Ann Cleeves is perhaps best known for her Vera Stanhope novels, such as “The Dark Wives”. Her latest novel “The Killing Stones,” features a different ongoing character but offers the same kind of twisty mystery and empathetic investigation.
Detective Jimmy Perez is literally the first on the scene when Archie Stout is killed; he finds the body. Archie was a childhood friend, so Jimmy not only feels the murder deeply, but he must walk a very careful line in the investigation. His partner, Willow, takes the lead in the investigation and is forced to relegate Jimmy to the edge of the investigation to protect any future prosecution.
Archie was murdered with a Neolithic stone bearing ancient carvings, an odd weapon if ever Jimmy’s seen one. It also confuses the investigation, as Jimmy explores whether the choice of murder weapon is significant.
This is part of the Jimmy Perez series – and this is the first I’d read from that series. It is very easy to follow for new readers. The main plot is complete in this novel, and it’s evidently Jimmy’s personal life that carries most strongly from novel to novel. There was enough recapping for me to know what was going on, and I suspect enough forward movement to please ongoing readers.
The plot is indeed twisty, and I was genuinely shocked by the solution. I did not see it coming. Interestingly, after the reveal, I could see that Cleeves was writing a story that is in part about the things you unconsciously tell people. This is well-seeded throughout the novel, and I found it quite impactful to look back on it. It’s something that I think will stay with me for a while.
Cleeves shows a lot of sympathy for her victim, and a strength of the novel is the way it shows the impact of Archie’s murder on his family, friends, and the wider community. This is not just an investigative puzzle; it is a human story.
There were some minor inconsistencies in how Willow and Jimmy dealt with the protocols for investigation where there is a personal connection to the victim. However, this served to highlight the challenges of policing in small, more remote communities, so it didn’t bother me much. Similarly, while I sometimes felt Jimmy was a little emotionally remote, this could be due to his need to pull back so he could be objective.
Overall, this is a strong procedural crime novel which will be enjoyed by both Cleeves’ fans and new readers. It’s well plotted, well paced, and well populated with strong characters.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club Members are reading The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
I’ve loved books for as long as I can remember, and I love sharing that joy.
I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, across all genres. There’s not much I won’t at least try. I’ve been an enthusiastic book reviewer for years. I particularly enjoy discovering writers new to me, and sharing good writing with others.
My career has included time spent writing and editing technical documents, but it’s fiction that really moves me. I’ve reviewed for a number of different outlets over the years, and have been a judge in literary competitions.
I’m now raising little bookworms of my own, which brings a whole new kind of joy to sharing books.
More of my reviews can be found on my review blog www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog .