The Killing Stones

When a violent storm descends upon Orkney, the body of Archie Stout is left in its wake. An unusual murder weapon, a Neolithic stone bearing ancient inscriptions, is found discarded nearby. Archie was a popular, larger-than-life character, and his death is a shocking blow to the community.Detective Jimmy Perez, no stranger to the complexity of human nature and the darkness it can harbour, is soon on the scene. He counted Archie as a childhood friend, so this case is more personal than most. Now living in Orkney with his partner, Willow, and their son, Perez is soon drawn into the lives of the islanders, many of whom harbour secrets. Dark secrets, which could have led to the man's murder.Here, in these ancient lands where history runs deep, Perez must discern the truth from legend before a desperate killer strikes again . . .

It’s a new island and a new chapter for Perez and his family, but in the extraordinary hands of Ann Cleeves — surely one of our greatest ever crime writers? – the result is predictably brilliant. It’s new but familiar. Exciting but comforting. It's a masterpiece in character and location — welcome back Jimmy Perez! -- M. W. Craven, bestselling author of Nobody's Hero
Ann Cleeves’s elegance as a wordsmith, the ingenuity of her plots, and the depth of her characters can be matched by few writers. In The Killing Stones she brings back the beloved Jimmy Perez in a tale that highlights the entire spectrum of her formidable talents. I was instantly caught up in the sparkling world of her imagination and propelled through several hundred pages of great storytelling on the lonely isle of Orkney, where bodies keep turning up. This novel is more than worth every minute you spend with it -- David Baldacci, bestselling author of To Die For
Reading a new Jimmy Perez novel is like snuggling up with dear friends around a crackling fire. The Killing Stones is classic Ann Cleeves: a complex mystery, beloved characters, and a setting so vivid you can feel the chill of wind and rain on your face -- Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Guests
Ann Cleeves is a stone cold genius -- Marian Keyes, Sunday Times bestselling author of My Favorite Mistake
A writer at the very top of her game and what a bonus to have Jimmy Perez in my beloved Orkney. I loved this book and not just because it’s set in Orkney and features the charismatic Jimmy Perez - but also it’s an utterly compelling read from a top storyteller -- Lorraine Kelly, presenter and host of ITV's Lorraine
Like Rendell and James before her, like McDermid and Rankin today, Ann Cleeves is one of our secret chroniclers, charting – under cover of a series of expertly plotted and mesmerizing crime novels – how we live now -- Mick Herron, bestselling author of Slow Horses on The Dark Wives
Jimmy Perez is a fine creation -- Peter Robinson, author of the DCI Banks series
Ann Cleeves is one of my favorite mystery writers! -- Louise Penny, bestselling author of The Grey Wolf

Ann Cleeves is the author of more than thirty-five critically acclaimed novels, and in 2017 was awarded the highest accolade in crime writing, the CWA Diamond Dagger. She is the creator of popular detectives Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez and Matthew Venn, who can be found on television in ITV's Vera, BBC One's Shetland and ITV's The Long Call respectively. The TV series and the books they are based on have become international sensations, capturing the minds of millions worldwide.Ann worked as a probation officer, bird observatory cook and auxiliary coastguard before she started writing. She is a member of 'Murder Squad', working with other British northern writers to promote crime fiction. Ann also spends her time advocating for reading to improve health and wellbeing and supporting access to books. In 2021, her Reading for Wellbeing project launched with local authorities across the North East. She lives in Northumberland where the Vera books are set.

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