In The Killing Stones, Ann Cleeves brings Detective Jimmy Perez back to center stage—older, settled in Orkney, and facing the one case he never wanted: the murder of his best friend.
It’s Christmas in the windswept isles when Archie Stout vanishes. Perez takes the ferry to Westray, only to find Archie dead beside an archaeological dig, his skull crushed by a stolen Neolithic story stone. When a second body turns up in an ancient burial chamber, the investigation shifts from personal grief to something far more layered and unsettling.
The Orkney setting is richly atmospheric—howling wind, churning seas, and long winter nights that feel almost claustrophobic. The ancient stones and island history give the novel a brooding edge that lingers.
What elevates this story is its emotional core. Perez must question Archie’s widow and confront rumors of infidelity, academic rivalries, and old grudges. Every suspect feels plausible. The final reveal is both surprising and gutting.
I listened to the audiobook, beautifully narrated by Kenny Blyth. Blyth captures the cadence of island life and the quiet intensity of Perez perfectly, adding depth and authenticity to an already powerful story.
A strong four-star return—moody, intelligent, and deeply human.
** Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a comp. Opinions are my own.