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‘Fantastic. Ann Cleeves is a stone cold genius’ – Marian Keyes, Sunday Times bestselling author of My Favorite Mistake

‘Everything Ann Cleeves writes is incredible’ – Richard Osman, No. 1 bestselling author of The Thursday Murder Club

For the first time since the beloved Shetland series, Detective Jimmy Perez is back. He’s traded the stark beauty of Shetland for the wild isolation of Orkney, but the darkness of human nature follows him everywhere.

When a ferocious storm rages across the islands, it leaves behind more than just damage: it uncovers the body of Archie Stout, a popular, larger-than-life member of the community.

The murder weapon? A Neolithic stone, bearing cryptic, ancient inscriptions.

Now living in Orkney with his partner, Willow, and their young son, Perez is drawn into a case that is chillingly personal-Archie was a friend from his own childhood. And the island is full of familiar faces, all of whom are potential suspects in the killing.

Perez must immerse himself in the lives of the islanders, separating truth from local legend before a desperate killer can strike again . . . and threaten the new life he’s desperately trying to build.

‘Expertly plotted and mesmerizing’ – Mick Herron, author of Slow Horses

‘Bold and dramatic, with a restless love of landscape’ – Val McDermid, author of Past Lying

‘Like snuggling up with dear friends . . . a complex mystery with vivid setting and beloved characters’ – Tess Gerritsen, author of The Summer Guests

‘A masterpiece in character and location. Welcome back, Jimmy Perez!’ – M. W. Craven, author of Nobody’s Hero

‘Unmatched elegance, ingenious plots, and deep characters. Worth every minute’ – David Baldacci, author of The 6:20 Man

‘Jimmy Perez is a fine creation’ – Peter Robinson, author of the DCI Banks series

The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves sees the return of Detective Jimmy Perez

Publisher Review

Ann Cleeves is a stone cold genius — Marian Keyes, Sunday Times bestselling author of My Favorite Mistake Everything Ann Cleeves writes is incredible — Richard Osman, author of the bestselling Thursday Murder Club Mysteries series Ann Cleeves’ restless love of landscape and story brings us a bold and dramatic high stakes return for Jimmy Perez — Val McDermid, bestselling author of Past Lying Ann Cleeves’s elegance as a wordsmith, the ingenuity of her plots, and the depth of her characters can be matched by few writers. In The Killing Stones she brings back the beloved Jimmy Perez in a tale that highlights the entire spectrum of her formidable talents. I was instantly caught up in the sparkling world of her imagination and propelled through several hundred pages of great storytelling on the lonely isle of Orkney, where bodies keep turning up. This novel is more than worth every minute you spend with it — David Baldacci, bestselling author of To Die For Like Rendell and James before her, like McDermid and Rankin today, Ann Cleeves is one of our secret chroniclers, charting – under cover of a series of expertly plotted and mesmerizing crime novels – how we live now — Mick Herron, bestselling author of Slow Horses on The Dark Wives It’s a new island and a new chapter for Perez and his family, but in the extraordinary hands of Ann Cleeves – surely one of our greatest ever crime writers? – the result is predictably brilliant. It’s new but familiar. Exciting but comforting. It’s a masterpiece in character and location – welcome back Jimmy Perez! — M. W. Craven, bestselling author of Nobody’s Hero Reading a new Jimmy Perez novel is like snuggling up with dear friends around a crackling fire. The Killing Stones is classic Ann Cleeves: a complex mystery, beloved characters, and a setting so vivid you can feel the chill of wind and rain on your face — Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Guests A writer at the very top of her game and what a bonus to have Jimmy Perez in my beloved Orkney. I loved this book and not just because it’s set in Orkney and features the charismatic Jimmy Perez – but also it’s an utterly compelling read from a top storyteller — Lorraine Kelly, presenter and host of ITV’s Lorraine I loved the character and was so anxious to know what was happening in his life. Here’s the answer, brilliantly realised — The Week, Louise Penny, bestselling author of The Grey Wolf With an evocation of place that is second to none, Cleeves keeps the narrative plates spinning beautifully to create a complex plot that takes in both the thorny issue of who controls heritage and the pernicious effects of online misogyny. — Laura Wilson * The Guardian * A welcome return for one of the author’s best-loved detective with new characters in an intriguing setting that fans of her Shetland books will relish * Daily Mirror * Cleeves excels at pace and atmosphere, weaving folklore and friendship into a layered, charged investigation * I Paper * This latest instalment of Ann Cleeves’ popular Jimmy Perez series is utterly gripping * Woman’s Own * The start of a fresh series by the ever-gripping Cleeves * Financial Times * Ann Cleeves crafts a tantalising and richly atmospheric mystery, steeped in culture, archaeology and island lore * Woman’s Weekly * Ann Cleeves is the Queen of the detective novel, thrilling millions of readers * Daily Express *