Murder can strike more than once…
Blue Lightning
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Amazon Review
Winning the prestigious Crime Writer’s Association Dagger for best crime novel did not necessarily glean for Cleeves the kind of kudos she clearly deserves -- although the remarkable Raven Black no doubt enjoyed a welcome sale fillip. A new TV series with Brenda Blethyn may do the trick, and it won't be a moment too soon. If you doubt this encomium to Ann Cleeves’ writing skills, do yourself a favour and pick up her latest, Blue Lightning -- a further demonstration of her considerable narrative skills and (her ace in the hole) persuasive evocation of atmosphere. Her Shetland detective Jimmy Perez is not looking forward to his journey to the Fair Isles. It is (famously) a very tight-knit community, which does not extend open arms to incomers. As Jimmy knows, the islanders are a hardy breed -- and they need to be, as winter approaches with its inevitable storms, making an already insular community close in further upon itself. It is in this pressure cooker atmosphere that murder takes place (this is an Ann Cleeves novel, after all) and the body of a woman is found with her hair laced with feathers. With the locals in a furious and fractious mood, it’s up to Jimmy to investigate the killing as quickly and efficiently as he can; not an easy task, as he has no resources to call on except his own. And as the clock ticks, the inevitability of another murder looms ever larger.
As in Ann Cleeves’ earlier Shetland mysteries, the trick here is to utilise the apparatus of the Christie-style murder mystery (most notably the cloistered, cut-off setting) and reinvigorate it with a healthy dose of plausible contemporary psychology. This Cleeves does splendidly, and even though Jimmy Perez may be a familiar kind of figure to those who read a great deal of crime fiction, there are still some canny changes that the author is able to ring on the familiar formula. Best of all, though, is the skill with which she evokes the experience of being on these dangerous islands; the author is a well-known aficionado of Scandinavian crime fiction, and she is able to transmit that Nordic feeling into her own exemplary work. --Barry Forshaw --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
'Jimmy Perez takes his fiancée to Fair Isle to meet his parents, but when bad weather cuts off the island and a body is found at its bird observatory, where sexual tension and professional rivalry are rife, he takes charge of the investigation. Perez alone realises the murderer is still on the island and prepared to kill again, leading to events that make him question his career...' --Sunday Times
'Blue Lightening crackles with atmosphere and tension... It's meticulous crime fiction which does its job outstandingly of whisking the reader away to other worlds, and provides the reader with an almighty jolt just as it seems to be plain sailing at the end. And it's made me want to investigate those earlier books in the series' --reviewingtheevidence.com
'The thriller writer Ann Cleeves has really hit her stride with the series of novels she is currently writing in the Shetlands (the islands are principal characters in the books). This year's Blue Lightning is the last and best in the series. Be warned: it has a surprise ending of real emotional punch.' --John Lancaster, Telegraph Review
'If you are looking for a well-crafted Agatha Christie-type murder mystery with a strong atmosphere, you cannot do better than Ann Cleeves'
--Lady Antonia Fraser, The Lady
'Blue Lightening crackles with atmosphere and tension... It's meticulous crime fiction which does its job outstandingly of whisking the reader away to other worlds, and provides the reader with an almighty jolt just as it seems to be plain sailing at the end. And it's made me want to investigate those earlier books in the series' --reviewingtheevidence.com
'The thriller writer Ann Cleeves has really hit her stride with the series of novels she is currently writing in the Shetlands (the islands are principal characters in the books). This year's Blue Lightning is the last and best in the series. Be warned: it has a surprise ending of real emotional punch.' --John Lancaster, Telegraph Review
'If you are looking for a well-crafted Agatha Christie-type murder mystery with a strong atmosphere, you cannot do better than Ann Cleeves'
--Lady Antonia Fraser, The Lady
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is the fourth and final story in Ann Cleeves's Shetland Quartet, and Perez is on his home territory of Fair Isle, to take his fiancee, Fran to meet his parents. The murder of a woman in Fair Isle's bird observatory during a period of particularly turbulent weather means that Perez has to begin his investigations alone because it isn't possible to call on help from the Shetland Mainland. The number of suspects is limited by the location and the weather but that doesn't make Perez's task any easier. At the best of times, Fair Isle is an isolated location and the atmosphere generated in this excellent novel during a period of late autumn storms just increases this sense of isolation. Cleeves's detective Perez is an excellent creation whose character has deepened as the series has progressed, and in this story, Fran plays a more prominent role than in the previous book (Red Bones). Perez's parents are also well-drawn and realistic characters and the cameo roles for other islanders are also nicely drawn. There is lots of material here about "twitchers" and detail about the birds themselves and the work of the bird observatory which has been well-researched. As usual, it is the evocation of the setting which steals the show but the plot is labyrinthine and intricate making this an absorbing read. I would recommend that you read the other three books in the Shetland Quartet before embarking upon this one. Although the murder mystery here is complete in itself, this one definitely feels like the culmination of the series.
I do hope that Ann Cleeves can be persauded to revisit the Shetlands and Jimmy Perez at some point in the future.
This is a superb series of detective stories which maintains its high standard throughout!
I do hope that Ann Cleeves can be persauded to revisit the Shetlands and Jimmy Perez at some point in the future.
This is a superb series of detective stories which maintains its high standard throughout!
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Puffin
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I hope this isn't going to be the last we hear of Inspector Perez in that "Blue Lightning" is the final book of Ms Cleeves' "Shetland Quartet". This is another really well written and well-researched thriller which had me guessing almost to the end. Having visited Shetland and Fair Isle in the past I can visualise the locations and they just make we want to go back there - especially now the killer has been caught!
I for one would be more than happy if there are some more "Shetland" stories following Inspector Perez's life.
I for one would be more than happy if there are some more "Shetland" stories following Inspector Perez's life.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This absorbing detective novel has a complex but credible plot, a sympathetic hero and an interesting location. The quartet comes to an end with a jarring plot development which I felt was unnecessary and seems to preclude further Jimmy Perez novels. Whether this is a good career move for Anne Cleeves remains to be seen.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful book but shocking
Another wonderful rendition from Anne Cleeves. I absolutely love the 1st Shetland Quartet, and also read the 1st of the 2nd Shetland Quartet. Read more
Published 13 hours ago by LIDI
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absorbing reading
I love her books. They are cosy and entertaining with lovely twists and turns. I feel , after reading all the Shetland series the characters were people I have known. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Caroline Elaine Read
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Shetland stories
Love most of Ann Cleeves books, and found this one most enthralling, a completely different way of life, but most believable.
Published 3 days ago by Mrs. Eleanor M. Robson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb read
Excellent from start to finish. I couldn't put it down and really sad now that the series of four Shetland stories has come to an end.
Published 10 days ago by HIBBY SCOTT. wn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fab.
I really love the way Ann Cleeves pulls you into the book and you can't put it down till you find out who did it... Read more
Published 10 days ago by M. Joan Mclean
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Shetland series
I really enjoyed this series of books. The characters were well described and well thought out. I want to go to Shetland now! Read more
Published 10 days ago by Mrs J M Lagden
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read
draws you in and keeps you turning pages, couldn't put it down.can't wait to read the next one. love the character Perez
Published 14 days ago by Edward McKenna Christie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shetland Series
Having enjoyed the others in this series I really looked forward to reading this. I wasn't disappointed. It met all my expectations. Loved it.
Published 14 days ago by Valerie Spence
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable
Love the characters and the setting, you can imagine just how lovely the Shetland islands are - good plot which keeps you guessing and an easy read
Published 16 days ago by Mrs. Janet Spencer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Shetland
Introduction of inspector Perez and the mysterious islands of the Shetland archipelago, Great at describing how difficult it can be to integrate in rural communities.
Published 18 days ago by Luca S.
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