When I sat down to read this book, it was a dark and stormy night outside – a very fitting match for the latest novel by Queen Cleeves!

Can you imagine that terrible crimes happen on an island, far from a major city, with only a small population? Would you believe that there in Orkney (not Shetland, this time), precious Neolithic stones bearing ancient inscriptions are being used as tools of destruction? And, to top it off, would you be shocked to learn that the first of these dastardly crimes is the murder of one of Detective Jimmy Perez’s oldest friends? (And did I mention this all takes place shortly before Christmas?!)

Ann Cleeves does this: she makes you truly fall for a rollicking tale set in the midst of a windswept environment and with time running out. There are academics, drama teachers, artists and, of course, good old pragmatic Jimmy and his partner, Willow, who are desperately trying to make sense of it all. (And did I mention that Willow is heavily pregnant?)

The pace picks up even further midway through the novel and, by that time totally confused about who might be dashing stones on people’s heads, I had no choice but to read through the night. She had me hooked, Queen Cleeves, with all her careful clues and missed meetings, carol services and cosy cafes – I was out in the cold with no idea where it would all end. I’m not sure how she does it, but here, yet again, is another superb novel that highlights humanity’s greed, ambition and, yes, kindness. (And did I mention this is at least the 45th novel by Ann Cleeves?)

I fell in love, a little bit, with Jimmy Perez back when I first encountered him in Raven Black. I’m glad his adventures are not over and I get to spend more time with him and all his reticence and sorrow. (And did I mention that the ending of this novel absolutely surprised me, but, of course, makes perfect sense?!)

Hail the Queen.