THE KILLING STONES - Ann Cleeves

It feels good to be with DI Jimmy Perez again. I am a fan of the Shetland books series and television series, even with DI Perez moving on, but there's definitely something unique and comforting about Jimmy Perez.

DI Jimmy Perez has moved from Shetland to Orkney with his partner Willow Reeves who is currently pregnant with their second child and living a less hectic/more settled life. Jimmy gets a call one night, informing him that his close friend Archie Stout is missing. Jimmy heads to Westray to help search for the man but arrives to find that Archie has been murdered. Archie's body is found near an archeological site and the murder weapon, an ancient Westray Story Stone, is nearby. Jimmy is determined to find the person who hated Archie (a man everyone loved) enough to do something that is clearly premeditated.

As Jimmy wonders if he can remain objective enough to work the case, given his close friendship with the murdered man, additional murders intensify the investigation and Willow, almost at her due date, takes part in the investigation.

One of the problems with investigating a case involving a friend might be what one learns about the private life of the friend.

As mentioned, there's something comforting about having Jimmy Perez investigating a case. Steadfast, determined, and calm instill confidence in his work. As we've seen in his early days, he can get a bit dark, but his relationship with Willow has brought about a bit of a change (for the better) for him.

This relationship/partnership with Willow is really one of the best parts of this book. I can't honestly say that I remember the character from previous books, but I do have a faint memory of her from the television series. Regardless, it works extremely well to have this comfortable, more settled aspect to Jimmy's life to contrast with the depressing murder investigations he typically works.

I notice that the book is listed not only as the ninth book in the Shetland series, but the first book in the Jimmy Perez and Willow Reeves series. I welcome this news because Willow and the relationship between Jimmy and Willow (in addition to the deep mystery) really makes the book more vibrant.

Writing compelling characters has been a defining signature for author Ann Cleeves and that's on display here, just as it is with her hit series Vera, but making this Jimmy AND Willow means it's not just character but relationships to add more depth to the stories.

Some of this mystery didn't hold my attention as well as I'd hoped. I kept having the feeling that I've read (or seen) this story before. The plot felt very familiar. I watch a fair amount of British crime drama and I could swear that this was something I'd seen. 

Looking for a good book? The Killing Stones, by Ann Cleeves, brings Jimmy Perez back to readers, along with a new, growing family, and shows he hasn't lost his deep investigating skills.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

3-1/2 stars

* * * * * *

The Killing Stones

author: Ann Cleeves

series: Shetland #9, Jimmy Perez and Willow Reeves #1

publisher: Minotaur Books

ASIN: B0FSJZLSXK

hardcover, 384 pages

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