• Home
  • About Me & Review Policy

The Quiet Knitter

Just a quiet knitter with an addiction to books

Feeds:
Posts
Comments
« Play Dead – Book Review
You Had Me at Merlot – Book Review »

Holy Island (DCI Ryan Mysteries #1) – Book Review

August 17, 2016 by The Quiet Knitter

513sw1o5qsl

Holy Island

Author: LJ Ross

Published: 1 January 2015

Reviewed: 17 August 2016

4 out of 5 stars
Copy supplied by Maxine at Booklover Catlady Publicity and LJ Ross in return for an honest review

 

Description:

Detective Chief Inspector Ryan retreats to Holy Island seeking sanctuary when he is forced to take sabbatical leave from his duties as a murder detective. A few days before Christmas, his peace is shattered and he is thrust back into the murky world of murder when a young woman is found dead amongst the ancient ruins of the nearby Priory.

When former local girl Dr Anna Taylor arrives back on the island as a police consultant, old memories swim to the surface making her confront her difficult past. She and Ryan struggle to work together to hunt a killer who hides in plain sight, while pagan ritual and small-town politics muddy the waters of their investigation.

Murder and mystery are peppered with a sprinkling of romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit set on the spectacular Northumbrian island of Lindisfarne, cut off from the English mainland by a tidal causeway.

My Thoughts & Review:

LJ Ross is a new author for me, and one I will definitely be following closely from now on, Holy Island is the first instalment of the DCI Ryan Mysteries and if this is anything to go by you will be as keen to read the rest of the books as I am.

Immediately Ross throws the reader into the abyss, a murder scene is the theme for the opening page.  The body of Lucy Mathieson is discovered at Lindisfarne Priory and soon DCI Ryan is on the scene, he takes on the case and is assisted by Dr Taylor in form of Pagan expert.   From there the investigation spirals into an intense murder mystery that will delight readers.  No spoilers or hints as to the plot, this book is far too good to give anything away!

The characters are superb, DCI Ryan is is flawed, struggling with his demons but still strong and and sensitive.  Anna Taylor compliments Ryan’s character well, strong, intelligent and not someone to take for granted.  The author writes the blossoming relationship between these characters well, it does not detract from the story or become bits to skip over like you might with others books.

I particularly liked the contrast of the beautiful settings with the horrific murders, incredibly well thought out and executed.  Overall, this is a very cleverly written novel, deviating from the well trodden path followed by authors of this genre, so that readers are kept guessing what will happen next.  The pace, fast and increasing, just how a mystery novel should be.

The ending……wow, I didn’t see that coming!  Now I need to get hold of the sequel Sycamore Gap asap!

You can buy a copy of Holy Island here.

 

About the Author

LJ Ross - Bamburgh Beach

Image and author info courtesy of http://www.ljrossauthor.com/

L.J. Ross is the author of the international #1 bestselling series of  DCI Ryan mystery novels. Her debut, Holy Island, was released in January 2015 and reached number one in the Amazon Kindle UK bestsellers chart.

Its sequels, Sycamore Gap and Heavenfield are also #1 bestsellers. The fourth in the series, Angel, is available for pre-order and is scheduled for general e-book release on 26th August 2016.

The novels are all available to purchase in e-book, paperback and audiobook formats. Holy Island is also available in German translation.

Louise was born in Northumberland, England.  She studied undergraduate and postgraduate Law at King’s College, University of London and studied abroad in Paris and Florence. She spent much of her working life in London, where she was a regulatory lawyer for a number of years until taking the decision to change career and pursue her dream to write.

Now, she writes full time and lives with her husband and son in Bath. She enjoys reading all manner of books, travelling and spending time with family and friends.

To find out more about LJ Ross and her books go to her website http://www.ljrossauthor.com/ or follow her on Twitter @LJRoss_author

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Posted in booklover catlady publicity, DCI Ryan, mystery, Uncategorized |

  • Noble Owl Proofreading

  • Annual Bloggers Bash 2018 Award

  • Fab Blogs to Follow

    • write4bairns
    • The Auld (Woolly) Alliance
    • raereadsbookblog.wordpress.com/
    • Put it in Writing
    • bibliobeth
    • Not Another Book Blogger
    • BookBum
    • Broadbean's Books
    • Berit Talks Books
    • Yvonne - Me and My Books
    • The Beardy Book Blogger
    • Book lovers' booklist
    • Rosepoint Publishing
    • Crime Thriller Fella
    • juliapalooza.com
    • A Knight's Reads
    • Letter Twenty
    • On The Shelf Books
    • Gem's Quiet Corner
    • donnasbookblog
  • Professional Reader Challenge Participant Reviews Published 2016 NetGalley Challenge 100 Book Reviews Frequently Auto-Approved 80%
  • Archives

    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • December 2015
    • November 2015
    • October 2015
    • September 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • July 2013
    • May 2013
    • April 2013
    • January 2013
    • October 2012
    • September 2012
    • June 2012
  • Privacy notice

    The Quiet Knitter does not share personal information with third-parties nor do we store information we collect about your visit to this website for use other than to analyse content performance through the use of cookies, which you can turn off at any time by modifying your internet browser’s settings. Content from this blog cannot be published on any other websites or media without our permission. We are not responsible for the republishing of the content found on this blog on other websites or media without our permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice.

Blog at WordPress.com.

WPThemes.


write4bairns

Writing for Kids

The Auld (Woolly) Alliance

When a Scottish Knitwear and Toy Designer and a French Compulsive Knitter Meet...

raereadsbookblog.wordpress.com/

Put it in Writing

The Blog & Website of Anne Stormont Author: Writing, Reading, Reflecting

bibliobeth

“A room without books is like a body without a soul.” - Cicero

Not Another Book Blogger

Reading, Writing, Drinking Tea

BookBum

A friendly space for all horror, mystery & thriller lovers

Broadbean's Books

Welcome to my blog where I share my thoughts on books.

Berit Talks Books

“I'm just a girl, standing in front of a book hoping I will love it.”

Yvonne - Me and My Books

Books, book reviews and bookish news.

The Beardy Book Blogger

Reading and Reviewing Books - May Contain Beard: "From Tiny Book Blog Buds Shall Mighty Book Blogs Grow" - TBBB

Book lovers' booklist

Book news and reviews

Rosepoint Publishing

Blogger-Book Blogger–Book Reviews of Bestsellers & Indie Authors

Crime Thriller Fella

Crime reviews, news, mayhem, all the usual

juliapalooza.com

Books, bakes and bunnies

A Knight's Reads

All things bookish

Letter Twenty

it's all about the tea

On The Shelf Books

A bookblog for readers

Gem's Quiet Corner

Welcome to my little corner. Grab a cup of tea (or hot drink of preference), find your happy place and join me to talk all things bookish...

donnasbookblog

Cancel

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×
    Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
    <span>%d</span> bloggers like this: