In this 7th book in the 'Shetland' series - set in Scotland's Shetland Islands - Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez investigates the death of a beautiful stranger. The book works fine as a standalone.
*****
Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez and some of his Shetland neighbors are at the funeral of elderly Magnus Tate when the landslide starts.
Relentless as a rushing river, the earth, mud, and rocks denude the hillside and force their way through a small croft, smashing windows and breaking down the door.
Perez can't remember anyone living in the croft since its owner, Minnie Laurenson, died. Still, a tenant might be smothered or crushed, and Jimmy has to check. As Jimmy approaches the damaged croft he sees the body of a beautiful dark-haired woman clothed in a red silk dress. Jimmy doesn't recognize the woman, and no one admits to knowing who she is.
Perez assumes the woman was killed by the battering mud and rocks and is surprised when the medical examiner says the victim was murdered.... strangled with a belt. Jimmy assumes the killer meant to dispose of the body, but was stymied by the mudslide.
To help with the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Willow Reeves and her crime scene investigator Vicki fly in from the mainland.
The policewomen work with DI Perez and his colleague, Sergeant Sandy Wilson. Sandy's always striving to hone his detective chops, and he works hard to make good contributions to the case.
The investigators' first order of business is to identify the victim, which takes some time since she entered Shetland using a false identity, calling herself Alis. While the detectives search for 'Alis's' real name they interview people who may have seen her around.
The investigators learn 'Alis' first visited Shetland 15 years ago, and probably met some people on the island. However the Shetlanders are very cagey about admitting they ever knew'Alis', probably because she's a murder victim.
As the investigation unfolds, the detectives learn 'Alis' bought a bottle of champagne and some food, which seems to indicate she had an assignation. It turns out someone saw a man in the croft talking to 'Alis' but they keep mum. In fact, lots of people keep secrets or lie, and Jimmy, Willow, and Sandy have to dig deep to uncover the murderer.
As the narrative progresses, we also catch a glimpse of the characters' private lives. Jimmy is raising Cassie, the daughter of his deceased fiancée Fran, whom Jimmy still misses terribly. Nevertheless, Jimmy's just beginning to move on romantically, and he MIGHT have a tenuous connection with Willow Reeves.
Sandy's also involved with a woman, a schoolteacher named Louisa, and Sandy's planning a special Valentine surprise for her.
The twisty plot contains several surprises, as would be expected from talented mystery writer Ann Cleeves. The novel is a must read for fans of the 'Shetland' books. In case you don't know, 'Shetland' is also an entertaining television series.
Rating: 3.5 stars
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