Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez is back! Ann Cleeves’ The
Killing Stones, the ninth novel in the
Detective Jimmy Perez series, is a masterful blend of suspense, rich character
development, and vivid cultural immersion. Set in the Orkney Islands, where
Jimmy now resides with his pregnant partner and boss, DI Willow Reeves, and
their young son, this installment thrusts Perez into a deeply personal
investigation when his lifelong friend, Archie Stout, is found murdered at an
ancient Neolithic site. The red herrings are plentiful, and will keep you guessing
until the shocking conclusion. There are certainly no dull moments, and the
escalating body count—each murder tied to significant archaeological sites—adds
layers of intrigue, compounded by whispers of plagiarism and hidden agendas.
Cleeves is masterful at being able to transport readers to Orkney’s stark
landscape; she has such a tremendous gift for atmosphere. The Neolithic
sites—Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae, and Maeshowe—are characters in their own
right. I loved the cultural details, from island traditions to the weather.
Jimmy Perez is now like an old friend that I’m always happy to see. I love his
combination of sensitivity and intenseness. It was also good to see that he’s
moved past the depression that haunted him earlier.
I was, however, a bit puzzled by the reluctance of Glasgow authorities to
prioritize the case given the mounting deaths, but this in no way detracted
from my enjoyment. Fans of the Jimmy Perez series are going to love this latest
installment. Those new to the series, I’m sure, will find this a real page-turner
that surprises until the very end.
You can preorder your copy here.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for
providing an ARC in exchange for this honest review.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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