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Book Review of Raven Black (Shetland Island, Bk 1)

Raven Black (Shetland Island, Bk 1)
WhidbeyIslander avatar reviewed on + 689 more book reviews


Having watched all the seasons of Shetland I had pre-conceived notions about what certain characters were like; but obviously the film makers had some different notions. That didn't take away from being able to enjoy this first book in the series. It takes almost 100 pages for Cleeves to explain her detective's non-Scots name, which fits with the TV show's explanation. (The book notes that Jimmy Perez had some Mediterranean features, which the TV Jimmy does not; and after so many generations in Scotland I didn't feel that was possible.)

The mystery is ok, but about halfway through I decided who the killer was; mainly because a peripheral characters gets so much âair-time' that I figured that was the reason. (And I hardly ever figure out whodunit.)

I thought the book was a little too long, and after the killer is revealed I wanted more about some of the sub-plots to be wrapped up in those final six pages, but they were left hanging.

I think the publisher Thomas Dunne Books should have included a detailed map of the scene, although maps of Shetland are easily available on the internet.