Raven Black by
Anne Cleeves
hbk out February 06
Published by Macmillan
at £10
Winter in Shetland and two teenage girls are amusing themselves at the expense of
Magnus Tait, a strange old man who keeps a raven for company. Soon the body of
one of the girls, Catherine Ross, is found in the snow by Fran Hunter, who has
returned to the island with her daughter Cassie. The investigation into Catherine's
murder is conducted by an appealing local detective, Jimmy Perez, and his restless
colleague Roy Taylor, but many of the events in the story are seen from the points of
view of Fran and of Catherine's friend, Sally Henry. Years earlier, another young girl,
Catriona Bruce, went missing and when her corpse is finally discovered – again by
Fran – the pace of the narrative accelerates to a stunning conclusion. The unusual
Shetland setting is vividly conveyed, with a terrific set-piece scene involving the fire
festival Up Helly Aa. The plot is conceived with Ann Cleeves' customary teasing skill
and once the truth is revealed it becomes clear how much vital information – and
insight into character - was conveyed in the leisurely but subtle early chapters. Ann
Cleeves' rural mysteries have acquired a considerable following over the years and
this excellent (and very reasonably priced) book seems sure to gain her an even wider
audience. Recommended.
(
Martin Edwards
- author of the highly acclaimed Harry Devlin Mysteries)
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Raven Black by
Anne Cleeves
