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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
The resolution of this last installment in the Shetland series was satisfying, but I am so, so sad to see this series end!
The Flemings haven't had it easy since moving to Shetland. The house they purchased was taken away from a member of the community due to foreclosure; they renovated it, and then that man who lost it took his own life by hanging himself in the barn on the property. Adding to their status is their boy, Christopher, who is a high-functioning autistic lad who has recently become obsessed with fire and tried to set one at school in a wastebasket. The community feels the Flemings are not a fit. Helena and Daniel are beginning to think that as well. Daniel has spiraled into a deep depression, and everything is on Helena to manage. When a second body is found hanging in their barn, this time discovered by Christopher, the Flemings feel cursed. But this body wasn't a result of suicide; it was murder trying to pass itself off as suicide - but it's easy for everyone to see there was no way Emma Shearer, the nanny who worked for the Moncrieff family, did this to herself. DI Jimmy Perez is called in, and the second call is to his boss, Willow Reeves, who will come in from Inverness. DS Sandy Wilson is glad to have both Perez and Reeves to work with again; they make a good team. The investigative team strongly feels that the present-day body found has to do, somehow, with the hanging of the first body, so begins the investigation in a backward fashion, much to the irritation of the Flemings and others who fall into the net of questioning. It will take patience and a lot of emotional digging to get to the heart of this murder. Who wanted Emma Shearer dead, and why?
This is the last book in Cleeves Shetland series. I enjoyed the series, but I am glad she wrapped it up with this title. There are only so many murder investigations that can be hindered by fog and mist. Who knew that fog/mist would be, or could be a main character?! She brought a very satisfying resolution for the reader to the relationship between Perez and Reeves. Throughout the series, she worked to develop Sandy Wilson, personally and professionally, and she allows him in this book to reach a new place in his maturity. As this title and the series end, the reader is left with the knowledge that the Shetland Islands are in good hands with the skills of Perez, Reeves, and Wilson looking after them all.
This is the last book in Cleeves Shetland series. I enjoyed the series, but I am glad she wrapped it up with this title. There are only so many murder investigations that can be hindered by fog and mist. Who knew that fog/mist would be, or could be a main character?! She brought a very satisfying resolution for the reader to the relationship between Perez and Reeves. Throughout the series, she worked to develop Sandy Wilson, personally and professionally, and she allows him in this book to reach a new place in his maturity. As this title and the series end, the reader is left with the knowledge that the Shetland Islands are in good hands with the skills of Perez, Reeves, and Wilson looking after them all.
4.5. So good! This was probably my favorite of this last four but they’re all such good reads! Great atmosphere and characters. Didn’t guess this one at all.
Well, my time in Shetland has come to an end. I really enjoyed the last installment and was glad to leave Jimmy Perez to his life by the end of the book. The mystery was interesting and full of very unlikable characters that made it simultaneously intriguing and frustrating. Overall, I have to say I prefer the tv series because it involves Jimmy's relationship with Duncan Hunter, his amazing colleague Tosh, as well as a grown Cassie, but I'm happy to have the backstory through this series of books!
I tried really hard to savor this story as it is the last in the Shetland Island series. But it's a chilly, foggy, drizzly Sunday and I sat down with a cozy blanket and the cat and couldn't put it down!
"When the Flemings--designer Helena and architect Daniel--move into a remote community in the north of Shetland, they think it's a fresh start for themselves and their children. But their arrival triggers resentment, and Helena begins to receive small drawings of a gallows and a hanged man. Gossip spreads like wildfire. A story of dysfunctional families and fractured relationships."
"When the Flemings--designer Helena and architect Daniel--move into a remote community in the north of Shetland, they think it's a fresh start for themselves and their children. But their arrival triggers resentment, and Helena begins to receive small drawings of a gallows and a hanged man. Gossip spreads like wildfire. A story of dysfunctional families and fractured relationships."
Only 3 and a bit stars. The mystery itself was very interesting, but I'm so beyond not interested in Jimmy and Willows weird relationship.
It feels like for the last two or three books, she had ideas for the mysteries, but not for any interpersonal stuff and had to make something stupid up along the way. It feels really annoying sometimes.
It feels like for the last two or three books, she had ideas for the mysteries, but not for any interpersonal stuff and had to make something stupid up along the way. It feels really annoying sometimes.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes