The Killing Stones

Ann Cleeves is a stone cold genius – Marian Keyes, Sunday Times bestselling author of My Favorite Mistake
Everything Ann Cleeves writes is incredible – Richard Osman, author of the bestselling Thursday Murder Club Mysteries series
Ann Cleeves’ restless love of landscape and story brings us a bold and dramatic high stakes return for Jimmy Perez – Val McDermid, bestselling author of Past Lying
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
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
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
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
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
I loved the character and was so anxious to know what was happening in his life. Here’s the answer, brilliantly realised – The Week, Louise Penny, bestselling author of The Grey Wolf
With an evocation of place that is second to none, Cleeves keeps the narrative plates spinning beautifully to create a complex plot that takes in both the thorny issue of who controls heritage and the pernicious effects of online misogyny. – Laura Wilson * The Guardian *
A welcome return for one of the author’s best-loved detective with new characters in an intriguing setting that fans of her Shetland books will relish * Daily Mirror *
Cleeves excels at pace and atmosphere, weaving folklore and friendship into a layered, charged investigation * I Paper *
This latest instalment of Ann Cleeves’ popular Jimmy Perez series is utterly gripping * Woman’s Own *
The start of a fresh series by the ever-gripping Cleeves * Financial Times *
Ann Cleeves crafts a tantalising and richly atmospheric mystery, steeped in culture, archaeology and island lore * Woman’s Weekly *
Ann Cleeves is the Queen of the detective novel, thrilling millions of readers * Daily Express *

Ann Cleeves is the author of more than thirty-five critically acclaimed novels. In 2017, she was awarded the CWA Diamond Dagger, the highest accolade in crime writing.

She is the creator of popular detectives Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez, and Matthew Venn, who are featured 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.

Before becoming a writer, Ann worked as a probation officer, bird observatory cook, and auxiliary coastguard. She also advocates for reading to improve health and wellbeing and supports access to books. In 2021, her Reading for Wellbeing project launched with local authorities across the North East. She lives in Northumberland.

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