3.5 Stars
Those familiar with Detective Jimmy Perez of the Shetland series will be happy for his reemergence, this time in Orkney.
Jimmy has settled in Orkney with his partner, Chief Inspector Willow Reeves, and their growing family. One stormy night near Christmas, his oldest friend, Archie Stout, goes missing on Westray. Jimmy travels to the island and finds his friend’s body near an archaeological dig site. He was killed by one of the ancient Westray story stones. Jimmy finds himself in a difficult position; he needs to investigate because assistance from Glasgow is not forthcoming, but he has to emotionally detach while grieving the loss of his close friend and to maintain objectivity while questioning people he knows to determine if they could be potential suspects. Though officially on maternity leave, Willow steps in to assist and the two work together to solve Archie’s murder. But his killing is not the last.
Jimmy is the Jimmy I remember from the Shetland series. He is intelligent, sensitive and empathetic, while still harbouring insecurities. Willow describes him well: “An investigation would never be work for him. It was a personal crusade, even if he’d never met the victim” and “He often had too much compassion, too much empathy” so “his sympathy seemed to be channelled towards the victims, the relatives and even the perpetrators of crime.” Despite his skills as an investigator, he is sometimes plagued by “the old fear of incompetence.” He admits, however, that he is learning that “he couldn’t save the world.” Jimmy and Willow make a great team because she keeps him grounded.
There are several suspects, though I suspected from the beginning that the perpetrator would be someone not really considered during the investigation. The book is not action-packed; it’s not so much a page-turner as a plodding police procedural. There is, in fact, not a lot of suspense; an occurrence during the Kirkwall Ba’ Game does provide some tension, but it seems almost contrived. There’s not even any waiting for forensic evidence; Jimmy and Willow just interview people to determine who might have a motive.
I didn’t find the resolution particularly satisfying. The motive, when it is revealed, is a total surprise because there have been no hints. Looking back, one can find oblique hints such as the repetition of what mattered most to Archie, but the reason for his being killed comes from left field. The personality of the second victim is likewise not highlighted in a way that would be particularly helpful in suggesting a reason for his death. At the end, there needs to be a lot of explanation of exactly what happened; this is an indication of a lack of fair play on the author’s part.
As in Cleeves’ Shetland series, the reader is transported to another set of wild and remote islands. The descriptions are wonderful, not just of the physical setting but also of the customs and history. For instance, I found myself researching more about the Kirkwall Ba’ Game. Having visited Neolithic sites in Ireland and Portugal and Viking sites in Iceland and the Faroe Islands, I was intrigued by references to the Standing Stones of Stenness, the Maeshowe passage grave, and the Ring of Brodgar, places which are significant in the plot. Orkney has been added to my list of must-visit places.
That being said, a map of Orkney with its main islands and main towns would have been helpful. Willow and Jimmy travel primarily between Kirkwall on Mainland and Pierowall on Westray, but Willow also takes a plane to North Ronaldsay and drives the Churchill Barriers which take her across Lamb Holm to South Ronaldsay. A map would certainly help the reader visualize the archipelago.
I cannot say that this is my favourite book featuring Jimmy Perez, but if this is the beginning of a second series featuring him, I will keep reading.
Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
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