Ann Cleeves ANN CLEEVES Contact Ann's FB page Ann Cleeves receives Iceland Noir's Honorary Award for Services to the Art of Crime Fiction. Photograph © Garrick Webster; used with permission. Ann Cleeves World-Wide Crime-writer Ann Cleeves wins praise and awards around the globe, these days. At the recent Iceland Noir convention in Reykjavik, she was announced the winner of Iceland Noir's first ever Honorary Award for Services to the Art of Crime Fiction. The Crime Fiction Lover blog explains: "She has been instrumental in helping the bi-annual event establish itself. She's also an advocate for reading and library provision, while in her books she explores families and communities and how they're affected by dramatic events... such as murder." (and that the award was accompanied by an authentic Icelandic wool blanket, very welcome in Reykjavik in November. Writing about it in her Diary , Ann says: " I was astonished and delighted. There was a plaque and a beautiful Icelandic woollen blanket. I will treasure them both and of course I'll be back in two years time.

If you love books, the company of readers and writers, and a landscape to take your breath away, you should be there too." . This marks not only the continuation of a popular and much-praised series, but also Ann's thirtieth book in 30 years! Cold Earth opens as Jimmy Perez attends the burial of his old friend Magnus Tait: but torrential rain triggers a landslide that reveals a totally unexpected body that of a dark-haired woman wearing a red silk dress. Her identity is a mystery Jimmy becomes obsessed with solving: perhaps it can help the dark-haired Fair Islander resolve some mysteries of his own. Mark Lawson chose Cold Earth as one of his best crime books of the year , and called Ann "the best living evoker of landscape". "One of the most memorable entries in the series." And there's more to celebrate: TV's Shetland crime drama, which has carried off two Scottish Baftas: when the winners of this year's awards were revealed, Shetland took the prize in two of the four categories for which it was in the running. Shetland itself won best television drama, and Douglas Henshall, who plays detective inspector Jimmy Perez, was named best television actor.

Director Jan Matthys (best director film/television) and Gaby Chiappe (best writer film/television) were also nominated. Congratulations to all concerned - and here's looking forward to series four! Vera storms the US To know Ann Cleeves's brilliant but unglamorous Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope is to love her - and it's now easier than ever for US readers to make Vera's acquaintance. The Moth Catcher , the seventh Vera Stanhope book, dramatised as episode three of the sixth series of ITV's VERA , is now available in the US. And next year, publishers Minotaur Books will also be bringing out for the first time US editions of Vera's entire backlist. In The Moth Catcher (now available in paperback in the UK) Vera's seventh investigation takes her to Valley Farm, a quiet community in Northumberland, where life seems perfect. Then a shocking discovery shatters the silence. The owners of a big country house have employed a house-sitter, a young ecologist named Patrick, to look after the place while they're away. But Patrick is found dead by the side of the lane into the valley - a beautiful, lonely place to die...

" The Moth Catcher is a splendid, solidly plotted modern take on a golden-age "closed circle" mystery, and Vera, as always, is a delight." All about Vera , the TV series and the books. Shetland with a difference! Ann has published two other Shetland books - but with a difference! There's a new mystery featuring Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez from the bestselling Shetland series: but Too Good To Be True is a gripping Quick Read which takes Jimmy Perez away from his home territory, all the way south to the Borders. When young teacher Anna Blackwell is found dead in her home, the police think her death was suicide or a tragic accident. After all, Stonebridge is a quiet country village in the Scottish Borders, where murders just don't happen. Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez soon arrives from far-away Shetland when his ex-wife, Sarah, asks him to look into the case. The local gossips are saying that her new husband, Tom, was having an affair with Anna. Could Tom have been involved with her death? Sarah refuses to believe it - but needs proof. Anna had been a teacher. She must have loved kids. Would she kill herself knowing there was nobody to look after her daughter?

She had seemed happier than ever before she died. And to Perez, this suggests not suicide, but murder ... Too Good To Be True was selected as one of 15 books to be given away, free, on World Book Night, April 23rd 2016. Organisers explained that the diverse line-up, spanning genres of crime, poetry, non-fiction, YA, historical fiction, and fiction in translation, was devised to celebrate "the enrichment that reading and books can bring to people's lives" encouraging those who don't already read for pleasure - an estimated 36% of adults - to get involved. Ann said "It's nice to be a part of this event, specially with the Quick Read Jimmy Perez!" The other book is something else again - a beautifully illustrated introduction to the Shetland islands. Ann says "If you'd like to know more about the islands where the Shetland TV series is filmed and the books are set, check out my non-fiction book.

It's full of wonderful photos and explains why I love the place so much." It's a gloriously illustrated companion to the novels, taking readers through a year on Shetland, learning about its past, meeting its people, celebrating its festivals and seeing how the flora and fauna of the islands changes with the seasons. Whether it is the drama of the Viking fire festival of Up Helly Aa in winter, or the piercing blue and hot pink of spring flowers on the clifftops, the long, white nights of midsummer or the fierce gales and high tides of autumn, Shetland is vividly captured in all its bleak and special beauty. You can see an extract from the book on the publishers' website . Shetland was published by Pan Macmillan on 22nd October 2015; it is available for from Amazon in hardback (ISBN: 978-1-5098-0979-0) or for Kindle . In the Press Val McDermid Other Books Ann Cleeves says "Good short stories have a force and a clarity which it's almost impossible to achieve in a novel. That's why I enjoy reading them.

I know that each word has been chosen with care. "I don't send post cards when I travel; I write stories instead. The three pieces in the CWA anthologies bring back vivid memories of Tanzania, Finland and Alaska. Raven Black was originally conceived as another of those holiday snap stories." In The Starlings and Other Stories , Ann has edited a collection of twelve short stories which are literally, if not snapshots, at least inspired by photographs. She has invited each of her fellow members of Murder Squad to bring in an accomplice, and write a short story inspired by the dramatic photography of Pembrokeshire-based author David Wilson. Ann's own contribution is the title story, The Starlings and other short stories by Ann Cleeves . Pan MacMillan's Bello imprint hunts down lost classics, and uses modern digital technology to make them available to readers as eBooks or print-on-demand paperbacks: over the summer they have quietly been releasing two previous series of detective novels by Ann Cleeves. The 'Inspector Ramsay' books feature a police officer who is like Ann's (and TV's) Vera Stanhope in being based in England's northernmost county, Northumberland - though unlike her in many other ways.

Looking even further back, to the work of a very young writer, you can also now read the George & Molly books , the adventures of amateur sleuth George Palmer-Jones, an elderly birdwatcher - and his wife, Molly. (Or you might want to read what Ann would like to say to that younger self ). Two standalone novels are back in the bookshops in new paperback editions: Mixed reviews for BBC’s crime drama Shetland | The Shetland Times Ltd Mixed reviews for BBC’s crime drama Shetland Share , by Shetland Times , in Arts & Entertainment The two-part BBC television drama Shetland began last night and attracted a mixed response from viewers. Based on the books by Ann Cleeves and starring Dougie Henshall along with isles actors Steven Robertson and Sandra Voe, over six million people tuned in to programme, which concludes tonight at 9pm. More are expected through iPlayer apparently. Many have commented that the drama showed Shetland’s scenery off in a positive way but that the story lacked a cutting edge.

One reviewer mentioned that sub-plots kept cropping up like “fairground ducks” while another was highly critical of the under-use of local accents with even Robertson having to adopt more “Scottish-like” tones. What do you think? Feel free to comment below or email us at editorial@shetlandtimes.co.uk Tags: Ann Cleeves: The Shetland murder mysteries, featuring Jimmy Perez Congratulations to TV's Shetland crime drama, which has carried off two Scottish Baftas: when the winners of this year's awards were revealed, Shetland took the prize in two of the four categories for which it was in the running. Shetland itself won best television drama, and Douglas Henshall, who plays detective inspector Jimmy Perez, was named best television actor. Director Jan Matthys (best director film/television) and Gaby Chiappe (best writer film/television) were also nominated. The BBC had already announced its decision to bring Shetland back for a fourth series. Douglas Henshall returns as DI Jimmy Perez, with other regular cast also returning.

The six one-hour episodes (the same format as the brilliant series three) will be written by series one showrunner David Kane, and broadcast early in 2017. 'Shetland' panel at the Hay Festival 2016 Ann told BBC Radio Shetland that the response to the last series was "so astonishing" that she "always felt there was a very good chance that it would come back". Ann's Shetland books have already formed the basis of three series of TV crime dramas, which include stories based on the books, but develop in quite different directions, especially the six-part story which forms the whole of the third series. All three series are now available on DVD: Series 1 & 2 Guardian . There's a more recent interview with Ann about Shetland - the place, the books and the TV series - on the KCET website, where you can read the interview or listen to the sound recording . After an epic book tour marking the publication this autumn of her new Shetland murder mystery, - 30 events in 30 days to celebrate 30 books in 30 years - Ann Cleeves is home for a well-earned rest! And maybe some time for writing, too...

Cold Earth opens as Jimmy Perez attends the burial of his old friend Magnus Tait: but torrential rain triggers a landslide that reveals a totally unexpected body that of a dark-haired woman wearing a red silk dress. Her identity is a mystery Jimmy becomes obsessed with solving: perhaps it can help the dark-haired Fair Islander resolve some mysteries of his own. "One of the most memorable entries in the series." . Cold Earth is the seventh Shetland mystery featuring DI Jimmy Perez - not bad going for what was originally planned as a standalone story! "Jimmy was created because I thought there would just be one book," Ann told an audience at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. "It seemed like it would be stretching credibility to kill off too many people in Shetland, with its small population." When that first story, Raven Black , was a big success, winning the Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award for the best crime novel of the year, Ann was persuaded to carry on with a quartet of novels, depicting the changing face of Shetland in all four seasons. And then a second quartet. But now, she says, "There will be just one more Shetland book after Cold Earth.

And then the story is told." As for Jimmy, "I might kill him off." Perhaps she was joking: but readers who have been keeping up with the series so far know that Ann Cleeves is quite capable of dropping a bombshell. Naming names Congratulations to the winner of Ann's charity auction in aid of the Bardsey Bird & Field Observatory! Alicia Normand has chosen the name Robert Moncrieff (part of her husband's name) to be included in the final book of Ann's second Shetland Quartet, which she is about to start writing. Ann says: "Just a bit relieved to have a Shetland name chosen - lovely that it's someone connected to the island too." But will Robert Moncrieff be killer or hero? Read more about Bardsey and the bird observatory there in Ann's diary or visit the BBFO website . Too Good To Be True Award-winning crime writer Ann Cleeves is a great believer in the importance of libraries and of reading. So she has written a new mystery featuring Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez from her bestselling Shetland series.

But this is a Shetland mystery with a difference: Too Good To Be True is a gripping Quick Read which takes Jimmy Perez away from his home territory, all the way south to the Borders. When young teacher Anna Blackwell is found dead in her home, the police think her death was suicide or a tragic accident. After all, Stonebridge is a quiet country village in the Scottish Borders, where murders just don't happen. But Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez soon arrives from far-away Shetland when his ex-wife, Sarah, asks him to look into the case. The local gossips are saying that her new husband, Tom, was having an affair with Anna. Could Tom have been involved with her death? Sarah refuses to believe it - but needs proof. Anna had been a teacher. She must have loved kids. Would she kill herself knowing there was nobody to look after her daughter? She had seemed happier than ever before she died. And to Perez, this suggests not suicide, but murder ... Too Good To Be True has been selected as one of 15 books to be given away, free, on World Book Night, April 23rd 2016.

Organisers explained that the diverse line-up, spanning genres of crime, poetry, non-fiction, YA, historical fiction, and fiction in translation, was devised to celebrate "the enrichment that reading and books can bring to people's lives" encouraging those who don't already read for pleasure - an estimated 36% of adults - to get involved. Ann said "It's nice to be a part of this event, specially with the Quick Read Jimmy Perez!" Ann Cleeves's Shetland Ann Cleeves's bestselling series of crime novels, featuring Detective Jimmy Perez, and now also adapted for a major BBC television series, draw their inspiration from the place in which they are set: Shetland. Ann says "If you'd like to know more about the islands where the show is filmed and the books are set, check out my non-fiction book. It's full of wonderful photos and explains why I love the place so much." It's a gloriously illustrated companion to the novels, taking readers through a year on Shetland, learning about its past, meeting its people, celebrating its festivals and seeing how the flora and fauna of the islands changes with the seasons.

Whether it is the drama of the Viking fire festival of Up Helly Aa in winter, or the piercing blue and hot pink of spring flowers on the clifftops, the long, white nights of midsummer or the fierce gales and high tides of autumn, Shetland is vividly captured in all its bleak and special beauty. An archipelago of more than a hundred islands, Shetland is the one of the most remote places in the United Kingdom. Its fifteen hundred miles of shore mean that wherever one stands, there is a view of the sea. It has sheltered voes and beaches and dramatically exposed cliffs, lush meadows full of wild flowers in the summer and bleak hilltops where only the hardiest of plants will grow. It is a place where traditions are valued and celebrated, but new technologies and ways of working are also embraced. You can see an extract from the book on the publishers' website . Shetland was published by Pan Macmillan on 22nd October 2015; it is available for from Amazon in hardback (ISBN: 978-1-5098-0979-0) or for Kindle .

Shetland Quartets Raven Black was initially intended as a standalone novel - after all, how many murders could there be in Shetland? But the book was so successful, winning the first Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award for the best crime novel of the year, as well as numerous fans, that Ann wrote another Shetland mystery, and then another - until she had completed a quartet covering all four seasons and a tour of the archipelago. For a fan's eye view of the original quartet, see The Book Resort , which gave the Shetland Quartet rave reviews during its Ann Cleeves Week; all the earlier books - plus an interview with Ann - are linked from the review of Blue Lightning . They also held an informal chat with Ann , in which she answers the question: "Tell us one thing about yourself that most of your fans don't already know?". Now the Four Seasons Quartet is being followed by the Four Elements: Earth, Water, Fire and Air - but not in that order! Shetland Stories Ann has contributed a Shetland story - The Spinster - to OxCrimes , a star-studded anthology of the best in crime writing, published by Profile Books in aid of Oxfam.

OxCrimes is introduced by Ian Rankin and has been curated by Peter Florence, director of Hay Festival, where it will be launched in May: read more on the publisher's website , which includes links to buy your copy from Waterstones or Amazon - or call in at your local Oxfam shop! My Shetland - two prize-winning short films chosen by Ann Cleeves to show readers of her Shetland Quartet what the islands look like to the people who live there. Or see a large image of the map on this site . Red Bones (Shetland Island, #3) by Ann Cleeves — Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists Oct 18, 2015 Richard Derus rated it really liked it Rating: 4.125* of five The Publisher Says: When a young archaeologist studying on a site at Whalsay discovers a set of human remains, the island settlers are intrigued. Is it an ancient find - or a more contemporary mystery? Then an elderly woman is shot in a tragic accident in the middle of the night. Shetland detective Jimmy Perez is called in by her grandson - his own colleague, Sandy Wilson.

The sparse landscape and the emptiness of the sea have bred a fierce and secretive people. Mima Wilson w Rating: 4.125* of five The Publisher Says: When a young archaeologist studying on a site at Whalsay discovers a set of human remains, the island settlers are intrigued. Is it an ancient find - or a more contemporary mystery? Then an elderly woman is shot in a tragic accident in the middle of the night. Shetland detective Jimmy Perez is called in by her grandson - his own colleague, Sandy Wilson. The sparse landscape and the emptiness of the sea have bred a fierce and secretive people. Mima Wilson was a recluse. She had her land, her pride and her family. As Jimmy looks to the islanders for answers, he finds instead two feuding families whose envy, greed and bitterness have lasted generations. Surrounded by people he doesn't know and in unfamiliar territory, Jimmy finds himself out of his depth. Then there's another death and, as the spring weather shrouds the island in claustrophobic mists, Jimmy must dig up old secrets to stop a new killer from striking again . . .

My Review: This is the third in what the publishers call The Shetland Islands Quartet in some places, A Shetland Islands Thriller in others. I hope that this betokens a realization on the part of Cleeves and her publishers that the series has the essential ingredient for longevity: Terrific characters entwined in believeable relationships. We see Jimmy Perez, our sleuth, living without gal-pal Fran Hunter while she's down south in London to visit family and friends. His every waking thought seems to return to her, to her daughter Cassie, and to the natural fears of a man in love whose lover is far away: Is she safe, is she having too good a time to want to come back, is this the end of my dream of happiness, all the stuff men think but never admit they're thinking. Sandy, Perez's Detective Sergeant, is also away, though closer to home...he's on Whalsay, a short ferry ride from Lerwick where Jimmy is based. While visiting home, Sandy's beloved grandmother is shot. It looks like a horrible, horrible accident.

Sandy is first cop on the scene, naturally, and has to make hard calls about how to pursue the matter before Jimmy shows up to take over. Sandy's family will never be the same again, of course, but more importantly for the story, Sandy won't either. Jimmy helps Sandy grow into his manhood during this investigation, and this makes the book far richer than we'd have any right to expect from a simple thriller. When a second horrible death occurs, Sandy and Jimmy both conclude there are connections here that the two of them aren't making, and whether or not the deaths were intentional, the connections need to be investigated and explored. This takes each of them farther from his comfort zone than either expected. Cleeves's plot snake-twines around each character, squeezing the past and the present tightly together, and finally forcing the characters into one inevitable crushing future. It looks nothing like the present. It looks nothing like the future the characters saw coming. And that's why I recommend this book, and this series, with such a strong voice.

...more Mar 22, 2013 Nancy Day rated it did not like it If I wasn't so intrigued with the climate and culture of the Shetlands, I would have stopped reading this book after the first few chapters. She does do a good job describing the unique characteristics of this incredibly interesting locale, but beyond that, what a lousy "thriller." The two main cops are riddled with self-doubt and self-deprecation, but not in a cool, Harry Hole kind of way, in the "gosh, I hope I get the girl!" and "how can I get my dad to like me?" way. Sure, part of the human If I wasn't so intrigued with the climate and culture of the Shetlands, I would have stopped reading this book after the first few chapters. She does do a good job describing the unique characteristics of this incredibly interesting locale, but beyond that, what a lousy "thriller." The two main cops are riddled with self-doubt and self-deprecation, but not in a cool, Harry Hole kind of way, in the "gosh, I hope I get the girl!" and "how can I get my dad to like me?" way.

Sure, part of the human experience, but not really what contributes to a page-turner. The writing is redundant, in that a character makes a statement, then the author tells us what the character said and meant. Boring. The crimes themselves aren't particularly interesting, but with a stronger writer they could have been used to bring out angst, longing, and fear. I kept thinking Cleeves was writing with 15-year-olds in mind. However, any self-respecting 15-year-old reader would also find the book less than compelling. Very disappointing, as I love the BBC "Vera" series based on her books (haven't seen their Shetland Islands series, also based on Cleeves' books). Another rare case when the movies are better than the books, perhaps. ...more mp3 workaday Red Bones [2009] , 11 hours 24 mins, blurb: An island shrouded in mist and a community with secrets buried in the past . . .When a young archaeologist studying on a site at Whalsay discovers a set of human remains, the island settlers are intrigued. Is it an ancient find – or a more contemporary mystery?

Then an elderly woman is shot in a tragic accident in the middle of the night. Shetland detective Jimmy Perez is called in by her grandson – his own colleague, Sandy Wilson. The spa mp3 workaday Red Bones [2009] , 11 hours 24 mins, blurb: An island shrouded in mist and a community with secrets buried in the past . . .When a young archaeologist studying on a site at Whalsay discovers a set of human remains, the island settlers are intrigued. Is it an ancient find – or a more contemporary mystery? Then an elderly woman is shot in a tragic accident in the middle of the night. Shetland detective Jimmy Perez is called in by her grandson – his own colleague, Sandy Wilson. The sparse landscape and the emptiness of the sea have bred a fierce and secretive people. Mima Wilson was a recluse. She had her land, her pride and her family. As Jimmy looks to the islanders for answers, he finds instead two feuding families whose envy, greed and bitterness have lasted generations. Surrounded by people he doesn’t know and in unfamiliar territory, Jimmy finds himself out of his depth.

Then there’s another death and, as the spring weather shrouds the island in claustrophobic mists, Jimmy must dig up old secrets to stop a new killer from striking again . . . Cleeves's crimes are solvable waay too early, which leaves the reader going 'tum-te-tum' for the remainder of the book. The Shetland Quartet has, apparently, 5 books according to the Goodreads author page. 3* Raven Black Jun 10, 2012 Larraine rated it it was amazing This is the third book in the "Shetland Quartet" featuring Detective Jimmy Perez, who despite having a Spanish surname, is a "multigenerational" Shetland islander. This book features Sandy, a police officer, who is thought to be rather stupid and only capable of doing plodding work that can be directed by his superiors. Bones are found at an archaeological dig. The question is how old are they?

Then Sandy's grandmother is found dead, the suspect is quickly found although it seems to be an accide This is the third book in the "Shetland Quartet" featuring Detective Jimmy Perez, who despite having a Spanish surname, is a "multigenerational" Shetland islander. This book features Sandy, a police officer, who is thought to be rather stupid and only capable of doing plodding work that can be directed by his superiors. Bones are found at an archaeological dig. The question is how old are they? Then Sandy's grandmother is found dead, the suspect is quickly found although it seems to be an accidental death. Then a young woman who was involved in the dig is found dead. It looks like suicide, but Perez is not convinced. The markings on her wrists look, to him, to have been made by someone who was trying to make a murder look like suicide. There is more to these murders, of course, as we learn about two feuding families, greed and an old crime. Once again, Cleeves got me on this one. I never expected the ending to this one. I'm starting on the final book in the quarter, Blue Lightning.

I only hope she hasn't decided to end the series. ...more Mar 13, 2012 Jill Manske rated it it was ok It took a long time (more than 50 pages) to warm up to this book. It starts really, really slowly. And it takes awhile to get used to the Scottish slang and phrases. It was interesting in that I learned a lot about the Shetland Islands and the bleak existence that islanders share. And the mystery was ok - more like an Agatha Christie novel than anything else. It was frustrating because the police seemed so inept. Maybe we watch too much CSI and maybe small villages in Scotland don't have access It took a long time (more than 50 pages) to warm up to this book. It starts really, really slowly. And it takes awhile to get used to the Scottish slang and phrases. It was interesting in that I learned a lot about the Shetland Islands and the bleak existence that islanders share. And the mystery was ok - more like an Agatha Christie novel than anything else. It was frustrating because the police seemed so inept.

Maybe we watch too much CSI and maybe small villages in Scotland don't have access to the kind of forensics in big cities. But, come on. They weren't able to tell how far away the shooter was? They couldn't tell which direction the shot had come from? Same with the second murder; they couldn't tell self-inflicted wounds from murder? It's an implausible plot in a gloomy place. I won't be running out to find other books by this author. ...more Shelves: favorite-series , crime-mystery , secrets I continue to like this series set in the Shetland Islands, this one revolving around an archaeological dig of what is thought to be a merchant's house from the 1500's. If it turns out to be true, it will be quite a discovery and will likely lead to the reconstruction of the home and a visitor's center focusing on the history of the island of Walsey and its possible involvement in the Hanseatic League. The dig and thinking about the Hanseatic League and S I continue to like this series set in the Shetland Islands, this one revolving around an archaeological dig of what is thought to be a merchant's house from the 1500's.

If it turns out to be true, it will be quite a discovery and will likely lead to the reconstruction of the home and a visitor's center focusing on the history of the island of Walsey and its possible involvement in the Hanseatic League. The dig and thinking about the Hanseatic League and Shetland's possible involvement in it added to the interest for me. All the things I love about The Shetland Island thrillers are present. The island pace and ways, the history, atmospheric writing and a clear picture of the setting. And as one reviewer said: Terrific characters entwined in believable relationships. As in each of the "thrillers" to date in this series, there's a murder or two that detective Jimmy Perez and his sargent, Sandy Wilson, must work to solve. Sandy has been somewhat of a goofball in previous books, but he matures quite a bit in this story. He is up to the task of the greater responsibility Perez gives him. The dig is on his family's historic croft (farm) where his grandmother lives, and his family is deep into this situation. They and the community of Walsay will never be the same.

One thing I noticed in this book about Cleeves's writing is how she perfectly captures people's interior conversations. Perez is anxious about his gal Fran, who's in London with her little girl, and he worries about their safety and whether London will be more to her liking. Will she return? Does she love him? Should he ask her to marry him? He also second guesses and doubts himself constantly, but he is usually on the right track. Sandy, continually frets about his parents, thinking something is wrong. He dithers about whether he should move back to Walsay or continue to live in the big town on the main island. He also frequently remarks to himself about what kind of woman would be a good wife for him. We are privy to everyone's thoughts which adds layers of interest and complexity and greater understanding of each main character. This is a book of secrets, and as usual for Cleeves there are many people who could have committed the crimes. I only had a feeling about what the truth might be and when it was revealed, I did not see it coming, but it all added up. The ending of this book felt fully realized.

I included this interview with Cleeves in my review of White Nights , but thought I'd add it here as well. Mar 30, 2012 Mary Gilligan-Nolan rated it really liked it Book 3. in the "Shetlands Quartet" and another one I loved. This one takes us to Sandy's homeland on Whalsay, renowned for its friendly Islanders, and while Sandy is home on a visit, his grandmother is shot dead one dark night outside her farmhouse and he finds her body. His cousin, Ronald, who is out shooting rabbits, is thought to have shot her accidentally There is an archaeological dig taking place on Mima's land (Sandy's grandmother) and the PhD student in charge of the dig, Hattie James, h Book 3. in the "Shetlands Quartet" and another one I loved. This one takes us to Sandy's homeland on Whalsay, renowned for its friendly Islanders, and while Sandy is home on a visit, his grandmother is shot dead one dark night outside her farmhouse and he finds her body.

His cousin, Ronald, who is out shooting rabbits, is thought to have shot her accidentally There is an archaeological dig taking place on Mima's land (Sandy's grandmother) and the PhD student in charge of the dig, Hattie James, had become very close to Mima and was a regular visitor at her croft. Sandy calls Jimmy to come to Whalsay to deal with the formalities of the death, but Jimmy has a gut instinct that maybe there is more to this than an accident. When another death takes place in a short space of time, this one seemingly a suicide, Jimmy is feeling increasingly suspicious. His investigations lead him to old secrets that have been kept on the Island as far back as the second World War and some even more recent ones. Fran and Cassie are away in London and Jimmy is missing them and he now seems to have his mind set on asking Fran to marry him, but he is also unsure of how she will react and fears she may turn him down. This is a well written story, which deals with family relationships and the histories of the families on the Island and we get to see Sandy in more depth than in the previous books.

It certainly makes me want to go visit The Shetlands, so Ann Cleeves is doing a great tourism promotion through her writing. ...more Shelves: library-audio This novel is deftly situated in the Shetlands and is so closely tied to the islands' geography and culture that it could not take place anywhere else. I loved it for this. A mystery surrounds the archaeological discovery of some bones that turn out not to be so old and then a seemingly motiveless murder. The archaeologists' presence ensures that the suspects are not limited to the islanders and makes the story more interesting. There are red herrings, which I fell for, and a large cast of chara This novel is deftly situated in the Shetlands and is so closely tied to the islands' geography and culture that it could not take place anywhere else. I loved it for this. A mystery surrounds the archaeological discovery of some bones that turn out not to be so old and then a seemingly motiveless murder. The archaeologists' presence ensures that the suspects are not limited to the islanders and makes the story more interesting. There are red herrings, which I fell for, and a large cast of characters with interconnected lives.

This is the first of the Perez series that I've read although I've seen the TV series. It is puzzling though that Jimmy Perez is clearly described as being dark as befits his Spanish ancestry but the actor is fair haired. I look forward to reading more of the series. ...more Shelves: first-reads An intricately interwoven plot that is undeniably brilliant, atmospheric and beautifully crafted. This stunning crime novel by highly acclaimed, bestselling author of Dead Water and Raven Black, Ann Cleeves brings a new exciting tale to the forefront. ‘Shetland’ is now a major BBC television drama adaptation. This profoundly gripping, absorbing tale is one that had me sat on the edge of my seat throughout as I was unable to put this book down for even a moment. Shrouded in mystery, deception and An intricately interwoven plot that is undeniably brilliant, atmospheric and beautifully crafted. This stunning crime novel by highly acclaimed, bestselling author of Dead Water and Raven Black, Ann Cleeves brings a new exciting tale to the forefront. ‘Shetland’ is now a major BBC television drama adaptation.

This profoundly gripping, absorbing tale is one that had me sat on the edge of my seat throughout as I was unable to put this book down for even a moment. Shrouded in mystery, deception and intrigue this cleverly crafted crime investigation is one that captured my imagination as I lost myself within a fantastic story. Quirky, distinctive characters amidst the mystical Shetland backdrop that is eerie, radiating a sinister beauty such as one would find in Doone Valley or the rugged bleakness of the Moors in Jane Eyre. I was kept guessing throughout and had chills running down my spine it was so electrifying, therefore I would highly recommend this satisfying tale. When an elderly woman is shot in a tragic accident, Shetland detective Jimmy Perez is called to investigate. The sparse landscape and the emptiness of the sea have bred a fierce and secretive people. As Jimmy looks to the islanders for answers, he finds instead two feuding families whose envy, greed and bitterness have lasted generations.

Then there’s another death and, as the spring weather shrouds the island in claustrophobic mists, Jimmy must dig up old secrets to stop a new killer from striking again… An evocative treat which will delight the senses and complex mystery to unhinge the mind, this fascinating and delicately interlaced in-depth murder mystery is truly exceptional. I am so impressed by an author whose originality, sublime simplicity of prose and exquisite narrative has astonished hence Ann Cleeves now remains a firm favorite and inspirational writer. Amidst the truth-drawing clarity and acutely graphic realism, is an enriching perspective and insight on life that is just remarkable. A real page-turner which is dark, compelling and as deadly deceiving as an Agatha Christie. This ambitious work is a series that I intend to continue reading for it encompasses all that one cherishes most within well-written crime fiction. *I won a copy of ‘Red Bones by Ann Cleeves’ through a GoodReads giveaway* I would like to take this opportunity to thank the author and also the publishers (Pan Macmillan) for this.

Shelves: mysteries , shetland The discovery of the body of an elderly woman on a mist-shrouded night is where this mystery began. Dense fog was not an uncommon event on Whalsay, one of the smaller Shetland Islands. Those misty incursions often covered the terrain so that only people very familiar with it could get around in it. Sandy Wilson, at home for a visit on Whalsay was coming to visit his grandmother Mima in this dense haze to sober up a bit before going home to his parents house and at first he thinks that he sees a c The discovery of the body of an elderly woman on a mist-shrouded night is where this mystery began. Dense fog was not an uncommon event on Whalsay, one of the smaller Shetland Islands. Those misty incursions often covered the terrain so that only people very familiar with it could get around in it. Sandy Wilson, at home for a visit on Whalsay was coming to visit his grandmother Mima in this dense haze to sober up a bit before going home to his parents house and at first he thinks that he sees a coat on the ground.

He is dismayed and shocked to find it is his grandmother and when he brings her inside he realizes she has been shot. Sandy is a policeman who works for Jimmy Perez of the Shetland police and he calls his boss knowing he has already disturbed the scene of the crime. At fist it seems that the shooter is a close friend of Sandy’s who was rabbit hunting but little details don’t add up and with in a few days there is another death. Again the facts are hazy and hard to see clearly. The victim is a young girl, Hattie on the island doing an archeological dig on the island for her PHD. She and her assistant Sophie had made some finds that might lead to greater future developments . This dig was abutting Mima’s croft and Hattie had become friends with her so the death of the old Islander affected her badly, in addition she had also been acting a little oddly herself recently. In this mystery the mist may be a metaphor for haziness surrounding the cause of the two deaths. Murder, manslaughter, or freak accident are considered in the case of Mima, and the facts of murder or suicide in Hattie’s death are tossed back and forth and left unsettled.

Jimmy Perez in his quiet persistent way teases out the tangles and follows small wisps of information that lead him to the realization that while appearing close knit to an outsider, envy, distrust and enmity from old rivalries crept insidiously into the relationships of these Shetlanders and there were motives to murder. As the mists and fogs disperse Jimmy also finds light being shed on the crimes he is being pushed to solve. This is a slow burning story, much like the peat fires that warm the crofts of these desolate but beautiful places places. But no matter where you find them people are not so very different and while the ending is beautifully suited to the time and place, it would have worked as well in a Greek tragedy. I liked the book very much. ...more Mar 27, 2012 Janebbooks rated it liked it Bones in the land...skeletons in the cupboard..., March 11, 2012 It's early spring in the Shetland Islands in the North Sea - a time of rebirth and celebration. Hyacinths are blooming in pots and beds of yellow daffodils have popped up in the fields.

Some of the inhabitants are planning an early garden - a strip of tatties, another of neeps...and a planticrub with cabbage. Ann Cleeves has set her third installment of the Shetland Island mysteries on the small island of Whalsay, a mere 6 miles lon Bones in the land...skeletons in the cupboard..., March 11, 2012 It's early spring in the Shetland Islands in the North Sea - a time of rebirth and celebration. Hyacinths are blooming in pots and beds of yellow daffodils have popped up in the fields. Some of the inhabitants are planning an early garden - a strip of tatties, another of neeps...and a planticrub with cabbage. Ann Cleeves has set her third installment of the Shetland Island mysteries on the small island of Whalsay, a mere 6 miles long and 2 1/2 miles wide. Hattie James. a young archeology student working on her PhD, has returned to Setter, the oldest croft or farm on the island, owned by Mima Wilson.

Hattie believes that the remains of a large and important 15th century merchant's house is on the site. Shortly after the young diggers discover human bones, an elderly woman is shot by a neighbor lamping for rabbits. A young visiting cop from Lerwick has called in Detective Jimmy Perez to investigate the death. A half dozen silver coins have been excavated, and when another body is found in the dig's trenches, Sandy and Perez begin to suspect foul play. Detective Perez has been around for Cleeves' other Shetland Island mysteries. But in RED BONES we meet his boss, the Fiscal..."a fiftysomething with a cutting tongue and a designer wardrobe." (A Fiscal is, in the words of Perez, a cross between a magistrate and a prosecuting lawyer.) Rhona Laing, the new fiscal, becomes one of the most interesting women in the novel...although Cleeves methodically introduces the reader to practically every inhabitant on Whalsay including a newborn child. Two other outsiders, both archeologists, do appear in the tale to create some authenticity: Val Turner of the Shetland Museum and Paul Bergland, a university professor.

In what seems an afterthought, Cleeves throws in some interesting Shetland history that's essential to the plot. She talks of Whalsay as an important port in the Hanseatic League - the medieval trading community of towns along the Baltic Sea and North Sea coasts. And mentions the Shetland Bus, a group of men who built boats for the Norwegians resisting German occupiers during World War II. RED BONES was a very slow read. But I am optimistic and ready for the final installment of Cleeves quartet Blue Lightning: A Thriller. I hear it ends the series with a bang.... 3.5 out of 5 stars Shelves: murder-mystery A couple of archaeology students at a dig on Whalsay island find silver coins and bones, including part of a skull on croft land belonging to an elderly lady. When the elderly lady is shot late at night, it is assumed to be a tragic accident, the result of her drunken grand-nephew out rabbit hunting. When later, the lead archaeologist is also found dead in one of the trenches, her death is pronounced a suicide. But are the 2 deaths linked at all?

Inspector Jimmy Perez ferries over to Whalsay and A couple of archaeology students at a dig on Whalsay island find silver coins and bones, including part of a skull on croft land belonging to an elderly lady. When the elderly lady is shot late at night, it is assumed to be a tragic accident, the result of her drunken grand-nephew out rabbit hunting. When later, the lead archaeologist is also found dead in one of the trenches, her death is pronounced a suicide. But are the 2 deaths linked at all? Inspector Jimmy Perez ferries over to Whalsay and thinks that there are secrets on the island, secrets that may have caused the 2 deaths, although his challenge is finding the evidence to prove it. His boss wants him to wrap this up neatly as an accident and a suicide but Inspector Perez's gut tells him otherwise and in his attention to detail and ear for stories, he starts to unravel some of the secrets that some families would do almost anything for to keep in the dark. ...more Shelves: british-mysteries , 2015 , books-i-own I am still loving this series from Ann Cleeves and can't wait to check out the 4th in the series.

In this installment, there is more focus on Jimmy Perez's fellow policeman, Sandy, and less on Jimmy's relationship with Fran, as she is out of town for most of the novel (however, there are quite a few new developments in that category by the end of the novel.) I like how Red Bones switches the focus more towards Sandy and his family as the mystery revolves around a murder of Sandy's grandmother. T I am still loving this series from Ann Cleeves and can't wait to check out the 4th in the series. In this installment, there is more focus on Jimmy Perez's fellow policeman, Sandy, and less on Jimmy's relationship with Fran, as she is out of town for most of the novel (however, there are quite a few new developments in that category by the end of the novel.) I like how Red Bones switches the focus more towards Sandy and his family as the mystery revolves around a murder of Sandy's grandmother. To me, it made the story feel fresh with the introduction of new characters and more details of familiar ones. Hopefully, this is a trend that Cleeves continues in the upcoming books.

Overall, I gave this novel a 4 star because I liked the change of perspective, her ever awe-inspiring descriptions of the Shetlands landscapes, and the surprising twist to the mystery that left me stunned. ...more Shelves: mystery My introduction to Ann Cleeves! She has been compared to Agatha Christie and as far as the surprise element at the end, I found that to be true! I enjoyed this mystery set on the Shetland Islands, an unfamiliar region in literature for me. I enjoyed learning about life there and reading about how some islanders aided in the Norwegian resistance during World War II. I also enjoyed the archeology element in this novel. Though a bit slow moving at times, this mystery was hard to put down once I got i My introduction to Ann Cleeves! She has been compared to Agatha Christie and as far as the surprise element at the end, I found that to be true! I enjoyed this mystery set on the Shetland Islands, an unfamiliar region in literature for me. I enjoyed learning about life there and reading about how some islanders aided in the Norwegian resistance during World War II. I also enjoyed the archeology element in this novel.

Though a bit slow moving at times, this mystery was hard to put down once I got into it and I did like the characters and thought them done very realistically! The author does not hesitate to portray characters with very real dilemmas, faults, and distinct personality traits. It was nice to be surprised at the end and find that my guess as to 'whodunit' was incorrect : ) I will be looking for more mysteries by Ann Cleeves. ...more Shelves: library-books , mystery-thriller-suspense , archaeology , read-in-2015 , rlftci-challenge-2015 , wheel-a-thon-2015 , y-author-a , y-author-c , x-title-r , 50-mysteries-in-2015 , library-i-got-it , literary-mysteries-listopia , library-7 I always enjoy to read books in places I've never been before (literary wise and in real life). The Shetland Islands were such a black spot on my map. I needed some time to warm up to Jimmy Perez and Sandy, I thought Sandy was quite clumsy and liked to drink quite a bit.

The more I learned about the people on the Island the more I liked the story. It was a bit slow at times, though. Of course, I read about people I disliked on sight :) (view spoiler) [The rich family, especially Ronald, who ended I always enjoy to read books in places I've never been before (literary wise and in real life). The Shetland Islands were such a black spot on my map. I needed some time to warm up to Jimmy Perez and Sandy, I thought Sandy was quite clumsy and liked to drink quite a bit. The more I learned about the people on the Island the more I liked the story. It was a bit slow at times, though. Of course, I read about people I disliked on sight :) (view spoiler) [The rich family, especially Ronald, who ended up killing out of greed. (hide spoiler) ] The archeology element added a twist I liked. I should rembember to read more books with this angle. (view spoiler) [It was really sad that the people I was most interested in were the victims of murder: Hattie and the archeology student.

(hide spoiler) ] ...more Shelves: 2013 , november-2013 I enjoyed this book as much as I did Raven Black. I thought White Nights was the best of them so far, the formula feels a little worn after 3 in a row and I felt the action dragged in some places. Like the first book, it didn't give me as much of a sense of the Shetlands as I would have liked. But I enjoy Perez, I liked the deeper look into Sandy's life. I'm looking forward to the fourth book, I missed Fran's presence in this one. Mar 26, 2011 Susan Johnson rated it it was amazing I can't express how much I enjoy this series and it gets better as it goes along. The description of the Islands makes it so realistic that I feel like I'm there. Perez's girlfriend says. "No light pollution, no sound, but they just can't conceive it." Cleeves does a great job of making it conceivable. The mystery was very layered and the ending really surprised me. This book succeeds on many levels.

Shelves: mysteries Interesting setting on the Shetland islands, an archeological dig, past scandals and mysterious disappearances, an unexpected death--all very promising, but this book is like an oatmeal cookie with too few raisins. There was so much of the detectives' internal maunderings about their life issues that it distracted from the suspense. Mar 09, 2016 Casey rated it really liked it · review of another edition I continue to find the Jimmy Perez novels fascinating. Ann Cleeves manages to write a detective who isn't a man driven to drink by the job like so many others, and her murderers aren't really bloodthirsty. I was glad to see more of Sandy Wilson, particularly since the mystery involved his family so deeply. This is a deft, quiet thriller. Jan 20, 2016 Gisela Hafezparast rated it really liked it This is clearly the book in the series where Ann Cleeves found her feet. Unlike the others before the characters are now rounded and the story believable and well situated in the amazing Shetland Isles. Great read.

Douglas Henshall - Gpedia, Your Encyclopedia Douglas Henshall 1.79m (5 ft 10 in) Spouse(s) Douglas James Henshall (born 19 November 1965, Glasgow, Scotland) is a Scottish actor best known for his role as Professor Nick Cutter in the British science fiction series Primeval and as Jimmy Perez in crime drama Shetland . Contents 4 External links Background Henshall's mother was a nurse and his father a salesman. He attended Barrhead High School . While studying there, he joined the Scottish Youth Theatre . After graduation, he moved to London and trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts . Later, Henshall joined the 7:84 theater company in Glasgow. He later returned to London where he received critical acclaim for his theater work, notably Life of Stuff at the Donmar Warehouse (1993) and American Buffalo at the Young Vic (1997). Career In 1993, Henshall appeared in Dennis Potter 's television adaptation of Lipstick on Your Collar . He also portrayed T.E.

Lawrence in a recurring role in the American television series Young Indiana Jones (1992-1996). One of his first successful film roles was as Edgar in Angels and Insects (1995) before going on to star in Sharpe's Justice (1997), Orphans (1998), The Man with Rain in His Shoes (1998), The Lawless Heart (2001) and Silent Cry (2002). He has also starred in many television series and is known for his roles in Psychos (1999), Kid in the Corner (1999) (for which he won a gold nymph as best actor in a mini-series at the Monte-Carlo TV festival in 2000), Anna Karenina (2000), and Loving You (2003). He has also performed in plays for BBC radio , including the role of Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (1999) and David in The Long Farewell (2002).

In the summer of 2002, Douglas returned to the London stage where he performed the role of Michael Bakunin in Tom Stoppard 's new trilogy of plays, The Coast of Utopia , at the National Theatre . Henshall played Marcus in the post-production British comedy film French Film , alongside Hugh Bonneville and Anne-Marie Duff . He took the starring role as scientist Professor Nick Cutter in the first three series of the science fiction series Primeval from 2007 to 2009. Henshall also starred in Dorian Gray (2009) as the doctor Alan Campbell. He went on to appear in another ITV1 show, Collision , in which he played the investigating officer of a multiple car crash. In 2010, Douglas starred in a BBC1 drama called The Silence . [1] He appeared in Series 5 of Lewis in the episode "The Mind Has Mountains" and as Cradoc in The Eagle (2011). In summer 2011, Henshall starred in Harold Pinter 's Betrayal at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End playing the lover of Emma, played by Kristin Scott Thomas .

Her husband was played by Ben Miles and the revival was brought to life by director Ian Rickson . In autumn 2012 he appeared as Oliver Cromwell in the premiere of the new play 55 Days . In 2012, he starred as Augustus Cribben in The Secret of Crickley Hall , and in the ITV television film of Ian Rankin 's novel Doors Open . In 2013 Henshall played Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez in the BBC two-part drama Shetland . The story was based on Ann Cleeves' Shetland crime novel Red Bones. A second series of six episodes consisted of three, two-part, stories based on Cleeve's Raven Black, Dead Water and Blue Lightning. It screened in the UK in March and April, 2014. A further series was filmed in 2015, screening on BBC1 in the UK during January and February 2016. In 2015, Henshall starred as Taran MacQuarrie in the TV series Outlander .

In 2016, he starred in the Scottish 3-part television drama series In Plain Sight as the detective William Muncie who pursued serial murderer Peter Manuel to his conviction and ultimate execution by hanging. References

Question: Ann Cleves wrote the novel Red Bones, which BBC TV drama, screened in 2013 and 2014, was based on it?
Answer: Shetland