Anne Cleeves is an English crime writer. In 2006 she won the inaugural Duncan Lawrie Dagger, the richest crime writing prize in the world, for her novel Raven Black. She was born in Herefordshire. She studied English at University of Sussex but dropped out and took various jobs, including a probation officer. The television series Shetland and Vera are based on her book series of the same name.
DEAD WATER:
Prue:
This is the fifth book in the Shetland series. It's very long. Prue enjoyed it very much even though she is not so keen on the Shetland television series. She found the characters were very much like the television series. Perez, the inspector was portrayed well and the bouts of depression he suffered. Some of the local terminology was a bit difficult. The descriptions of Shetland were beautiful. The geography and the culture of the people was well described. The story flowed well and there were no flat spots. The culprit wasn't revealed until the end. Prue enjoyed it and would read more.
Anne:
She enjoyed it but didn't find it as exciting.
Diane:
She had never heard of Anne Cleeves before but she really enjoyed this book. It was a pleasure to read, a real "whodunit". She didn't pick the killer. It was a "can't put down book". Diane felt that female crime writers go more into the characters as well as the crime.
Connie:
She didn't really enjoy the television series but she enjoyed this book. It was realistic. It had a map so she knew where all the places were. Connie enjoys maps in a book. It made Shetland more real for her.
Sheila:
She really likes Anne Cleeve's books but cannot bear the cold and damp weather. She agrees with what everyone else has said. It was a good book and she thinks Anne Cleeves is a reasonable writer.
Pat:
She half read it. She agrees with everyone else about the book and would read more as she really enjoyed it. She also agreed that female writers seem to get you more involved in the characters.
COLD EARTH:
Judy J:
Anne Cleeves was only going to write one book about the Shetlands. She had made a few trips to Shetland. Raven Black did so well that the publisher wanted more. She wrote four in each of the seasons and four about different elements, 9 in total in the Shetland series. Cold Earth is the 7th book and begins in mid winter. Torrential rain causes a landslide. The magistrate is being buried. A female body is found after the landslide and a murder investigation begins. Judy enjoyed it and has read quite a few of her books.
Lesley:
She agrees with what everyone has said. The weather plays a huge part in the story as well as the murder. There is a scar caused by the landslide. The people of the island live with this dreadful weather. You can almost feel the weather. Lesley enjoys the community feel. When there is a murder it involves everyone. Jimmy Perez, the inspector, feels human. She would read more of her books.
Pamela:
She really enjoyed it until near the end. Pamela felt she was a dishonest writer as the author wasn't honest about revealing information. Two murders occur in the book. There is a woman found first and a man later. She found it annoying as a detective story and very badly written. You are not given the information until right near the end She found the reasons for the murder unconvincing.
WHITE NIGHTS
Diann:
This is the second book in the Shetland series."Who dunit" is a good description. Who killed the man with the clown mask at the art gallery? Jimmy Perez is visiting the island with Fran who is exhibiting at the art gallery. It is their first date. There is also another artist, Bella Sinclair. The writing draws you into the book. Diann felt the author was astute. There were good descriptions of the surroundings and you could visualize the scenery. Diann is not normally a crime reader.
Bev:
She is a fan of Ann Cleeves. This story is set in the summertime. Bev didn't think Fran played too important a part. It was realised that a missing person was actually dead. The killer was a surprise.
It was a good story and Bev enjoyed it.
Colleen:
She enjoyed White Knights. She had not seen the Shetland television series.
THIN AIR
Rosemarie:
This is the 6th book in the Shetland series. There were two murders. Four university friends from London were on the island for a wedding and one of them disappeared. There were common factors throughout the book. Rosemarie got a map to look at the different places. She enjoyed the story and would read more.
Jo:
She didn't like it as much as one of the other books. She liked the atmosphere and going from one island to the other. She said it was good and she thought Anne Cleeves was a good author. She loved Jimmy Perez, the inspector.
WILD FIRE
Kris:
This is the 8th and last book in the Shetland series. Jimmy Perez is the detective inspector. An English family move to the island to make a better life for their autistic son. The islanders are suspicious and resentful of the newcomers. The previous owner of their house had hanged himself in the barn and now the body of a young woman is found hanging in the barn by their son, Christopher. Rumours spread like wild fire. The author paints a wonderful picture of the lonely and wild Shetland islands and how interconnected people are in such small communities. Her characters are well developed. Loved it and couldn't put it down.
Judy De La T:
She agreed with all that was said. She also loved this book and couldn't put it down.
Julia:
She really enjoyed this book and hadn't read any of the Shetland series before. It was a really good read and hard to pick the murderer. She likes her writing. Julia wanted to know if Jimmy Perez ended up with Willow. She said it was easy to read and would read more.
Charis:
It was a good read. Charis hadn't read any of the series before. There was a lot of focus on the adults and the way she brought the teenagers in as well. She would have liked more emphasis on the teenagers as well.
BLUE LIGHTNING
Joan:
This book is the 4th book in the Shetland series and was published in 2010. Joan is late to the television series Shetland. She followed it and really liked it. Sandy and Perez from the television series are in the book but not Tosh. Perez is taking Fran to Fair Isle where he grew up and to meet his mother and father. On day one there is a murder. Fran has to be sidekick as they are on holidays. There are a lot of birdwatchers are on the island including a horrible female PHD in her thirties. All the men are attracted to her. There were investigations and then a bit of a lull and then another murder. It was complex. The environment was harsh and desolate.
HIDDEN DEPTHS
Pat (2):
She loved the Shetland series but this book is from the Vera series. It's Pat's first Vera book and she loved the characterization of Vera, the dowdy and difficult detective. She also found the Northumberland accent interesting. She would recommend the Vera series.
Kris
We would like to welcome two new members to our
Bookclub: Val and Colleen
Next month: Biographies or Autobiographies
October: Seafaring Books
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