Inspector Jimmy Perez takes his fiance home to Fair Isle, the tiny island he comes from, to meet his parents. The island is a magnet for bird watchers, who congregate at the local inn and lighthouse. When a local married celebrity, who had an eye for the lads, is murdered, Perez discovers that the suspects are very close to him indeed. With a sensational ending destined to create much buzz in the … buzz in the mystery world, Blue Lightning will thrill suspense fans everywhere. This series is the basis for the hit BBC show Shetland, starring Douglas Henshall, which attracted over 12 million viewers in its first two nights on the air.
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Wow, what an amazing read, with such a powerful and emotional ending, beautifully written. It proves that crime fiction isn’t simply about murders and police procedures. Like any memorable story, it’s about the characters, the relationships and the background.
In this case, it’s Jimmy Perez, a detective inspector born on Fair Isle in the Shetlands. He’s a complex, thoughtful character, who takes his time and thinks things through before making a move. He knows the islands, their people, the myths and legends, the gossip. And when he investigates a murder, he uncovers the secrets.
In this fourth outing in the series, he’s back home, introducing his fiancée, Fran, to his family, to the crofter’s life he left behind. He has a week off. He doesn’t mind the storm that will isolate the place for days. It’s the murder at the bird observatory he could do without. When the body of a famous bird watcher and TV presenter is found stabbed, Perez is on his own – no crime scene or forensic back up – just his wits and skills as a detective.
At least the killer’s also trapped.
The investigation moves slowly. With the number of visitors and regulars at the observatory, there are plenty of suspects, plenty of secrets to uncover. There’s also Fran and his family to consider. It’s not long before he’s feeling the pressure of too many late nights, of working alone.
The tension builds as more and more motives are uncovered. The pressure to solve the case increases when a second murder is committed. How is it linked to the first? Is anyone else in danger? How can he protect everyone?
And then that superlative ending, catching me completely by surprise.
If you haven’t read Ann Cleeves, you’re missing so much from one the UK’s best and most consistent authors. If you haven’t read any book sin this series, start at the beginning and enjoy the sumptuous stories, the characters and the wonderfully bleak but beautiful islands that make up the Shetlands.
Read 12.20.2020
I thought this book had more suspense than the earlier ones in the series (and a shocking event towards the end), but the portrayal of life on the isolated Shetland Islands remains the most memorable part of the series to me.
This book takes place on the Fair Isle and relates to a group of amateur and professional birdwatchers staying at a bird centre during stormy weather. Great atmosphere and the author makes this group of people as interesting as it is probably possible. Fair Isle is also where Perez grew up so we learn more about his private life.
The characters remain a little sketchy at times but a good story in a great setting.
Ann Cleeves is one of the absolute best contemporary mystery writers. Jimmy Perez, the protagonist in her Shetland series is a wonderful, complex, believable character. I wish Cleeves would write more based on Jimmy, but I think she’s moved on.
Ann Cleeves continues to write extraordinary mysteries set in the
Shetland Islands. The mystery is a page-turner building to an amazing climax. I’d heartily recommend reading the Shetland series in order (which I did not) because the story and the characters build and expand throughout the series.