Raven Black by Ann Cleeves. Book 1 in the Shetland series.
I’ve been meaning to read this for ages and wanted to read the book before watching the highly acclaimed television adaptation. DI Jimmy Perez is the laidback romantic detective spurred into action when a young woman is found dead in a remote corner of the even more remote Shetland Islands. A strange loner (Magnus Tait) is the obvious suspect and comes under the accusing eyes of the locals after a child vanished years before near his house. The fact that the recent incident also took place over the road from his cottage leaves him out on a limb and guilty before he’s even been arrested.
Tait is further hampered as he has learning difficulties and communication issues. The supporting cast are brilliantly portrayed and the landscape comes alive with each chapter. It’s a great story, beautifully written and superbly paced. It’s definitely a series I’ll be sticking with to learn more of the enigmatic Perez and the fascinating setting.
Next up is Star of Africa by Scott Mariani, the 13th book of the Ben Hope series.
The Book Bloke 