλα που καθηλώνει όλους στο ίδιο σημείο, χωρίς να υπάρχει η δυνατότητα διαφυγής. Εξαιρετικές περιγραφές του φυσικού περιβάλλοντος, δοσμένες με τρόπο γλαφυρό και παραστατικό, που σε κάνουν να νιώθεις πως βρίσκεσαι κι εσύ ο ίδιος εκεί.
Το ίδιο επιτυχημένα είναι και τα ψυχογραφήματα των ηρώων. Ο καθένας τους έχει τον δικό του, ιδιαίτερο χαρακτήρα και διαδραματίζει κάποιον ρόλο στην πλοκή. Ασχέτως αν είναι συμπαθητικοί ή όχι, έχουν όλοι ενδιαφέρον. Εξίσου ενδιαφέρουσες είναι και οι μεταξύ τους σχέσεις, που αποδίδονται ρεαλιστικά στο κείμενο. Πολλοί και διαφορετικοί άνθρωποι καλούνται να συνυπάρξουν, αφήνοντας προσωπικές κόντρες, προτιμήσεις και παραξενιές στην άκρη· και πρέπει όχι μόνο να καταφέρουν να μην φαγωθούν μεταξύ τους, αλλά και να παραμείνουν αλώβητοι από τα γεγονότα που τρέχουν. Όλοι τους είναι υποψήφιοι θύτες και εν δυνάμει θύματα. Το πέπλο καχυποψίας που έχει εντέχνως υφάνει η Cleeves και καλύπτει τις κινήσεις όλων δίνει τροφή για σκέψη και στον αναγνώστη, βάζοντάς τον στη διαδικασία να αποφασίσει ποια είναι τα κίνητρα του καθενός, ποιος ο λόγος που έχει έρθει τελικά στο νησί, ποιος απ’ αυτούς μπορεί να είναι ο ένοχος...
Η αφήγηση παραμένει ζωντανή και ζωηρή καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια του βιβλίου. Παρόλο που ο τόπος όπου λαμβάνουν χώρα οι εξελίξεις είναι ουσιαστικά μικρός, φαίνεται πως αυτό δεν είναι κάτι που εμποδίζει τις ανατροπές να έρχονται η μία μετά την άλλη, τα κρυμμένα μυστικά να έρχονται στο φως, τα πάθη να εκρήγνυνται χωρίς να υπολογίζονται οι συνέπειες και μια βαριά ατμόσφαιρα, μαζί με την διαρκή απειλή μιας νέας δολοφονίας, να αιωρείται συνεχώς πάνω από το παρατηρητήριο πουλιών και το ίδιο το Φερ Άιλ.
Το σημαντικότερο όλων όμως, αυτό που η συγγραφέας έχει πετύχει, είναι να αποτυπώσει με επιτυχία στην πλοκή της ιστορίας της τη ρεαλιστική εικόνα μιας μικρής κοινωνίας, ενός κλειστού περιβάλλοντος, όπου όλοι γνωρίζουν όλους, όπου τα μυστικά δεν είναι και τόσο μυστικά και όπου η ανοχή πολλές φορές καλύπτει την ενοχή. Πέρα από την αμιγώς αστυνομική δράση, το μυστήριο, τους αστυνομικούς και τους υπόπτους, αυτό που κλέβει την παράσταση είναι το ‘κουκούλι’ ενός μικρού χωριού με τα μικρά και μεγάλα προβλήματα της καθημερινότητας και τις σχέσεις ανάμεσα στους κατοίκους του· ενός σκηνικού που έχουμε συναντήσει πολλές φορές σε βιβλία ανάλογου περιεχομένου, επομένως πρέπει να αποδοθεί και σωστά και με ένα ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον, προκειμένου να ξεχωρίσει. Η Ann Cleeves το καταφέρνει, και το αποτέλεσμα είναι να νιώθει ο αναγνώστης πως ανήκει σ’ εκείνον τον τόπο, πως αξίζει να μάθει τι σκέφτονται και τι πράττουν οι άνθρωποί του, πως δεν υπάρχει πρόβλημα αν τα πιο βαθιά μυστικά τους αποκαλυφθούν μπροστά στα μάτια του, γιατί είναι κι εκείνος ένας απ’ αυτούς.
Η άποψή μου για το βιβλίο και στο site "Book City" και τον παρακάτω σύνδεσμο: Γαλάζια αστραπή
Η «Γαλάζια αστραπή» της Ann Cleeves σηματοδοτεί την επιστροφή του επιθεωρητή Τζίμι Πέρεζ στην ενεργό δράση, στο τέταρτο βιβλίο της σειράς με τον συγκεκριμένο ήρωα.
Ο Πέρεζ επισκέπτεται τον τόπο καταγωγής του, το Φερ Άιλ, μαζί με την αρραβωνιαστικιά του, τη Φραν Χάντερ, προκειμένου να τη γνωρίσει στους γονείς του. Ενώ όμως ο ίδιος πιστεύει πως το μοναδικό πρόβλημα που μπορεί να προκύψει αφορά τη συμβίωσή τους σε ένα απομονωμένο νησάκι, όπως το Φερ Άιλ, τελικά θα αποδειχτεί πως εκεί τον περιμένει ένας πολύ μεγαλύτερος πονοκέφαλος. Στο διάσημο παρατηρητήριο πουλιών που υπάρχει στο νησί ανακαλύπτεται το πτώμα μιας γυναίκας. Ο Πέρεζ θα πρέπει να αναλάβει μόνος του την εξιχνίαση της υπόθεσης, μιας και οι δυσμενείς καιρικές συνθήκες δεν επιτρέπουν καμία εξωτερική βοήθεια.
Ύποπτοι είναι όλοι όσοι μένουν στο παρατηρητήριο. Παρόλο που αρχικά όλα δείχνουν πως πρόκειται για έγκλημα πάθους, ο επιθεωρητής δεν αργεί να ανακαλύψει πως ο δράστης είχε σχεδιάσει πολύ προσεκτικά τη δολοφονία. Αυτό που μένει να ανακαλύψει τώρα, είναι το κίνητρό του. Οι έρευνες όμως μοιάζουν άκαρπες και, όταν εμφανίζεται ακόμη ένα πτώμα, ο Πέρεζ θα καταλάβει πως ο χρόνος έχει αρχίσει να μετράει αντίστροφα για όλους· για εκείνον, τη Φραν, τους εναπομείναντες υπόπτους και φυσικά τον ίδιο τον δολοφόνο. Με σύμμαχο την θύελλα που κρατάει τους πάντες καθηλωμένους στο νησί, θα πρέπει να ανακαλύψει την ταυτότητα του δράστη προτού εκείνος αποφασίσει να χτυπήσει ξανά…
Η συγγραφέας δημιουργεί μια ιστορία μυστηρίου που διαθέτει όλα τα φόντα για να προσελκύσει τον αναγνώστη – ιδιαίτερα το περιβάλλον δίνει έξτρα πόντους στην πλοκή. Ένα μικρό νησί, μια κλειστή κοινωνία, άνθρωποι που βλέπουν ή ξέρουν πολλά και λένε λίγα και –το επιστέγασμα όλων– μια θύελλα που καθηλώνει όλους στο ίδιο σημείο, χωρίς να υπάρχει η δυνατότητα διαφυγής. Εξαιρετικές περιγραφές του φυσικού περιβάλλοντος, δοσμένες με τρόπο γλαφυρό και παραστατικό, που σε κάνουν να νιώθεις πως βρίσκεσαι κι εσύ ο ίδιος εκεί.
Το ίδιο επιτυχημένα είναι και τα ψυχογραφήματα των ηρώων. Ο καθένας τους έχει τον δικό του, ιδιαίτερο χαρακτήρα και διαδραματίζει κάποιον ρόλο στην πλοκή. Ασχέτως αν είναι συμπαθητικοί ή όχι, έχουν όλοι ενδιαφέρον. Εξίσου ενδιαφέρουσες είναι και οι μεταξύ τους σχέσεις, που αποδίδονται ρεαλιστικά στο κείμενο. Πολλοί και διαφορετικοί άνθρωποι καλούνται να συνυπάρξουν, αφήνοντας προσωπικές κόντρες, προτιμήσεις και παραξενιές στην άκρη· και πρέπει όχι μόνο να καταφέρουν να μην φαγωθούν μεταξύ τους, αλλά και να παραμείνουν αλώβητοι από τα γεγονότα που τρέχουν. Όλοι τους είναι υποψήφιοι θύτες και εν δυνάμει θύματα. Το πέπλο καχυποψίας που έχει εντέχνως υφάνει η Cleeves και καλύπτει τις κινήσεις όλων δίνει τροφή για σκέψη και στον αναγνώστη, βάζοντάς τον στη διαδικασία να αποφασίσει ποια είναι τα κίνητρα του καθενός, ποιος ο λόγος που έχει έρθει τελικά στο νησί, ποιος απ’ αυτούς μπορεί να είναι ο ένοχος...
Η αφήγηση παραμένει ζωντανή και ζωηρή καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια του βιβλίου. Παρόλο που ο τόπος όπου λαμβάνουν χώρα οι εξελίξεις είναι ουσιαστικά μικρός, φαίνεται πως αυτό δεν είναι κάτι που εμποδίζει τις ανατροπές να έρχονται η μία μετά την άλλη, τα κρυμμένα μυστικά να έρχονται στο φως, τα πάθη να εκρήγνυνται χωρίς να υπολογίζονται οι συνέπειες και μια βαριά ατμόσφαιρα, μαζί με την διαρκή απειλή μιας νέας δολοφονίας, να αιωρείται συνεχώς πάνω από το παρατηρητήριο πουλιών και το ίδιο το Φερ Άιλ.
Το σημαντικότερο όλων όμως, αυτό που η συγγραφέας έχει πετύχει, είναι να αποτυπώσει με επιτυχία στην πλοκή της ιστορίας της τη ρεαλιστική εικόνα μιας μικρής κοινωνίας, ενός κλειστού περιβάλλοντος, όπου όλοι γνωρίζουν όλους, όπου τα μυστικά δεν είναι και τόσο μυστικά και όπου η ανοχή πολλές φορές καλύπτει την ενοχή. Πέρα από την αμιγώς αστυνομική δράση, το μυστήριο, τους αστυνομικούς και τους υπόπτους, αυτό που κλέβει την παράσταση είναι το ‘κουκούλι’ ενός μικρού χωριού με τα μικρά και μεγάλα προβλήματα της καθημερινότητας και τις σχέσεις ανάμεσα στους κατοίκους του· ενός σκηνικού που έχουμε συναντήσει πολλές φορές σε βιβλία ανάλογου περιεχομένου, επομένως πρέπει να αποδοθεί και σωστά και με ένα ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον, προκειμένου να ξεχωρίσει. Η Ann Cleeves το καταφέρνει, και το αποτέλεσμα είναι να νιώθει ο αναγνώστης πως ανήκει σ’ εκείνον τον τόπο, πως αξίζει να μάθει τι σκέφτονται και τι πράττουν οι άνθρωποί του, πως δεν υπάρχει πρόβλημα αν τα πιο βαθιά μυστικά τους αποκαλυφθούν μπροστά στα μάτια του, γιατί είναι κι εκείνος ένας απ’ αυτούς.
Η άποψή μου για το βιβλίο και στο site "Book City" και τον παρακάτω σύνδεσμο: Γαλάζια αστραπή
May 5, 2024
I almost want to give this 5 stars, especially after I was pretty critical of Red Bones. I'm happy that Blue Lightning is a return to excellent plotting, using the austere setting of Fair Isle.
I expressed my frustration that Red Bones was just Jimmy Perez and Sandy Wilson walking back and forth between 3-4 locations talking to people. No autopsies, no fingerprinting, no forensic investigation. The plot crawled along and the whole thing was boring... until the big reveal of the murderer, whom I didn't predict. As much as I'd like to claim some sort of precognitive weirdness is responsible for the improvements between the last book and this one, the timing of when Blue Lightning was published doesn't lend credence to the claim.
Jimmy and Fran travel to Fair Isle to celebrate their engagement with Jimmy's family and friends, and their party has been booked at the local observatory facilities. The woman running the bird observatory on Fair Isle is a piece of work named Angela Moore. This loathsome woman gave people lots of reasons to murder her, and somebody finally gives in to temptation - with a knife in her back and feathers sprinkled over her corpse. The suspects are more or less limited to the inhabitants of the observatory: husband Maurice, teen stepdaughter Poppy, cook Jane, assistant Ben, and the four visitors who were lodging in the onsite dorms. Jimmy is overwhelmed by the list of potential killers and worried that his fiancée Fran is stuck on Fair Isle.
Angela's murder occurs during a torrential storm, limiting the investigation to just Jimmy until either planes or boats are able to safely get to the island. Once transportation is possible, the cavalry arrives bearing a medical examiner, crime scene techs, Sandy Wilson and the head of police (called a Fiscal in Shetland). What's weird is that after only ~48 hours or so they all leave again except for Jimmy and Sandy, even though the crimes (by now there have been two murders) haven't been solved and there are no suspects in custody. They do things differently in Shetland, that's for sure.
Setting that aside, the rest of this was excellent. I hope you like fish because there's plenty of red herrings - and the climax was an unexpected doozy! Hooray for Blue Lightning reinvigorating my interest in the Jimmy Perez/Shetland novels. I look forward to diving into Dead Water next.
I expressed my frustration that Red Bones was just Jimmy Perez and Sandy Wilson walking back and forth between 3-4 locations talking to people. No autopsies, no fingerprinting, no forensic investigation. The plot crawled along and the whole thing was boring... until the big reveal of the murderer, whom I didn't predict. As much as I'd like to claim some sort of precognitive weirdness is responsible for the improvements between the last book and this one, the timing of when Blue Lightning was published doesn't lend credence to the claim.
Jimmy and Fran travel to Fair Isle to celebrate their engagement with Jimmy's family and friends, and their party has been booked at the local observatory facilities. The woman running the bird observatory on Fair Isle is a piece of work named Angela Moore. This loathsome woman gave people lots of reasons to murder her, and somebody finally gives in to temptation - with a knife in her back and feathers sprinkled over her corpse. The suspects are more or less limited to the inhabitants of the observatory: husband Maurice, teen stepdaughter Poppy, cook Jane, assistant Ben, and the four visitors who were lodging in the onsite dorms. Jimmy is overwhelmed by the list of potential killers and worried that his fiancée Fran is stuck on Fair Isle.
Angela's murder occurs during a torrential storm, limiting the investigation to just Jimmy until either planes or boats are able to safely get to the island. Once transportation is possible, the cavalry arrives bearing a medical examiner, crime scene techs, Sandy Wilson and the head of police (called a Fiscal in Shetland). What's weird is that after only ~48 hours or so they all leave again except for Jimmy and Sandy, even though the crimes (by now there have been two murders) haven't been solved and there are no suspects in custody. They do things differently in Shetland, that's for sure.
Setting that aside, the rest of this was excellent. I hope you like fish because there's plenty of red herrings - and the climax was an unexpected doozy! Hooray for Blue Lightning reinvigorating my interest in the Jimmy Perez/Shetland novels. I look forward to diving into Dead Water next.
August 1, 2019
Prima di spoilerare (da parte mia) vi consiglio di leggere prima i libri e vedere dopo la serie. Io che sono partita al contrario ho impiegato tre libri a capire le cose della serie TV cambiate. Nelle altre reviews potreste trovare delle cavolate dette da me.
*SPOILER INSIDE*
Alla fine ciò che sconvolge di più è il fatto che Fran muore. Il tutto accade verso la fine e quindi noi amanti più dei libri che della serie TV rimaniamo sconvolti. Ho abbandonato la serie TV. Non mi piace che vada per i cavoli suoi. Se non altro con la morte di Fran ora siamo quasi come la serie TV. Alcune differenze ancora rimangono. Qui Cassie ha ancora 6 anni e finchè non pubblicano il prossimo non sappiamo altro.
*SPOILER INSIDE*
Alla fine ciò che sconvolge di più è il fatto che Fran muore. Il tutto accade verso la fine e quindi noi amanti più dei libri che della serie TV rimaniamo sconvolti. Ho abbandonato la serie TV. Non mi piace che vada per i cavoli suoi. Se non altro con la morte di Fran ora siamo quasi come la serie TV. Alcune differenze ancora rimangono. Qui Cassie ha ancora 6 anni e finchè non pubblicano il prossimo non sappiamo altro.
December 8, 2011
First Line: Fran sat with her eyes closed.
Fair Isle is a remote location in the Shetland Islands, in many ways better known to dedicated birdwatchers than any other group of people. When the weather closes in, landing an airplane there can be a very dicey affair. Fran learns this the hard way as she comes to visit her fiance's parents before she and Jimmy are married.
Her visit has barely begun when a celebrity scientist who ran the island's bird research center is murdered. Left with her soon-to-be in-laws while Jimmy Perez puts himself in Detective Inspector mode, Fran begins to look for ways she can help Jimmy with his investigation. The weather has socked in with a vengeance. No one can leave. No one can arrive. Perez has what is basically a locked room mystery to solve, and his careful interviews with the people at the research center show that the murdered scientist was very different from her television persona. There are many reasons why someone would want her dead, but can Perez choose the right reason and the right killer?
One thing I do want to mention before I forget it is that Cleeves uses several birdwatching terms that may be somewhat confusing if you've never been introduced to them. They are very easy to look up if need be, but it's simple to deduce their meaning within the context of the sentences.
I loved Cleeves' take on the locked room mystery. It is perfect for Perez's investigating style. He likes to take his time interviewing everyone, getting a feel for each person's mood, and listening to what they say... and what they don't say. Since communications are spotty and no one can land on the island due to the weather, Perez can actually do much of the investigation his own way without interference from his mainland superiors.
The weather makes for a very claustrophobic atmosphere, and as each person at the research center is spoken to again and again, their true feelings towards the victim are revealed, and it becomes very difficult to pinpoint just one of them as the killer. The dead woman herself becomes every bit as important as the characters who are alive and breathing.
With each book of the Shetland Island Quartet, my admiration for the character of Jimmy Perez grows. He's quiet and unassuming, but he has a strength that can provoke a response in anyone. His fiance, Fran, finds herself wanting to help him in any way she can, not only because she feels trapped on the tiny island, but because she wants to know more about this other area of his life that's so vital to him. Jane, the cook at the research center, watches Perez and sees his true character when most do not. Jane intuitively knows how intelligent this man is, how good he is at his job, and she decides to try to beat Jimmy at his own game. That's not always a wise thing to do. Fair Isle may be small, and there may not be many people in residence. But no one is safe. No one.
If you haven't read any of the books in the Shetland Island Quartet, I urge you to do so. You just might find yourself falling in love with a remote and beautiful corner of the world, with a quiet and quite canny police inspector, and with strong mysteries that grab you at the first page and won't let you go.
Fair Isle is a remote location in the Shetland Islands, in many ways better known to dedicated birdwatchers than any other group of people. When the weather closes in, landing an airplane there can be a very dicey affair. Fran learns this the hard way as she comes to visit her fiance's parents before she and Jimmy are married.
Her visit has barely begun when a celebrity scientist who ran the island's bird research center is murdered. Left with her soon-to-be in-laws while Jimmy Perez puts himself in Detective Inspector mode, Fran begins to look for ways she can help Jimmy with his investigation. The weather has socked in with a vengeance. No one can leave. No one can arrive. Perez has what is basically a locked room mystery to solve, and his careful interviews with the people at the research center show that the murdered scientist was very different from her television persona. There are many reasons why someone would want her dead, but can Perez choose the right reason and the right killer?
One thing I do want to mention before I forget it is that Cleeves uses several birdwatching terms that may be somewhat confusing if you've never been introduced to them. They are very easy to look up if need be, but it's simple to deduce their meaning within the context of the sentences.
I loved Cleeves' take on the locked room mystery. It is perfect for Perez's investigating style. He likes to take his time interviewing everyone, getting a feel for each person's mood, and listening to what they say... and what they don't say. Since communications are spotty and no one can land on the island due to the weather, Perez can actually do much of the investigation his own way without interference from his mainland superiors.
The weather makes for a very claustrophobic atmosphere, and as each person at the research center is spoken to again and again, their true feelings towards the victim are revealed, and it becomes very difficult to pinpoint just one of them as the killer. The dead woman herself becomes every bit as important as the characters who are alive and breathing.
With each book of the Shetland Island Quartet, my admiration for the character of Jimmy Perez grows. He's quiet and unassuming, but he has a strength that can provoke a response in anyone. His fiance, Fran, finds herself wanting to help him in any way she can, not only because she feels trapped on the tiny island, but because she wants to know more about this other area of his life that's so vital to him. Jane, the cook at the research center, watches Perez and sees his true character when most do not. Jane intuitively knows how intelligent this man is, how good he is at his job, and she decides to try to beat Jimmy at his own game. That's not always a wise thing to do. Fair Isle may be small, and there may not be many people in residence. But no one is safe. No one.
If you haven't read any of the books in the Shetland Island Quartet, I urge you to do so. You just might find yourself falling in love with a remote and beautiful corner of the world, with a quiet and quite canny police inspector, and with strong mysteries that grab you at the first page and won't let you go.
August 1, 2019
Ann Cleeves zabiera czytelnika na odległą wyspę i całkowicie wybija go z rytmu kolejnym tomem swojej kryminalnej serii – „Błękit błyskawicy”.
To mógłby być kolejny, przewidywalny kryminał, ale Ann Cleeves sprawiła, że o „Błękicie błyskawicy” czytelnicy – szczególnie ci, którzy zżyli się ze swoimi ulubionymi postaciami – jeszcze długo nie zapomną. Największe wrażenie robi sama lokacja, czyli wyspa Fair Isle, najbardziej odosobniona wyspa należąca do Wielkiej Brytanii. Wyspa, która sama w sobie jest miejscem dość specyficznym – ma zaledwie ok. pięćdziesięciu stałych mieszkańców, a wyróżnia ją słynne obserwatorium ptaków, do którego przybywają ornitolodzy z całego świata, by podziwiać migracje gatunków. Co więcej, to miejsce, które w czasie sztormów staje się klaustrofobiczną pułapką, z której nikt nie może uciec, na którą nikt nie może trafić. Ann Cleeves świetnie dopasowała miejsce akcji i stworzyła pełną napięcia opowieść, z której nie wszyscy wyjdą żywi.
Miłośnicy kryminałów Ann Cleeves – szykujcie się na jazdę bez trzymanki! Z początku niby nic się nie dzieje, niby nic nie zapowiada katastrofy, ale z pierwszym deszczowym powiewem już wiemy, że to dopiero początek dramatów, jakie rozegrają się na Fair Isle. Tak właśnie powinno się pisać serie kryminalne – by wybić czytelnika z rytmu i schematów przyzwyczajeń. Nie może nam się robić za wygodnie przy lekturze i z pewnością wygodnie przy lekturze „Błękitu błyskawicy” nie jest.
Porywa jak wiatry północnych wysp.
To mógłby być kolejny, przewidywalny kryminał, ale Ann Cleeves sprawiła, że o „Błękicie błyskawicy” czytelnicy – szczególnie ci, którzy zżyli się ze swoimi ulubionymi postaciami – jeszcze długo nie zapomną. Największe wrażenie robi sama lokacja, czyli wyspa Fair Isle, najbardziej odosobniona wyspa należąca do Wielkiej Brytanii. Wyspa, która sama w sobie jest miejscem dość specyficznym – ma zaledwie ok. pięćdziesięciu stałych mieszkańców, a wyróżnia ją słynne obserwatorium ptaków, do którego przybywają ornitolodzy z całego świata, by podziwiać migracje gatunków. Co więcej, to miejsce, które w czasie sztormów staje się klaustrofobiczną pułapką, z której nikt nie może uciec, na którą nikt nie może trafić. Ann Cleeves świetnie dopasowała miejsce akcji i stworzyła pełną napięcia opowieść, z której nie wszyscy wyjdą żywi.
Miłośnicy kryminałów Ann Cleeves – szykujcie się na jazdę bez trzymanki! Z początku niby nic się nie dzieje, niby nic nie zapowiada katastrofy, ale z pierwszym deszczowym powiewem już wiemy, że to dopiero początek dramatów, jakie rozegrają się na Fair Isle. Tak właśnie powinno się pisać serie kryminalne – by wybić czytelnika z rytmu i schematów przyzwyczajeń. Nie może nam się robić za wygodnie przy lekturze i z pewnością wygodnie przy lekturze „Błękitu błyskawicy” nie jest.
Porywa jak wiatry północnych wysp.
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