A Lesson in Dying
Before Shetland and Vera, Ann Cleeves wrote the Inspector Ramsay series featuring a talented, brilliant detective―now in print for the first time in the US.
Who hung the headmaster in the playground on the night of the school Halloween Party?
Almost everyone in Heppleburn either hated or feared the viper-tongued Harold Medburn. Inspector Ramsay is convinced it was the headmaster’s enigmatic wife but Jack Robson, school governor and caretaker, is determined to prove her innocence.
With the help of his restless daughter Patty, Jack digs into the secrets of Heppleburn, and uncovers a cesspit of lies, adultery, blackmail and madness . . .
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Ann Cleeves
Ann Cleeves is a name synonymous with atmospheric crime fiction, known for creating intricately woven tales set against the stark, often harsh landscapes of Northern England and beyond. Born in Herefordshire in 1954, Cleeves' upbringing in the countryside planted the seeds for her later work, where setting and place are as integral as the characters themselves. Her early career was far from typical for a writer—before becoming an author, Cleeves held various jobs, from child care officer to bird observatory cook, before eventually training as a probation officer. These experiences, combined with a deep connection to nature and remote places, would later shape the worlds and characters she brought to life in her books.
Inspector Ramsay
Inspector Ramsay consists of six books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

