'Fantastic. Ann Cleeves is a stone cold genius' - Marian Keyes, Sunday Times bestselling author of My Favorite Mistake

For the first time since the beloved Shetland series, Detective Jimmy Perez is back. He's traded the stark beauty of Shetland for the wild isolation of Orkney, but the darkness of human nature follows him everywhere.

When a ferocious storm rages across the islands, it leaves behind more than just damage: it uncovers the body of Archie Stout, a popular, larger-than-life member of the community.

The murder weapon? A Neolithic stone, bearing cryptic, ancient inscriptions.

Now living in Orkney with his partner, Willow, and their young son, Perez is drawn into a case that is chillingly personal - Archie was a friend from his own childhood. And the island is full of familiar faces, all of whom are potential suspects in the killing.

Perez must immerse himself in the lives of the islanders, separating truth from local legend before a desperate killer can strike again . . . and threaten the new life he's desperately trying to build.

'Expertly plotted and mesmerizing' - Mick Herron, author of Slow Horses

'Bold and dramatic, with a restless love of landscape' - Val McDermid, author of Past Lying

'Like snuggling up with dear friends . . . a complex mystery with vivid setting and beloved characters' - Tess Gerritsen, author of The Summer Guests

'A masterpiece in character and location. Welcome back, Jimmy Perez!' - M. W. Craven, author of Nobody's Hero

'Unmatched elegance, ingenious plots, and deep characters. Worth every minute' - David Baldacci, author of The 6:20 Man

'Jimmy Perez is a fine creation' - Peter Robinson, author of the DCI Banks series

The Killing Stones by Ann Cleeves sees the return of Detective Jimmy Perez

The return of Detective Jimmy Perez!

About the Author

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.

Reviews
Ann Cleeves is a stone cold genius -- Marian Keyes, Sunday Times bestselling author of My Favorite Mistake
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' 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
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
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



Book Information
ISBN 9781035043163
Author Ann Cleeves
Format Paperback
Page Count 384
Imprint Macmillan
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Weight(grams) 470g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 153mm * 30mm