2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Red Bones by Ann Cleeves, the third book in the Shetland Island series.

Pages: 340 pages

Length: 1 Month (September)

Participants: Lorraine, Kristy, Lynn.

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.


Happy Buddy Reading!

I will probably be starting this one in the next few days. Anyone else reading it yet?

I'm planning to start it over the weekend because I have it from the library and it's due Tuesday.

Kristy wrote: "I'm planning to start it over the weekend because I have it from the library and it's due Tuesday."

Excellent!

I’ve reached Ch. 12 Enjoying it so far! No surprise. (view spoiler)[ Love that this is from Sandy’s point of view. I don’t quite know what to think of him. He feels like one of those poor, whipped souls but without the nagging wife. Perhaps he shouldn’t ever marry. LOL.

For living a “simple” life Mima seemed like a rather complicated woman and love the comments about how she would have loved all the drama. I’m wondering about the skull and other bones they found and how they play into her death, which I assume was a murder.

The dig and the legend of the “trowie knowe” is fascinating. I don’t know about those. Are they the same thing as a troll? They sound a bit like the Irish Leprechauns with their treasure and magic.

Also curious about what happened with Berglund and Hattie.

(hide spoiler)]

Hello ladies. I have finished the book. Have to admit that while travelling my reading plans where all over the place. I should have taken myself out for this month and wait upon my return. I’ll know for the future.
That being said I really liked that book. As a matter of fact I think that series is quite good. It is interesting to see how Sandy managed this case as it is close to his family and friends while he still have to demonstrate he is good at being a policeman. Again the ambiance is just great! But again not sure I would like to live in an area that is as remote as the Shetlands.
I will follow your post.

I’ve read up to Ch. 26. (view spoiler)[ Can’t say I’m surprised by the second death or who it was. I did have a thought though when I read the letter that Hattie sent to her mother. She points out that Mima was wearing her jacket when she was shot and it made me wonder if Hattie was the intended victim the first time and they just got Mima by accident. I thought Sandy did a good job with the interview with the mother. He’s such a nervous nellie. (hide spoiler)]

Lorraine - Same with Sandy. Cleeves really shines in her portrayal of complicated family relationships. I love the idea of living in a remote place but it's just not practical for me. I love the convenience of have everything close by and available.

I've managed to start this, but have a busy couple of days ahead, so probably won't get back to it until mid-week...

Finished. Ann Cleeves did it again! Another hit for me. (view spoiler)[ I loved that ending! How unexpected that Ronald, the one that everyone believed accidentally shot Mima, actually shot her on purpose. I didn’t even remotely expect that.

A few other comments. Sandy really pleasantly surprised me with this one. I hope he realizes that he is a better cop than he believes. I loved his “wild” theories on what was going on and I didn’t think they were that wild.

There was another moment when Jackie came home after Andrew told Sandy that story about Mima’s Norwegian lover – she said something to the fact that he didn’t have much to say for himself these days. That gave me a laugh.

I enjoyed Jimmy ruminating over Fran’s thoughts that he was really just a voyeur like the old ladies that know all their neighbors’ business. And I love that after he hem-hawed around asking her to marry him through the whole book that she suggested it at the end. (hide spoiler)]

Lynn - Looking forward to your comments when you have more time

I agree, Kristy! Another home run with this book! I admit I was also surprised by the (view spoiler)[ending! Not at all what I expected.

Agreed about Sandy. I laughed and laughed when he wondered on page 23: "What would Jimmy Perez do in this situation?" It just brought to mind "What would Jesus do?" LOL :) I felt sorry for him having to investigate his own parent's finances, etc. That would be a tough spot to be in!

Yes, Jimmy conjecturing what Fran might say to him, or remembering things she has said to him is so realistic, I think. I believe it is one of the things I like most about Cleeves' writing. She seems to reflect the type of "stream-of-consciousness" thought process in her characters that we actually experience in the real world. Jumping back and forth and skipping around to remembered bits and pieces of conversation, etc. It is amazing me how she can write such complex/complicated plots and make them so easy to follow and relate to. I just adore her writing!

Although I am also reading the Vera Stanhope series right now and feel I can connect much more easily with Vera than Jimmy, Jimmy's self-reflections amuse me so much! :) (hide spoiler)]