The Killing Stones
by Anne Cleeves
Review by Alex A
A stormy, murder-y, cosy Scottish island crime!
Set on the starkly beautiful Orkney Islands, this novel follows Detective Jimmy Perez as he investigates the killing of his best friend, Archie Stout. Archie is discovered next to the murder weapon: a distinctive neolithic stone, inscribed with runes.
Set over a few tempestuous days in the lead-up to Christmas, Perez, along with his wife and colleague, Willow, set out to find the murderer on the small island of Westray. The cast of suspects is colourful, but not characateur-ish: the visiting birdwatcher mourning his wife, the upper-class, arrogant history broadcaster, the local artist with a not-so-secret secret connection to the victim – all are fleshed out and contribute to the plot as they are interviewed by Perez.
The island setting of the novel is a constant presence, with the rocky, ancient landscape and wild weather setting a moody tone throughout.
The story reads happily as a standalone despite following on from a previous series. This was my first foray into Anne Cleeves, and I am now looking forward to devouring her formidable backlist.
Perfect for crime/true crime fans, and readers of Val McDermid or Elizabeth George.
