Sunday 24 April 2016

Heavenfield (The DCI Ryan Mysteries Book 3) - LJ Ross



FROM THE #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF HOLY ISLAND AND SYCAMORE GAP 

The hunter becomes the hunted…

When a man is found dead at the remote church of Heavenfield, DCI Ryan is the only other person for miles around. The police have no weapon, no motive and no other suspects.

Already suspended from Northumbria CID, Ryan must fight to clear his name. But soon, more than his career is at stake when prominent members of the mysterious ‘Circle’ begin to die. Somebody wants Ryan’s name to be next on the coroner’s list and to survive he must unmask the devil who walks among them – before it is too late.

Unfortunately for Ryan, the devil looks just like everybody else…

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit from LJ Ross, set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape. 


What did I think?

This was one of my most eagerly anticipated books of the year, so I had ripped the package open and started the first chapter before the postie had even made it back down the path.  I did have a dilemma when I was part way through - I realised I was reading so quickly that the end was fast approaching and, to quote my 3 year old self when watching Cinderella, I didn't want it to finish.  I appeased myself with a promise to read all three books again soon.

It is a strong, confident storyteller who can kill off a long-standing character at the start of a book and LJ Ross has certainly established herself as a master storyteller, so she does this brilliantly.  There are so many strong characters in the series that, love them or hate them, the show can go on without them.  Well, the show couldn't go on without DCI Ryan, of course...but The Circle may not have read that part of the script.

As always, and I may be a little biased, the setting is magnificent; from the rocky outcrop of Bamburgh to the isolated hilltop church of Heavenfield, the love that LJ Ross has for her home county shines out from every page.  Even the rusty aeroplane wings of the Angel of the North are described with love, affection and North East pride.  These books should be sold at Tourist Information shops as each landmark is not only described but brought to life by including local history and legend.  I was surprised to learn the legend behind the origins of Holy Island - I can't believe I had never heard this legend before, as I briefly paused my reading to google aerial photos of Holy Island. 

With twists and surprises galore, Heavenfield is yet another outstanding book from LJ Ross.  The whodunnit deserves a standing ovation as it had my brain working in overdrive and I would never have guessed in a million years!  There are many heart-pounding moments as The Circle tightens their net in the quest for self-preservation and, after many jaw dropping moments, I couldn't help but wonder who would be left standing at the end.

The DCI Ryan series is going from strength to strength and, I have to agree with my 3 year old self, I really don't want it to finish!

I can't thank LJ Ross enough for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:




Buy it from Amazon

The DCI Ryan series: simply stunning

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