Thin Air by Ann Cleeves

Set on yet another island in the Shetland archipelago, this sixth book in the Shetland Island series is a good one. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist appeared and kept me guessing.

When a group of old university friends travels from London to the farthest north of the Shetland Islands to celebrate the marriage of one of their friends, one of them, Elanor, is murdered. Jimmy Perez, Sandy Wilson, and Willow Reeves are sent to investigate. Elanor, a filmmaker, was exploring the folklore tale of the ghost of a child who drowned in the 1920s, but what the investigating team discovers is Elanor's unhealthy obsession with the story. As they work to find the killer, the team uncovers secrets about the myth with links that some want to keep hidden. 

I liked the relationship that is developing between Jimmy and Willow. Jimmy is emerging from the depression that dominated the last book, Dead Water, and is much more interesting. Sandy is gaining confidence in his abilities and is a good supporting character. The plot was twisty and compelling, and the character development added to my overall enjoyment. 

4/5 stars.

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Dead Water by Ann Cleeves

In this fifth book in the series, Cleeves again makes the atmospheric location another character.

When the body of a journalist is found on Shetland by Jimmy's boss, he is put in a precarious position. As the team, with Jimmy on the periphery, begins investigating, they find that the journalist has a sordid past and numerous islanders aren't sorry to see him dead. 

The murder is framed around an unsympathetic character, with many wishing him dead. This book also introduced a new cast member, DI Willow Reeves, whose relationship with Jimmy was interesting; I can see her taking on a larger role in his life. This book had a complex and engrossing plot, and although I wanted to shake Jimmy out of his lethargy, I know he'll bounce back soon. 

3.5/5 stars.

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Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver

 

This is a good science fiction novel set in a dystopian near-future world. It pits AI against humans and throws in a good murder mystery for good measure.

Marcus Tully, an investigative journalist, is given the story of his life: The two candidates vying for world leader of a climate-endangered Earth are an Artificial intelligence named Solomon and former US President Lockwood. Tully may have dirt on Lockwood that could sway the election, but when Solomon's creator is murdered, Tully suspects a broader conspiracy. As Tully begins investigating both the murder and possible corruption, he faces moral and ethical dilemmas in his quest for the truth, as well as a threat to his life.

Numerous subplots made the story hard to follow at times, but for the most part, this is a well-paced, engaging novel. I enjoyed Tully's quest for the truth and the hurdles he faced obtaining it. I especially liked pitting an AI against a human to see who is best at navigating the ecological quagmire that is Earth. I found the ending rather abrupt, but it laid the groundwork for a possible series, which I look forward to. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Del Ray, for an a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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Blue Lightning by Ann Cleeves

 

This series is just getting better and better. With four books left before Jimmy Perez shows up in the Orkney Islands, and the start of a new series, I look forward to seeing how Cleeves will wrap up this series.

Jimmy returns to his roots on Fair Isle with his fiancée, Fran, to meet his parents. What he hoped would be some time well-spent with his loved ones ends when a famous woman is murdered at the local bird watching center. As Perez begins his investigation, he uncovers secrets in the woman's past and motives galore from the local inhabitants. A storm has isolated the island, so Perez is initially on his own as he tries to solve the murder. He enlists Fran and his father to help him, but in doing so, endangers them as he races to find the killer.

Although I've never visited the Shetland Islands, these books are giving me a good sense of their bleak and wild environment. Add well-drawn characters and suspenseful plots, and it adds up to a series that is hard to put down. Blue Lightning is a riveting, excellently written addition to the series. 

4.5/5 stars.

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Red Bones by Ann Cleeves

 

In this third book in the Shetland Island series, Cleeves sets it on a smaller island with the same atmospheric environment and interesting characters as her previous novels.

Bones are discovered on an archeological dig on Mima Wilson's land. Mima, who is Perez's assistant Sandy Wilson's grandmother, is then found shot to death in what appears to be an accidental shooting. As Jimmy begins his investigation, he begins to doubt that the shooting is accidental. Mima didn't have many friends on the small island, and her personality created some enemies. The islanders hold secrets, and it's up to Perez and Sandy to find the truth.

I enjoyed the portrayal of life on the small island and the tension between the islanders. Their desire to keep the past hidden created a challenge for Perez. The past and present combine to create an excellent whodunit that kept me turning pages. Cleeves does a fantastic job of keeping the identity of the killer a secret right up to the end. 

4.5/5 stars.

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The Good Liar by Denise Mina

 I like Denise Mina; I can always count on her for an intriguing plot and interesting characters. The Good Liar has both of these, plus a moral dilemma that challenges moral compasses.

Claudia O'Sheil has developed a blood spatter model that has been relied upon as forensic evidence in trials for years; however, it is now being challenged. If the model proves to have inaccuracies, it will reopen cases dating back years and end her career. As she begins to doubt her work, she is called to a ruthless murder of a wealthy man and his fiancée, only to find the man's son is being framed for the murder based on her forensic model. With her career and her son's future in jeopardy, she must decide whether to speak up or let a murderer go free. 

This is a thought-provoking book. Switching back and forth in time, the book follows Claudia on her moral journey from the time of the murder to a speech where she can either keep quiet or commit professional suicide. Mina holds the tension throughout and produces a provocative novel as well as a good murder mystery. 

4/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Mulholland Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is July 29, 2025.

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White Nights by Ann Cleeves

In this second book of the series, Cleeves again depicts life on the small Shetland Island in such a way as to bring beauty to a rough landscape and populate it with interesting characters.

The sun never fully sets midsummer on the Shetland Islands. These white nights wreak havoc with the residents' biorhythms and lend an eerie atmosphere to the islands. When a stranger is found hanging from a rafter after an elaborate art exhibition given by local artist Bella Sinclair, it is up to Jimmy Perez to determine if it was suicide or murder. When a second death occurs that is linked to the exhibition, all doubt is erased.

Cleeves brings back characters from the first book, Black Raven, and sets it a few months after those events. Jimmy's relationship with Fran Hunter is progressing, and he is once again teamed with DI Roy Taylor to solve the murders. I love the setting for this series, although I wonder at the number of murders that can occur on such a small island. If I lived there, I'd think about finding a safer place to live!

This book has an interesting plot, and I like Jimmy's relationships with Fran and Taylor. There are subplots that are resolved nicely. This is an excellent addition to the series. 

4.5/5 stars. 

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Raven Black by Ann Cleeves

When I heard that Ann Cleeves was bringing back her Jimmy Perez character in a new series set in the Orkney Islands, I decided to reread the Shetland Islands series featuring him. It's been years since I've read the books, and I wasn't surprised to find I couldn't remember much of this first book. It's like discovering an old friend. 

When the body of a teenager is found strangled, Shetland detective Jimmy Perez, with the help of his colleagues from the mainland, sets about to find the killer. The island residents are convinced that the culprit is Magnus Tait, a man of low intelligence who has had recent contact with the victim. Preliminary evidence also points toward him, but Perez is determined not to be seduced by the easy solution. Complicating things, the disappearance of a young girl eight years earlier also pointed to Tait, with the islanders anxious for their safety, pressure mounts on Perez and the investigation.

I loved this series the first time I read it, so I'm looking forward to rediscovering it. I like the characters and the setting, and the writing is excellent. Cleeves always has interesting plots, and I never figure out the ending. Her books are suspenseful page-turners that never fail to entertain--even on a second reading. 

4/5 stars.

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Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz

 

I enjoy this series by Anthony Horowitz, as well as his Hawthorne & Horowitz series. Both have interesting plots and great characters. They are also intricately written and challenging murder mysteries.

Susan Ryeland is trying to rebuild her life in England after her relationship and her venture at a hotel on a Greek island failed. Now a freelance editor, she is tasked with editing a continuation novel in the Atticus Pund series by a struggling writer who happens to be the grandson of a famous author. Susan's past work on this detective series didn't end well and almost cost her her life, so she is less than thrilled with the job. Furthermore, the author, Eliot Crace, is portrayed as an arrogant jerk whose ties to his famous family serve as the inspiration for the current book. As more of Eliot's story is revealed, Susan questions the dividing line between fact and fiction.

This book-within-a-book story shifts between two timelines with characters whose names and situations are so similar that it gets confusing at times. I always had to remind myself who was who when the storyline switched. Despite this, I got caught up in the book and the two storylines. I don't know how Horowitz was able to keep both storylines straight, but he did a remarkable job. I don't know if this will be the last book featuring Susan and Atticus, but I hope not. 

4.5/5 stars.

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Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman

 

I've enjoyed Laura Lippman's Tess Monaghan series, so when I saw what sounded like a cozy mystery with one of her minor characters from that series, I was intrigued. In typical Lippman fashion, she has crafted a riveting story with interesting characters.

Sixty-eight-year-old Muriel Blossom, who has been a widow for ten years, finds a winning lottery ticket worth millions and decides to take a luxury boat cruise up the Seine. Not used to international travel or traveling in style, she is befriended by the attentive Allan Turner, who takes charge when Mrs. Blossom misses her flight from London to Paris. The attraction appears to be mutual, and the pair spends a romantic day in London before Allan puts Mrs. Blossom on the train to Paris. Once in Paris, Mrs. Blossom is soon visited by the police who tell her Allan has died from a fall from a Paris hotel room when he was supposed to be in London. When the mysterious Danny Johnson tries to strike up a relationship, Mrs. Blossom is suspicious and doesn't know whom to trust. Throw in a stolen art treasure and some misadventures, and Mrs. Blossom's life gets more complicated.

Mrs. Blossom is a wonderful character. Both naive and savvy at the same time, she is a strong woman who is trying to cast aside her comfortable life and spread her wings. I found the book a wonderfully written page-turner filled with wit and intrigue. The plot is clever and the characters engaging. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 17, 2025.

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Vermilion Drift by William Kent Krueger

I was wondering how Krueger would adjust his characters after what happened in the last book, "Heaven's Keep." I never should have doubted him.

An abandoned mine near Aurora is being considered as a site for the storage of nuclear waste, which provokes the locals. Cork is wearing two hats: security consultant to the storage project and private investigator for the mine owner, who has hired Cork to find his missing wife. While inspecting the mine, a secret room is found that contains the remains of six murder victims, one of whom is the missing wife. The remaining victims are fifty years old and from a period when Cork's father was sheriff. In his investigation of the older victims, Cork revisits his father's actions, some of which are suspect. 

William Kent Krueger has done an excellent job of delving into Cork's past while he is still recovering from a recent tragedy. He deftly intertwines the present and past to tell a compelling story of love and the repercussions of moral decision-making made under extenuating circumstances. It's an intricate and suspenseful story that examines the evil that humans are capable of and how to combat it. 

5/5 stars.

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Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall

 I like police procedurals, and this one was good. The pacing was a bit slow, but the story was interesting.

In a small town in Devon, the man who ran the White Hart pub is murdered, and his body is graphically displayed in the middle of a road. Detective Sargent Nicola Bridge, recently returned to the area, and Detective Constable Harry Ward are assigned to the case. They discover that similar murders occurred many years ago, and wonder if there is a link. As they investigate, they begin uncovering secrets that many wish to stay hidden. What was once an idyllic village is now a place where neighbors point the finger at neighbors, and speculation runs rampant.

The beginning grabbed my attention with the description of the victim, but the pace slowed, and I skimmed over the character's navel-gazing. I didn't find Nicola engaging, and often felt sorry for the way she treated Harry.  The writing is good, but I figured out who the murderer was well before the reveal. 

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 10, 2025.

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Chasing Shadows by Robert Bryndza

 

I love Robert Bryndza's books. The Kate Marshall and Erika Foster series have interesting characters and always intriguing plots that keep me turning pages. This latest Erika Foster book is no exception.

What starts as a routine investigation into a dead body leads Erika to the past that continues to haunt her: the death of her husband and colleagues ten years ago on what was supposed to have been a routine drug bust. The perpetrators were never caught, but now, Erika comes face-to-face with one of the suspected killers. He has a different identity, but Erika knows it's him--only to be told to stop pursuing that case angle. Frustrated and forced to take leave, Erika returns to the scene of the drug bust and begins digging. What she finds is damning information about the bust and links to the current case.

I liked that Bryndza went back to Erika's past so she could try to solve the case that has haunted her. This cleverly plotted story ties Erika's past and present lives in ways that enrich the character and help resolve her demons. The writing is top-notch, and the breakneck pacing makes for an excellent page-turner. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Raven Street Publishing, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is June 5, 2025.

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Heaven's Keep by William Kent Krueger

Just when I thought this series could not get better,  I read the next book, immersing myself more in the characters and Native American culture.

When a small plane carrying Cork's wife and tribal members goes down in the Wyoming wilderness, Cork joins the search effort. Blame focuses on the pilot, who had been drinking heavily the night before the flight. Later, the pilot's wife approaches Cork, asking him to look into the allegations, and Cork returns to Wyoming to find the truth. What Cork finds is a web of lies and perhaps misdeeds done by the Northern Arapaho tribe, and, hope against hope, his wife is still alive.

This intricately plotted novel grabbed my heart at the possible death of Cork's wife. I couldn't believe Krueger would kill off a major character, so I hoped, along with Cork, for a miracle. Krueger again exceeded my expectations in this ninth book in the twenty-one-book series. The story is riveting, and the location shift from Minnesota to Wyoming is a welcome change. 

5/5 stars.

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Red Knife by William Kent Krueger

 The more I read this series, the more I like it. The book Red Knife continues to develop Cork O'Connor, his relationships with his family and community, his tightrope walk with the Ojibwe tribe, and his place with his mixed-blood heritage.

Some young Ojibwe men have formed a group known as the Red Boyz, whose stated goal is to take pride in their culture. However, they are suspected of supplying drugs on the reservation and causing the death of the daughter of a prominent white businessman, who vows revenge. When the head of the Red Boyz and his wife are murdered, all fingers point to the businessman. Now it's the Red Boyz who vow revenge. It falls to Cork, now a private investigator, to work both sides to figure out who is behind the deaths before a race war erupts.

I liked the insight into Ojibwe culture and Cork's ability to fit into the white and red communities. Krueger does an excellent job of tying the story's multiple plotlines together. What I didn't care for was the last chapter. I didn't feel it tied into the delicate balance of race relations that was the book's central theme. 

4/5 stars.

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Midnight and Blue by Ian Rankin

 Following on his last book, A Heart Full of Headstones, Rebus is now in prison, convicted of killing Big Ger Cafferty. When a fellow inmate is murdered in a locked cell, Rebus begins his own investigation into the killing.

Meanwhile, a teen goes missing, and Siobhan Clark, who leads the investigation, runs afoul of her nemesis, Malcolm Fox. Fox, investigating an organized crime angle, links the case to the prison murder and puts Rebus's life in jeopardy.

I can't believe how long this series has gone on. Rebus has aged and transformed himself along the way, and even though he is now retired, he still finds himself at the heart of investigations. I miss the old, boozing, corner-cutting Rebus, but this incarnation is just as fascinating. This is a high-quality series with excellent characters and interesting plots. I'll keep reading as long as Rankin keeps writing. 

4.5/5 stars.

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A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett

One of my favorite detective duos is back to solve another seemingly unsolvable case. In this second book of the Shadow of the Leviathan series—The Tainted Cup is the first—the pair must once again use their logic and insights to solve a crime and walk a delicate political tightrope.

Ana Dolabra and her assistant, Din Kol, are tasked with solving a locked-room disappearance of a Treasury officer in Yarrowdale. They quickly discover that the man has been murdered with body parts showing up far from the crime scene. In tracing the victim's last activities, they realize they are up against a killer skilled at deception and whose ultimate goal may be destroying a controversial facility, known as the Shroud. With the body count rising, the pair is in a race to outwit the killer, save the facility, and ease political tensions.

This is an imaginative book featuring eccentric characters in a fantasy world that comes to life. I love the combination of fantasy and a murder mystery; it works for me. There are twists and red herrings galore, but Ana and Din cannot be denied. Just how the murder is solved and the killer uncovered makes for an entertaining read. 

5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Del Rey, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is April 1, 2025.

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Cahokia Jazz by Francis Spufford

In this richly imagined alternative history, Francis Spufford has created an atmospheric story rich in characters and a world I could believe in.

Imagine if Native Americans were not decimated by conquering invaders, but actually thrived. It’s now 1922, and Native American Detective Joe Burrow and his white partner, Phin Drummond, are called to a grisly crime scene. In the racially diverse but also racially charged city of Cahokia. A white male has been murdered in an ancient Aztec ritual slaying that amps up the racial tensions. What begins as a murder inquiry, quickly expands as politics come into play. Pressure is applied by rival factions and Joe doesn’t know who to trust—he even starts to question his own partner. Relying on his own wits and resources, Joe must find out who and why someone wanted the man killed, all before the city erupts into violence.

This is a brilliantly written and imaginatively crafted story about what could have been. It is a multilayered crime noir novel that, while sometimes gets bogged down in Joe’s navel gazing, redeems itself by delivering a memorable story I won’t soon forget. 

4.5/5 stars.

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A Lesson in Dying by Ann Cleeves

 

A Lesson in Dying is the first book in Ann Cleeves's first detective series. Written in the late 1980s, it is the first of six Inspector Ramsay books. Other than the fact that the characters don't have cell phones, the book does not seem dated.

Headmaster Harold Medburn is despised or feared by the faculty and staff at the school he runs in the village of Heppleburn. When he is found hanging in the school's playground, Inspector Ramsay quickly arrests Medburn's wife, Kitty. This does not work well for retired miner and school caretaker Jack Robson. Jack, a widower, is smitten with Kitty and is determined to clear her of the crime. But when he and his daughter begin investigating, they uncover long-held secrets whose exposure threatens their lives.

True to form, Cleeves's Inspector Ramsay is a flawed character. Unlike the police inspectors in her three other series, Stephen Ramsay does not appear to be the sharpest knife in the drawer. Jack and Jack's daughter, Patty, saved his bumbling investigation by doing most of the investigative work. Cleeves always creates memorable characters, and this book is no exception. The story did get bogged down in places, but overall, this series shows promise. 

3.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is March 25, 2025.

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Lethal Prey by John Sandford

 Once again, John Sandford hits it out of the park with his latest addition to his long-running Prey series. Teaming the Virgil Flowers and Lucas Davenport characters is a winning combination.

Twenty years ago, Doris Grandfeldt was brutally murdered, and her body was left in a St. Paul, Minnesota, area park. Few clues were found, and the case quickly went cold. Now, Doris' twin sister Lara, recently diagnosed with breast cancer, decides to offer a five-million-dollar reward and publishes all of the case materials online in hopes of renewing interest in the case. This attracts the attention of true-crime bloggers and law enforcement. U.S. Marshal Lucas Davenport and state investigator Virgil Flowers are assigned to the case. They must deal with the bloggers and media attention and try to find the elusive killer. Recognizing the power of crowd-sourcing, Lucas and Virgil use the bloggers to their advantage, and when one of the bloggers discovers the murder weapon, the race is one to see who can find the killer. Unfortunately, what works to their advantage is also a detriment. With progress available online, the killer stays one step ahead of the investigation and begins to influence the case. Lucas and Virgil now struggle to handle the information flow while still needing the blogger's resources.

 I like that Sandford combines characters from his other series and that readers don't have to have read the previous books to enjoy the current offering. He always gives enough background material so new readers don't feel lost. Once again, Sandford demonstrates that he is the master of snappy dialogue: the Davenport and Flowers exchanges are dynamite, and the twisty plot is the icing on the cake. 

4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is March 25, 2025.

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