I’m trying to get caught up on some reviews on books I read in the last week of the year so stay tuned for a few more over the next couple of days. This one is for the second book in the Shetland Quartet series by Ann Cleeves, White Nights.
“Perez thought that at this time of year everyone went a bit crazy. It was the light, intense during the day and still there at night… Watching as the man dressed in black knelt in the pool of sunshine and burst into tears, Perez thought it was a case of midsummer madness and hoped someone else would deal with it.”
It’s midsummer in the Shetland Islands and a feeling of revelry seems to permeate the air. Tourists abound and the Herring House gallery is hosting a grand party for artists Bella Sinclair and Fran Hunter.
Unfortunately there isn’t as large a crowd as they expected and the party atmosphere is diminished more by the sudden outburst of one the guests who kneels and begins to cry in front of one the paintings. When Detective Jimmy Perez goes to the man’s aid, the man says he doesn’t know who he is and when Detective Perez leaves him for a bit the man vanishes.
The next day the mysterious man is found hanging in a fishing shed and Detective Perez is convinced he was murdered. Detective Perez feels guilt knowing he may have prevented the murder had he not been too interested in spending more time with Fran Hunter but now he’ll use his knowledge of the island and his background to his advantage.
The author does a good job of describing the setting and how small communities work, with everyone knowing everything about each other past and present. And, while I liked the resolution of the mystery I wasn’t sold on who the culprit was. Still this is a series I will follow as I enjoy Detective Perez because he shows moments of weakness and doubts when conducting his investigation and thus seeming more complex and real.
I haven’t read many detective stories, perhaps this is a new genre for me to try.
I have a few of this authors books on my wish list. This was one of them so I really appreciate the great review. Thanks
Another series! If I read 24/7 until I die, I couldn’t read them all!
vivienne – I love detective/crime novels so if you ever need a recommendation let me know and I can give you several to try 🙂
diane – Thank you! I hope you’ll check it out. One of my favorite parts about this series is actually the setting… Very different from where I live.
Sandy – Ha,ha… I’m there with you!
I haven’t heard of this book before…thanks for bringing it to my attention…sounds interesting.
I can always count on you to turn me onto a good mystery and if there is a series…uh oh, my TBR pile just fell over! LOL
You make me want to read this one. Thanks for your fine review as usual!!
Serena – It’s good but I would start with the first one if you want to give it a go.
Kathleen – ha,ha… you are too funny!
Wisteria – You are welcome. I hope you’ll give it a try!
This is a writer I keep bumping into without finding anyone who is one hundred percent enthusiastic. I shall have to try her for myself and see, I know, but when?
I bought this one because of the setting (which I have yet to read), so I’m glad you liked it.
Table Talk – I liked the first book better and honestly I think part of what draws me to the story is the setting. But I hope you check it out and see what you think.
Danielle – The setting is great! I just sounds quite different from what I know and so I like that. I think you might enjoy it for that reason too.
Not sure this is my cup of tea, as I don’t really read detective novels, but it does sound interesting.