A great mystery set in the Shetland Isles, the atmosphere of the small community is perfectly portrayed as Ann Cleeves beautifully describes the characters and their lives. The story centres on a murdered girl and the impact this has on the small village where everyone not only knew her but knows everyone else. Everyone could be a suspect and it's up to local detective Jimmy Perez to get to the bottom of it. Old suspicions and grudges come out and initially a local man, Magnus Tait, who has withdrawn from society is suspected of commiting the crime. But as we follow Jimmy Perez try to piece together the dead girl's last days it seems more and more people have motives and opportunity to have murdered Catherine Ross.
There are plenty of red herrings and clues along the way to keep even the most avid crime fan and amateur armchair detective happy. A great introduction to Ann's writing. ( )

I've started this book and am about half way through, but I just can't convince myself to pick it back up. The plot is boring and predictable. There are too many characters that have too many things going on in their lives.... But I can't give an honest rating since I haven't finished it yet.

This book was a fun read and although I was derailed by other life activities, I throughly enjoyed the story. The atmosphere and mystic of the Shetland Islands were a welcome experience. I found Cleeves to be descriptive, but not overbearing. Her characters were well developed. I will certainly read her next work. ( )

The body of a teenager is found lying in the snow. The whole community thinks they know who is responsible – the same man they also consider responsible for the disappearance of another girl some years earlier. As the effects of the girl’s death ripple out into the community, old secrets come to light.

A tense and subtle story. Cleeves cleverly shows the personalities and relationships in a way which hints that there is always more than the reader can quite grasp. Every portrayal is subjective, and every character has secrets or thoughts that they are trying – not always with much success – to hide. Detective Jimmy Perez is an appealing and rounded character, and a quietly competent detective. The reader is never quite sure who is truthful, and what is true – and never sure, either, who is responsible for the crimes. The layers of personality and community are carefully described and delicately peeled away to reveal an astonishing and dramatic conclusion.

I was absolutely hooked on this story, and suspicious of almost everyone. The tension and drama wound tighter and tighter as the story neared its conclusion, and I felt absolutely compelled to keep reading. (When a reader picks up a book over their Saturday breakfast and continues reading in their pyjamas until lunchtime, unable to put the book down long enough to shower and get dressed, the author is doing a very good job.) I was very surprised by the final revelations, and very impressed by the skill with which the author concealed and yet hinted at the truth throughout the book. ( )

This is a great murder mystery. Set in the Shetland Islands, the story kept me guessing until the end. I found it to be well written, I loved all of the quirky townspeople, and am looking forward to reading the next installment. ( )