After what seems to be a shooting accident, an old woman dies in Whalsay, a small island east of the mainland. Mima is the grandmother of Sandy Wilson, Jimmy Perez´ young subordinate so this case gives Sandy a chance to show what he can (or can´t) when Perez isn´t around to hold his hand.
Through the story we get to know Sandy´s family, Mima and her offspring, and the Clouston family who have been neighbours forever – but are they mainly friends or rivals?
The outsiders to the place are the archaeologists Hattie, the enthusiastic PhD-student who sees Whalsay as her new home, her lively assistant Sophie and their Professor Paul Berglund who is in charge of the dig next to Mima Wilson´s croft.
Red Bones is a fine police procedural, but it is so much more than that. It conveys a strong sense of the remote environment and the stubborn characters of our two main families, including a story which dates back to the Second World War, a past which casts its shadows and to some extent explains how the family members have turned out.
I bought the book myself.
Incidentally Bernadette, Reactions to Reading, has also posted a review of Red Bones today. Read and enjoy her thorough post.
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12 kommentarer:
It's a wonderful book isn't it, Dorte. The series started very well with Raven Black yet manages to increase its excellence with each successive book - and just wait until you read Blue Lighgtening!!!
Well doen on 200 reviews Dorte
Dorte - Fine review :-). I think that's one of Cleeves' strenghs; her writing evokes the sense of place quite well. The characters also pulled me in. And of course, that touch of history is a big plus for me.
I'm going to a talk by Ann Cleaves later this month - I suppose I had better read at least one of her books before then so may well give this one a try.
Blogger just ate my comment! Essentially, it said: nice review, I think you have captured the essence of the book perfectly. Interesting coincidence, that Bernadette has just reviewed the audio version (both popped up in my RSS reader today).
I haven't read this book--and I know Cleaves is supposed to be great. I'll find it...thanks!
Fiona: I saw a Danish review that really provoked me. A male reviewer from a newspaper who said it was boring and gave it two stars. Couldn´t he just run off and read Dan Brown or James Patterson instead of insulting quality crime?
Thank you, Kerrie.
Margot: I am such an old-fashioned country bumpkin that I feel quite at home in Ann Cleeves´ novels :D
Tracy: they are all good, but as she will probably talk about her recent books I agree one of the latest may be a good choice.
Maxine: thank you! I find it much easier to review books I loved.
Elizabeth: as you are also excellent with characters and setting, I think you´d like her books very much.
Thank you for this review. I read Raven Black earlier in the year and thought the sense of place was good. I'll look out for this one and her latest.
Congratulations on 200 reviews!! Impressive!
I share your enthusiasm. The books would make great television.
Linda: In my opinion they get better and better so I have great expectations to the fourth.
Kelly: thank you. It happens much faster than you think.
Martin: it would, but I hadn´t thought about that aspect at all. When I read such a well-written story, I make all my own pictures.
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