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Jimmy Perez and Willow Reeves #1
The Killing Stones
The Killing Stones
marks the eagerly awaited return of Ann Cleeves' beloved detectives from the Shetland series, and a gripping new investigation with a stunning new setting, from the New York Times bestselling author and creator of three iconic detectives beloved in TV and DI Jimmy Perez (the Shetland series), DI Vera Stanhope, and DI Matthew Venn (The Long Call).
It's been several years since Detective Jimmy Perez left Shetland. He has settled into his new home in Orkney, the group of islands, off the northern coast of Scotland, with his partner Willow Reeve and their growing family. One stormy winter night, his oldest and closest friend, Archie Stout, goes missing. Ever the detective, Perez catches a boat to the island of Westray, where Archie worked as a farmer and lived with his wife and children.
But when he arrives he finds a shocking Archie's body, on an archaeological dig site and an ancient Westray story stone with precise spirals carved into it beside him, the clear murder weapon. The artifact, taken from a nearby museum, seems to suggest a premediated murder.
But Perez is so close to the case that he struggles to maintain an objective distance from the potential suspects. He finds it difficult to question Archie's wife, whom he's known for years. Rumors swirl about the dead man's relationship with a young woman new to the island, an artist. With each new lead, the case becomes more twisted and Perez wonders if he will ever find out what happened in his friend's final days.
It's been several years since Detective Jimmy Perez left Shetland. He has settled into his new home in Orkney, the group of islands, off the northern coast of Scotland, with his partner Willow Reeve and their growing family. One stormy winter night, his oldest and closest friend, Archie Stout, goes missing. Ever the detective, Perez catches a boat to the island of Westray, where Archie worked as a farmer and lived with his wife and children.
But when he arrives he finds a shocking Archie's body, on an archaeological dig site and an ancient Westray story stone with precise spirals carved into it beside him, the clear murder weapon. The artifact, taken from a nearby museum, seems to suggest a premediated murder.
But Perez is so close to the case that he struggles to maintain an objective distance from the potential suspects. He finds it difficult to question Archie's wife, whom he's known for years. Rumors swirl about the dead man's relationship with a young woman new to the island, an artist. With each new lead, the case becomes more twisted and Perez wonders if he will ever find out what happened in his friend's final days.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2025
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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 884 reviews
July 14, 2025
4 stars for book 9 in an excellent mystery series, which has been adapted for tv, set in Scotland. I have read books 1-3 and this one in the series. This one worked for me as a stand alone. DI Jimmy Perez now lives on one of the Orkney Islands, having relocated from the Shetland Islands. He is living with Willow Reeve, his supervisor in the Scotland Police. She is pregnant with their first child. Perez connected with her after the death of his lover Fran.
Jimmy is called to the scene of a murdered man, Archie Stout. Archie was a good friend of Jimmy's, since childhood. The murder weapon was a Neolithic stone, taken from the Westray Heritage Center. It was called a story stone, because of the Viking runes carved on it.
Jimmy, Willow and their team do solve the murder, but there are some false leads, and I did not suspect the killer until near the end of the book. They have to solve it w/o help from the mainland, due to a fog grounding flights and the unwillingness of their colleagues to take the ferry at Christmas holidays.
The violence is all postmortem, and not graphic. Also, there is no sex of bad language.
Thank You St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
Jimmy is called to the scene of a murdered man, Archie Stout. Archie was a good friend of Jimmy's, since childhood. The murder weapon was a Neolithic stone, taken from the Westray Heritage Center. It was called a story stone, because of the Viking runes carved on it.
Jimmy, Willow and their team do solve the murder, but there are some false leads, and I did not suspect the killer until near the end of the book. They have to solve it w/o help from the mainland, due to a fog grounding flights and the unwillingness of their colleagues to take the ferry at Christmas holidays.
The violence is all postmortem, and not graphic. Also, there is no sex of bad language.
Thank You St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
June 11, 2025
3.5 stars
Jimmy Perez #9
Jimmy lives in Orkney with his partner and ‘ kind of boss’ Willow Reeves, who is pregnant with their second child. He receives a call that his close friend Archie Stout is missing. Jimmy makes his way to. Westray and sadly, finds Archie’s body and it’s clear he’s been murdered. His body lies close to a former archaeological dig and an ancient Westray Story Stone, stolen from a nearby heritage centre, is the murder weapon. Therefore, it’s clear that Archie’s murder has been an act of pre-meditation. Who hated Archie enough to kill him? Jimmy learns things about his old pal but he maybe didn’t know and he’s clearly stepped into a storm for which the Northern Isles are famed. Although close to her due date, Willow takes a full part in the subsequent and ever deepening investigation.
This is one of those “plus and minus“ reads for me. First of all, it’s absolutely brilliant to be on Orkney and as it’s heading towards Christmas with hit and miss weather, it enables the author to create a good atmosphere. I like the inclusion of Orkney’s tremendous heritage and traditions in the storytelling, the Story Stones and so on and much as I am interested in it, it seems that Ann Cleeves is trying to cram it all in and it does get repetitive. I need stamina to wade through it all and in my opinion it slows the pace down. In addition, there are a lot of characters to get your head around and that does get a bit confusing.
However, it does improve as it goes along, reigniting my interest and there are inevitably plenty of twists, turns and red herrings is for which the author is well known. I really enjoy the Jimmy/Willow dynamics. Despite being a somewhat dour chap, Jimmy is a favourite character of mine and with Willow in #9 seeming to take the edge off his tendency to the bleak.
There’s another however to come!!However, then we get to the big reveal of the identity of the perpetrator and that seems to me to be very left field, coming out of nowhere. Although there’s a decent explanation in the police interview, I still think a hint or two would’ve been much appreciated.
Of course, I’ll read anything that Ann Cleeves writes but this isn’t a favourite of mine.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pan Macmillan for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Jimmy Perez #9
Jimmy lives in Orkney with his partner and ‘ kind of boss’ Willow Reeves, who is pregnant with their second child. He receives a call that his close friend Archie Stout is missing. Jimmy makes his way to. Westray and sadly, finds Archie’s body and it’s clear he’s been murdered. His body lies close to a former archaeological dig and an ancient Westray Story Stone, stolen from a nearby heritage centre, is the murder weapon. Therefore, it’s clear that Archie’s murder has been an act of pre-meditation. Who hated Archie enough to kill him? Jimmy learns things about his old pal but he maybe didn’t know and he’s clearly stepped into a storm for which the Northern Isles are famed. Although close to her due date, Willow takes a full part in the subsequent and ever deepening investigation.
This is one of those “plus and minus“ reads for me. First of all, it’s absolutely brilliant to be on Orkney and as it’s heading towards Christmas with hit and miss weather, it enables the author to create a good atmosphere. I like the inclusion of Orkney’s tremendous heritage and traditions in the storytelling, the Story Stones and so on and much as I am interested in it, it seems that Ann Cleeves is trying to cram it all in and it does get repetitive. I need stamina to wade through it all and in my opinion it slows the pace down. In addition, there are a lot of characters to get your head around and that does get a bit confusing.
However, it does improve as it goes along, reigniting my interest and there are inevitably plenty of twists, turns and red herrings is for which the author is well known. I really enjoy the Jimmy/Willow dynamics. Despite being a somewhat dour chap, Jimmy is a favourite character of mine and with Willow in #9 seeming to take the edge off his tendency to the bleak.
There’s another however to come!!However, then we get to the big reveal of the identity of the perpetrator and that seems to me to be very left field, coming out of nowhere. Although there’s a decent explanation in the police interview, I still think a hint or two would’ve been much appreciated.
Of course, I’ll read anything that Ann Cleeves writes but this isn’t a favourite of mine.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pan Macmillan for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
September 22, 2025
This is a book focused on Detective Jimmy Perez. He lives in a small island town and is called to help investigate his old friend Archie’s murder. This mystery took place in the days leading to Christmas and the remarks about that time of year mixed with grief were really strong and accurate. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a good job bringing all the characters to life. The mystery was interesting and I liked how the pieces slowly were revealed and even more slowly pieced together. I actually thought Perez’s partner Willow was more interesting than him and I would like to see her be the focus on a book or series instead. The writing was good, but the story didn’t really compel me not to put the book down.
March 31, 2025
THE KILLING STONES is #9 in the DI Jimmy Perez series by Ann Cleeves. I haven’t read any other books in this series but I had no problem following the backstories of the main investigators, Jimmy Perez and Willow Reeves.
The narrative begins with the murder of Archie Stout, who is an old friend of Jimmy’s. It takes place on Westray, one of the many small islands in the Orkney Island group. When he hears Archie is missing, Jimmy takes the ferry to Westray, discovers his body, identifies several possible suspects, and then Willow takes over the investigation on Westray while Jimmy follows leads in Kirkwall, the largest town in Orkney.
There are several potential suspects and many leads to follow but I didn’t have any problems keeping the characters and plot details clear in my mind. Also, the identification of the murderer came as a surprise, definitely not on my “potential suspects” list. The problem I had with this novel is that it read like a travelogue, with the mystery as a sideline. The action moved too slowly.
I didn’t empathize with any of the characters. Jimmy was nice, Willow was nice, and most of the potential suspects were basically nice; only one character was somewhat obnoxious, and he wasn’t the killer. Furthermore, I couldn’t understand the killer’s motive once it was revealed. There was no build-up to suggest such a personality flaw.
I love Ann Cleeves “Vera” series, and I have always been able to empathize with characters in that series. Cleeves is a good writer, but I am obviously not a member of the target audience for her Shetland series, which appears to be aimed more towards describing a geographical region rather than portraying the psychological quirks of individuals.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.
The narrative begins with the murder of Archie Stout, who is an old friend of Jimmy’s. It takes place on Westray, one of the many small islands in the Orkney Island group. When he hears Archie is missing, Jimmy takes the ferry to Westray, discovers his body, identifies several possible suspects, and then Willow takes over the investigation on Westray while Jimmy follows leads in Kirkwall, the largest town in Orkney.
There are several potential suspects and many leads to follow but I didn’t have any problems keeping the characters and plot details clear in my mind. Also, the identification of the murderer came as a surprise, definitely not on my “potential suspects” list. The problem I had with this novel is that it read like a travelogue, with the mystery as a sideline. The action moved too slowly.
I didn’t empathize with any of the characters. Jimmy was nice, Willow was nice, and most of the potential suspects were basically nice; only one character was somewhat obnoxious, and he wasn’t the killer. Furthermore, I couldn’t understand the killer’s motive once it was revealed. There was no build-up to suggest such a personality flaw.
I love Ann Cleeves “Vera” series, and I have always been able to empathize with characters in that series. Cleeves is a good writer, but I am obviously not a member of the target audience for her Shetland series, which appears to be aimed more towards describing a geographical region rather than portraying the psychological quirks of individuals.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.
September 18, 2025
"The Killing Stones marks the eagerly awaited return of Ann Cleeves' beloved detectives from the Shetland series, and a gripping new investigation with a stunning new setting, from the New York Times bestselling author and creator of three iconic detectives beloved in TV and DI Jimmy Perez (the Shetland series), DI Vera Stanhope, and DI Matthew Venn (The Long Call)."
The latest installment in the series finds Jimmy and Willow in a delicate situation as they are investigating the murder of Jimmy's friend Archie and the mysterious stones that are the murder weapon. He wonders if he can remain unbiased. Things get complicated as two more murders occur that must be solved before police arrive just before Christmas.
This is an atmospheric and gorgeous new setting for the series. Although this is meant to be the first in a new series, I don't think it works as a stand-alone novel. It was difficult for me to feel invested in the story and characters. Fans of Ann Cleeves police procedurals will love it! The audio performance by Scottish narrator Kenny Blyth is authentic and immersive.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Ann Cleeves for an advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review.
The latest installment in the series finds Jimmy and Willow in a delicate situation as they are investigating the murder of Jimmy's friend Archie and the mysterious stones that are the murder weapon. He wonders if he can remain unbiased. Things get complicated as two more murders occur that must be solved before police arrive just before Christmas.
This is an atmospheric and gorgeous new setting for the series. Although this is meant to be the first in a new series, I don't think it works as a stand-alone novel. It was difficult for me to feel invested in the story and characters. Fans of Ann Cleeves police procedurals will love it! The audio performance by Scottish narrator Kenny Blyth is authentic and immersive.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Ann Cleeves for an advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 27, 2025
What a joy to have Jimmy Perez back. I confess I'd forgotten Jimmy's circumstances at the end of Wild Fire (Shetland #8). But we begin The Killing Stones with Jimmy now with his boss, Willow, with one toddler and a baby on the way. Cassie (Perez' step-daughter) doesn't feature bodily but she has moved with the couple to Westray, an island in the Orkneys. Having seen her grow up on screen it was quite a shock to learn that she is still 14 in the books.
The Killing Stones centres on the "Story Stones" of Westray, an archaeological find from the Noltland dig. As Jimmy and Willow settle down for the night a call comes in that hos childhood friend, Archie Stout, is missing. Hours later Jimmy returns with the news that Archie has been killed with one of the neolithic carved stones.
As Jimmy, Willow and the small Orkney teams delve into the murder, suspicions is cast over everyone. Jimmy must tread carefully if he is to find out what happened during Archie's last hours. A killer is still out there and Perez needs to find them.
It is an absolute joy to have Jimmy back. Whilst I adore Vera and Venn, Jimmy was always my favourite - not least of which is because of the part the Shetlands themselves played in the previous series. He is still his dour stoical (but often emotional) self and now with a new family to protect.
Willow plays as much a part as Jimmy in the book and its an interesting partnership. She is just as pragmatic as Jimmy but there are lighter times with the introduction of their son, James.
I look forward to more in this series. I love Ann Cleeves various detectives. She is a wonderful writer - nothing too gory or salacious - her novels are not too twisty, her characters are engaging and likeable and she uses scenery beautifully. I also love that she sprinkles her books with the history of place. I always learn something from Ms Cleeves. Long may her detectives continue.
Very highly recommended.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the advance review copy. Very much appreciated.
The Killing Stones centres on the "Story Stones" of Westray, an archaeological find from the Noltland dig. As Jimmy and Willow settle down for the night a call comes in that hos childhood friend, Archie Stout, is missing. Hours later Jimmy returns with the news that Archie has been killed with one of the neolithic carved stones.
As Jimmy, Willow and the small Orkney teams delve into the murder, suspicions is cast over everyone. Jimmy must tread carefully if he is to find out what happened during Archie's last hours. A killer is still out there and Perez needs to find them.
It is an absolute joy to have Jimmy back. Whilst I adore Vera and Venn, Jimmy was always my favourite - not least of which is because of the part the Shetlands themselves played in the previous series. He is still his dour stoical (but often emotional) self and now with a new family to protect.
Willow plays as much a part as Jimmy in the book and its an interesting partnership. She is just as pragmatic as Jimmy but there are lighter times with the introduction of their son, James.
I look forward to more in this series. I love Ann Cleeves various detectives. She is a wonderful writer - nothing too gory or salacious - her novels are not too twisty, her characters are engaging and likeable and she uses scenery beautifully. I also love that she sprinkles her books with the history of place. I always learn something from Ms Cleeves. Long may her detectives continue.
Very highly recommended.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the advance review copy. Very much appreciated.
September 27, 2025
Great start to a new series. Loved the main characters of Jimmy and Willow. Also outstanding investigators. The murderer was quite a shock. Outstanding narrator! Highly recommend.
I was blessed with an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I was blessed with an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
October 10, 2025
2 stars
This is an 11h audiobook and 45min prior to the finish, they still had no clue who the killer was.
There are a lot of negative comments and assumptions and judgements made by the main characters about anyone. Far too much time is spent on inner dialogs.
There are parts that are repeated over and over. Not to mention the "it is cold and gets dark very early". Yeah we get it, we know. Every book set in Scotland has this line it. Let's move on.
There were some major mistakes done by the detectives. Like letting the suspects know that they will be interrogated the next day, separately. Might as well tell them to pack and leave now. And then they were surprised when they did leave. Duh!
Or when very valuable evidence is left unattended on a shelf in a place that was broken into before (or where the key was shared with half the village).
I am not sure I will continue with this series.
This is an 11h audiobook and 45min prior to the finish, they still had no clue who the killer was.
There are a lot of negative comments and assumptions and judgements made by the main characters about anyone. Far too much time is spent on inner dialogs.
There are parts that are repeated over and over. Not to mention the "it is cold and gets dark very early". Yeah we get it, we know. Every book set in Scotland has this line it. Let's move on.
There were some major mistakes done by the detectives. Like letting the suspects know that they will be interrogated the next day, separately. Might as well tell them to pack and leave now. And then they were surprised when they did leave. Duh!
Or when very valuable evidence is left unattended on a shelf in a place that was broken into before (or where the key was shared with half the village).
I am not sure I will continue with this series.
November 15, 2025
I feel as though I’ve been reading this book for ever and I’m still not sure if I enjoyed it. Jimmy Perez and his wife were island hopping that much I felt seasick! The story was good but in the end I really couldn’t care less who was doing what to who!
October 16, 2025
I could level a number of criticisms at this, but I won’t. Cleeves is my guilty pleasure.
This new series is set on Orkney, and I know a lot of the places well. The plot doesn’t bear any close scrutiny, but I’m happy with that (occasionally..).
The only thing I would say, is that the ending is disappointing. Predictable is one thing.. but this is just cash in on topic of the moment..
This new series is set on Orkney, and I know a lot of the places well. The plot doesn’t bear any close scrutiny, but I’m happy with that (occasionally..).
The only thing I would say, is that the ending is disappointing. Predictable is one thing.. but this is just cash in on topic of the moment..
July 2, 2025
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.
I want to make sure readers know, though this is the continuation of Ann Cleeves Jimmy Perez character, it's not a "Shetland" mystery, the action takes place on Orkney, several miles off the coast of Scotland. I honestly really enjoyed this book--hence the 5 stars--because I think that Cleeves did a great slow burn of bringing us back into Jimmy's life and how it's changed, head nods to prior books, but the ability to make you become invested in who killed Archie Stout.
We find Jimmy at a different place in his life (he is with Willow, they have a 4 year-old son and are expecting another child in a few weeks) and just feels content. When someone he considered a brother is found murdered though, Jimmy is thrown and finds himself trying to get to the bottom of who could have killed his friend and why. The book shifts between Jimmy and Willow's third person points of view as they keep interviewing and narrowing down their suspects.
I thought that Cleeves did a great job of showing us different sides of Jimmy and Willow in this book. They felt the same, but more grown-up. We also get some old characters referenced here and there so the book felt familiar. But moving things out of Shetland where Jimmy knew everyone to them having to deal with parenting their young child and investigating murder was great. Willow is still Jimmy's superior, but he doesn't really answer to her, but he does anyway. I liked how these two work and how Willow knows when to push and step back from him now. Their prior dynamic caused a lot of tension in the last few books.
The plot about killing Archie loops in the history of two stones and the island of Orkney to boot. I loved how Cleeves weaved everything together.
The flow of the book really worked and towards the end you get a last minute scare that had me on the edge of my seat. Cleeves is known for killing her darlings so I was really tightly wound until the very end.
I want to make sure readers know, though this is the continuation of Ann Cleeves Jimmy Perez character, it's not a "Shetland" mystery, the action takes place on Orkney, several miles off the coast of Scotland. I honestly really enjoyed this book--hence the 5 stars--because I think that Cleeves did a great slow burn of bringing us back into Jimmy's life and how it's changed, head nods to prior books, but the ability to make you become invested in who killed Archie Stout.
We find Jimmy at a different place in his life (he is with Willow, they have a 4 year-old son and are expecting another child in a few weeks) and just feels content. When someone he considered a brother is found murdered though, Jimmy is thrown and finds himself trying to get to the bottom of who could have killed his friend and why. The book shifts between Jimmy and Willow's third person points of view as they keep interviewing and narrowing down their suspects.
I thought that Cleeves did a great job of showing us different sides of Jimmy and Willow in this book. They felt the same, but more grown-up. We also get some old characters referenced here and there so the book felt familiar. But moving things out of Shetland where Jimmy knew everyone to them having to deal with parenting their young child and investigating murder was great. Willow is still Jimmy's superior, but he doesn't really answer to her, but he does anyway. I liked how these two work and how Willow knows when to push and step back from him now. Their prior dynamic caused a lot of tension in the last few books.
The plot about killing Archie loops in the history of two stones and the island of Orkney to boot. I loved how Cleeves weaved everything together.
The flow of the book really worked and towards the end you get a last minute scare that had me on the edge of my seat. Cleeves is known for killing her darlings so I was really tightly wound until the very end.
October 30, 2025
Jimmy Perez is back!
And its been worth the wait!
Ann Cleeves is at the top of her game as Jimmy investigates the death of his best friend Archie Stout. The drama is set on the Orkneys( the islands are the real main characters) and the sense of a close-knit community is strong- binding people's lives together and "outsiders' even being accepted or held on the margins.
The murder weapon is an ancient stone that bears inscriptions and has a message - this stone and one other tell of the past -are they linked to the crime for a reason.
Jimmy and his partner/boss -Willow Reeves investigate the events just before Christmas and as things become even more bewildering the body count rises. Who is the perpetrator ? Clues or red herrings, unspoken animosities and jealousies are revealed.
The plot is so well crafted and leads the reader in different directions - Jimmy is reflective and brooding in this tale as he has to come to terms with his friend's death as well as keep a professional stance.
It's great that Ann Cleeves has brought Jimmy back to our attention and hopefully will introduce new readers to the Shetland collection and now this new crime read.
Police/crime friction at its best - highly recommended for an autumn/winter's read.
And its been worth the wait!
Ann Cleeves is at the top of her game as Jimmy investigates the death of his best friend Archie Stout. The drama is set on the Orkneys( the islands are the real main characters) and the sense of a close-knit community is strong- binding people's lives together and "outsiders' even being accepted or held on the margins.
The murder weapon is an ancient stone that bears inscriptions and has a message - this stone and one other tell of the past -are they linked to the crime for a reason.
Jimmy and his partner/boss -Willow Reeves investigate the events just before Christmas and as things become even more bewildering the body count rises. Who is the perpetrator ? Clues or red herrings, unspoken animosities and jealousies are revealed.
The plot is so well crafted and leads the reader in different directions - Jimmy is reflective and brooding in this tale as he has to come to terms with his friend's death as well as keep a professional stance.
It's great that Ann Cleeves has brought Jimmy back to our attention and hopefully will introduce new readers to the Shetland collection and now this new crime read.
Police/crime friction at its best - highly recommended for an autumn/winter's read.
August 14, 2025
I am elated that Jimmy Perez is back and that he’s teamed up with Willow is an extra treat! I see that this is labeled as book 1 so maybe a continuing series!
It’s a sad situation though because Perez’s dearest friend is involved and it causes him to be emotionally evolved in the case. Through it all we learn his thoughts and ways of discerning how the tragedy could have happened.
I have really enjoyed being part of Jimmy’s investigations and seeing him grow and tackle the changes in his life. But most of all, I love how Cleeves stumps me Every Time!! Seriously, I thought that I had finally figured out the key to her murder mysteries only to be baffled and devastated at the big reveal!! Of course I’ll have to read it again so I can experience it knowing who the murderer is and catch the clues. Cleeves is such a fun entertaining author.
The content in this book is sad but something that needs to be addressed. No spoilers so I’ll let you find out in your own!
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC via NetGalley!
It’s a sad situation though because Perez’s dearest friend is involved and it causes him to be emotionally evolved in the case. Through it all we learn his thoughts and ways of discerning how the tragedy could have happened.
I have really enjoyed being part of Jimmy’s investigations and seeing him grow and tackle the changes in his life. But most of all, I love how Cleeves stumps me Every Time!! Seriously, I thought that I had finally figured out the key to her murder mysteries only to be baffled and devastated at the big reveal!! Of course I’ll have to read it again so I can experience it knowing who the murderer is and catch the clues. Cleeves is such a fun entertaining author.
The content in this book is sad but something that needs to be addressed. No spoilers so I’ll let you find out in your own!
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC via NetGalley!
November 4, 2025
Ann's writing is beautiful as always. Nicely plotted.
October 24, 2025
Wonderful. So happy to meet Jimmy again and with Willow. A powerful story set very much in the community of the Orkneys.
October 17, 2025
Enjoying this so far. Not read any in the series yet.
Well I hit the not enjoying so much. I hate that authors feel they have to throw in some LGBT characters along the way. Doesn’t add anything to the story and really distracts me from the plot. I don’t care and don’t want to know details about them. Grrr
Finished at 6 am after I was awake for 2 hours. This book just was not for me. I will probably try another of her books at some point after I comb the reviews to make sure it doesn’t have a hidden agenda.
This had plenty of twists in the story but for me it really stalled about the 80% mark. I deleted this book from my Kindle app.
Got this digital ARC through NetGalley. Hoping to get done in time. This review is my opinion and not affected by the source.
Well I hit the not enjoying so much. I hate that authors feel they have to throw in some LGBT characters along the way. Doesn’t add anything to the story and really distracts me from the plot. I don’t care and don’t want to know details about them. Grrr
Finished at 6 am after I was awake for 2 hours. This book just was not for me. I will probably try another of her books at some point after I comb the reviews to make sure it doesn’t have a hidden agenda.
This had plenty of twists in the story but for me it really stalled about the 80% mark. I deleted this book from my Kindle app.
Got this digital ARC through NetGalley. Hoping to get done in time. This review is my opinion and not affected by the source.
September 30, 2025
**Happy Publication Day!!**
This is my first taste of Ann Cleeves' Shetland series. This is book nine in that series but also book one in a new series featuring DI Jimmy Perez and his life-partner and boss, Willow Reeve. Confusing, I know, but it's a very good place to start.
This is a police procedural set in Orkney, the group of islands off the northern coast of Scotland. Perez's closest friend, Archie Stout, has gone missing from his home on Westray on a dark and stormy night close to Christmas and is later found dead, bludgeoned to death with one of the island's historic story stones. Is Jimmy too close to the people who might be considered suspects in the case or will his knowledge of them serve him well, give him a unique perspective?
The plot is complicated and kept this reader guessing. The whodunit was such a huge surprise because, though the detectives get some important clues, the reader is left in the dark till all is revealed. Powerful! The beautiful setting is a big part of the story, as are the special ways and history of these island people, and makes for fascinating reading. The characters are well developed and likable. I had such a laugh over Willow's Christmas 'weed' instead of the traditional tree. Hey, whatever works for you! Right?
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. I definitely want to backtrack and read more in the Shetland series now.
This is my first taste of Ann Cleeves' Shetland series. This is book nine in that series but also book one in a new series featuring DI Jimmy Perez and his life-partner and boss, Willow Reeve. Confusing, I know, but it's a very good place to start.
This is a police procedural set in Orkney, the group of islands off the northern coast of Scotland. Perez's closest friend, Archie Stout, has gone missing from his home on Westray on a dark and stormy night close to Christmas and is later found dead, bludgeoned to death with one of the island's historic story stones. Is Jimmy too close to the people who might be considered suspects in the case or will his knowledge of them serve him well, give him a unique perspective?
The plot is complicated and kept this reader guessing. The whodunit was such a huge surprise because, though the detectives get some important clues, the reader is left in the dark till all is revealed. Powerful! The beautiful setting is a big part of the story, as are the special ways and history of these island people, and makes for fascinating reading. The characters are well developed and likable. I had such a laugh over Willow's Christmas 'weed' instead of the traditional tree. Hey, whatever works for you! Right?
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. I definitely want to backtrack and read more in the Shetland series now.
October 27, 2025
Thank you to Pan Macmillan | Macmillan, the author and NetGalley for a DRC in return for an honest review. I also listened to the audiobook read by Kenny Blyth
Having never read any of Ann Cleeves books or watched the BBC Shetland TV series based on her books, I came into this with no preconceptions and I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed the read. The narrator Kenny Blyth has a clear and engaging voice and gives distinct voices for each character - effortlessly switching between Scottish, Irish and English. I was totally caught up with the story and the wild Orkney setting delivered a delicious atmosphere to the proceedings and there was a great twist!
#TheKillingStones #NetGalley
Having never read any of Ann Cleeves books or watched the BBC Shetland TV series based on her books, I came into this with no preconceptions and I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed the read. The narrator Kenny Blyth has a clear and engaging voice and gives distinct voices for each character - effortlessly switching between Scottish, Irish and English. I was totally caught up with the story and the wild Orkney setting delivered a delicious atmosphere to the proceedings and there was a great twist!
#TheKillingStones #NetGalley
July 15, 2025
Detective Jimmy Perez, formerly employed in Shetland, now resides and works in Orkney, a remote area off the coast of Scotland. He lives with his partner, Willow, and their young son. Willow had been his boss, but is now on maternity leave, preparing to give birth to their second child.
On a cold and blustery night, Jimmy’s good friend, Archie, is found bludgeoned to death, the weapon being one of two a historic stones missing from the Heritage Center. Willow steps in to assist, concerned that Jimmy is too close to the victim and possible suspects.
I have read and enjoyed several selections from Ann Cleeves’ Two Rivers and Vera Stanhope series, but somehow have missed the Shetland/Jimmy Perez series. This is my first one and it does work as a stand alone.
This cleverly plotted police procedural is well-written and features unique, colorful characters. It is not a fast read, but the heightened tension as the story progressed drew me in; I couldn’t put it down until I reached the denouement.
Cleeves’ evocative descriptions of the claustrophobic isolated island life and fickle Scottish weather, along with a bit of the history of the area create a strong sense of place. The relationship between Jimmy and Willow is intriguing as they navigate around unsaid thoughts, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment to see how they progress.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress @minotaur_Books for the DRC.
On a cold and blustery night, Jimmy’s good friend, Archie, is found bludgeoned to death, the weapon being one of two a historic stones missing from the Heritage Center. Willow steps in to assist, concerned that Jimmy is too close to the victim and possible suspects.
I have read and enjoyed several selections from Ann Cleeves’ Two Rivers and Vera Stanhope series, but somehow have missed the Shetland/Jimmy Perez series. This is my first one and it does work as a stand alone.
This cleverly plotted police procedural is well-written and features unique, colorful characters. It is not a fast read, but the heightened tension as the story progressed drew me in; I couldn’t put it down until I reached the denouement.
Cleeves’ evocative descriptions of the claustrophobic isolated island life and fickle Scottish weather, along with a bit of the history of the area create a strong sense of place. The relationship between Jimmy and Willow is intriguing as they navigate around unsaid thoughts, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment to see how they progress.
Thanks to @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress @minotaur_Books for the DRC.
May 13, 2025
Although I’m a big fan of the Shetland TV series I’d only actually read one of the books. Delighted to find this one on Net Galley & also to find that Perez, now on the Orkneys, is still sleuthing.
Ann Cleeves is incredibly clever at weaving a story - as a whodunnit it is almost impossible to predict the culprit until just before the reveal. The writing is incredibly graphic & I could see the beautiful scenery, the characters and even the weather as clearly as if I was watching on screen. Highly recommend.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC.
Ann Cleeves is incredibly clever at weaving a story - as a whodunnit it is almost impossible to predict the culprit until just before the reveal. The writing is incredibly graphic & I could see the beautiful scenery, the characters and even the weather as clearly as if I was watching on screen. Highly recommend.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC.
September 6, 2025
An atmospheric and intriguing new chapter for Jimmy Perez.
Scottish Detective Jimmy Perez, now settled in Orkney with his partner, Willow Reeve, and their young family, finds himself in the middle of an investigation when his oldest friend, Archie Stout, goes missing on a stormy winter night. When Archie’s body is discovered at an archaeological dig site, beside an ancient carved stone stolen from a local museum, Perez faces his most personal case yet.
„The Killing Stones“ marks author Ann Cleeves's much-anticipated return to the Shetland world with a new chapter for Detective Jimmy Perez, shifting the landscape from Shetland to Orkney, and opening a new series for Jimmy Perez and Willow Reeve. The novel works beautifully as a standalone - I hadn’t read any of the previous Shetland books, and I had no trouble following the story or connecting with the characters.
The opening of the book was gripping: a stormy night, a missing friend, and a shocking murder tied to an ancient carved stone. The atmosphere of Orkney felt vivid and haunting, the perfect backdrop to a clever mystery that intertwined archaeology, island folklore, and tensions in a small community. Perez’s struggle to remain objective when the case hits so close to home added a welcome layer of humanity - though it did raise some questions from a procedural standpoint - and I particularly enjoyed the dynamic between Perez and Willow. While the reveal felt a little abrupt, the case itself was cleverly constructed, and the island setting gave it a fresh, distinctive edge.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Kenny Blyth, and thought it was excellent.
Atmospheric, intriguing, and steeped in Orkney’s history and myth, “The Killing Stones“ begins a fresh chapter for the beloved detective. Fans of Ann Cleeves’ earlier series will find plenty to enjoy, and newcomers can confidently dive in here without missing a beat.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
„The Killing Stones“ is slated to be published on September 30, 2025.
Scottish Detective Jimmy Perez, now settled in Orkney with his partner, Willow Reeve, and their young family, finds himself in the middle of an investigation when his oldest friend, Archie Stout, goes missing on a stormy winter night. When Archie’s body is discovered at an archaeological dig site, beside an ancient carved stone stolen from a local museum, Perez faces his most personal case yet.
„The Killing Stones“ marks author Ann Cleeves's much-anticipated return to the Shetland world with a new chapter for Detective Jimmy Perez, shifting the landscape from Shetland to Orkney, and opening a new series for Jimmy Perez and Willow Reeve. The novel works beautifully as a standalone - I hadn’t read any of the previous Shetland books, and I had no trouble following the story or connecting with the characters.
The opening of the book was gripping: a stormy night, a missing friend, and a shocking murder tied to an ancient carved stone. The atmosphere of Orkney felt vivid and haunting, the perfect backdrop to a clever mystery that intertwined archaeology, island folklore, and tensions in a small community. Perez’s struggle to remain objective when the case hits so close to home added a welcome layer of humanity - though it did raise some questions from a procedural standpoint - and I particularly enjoyed the dynamic between Perez and Willow. While the reveal felt a little abrupt, the case itself was cleverly constructed, and the island setting gave it a fresh, distinctive edge.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Kenny Blyth, and thought it was excellent.
Atmospheric, intriguing, and steeped in Orkney’s history and myth, “The Killing Stones“ begins a fresh chapter for the beloved detective. Fans of Ann Cleeves’ earlier series will find plenty to enjoy, and newcomers can confidently dive in here without missing a beat.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
„The Killing Stones“ is slated to be published on September 30, 2025.
September 30, 2025
Murder and archeological jealousies in Orkney!
Jimmy Perez has moved from the Shetlands to Orkney. Jimmy is now married to Willow Reeves and they’ve made their home is Kirkwall, Orkney, off the northern coast of Scotland.
They have a son James and Willow is pregnant with their second child.
Willow is Chief Inspector who oversees policing over the islands of the northern Scottish coast. Jimmy is a Police Inspector for Shetland and Orkney. In some respects Willow is Jimmy’s boss.
It’s Xmas. The family’s preparing for the season the way it happens on Orkney.
Willow finds a note from Jimmy when she arrives home from Aberdeen.
Archie Stout his best friend is missing over at the island of Westray. The search for Archie turns into a search for a murderer. Archie was discovered dead, stricken down from behind. The murder weapon is one of a pair of Neolithic stones with Norse writing on it.
Jimmy is shocked and grieved but must soldier on, with the clear thinking Willow contributing.
As the search goes on two more murders occur. All are tied somehow to the archeological history of Westray.
A twisted mystery with a personal face that Cleeves so cleverly brings to her tales.
A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Jimmy Perez has moved from the Shetlands to Orkney. Jimmy is now married to Willow Reeves and they’ve made their home is Kirkwall, Orkney, off the northern coast of Scotland.
They have a son James and Willow is pregnant with their second child.
Willow is Chief Inspector who oversees policing over the islands of the northern Scottish coast. Jimmy is a Police Inspector for Shetland and Orkney. In some respects Willow is Jimmy’s boss.
It’s Xmas. The family’s preparing for the season the way it happens on Orkney.
Willow finds a note from Jimmy when she arrives home from Aberdeen.
Archie Stout his best friend is missing over at the island of Westray. The search for Archie turns into a search for a murderer. Archie was discovered dead, stricken down from behind. The murder weapon is one of a pair of Neolithic stones with Norse writing on it.
Jimmy is shocked and grieved but must soldier on, with the clear thinking Willow contributing.
As the search goes on two more murders occur. All are tied somehow to the archeological history of Westray.
A twisted mystery with a personal face that Cleeves so cleverly brings to her tales.
A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
December 8, 2025
I will read every book Anne Cleeves writes, but this one didn’t hit for me.
First of all, while there was a little drowning in tea, there were no scrubbed pine tables in this book (unless I missed one), so my Anne Cleeves bingo card was sadly empty.
Mostly, while I liked the new location, I didn’t think the mystery here was laid out carefully enough - the ending felt pretty out of the blue, and there were very few clues to it.
Also, having been pregnant recently, Willow’s pregnancy seemed less realistic (more specifically, Perez’s lack of care for Willow while pregnant didn’t jive with his character - she does all the cooking, child minding and yet she’s due in 6 weeks? Doesn’t make sense).
First of all, while there was a little drowning in tea, there were no scrubbed pine tables in this book (unless I missed one), so my Anne Cleeves bingo card was sadly empty.
Mostly, while I liked the new location, I didn’t think the mystery here was laid out carefully enough - the ending felt pretty out of the blue, and there were very few clues to it.
Also, having been pregnant recently, Willow’s pregnancy seemed less realistic (more specifically, Perez’s lack of care for Willow while pregnant didn’t jive with his character - she does all the cooking, child minding and yet she’s due in 6 weeks? Doesn’t make sense).
October 27, 2025
what I loved: the setting and the history of the area was brilliantly crafted and utilized in the story. The detective had emotional complexity that ties into the story, not in spite of or just parallel to the main story. The use of a million red herrings distracting from Occam's razor.
what I didn't enjoy: this book felt like the middle of a series that I had never read. while this was intended to be the start of a new series there is too much back story for this to standalone and it was detrimental to the plot.
thank you to NetGalley, the author Ann Cleeves, and Macmillan audio for my ARC of this audiobook.
what I didn't enjoy: this book felt like the middle of a series that I had never read. while this was intended to be the start of a new series there is too much back story for this to standalone and it was detrimental to the plot.
thank you to NetGalley, the author Ann Cleeves, and Macmillan audio for my ARC of this audiobook.
April 27, 2025
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.
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.
September 11, 2025
Ann Cleeves more than delivers in her latest outing, transposing her Shetland detectives to the Orkney Islands. Her fascination with unfamiliar (to this reader at least) U.K. locations results in deep dives into history of place and modern attempts to maintain traditions while remaining current. A satisfying murder investigation just is part of the mix. What is most fun is learning about life on the islands, how the residents deal with such problems as schooling and transportation and Christmas hoopla. Peopled by three dimensional characters.
May 4, 2025
I love Ann Cleeves. I love her various series, especially the Vera Stanhope and Jimmy Perez (formerly known as Shetland--but Jimmy has moved to the Orkney islands with his growing family. Followers of this series will remember that Willow is also Jimmy's supervisor.
Jimmy is still sensitive and intense but finally seems to have left his depression behind. That is, other than his devastation when a very dear, very old friend, Archie, is murdered, struck down with an ancient rune. Jimmy has to track down the killer from a limited pool of suspect in the midst of freezing weather isolating the island as Christmas approaches.
Despite her pregnancy (she's already on maternity leave and close to her delivery date) Willow jumps in to help Jimmy who is too close to the people involved to remain objective. He grow up with Archie, a wild, mercurial character who was like a brother to Jimmy.
Like any good mystery, there are a good number of suspects. His wife--who suspects Archie's fidelity? The island artist, a stranger to the community rumored to have a less-than-platonic relationship with Archie? Someone involved with the archeology center who had access to the stones?
Cleeves is expert at pacing and I didn't experience a dull moment. This a stellar entry in the Cleeves' œuvre--great characters (all of whom I found interesting), interesting plot, The Killing Stones is suspenseful -- at the same time, Cleeves creates a place I wanted to be in and people I wanted to be with.
Ann Cleeves continues to deliver. The Killing Stones is a wonderful book which made me want to reread all the Jimmy Perez books. And I've already started her Inspector Ramsey series.
Thanks to Minotour Books at St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and the author for providing me with this advance copy of the book.
The Killing Stones is scheduled to be released on September 30, 2025.
Jimmy is still sensitive and intense but finally seems to have left his depression behind. That is, other than his devastation when a very dear, very old friend, Archie, is murdered, struck down with an ancient rune. Jimmy has to track down the killer from a limited pool of suspect in the midst of freezing weather isolating the island as Christmas approaches.
Despite her pregnancy (she's already on maternity leave and close to her delivery date) Willow jumps in to help Jimmy who is too close to the people involved to remain objective. He grow up with Archie, a wild, mercurial character who was like a brother to Jimmy.
Like any good mystery, there are a good number of suspects. His wife--who suspects Archie's fidelity? The island artist, a stranger to the community rumored to have a less-than-platonic relationship with Archie? Someone involved with the archeology center who had access to the stones?
Cleeves is expert at pacing and I didn't experience a dull moment. This a stellar entry in the Cleeves' œuvre--great characters (all of whom I found interesting), interesting plot, The Killing Stones is suspenseful -- at the same time, Cleeves creates a place I wanted to be in and people I wanted to be with.
Ann Cleeves continues to deliver. The Killing Stones is a wonderful book which made me want to reread all the Jimmy Perez books. And I've already started her Inspector Ramsey series.
Thanks to Minotour Books at St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and the author for providing me with this advance copy of the book.
The Killing Stones is scheduled to be released on September 30, 2025.
November 14, 2025
My wife spent the best part of a week in the Orkneys earlier this year and found it fascinating. I was intrigued that the new Perez story would be set there. Oddly he moved there with Willow in the book whereas in the tv series he left with Meg which I found somewhat bizarre. Anyway there’s a murder. Lots of possible suspects. Then two more murders. Who was the murderer? The man who was in the frame for much of the book was one of the victims. I was struggling to think who it could be and what their motive was. As were Perez and Willow. Then 95% of the way through the book Perez received information that the reader wasn’t privy to and even then wasn’t shared with us and before we knew it they arrested a very minor character whose motives and back story were never even hinted at previously. I was enjoying the mystery and the setting but frankly feel quite annoyed by the sudden ending. Anyone who really guessed who the murderer was is a genius.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2025
I have read many Ann Cleeves books including all of the Shetland Series and am a big fan of her writing. This, the first in a new series, failed to light the usual spark. It was very slow moving. I read and now know more about the transport between the islands and the fog and snow in Glasgow than i did about the evidence.
I felt the writer held back on the information that made following the mystery and unravelling the clues possible. For me the arrest came out of nowhere - this may be due to the pace I have mentioned. I am generally willing to allow that first books in a series can be mired in detail necessary to the scene stetting and character building but this follows MC's from another series by the writer. I accept that some readers may be coming to this one without the benefit of having read the other series but for me it was a real issue.
Having said all that I will probably read more in the series because I do like the writing style generally.
I felt the writer held back on the information that made following the mystery and unravelling the clues possible. For me the arrest came out of nowhere - this may be due to the pace I have mentioned. I am generally willing to allow that first books in a series can be mired in detail necessary to the scene stetting and character building but this follows MC's from another series by the writer. I accept that some readers may be coming to this one without the benefit of having read the other series but for me it was a real issue.
Having said all that I will probably read more in the series because I do like the writing style generally.
September 14, 2025
This mystery brings back the detectives from Ann Cleeves’s Shetland series. I went in without reading the earlier books, and I suspect a little more history with these characters might have made me connect with them more.
The story follows Detective Perez, who has moved from Shetland to Orkney but returns to Westray when his friend Archie is found murdered. The ancient story stones used as the weapon make it clear the killing was deliberate. Because Perez knows nearly everyone on the island, staying objective isn’t easy, and the tension builds as new pieces of the puzzle emerge.
What I enjoyed
* Vivid descriptions of the windswept island in the lead-up to Christmas
* Fascinating insights into Orkney’s history and heritage
* A steady stream of red herrings that kept me guessing
* The narrator’s gentle, lyrical accent
What didn’t work as well for me
* Listening while multitasking left me muddled about who was who as many characters have layered backstories
* The reveal of the murderer felt sudden so I think I missed some of the clues.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story follows Detective Perez, who has moved from Shetland to Orkney but returns to Westray when his friend Archie is found murdered. The ancient story stones used as the weapon make it clear the killing was deliberate. Because Perez knows nearly everyone on the island, staying objective isn’t easy, and the tension builds as new pieces of the puzzle emerge.
What I enjoyed
* Vivid descriptions of the windswept island in the lead-up to Christmas
* Fascinating insights into Orkney’s history and heritage
* A steady stream of red herrings that kept me guessing
* The narrator’s gentle, lyrical accent
What didn’t work as well for me
* Listening while multitasking left me muddled about who was who as many characters have layered backstories
* The reveal of the murderer felt sudden so I think I missed some of the clues.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
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