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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
I absolutely and completely love this series. I couldn't put this one down.
The fourth book in the Shetland series and, as with the previous 3, what I liked the best was the island atmosphere which was particularly claustrophobic on this story as it takes place in Fair Isle, the remotest of the Shetland. However, once again, I didn't find the story too interesting and I was jumping paragraphs to get to the end... not sure if I will be reading the rest of the Shetland books just yet.
If I felt that the book preceding this one in the Shetland series, ‘Red Bones’, was a slow burner. With Blue Lightning, I think that Cleeves certainly delivers in significantly changing pace with the fourth instalment of the Jimmy Perez novels.
Perez returns to his home on Fair Isle with his fiancée Fran for what he hopes will he a tranquil homecoming. However, as the weather deteriorates and transport to and from the island becomes impermissible, a mysterious and extravagant murder hooks Perez and the Fair Isle community into a tension-filled saga.
What is fascinating about the introduction to the story is the characters, all bird-watchers/wildlife enthusiasts who have escaped cities to Fair Isle, all for seemingly different reasons. The characters are all different and have their own demons, and uncovering how this all intertwines with the murder of Angela Moore in the Fair Isle field centre is absorbing from the get-go.
The proximity all of the suspects have with one another contributes to an immersive plot, where tensions run high and fears escalate as the case intensifies. The backgrounds of each guest at the field centre are subtly revealing but we aren’t entirely sure of their relevance until the fantastic climax.
The way in which Cleeves blends Perez’s personal life with this specific case is subtle but comes together superbly in an explosive and heartbreaking denouement. Perez suggests that this may be his last case in the final passages of the novel, but with a conclusion so powerful, it surely can’t be. Therefore, even before finishing Blue Lightning, I was thinking about the following Jimmy Perez story, Dead Water.
I think that this is the genius of Cleeves. Just when you think the series may be arriving at a natural ending, a vital and shocking twist leaves you demanding more Shetland material. This is a triumph.
This is the novel in the Shetland series where Cleeves executes a decisive and emotional plot-twist. It provides a strange satisfaction for people following the series closely, instead of reading each book as a stand-alone. This keeps the vitality of the wider Jimmy Perez story alive and cleverly keeps us interested ahead of book No. 5.
Perez returns to his home on Fair Isle with his fiancée Fran for what he hopes will he a tranquil homecoming. However, as the weather deteriorates and transport to and from the island becomes impermissible, a mysterious and extravagant murder hooks Perez and the Fair Isle community into a tension-filled saga.
What is fascinating about the introduction to the story is the characters, all bird-watchers/wildlife enthusiasts who have escaped cities to Fair Isle, all for seemingly different reasons. The characters are all different and have their own demons, and uncovering how this all intertwines with the murder of Angela Moore in the Fair Isle field centre is absorbing from the get-go.
The proximity all of the suspects have with one another contributes to an immersive plot, where tensions run high and fears escalate as the case intensifies. The backgrounds of each guest at the field centre are subtly revealing but we aren’t entirely sure of their relevance until the fantastic climax.
The way in which Cleeves blends Perez’s personal life with this specific case is subtle but comes together superbly in an explosive and heartbreaking denouement. Perez suggests that this may be his last case in the final passages of the novel, but with a conclusion so powerful, it surely can’t be. Therefore, even before finishing Blue Lightning, I was thinking about the following Jimmy Perez story, Dead Water.
I think that this is the genius of Cleeves. Just when you think the series may be arriving at a natural ending, a vital and shocking twist leaves you demanding more Shetland material. This is a triumph.
This is the novel in the Shetland series where Cleeves executes a decisive and emotional plot-twist. It provides a strange satisfaction for people following the series closely, instead of reading each book as a stand-alone. This keeps the vitality of the wider Jimmy Perez story alive and cleverly keeps us interested ahead of book No. 5.
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If I had to describe these books with a single word, the word I would choose is compelling. They are good. The mysteries are interesting and I want to know what happens to Jimmy Perez, even when I don't always like him.
If I were to write more about this book, I would probably want to talk about the ending. Because that ending is powerful. But to say anything beyond that would veer too far into spoiler territory than I am comfortable with (even if I did put it behind spoiler tags).
To try to put it concisely, if somewhat enigmatically: I am more glad that I read this book than I enjoyed reading it. Make of that what you will.
If I were to write more about this book, I would probably want to talk about the ending. Because that ending is powerful. But to say anything beyond that would veer too far into spoiler territory than I am comfortable with (even if I did put it behind spoiler tags).
To try to put it concisely, if somewhat enigmatically: I am more glad that I read this book than I enjoyed reading it. Make of that what you will.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
So tragic. I think this one was a bit too much for me tho I still enjoyed listening to it. Interesting to get into the world of birding and it’s own competitiveness.
One of those rare instances when the television/film adaptation is preferable. Still, a good story and wonderful descriptions of Fair Isle.
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wow. I did not expect this. I understand you can’t be mad with the writer’s decision and I’m not. I just don’t care about this series any more. Thought I’d keep reading but, just like Jimmy, the decision was made in a second. No more. The last murder killed my interest.