The Killing Stones marks the eagerly awaited return of Ann Cleeves' beloved detectives from the Shetland series, and a gripping new investigation with a stunning new setting, from the New York Times bestselling author and creator of three iconic detectives beloved in TV and print: DI Jimmy Perez (the Shetland series), DI Vera Stanhope, and DI Matthew Venn (The Long Call).
It's been several years since Detective Jimmy Perez left Shetland. He has settled into his new home in Orkney, the group of islands, off the northern coast of Scotland, with his partner Willow Reeve and their growing family. One stormy winter night, his oldest and closest friend, Archie Stout, goes missing. Ever the detective, Perez catches a boat to the island of Westray, where Archie worked as a farmer and lived with his wife and children.
But when he arrives he finds a shocking scene: Archie's body, on an archaeological dig site and an ancient Westray story stone with precise spirals carved into it beside him, the clear murder weapon. The artifact, taken from a nearby museum, seems to suggest a premediated murder.
But Perez is so close to the case that he struggles to maintain an objective distance from the potential suspects. He finds it difficult to question Archie's wife, whom he's known for years. Rumors swirl about the dead man's relationship with a young woman new to the island, an artist. With each new lead, the case becomes more twisted and Perez wonders if he will ever find out what happened in his friend's final days.
The series
In the windswept reaches of Orkney, where ancient stones whisper secrets and the sea never sleeps, a new chapter unfolds for two familiar figures. This series marks a quiet yet powerful evolution in crime fiction, following two investigators as they navigate both the complexities of violent crime and the quiet challenges of building a life together.
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No longer confined to Shetland’s haunting isolation, the shift to Orkney brings a new rhythm—a slower pace marked by brooding skies, weather-beaten coastlines, and a history that pulses just beneath the surface. Against this backdrop, the detectives find themselves pulled into cases that are anything but routine. A murder weapon carved from Neolithic stone. A death that reopens old wounds from childhood. Each mystery feels personal, layered with emotional weight and intimate connections that refuse to be ignored.
What sets this series apart is its emotional depth. The crimes are not just puzzles to solve but catalysts that test loyalty, love, and identity. Perez and Reeves are no longer simply colleagues, and their changing dynamic brings added tension to every scene. The investigation becomes a mirror, reflecting who they were and who they are trying to become.
With its stark beauty and tightly woven psychological suspense, this series blends traditional detective work with deeply human storytelling. It is not just about who committed the crime, but why the crime cuts so deep. Readers looking for atmospheric mystery grounded in character and place will find something haunting and unforgettable here.
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