- First published by Macmillan 2013
- ISBN 978-0-230-70617-2
- 387 pages
- #5 in the Shetland series
- Source: my local library
When the body of journalist Jerry Markham is found outside the house of the Fiscal down at the Marina, young Detective Inspector Willow Reeves is drafted in to head up the investigation. Since the death of his fiancĂ©e, Inspector Jimmy Perez has been out the loop, but his interest in this new case is stirred and he decides to help the inquiry. It emerges that Markham was chasing a story. One that must have been - for someone - significant enough to warrant his death…
From the author's site
That initial quartet of novels ... ended with a shocking change in the life of detective Jimmy Perez. Now Ann has launched the first of a new quartet, with Dead Water. This is a time of change for the islands: they have done well from the oil boom, but what will the new era of renewable energy bring? Can Jimmy Perez make a new beginning in his own life? And can he find the murderer of journalist Jerry Markham?
My Take
Fans of Ann Cleeves' Shetland series will be pleased to welcome the return of Jimmy Perez. We did wonder if we would ever see him again.
Jimmy has not yet officially returned to work when the body of Jerry Markham, local boy made good, is discovered dead in the Procurator Fiscal's youl. Although a new young investigator from the Inverness Serious Crime Squad is sent to take charge of the case and theoretically Jimmy is not connected to the team. But he is drawn in, asking questions of the locals even before he realises that he has returned to work. And he and Willow Reeves, heading up her first murder investigation, make a good team, even though neither trusts the other completely.
This novel has everything we love in a murder mystery - a good plot, some local colour, well described settings, some interesting characters. An excellent read that flows like silk and I took note of the words "Ann has launched the first of a new quartet" so we have another 3 titles to look forward to. Hopefully including Willow Reeves.
If you haven't read any Anne Cleeves novels, you could start with this one, and then I'm sure you'll look for the earlier quartet that begins with RAVEN BLACK. Ann now has 26 novels to her credit, including the Vera Stanhope series, so you have plenty to look forward to.
My rating: 5.0
Other reviews on this blog
RED BONES
TELLING TALES (Vera Stanhope)
WHITE NIGHTS
5.0, BLUE LIGHTNING
4.3, MURDER IN PARADISE
4.8, SILENT VOICES, (Vera Stanhope)
5.0, THE GLASS ROOM (Vera Stanhope)
2 comments:
Kerrie - I'm so glad that Jimmy Perez is back, especially after what happened at the end of the last novel. And of course, Cleeves is so talented! It's good to hear you enjoyed this one so much. I hope we'll see more of Perez...
I've only just borrowed my first Ann Cleeves book from the library, but I see you gave it a 5 review. WOW now I might have to move it up on the TBR pile.
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