Category: L J Ross

Longstone - L J Ross

16/12/2018

Book Description
Between the devil and the deep blue sea…

Viking treasure is discovered beneath the icy waters of the North Sea and local historian Doctor Anna Taylor is called in to help catalogue the most exciting hoard in living memory. But when a shipwreck diver washes up dead, she’s soon out of her depth. Luckily, she knows just the person to call…

When DCI Ryan arrives at the picturesque fishing town of Seahouses, he's faced with an impenetrable wall of secrets and lies. As he juggles marine archaeology and the cutthroat world of shipwreck diving, another murder blows the case wide open. To uncover the truth, Ryan must delve deeper into the hearts of those around him to find what lies beneath…

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.

*****

'Longstone' is book 10 in the astounding DCI Ryan series by the brilliant Louise Ross. This mystery series is absolutely one of the best out there and I highly recommend it to all lovers of crime fiction. Once again, in this book, the author has taken me to an enchanting spot in Northumberland, this time to one of the natural highlights of the Northumbrian coast - the Farne Islands.

The day after claiming to have made the discovery of a lifetime - the wreck of an ancient Viking longboat - the body of an expert marine archaeologist is found washed up on the rocks at the foot of Longstone lighthouse. Was it an unfortunate accident, a suicide possibly, or did someone hear of the discovery and wanted to keep the treasure for themselves? DCI Ryan and his team are called in to the village of Seahouses to start the investigation. They start from the family running the inn where the man had rented a room and it's soon apparent that not everything is as it seems. There are tensions and currents beneath the surface and echoes of an old mystery can be strongly felt. Ryan is aware that the small village is a magnet for many salvage divers and marine archaeologists, all keen to explore and loot the wreck, so he knows that the possible suspects may be numerous. When a brutal murder takes place soon after in the streets of Seahouses, Ryan must first determine whether the two deaths are connected or not in order to catch the killer.

Well, I really had a great time reading this book and I think Longstone is actually one of my favourites in the series so far. I absolutely loved the setting of the story and I could clearly visualise the small fishing village with its harbour, the rough seas around the islands, the seabed peppered with old shipwrecks, the islands home to many birds and seals, and the boats fighting the huge waves as they come crashing down on the rocks at the foot of the lighthouse. One thing I love in this series in general, apart from the beautiful, vividly described locations, is the author's ability of mixing and balancing drama, humour and romance throughout. In this book, the author gives us an interesting insight on what goes on in wreck salvage operations.

Thanks to her crisp, clear writing and the mystery she has so cleverly woven in the plot, the author kept me glued to my kindle, entertained and interested till the end. I felt especially intrigued by the family running 'The Cockle Inn'. All members of this family seem to be hiding secrets. As I was reading, I had countless questions in my mind and I was desperate to have them all answered. Mostly, I wanted to know who the killer was as I had a suspect in mind from the very beginning and I was curious to find out if I would be proved correct or not by the end. Well, I'm not saying anything more other than the author left me open-mouthed more than once by the time I read the last chapter. One shocking surprise after the other!

With a picturesque setting, fantastic lifelike, intriguing characters, a well-thought out plot and an engrossing mystery that keeps you guessing till the end, Longstone is an outstanding addition to the series and I highly recommend it. Fantastic book!! Well done to the author!

With thanks to the author for a review copy of the book which I voluntarily accepted to read and review.

About the Author
LJ 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 best sellers chart.

Since then, she has released a further seven full-length novels in the DCI Ryan Series, all of which have been top three bestsellers. Cragside, Dark Skies, Seven Bridges and The Hermitage (due for release 20 October 2018) were all #1 in the UK on pre-orders alone.

The novels are available to purchase in e-book, paperback and audiobook formats on the Amazon store, as well as in selected independent bookshops. 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 before 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 Northumberland. She enjoys reading all manner of books, travelling and spending time with family and friends.

If you would like to connect with LJ Ross, she would be very happy to hear from you:

https://www.facebook.com/LJRossAuthor
https://twitter.com/ljross_author
http://www.ljrossauthor.com
www.lovesuspense.com
lj_ross@outlook.com

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The Hermitage - L J Ross

17/11/2018

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Book Description
He thought he was invincible, but he was wrong…

When an old man is found dead inside the ancient hermitage at Warkworth Castle, Northumbria CID are called in to investigate. With no apparent motive, it’s their job to unravel why he was murdered – and this time they’re forced to do it without their star detective…

DCI Ryan is thousands of miles away. He’s tracked a killer across Europe and has sworn not to return until he has his man in custody. Nathan Armstrong is a dangerous psychopath but there’s just one problem – he’s also an international celebrity; a world-famous thriller writer with money and connections.

Ryan is a stranger in a foreign land, but he knows one thing – he’ll never give up.

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit set amidst the spectacular landscapes of Northumberland and Tuscany.

*****

'The Hermitage' is book 9 in the stunning DCI Ryan series by the highly-talented LJ Ross. Through her articulate, clean, crisp writing, the author has once again succeeded in keeping me hooked and on the edge of my seat from start to finish as she slowly unfurled another intricate mystery. As with the previous books, I was entranced by the beautiful locations she oh-so vividly and expertly brings to life.

"Eddie Charon was quiet and well-spoken. He kept himself to himself, came into work and did as he was told without any trouble."

So why did someone murder this old man in cold blood? Eddie was just a simple ferryman, taking tourists across a river in a small boat to and from the castle's hermitage in Warkworth, Northumberland. When Eddie's body is discovered inside the hermitage, Denise MacKenzie and Frank Phillips are called in to investigate. They soon realise that in order to solve this crime, they need to dig deep into the man's past, and it's not long before they make a shocking discovery. Up until a few years earlier, Eddie had been leading a very different life. He held a powerful position and accumulated an uncountable number of enemies during that time. Who was really Eddie Charon? Why did he leave his old life behind and come into 'hiding' in this quiet setting? And who has apparently found him out and evened the score?

While Denise and Phillips are busy trying to solve the case, DCI Ryan and his wife Anna are away in Florence, Italy, chasing a vicious murderer who has left a trail of victims behind both in the UK and in other countries. Nathan Armstrong hides his true nature behind the facade of a world famous writer currently celebrating the twentieth anniversary of his masterpiece 'Il Mostro'. Ryan has to deal with his Italian counterparts in Florence to try and capture Armstrong and he knows that he has no say there. He has to abide by the Italian police's regulations and just observe. But where there's Nathan Armstrong, death is never far away, and it's not long before a murder takes place. Soon, Ryan's input in Italy becomes an indispensable aid for the Italian police. But will Ryan's efforts to catch Armstrong bear fruit this time?

Well, this was such an adrenaline-pumping, roller-coaster read full of twists and turns. Once I started this book, I couldn't stop and guiltily enough I found myself even reading a few chapters at work, shhh!!! But I was desperate to find out who killed Eddie. This character became more and more interesting as the story progressed. And I wanted to know if Armstrong would slither through Ryan's hands once again. I found myself imagining the quiet setting of the mysterious hermitage witness to this brutal murder, and I could clearly visualise the beautiful Florence with the famous cathedral dominating the skyline, the narrow streets traversing the tall palazzos and the city's beautiful squares.

Have you ever felt sorry for a killer? No? Well, read this book till the end first. I won't say anything else, just that I was left in awe by the insanely brilliant way the author develops and weaves the plot. I certainly wasn't expecting things to turn the way they did towards the end. I was so absorbed by the story and the realistic turn of events that I was left quite overwhelmed by emotions at the end. I felt sad, shocked and happy, all at the same time! WOW! Just WOW!!

Louise Ross is undoubtedly one of the best authors out there. Her books are all absolutely fantastic and every time I finish one, I feel the urge to shout about it from the rooftops. Needless to say, I highly recommend, not only 'The Hermitage', but the whole DCI Ryan series.

With thanks to the author for a review copy of this book that I voluntarily accepted to read and review.

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Seven Bridges - L J Ross

26/5/2018

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Book description
Ryan's most explosive case yet…

It's been five months since a killer walked free and DCI Ryan is preparing to leave Newcastle to hunt him down - this time, for good.

But Ryan's plans are scuppered when events take a dramatic turn and he is forced to stay and face his past one last time, or watch a friend suffer the consequences.

Amid the chaos, another killer is preparing to strike. When the Tyne Bridge explodes, Ryan's team are faced with a frantic race to uncover a deadly foe who won't stop until every bridge is burned, along with everybody on it...

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunit set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.

5/5

Oh WOW!!! What an intense, nail-biting addition to the series. It's true that this is DCI Ryan's most explosive case to date.

This is another superb addition to the fantastic DCI Ryan series by LJ Ross. I've read all the books written by this brilliant author to date and have enjoyed each and every one of them. Set in the North East of England, this series is definitely one of the best in its genre.

"Flames look so much better at night, don't they? It would be a beacon, visible for miles around."

In this book, DCI Ryan is faced with possibly the biggest case of his career. The lives of thousands of people are put on the line and at the mercy of a demented individual who has threatened to blow up every bridge connecting the cities of Gateshead and Newcastle one by one. Ryan must track down and stop this person before they go through with their threats. But Ryan is already late, the clock is ticking and The Alchemist looks determined... Will Ryan and his close-knit team make it on time to prevent innocent blood being shed in the waters of the Tyne?

In the meantime, a friend in need (whose name I won't mention to prevent any spoilers) unexpectedly turns up and knocks on Ryan's door for help. This person is in shock and covered in blood. Something major has happened? But what? Whose blood is it? I'm dying to reveal what happens here, but I really, really can't say more about this part. What I'll just say is that the author surprised me. I wasn't expecting what happens here.

Author Louise Ross never disappoints. When she approached me, a few years back, to read and review her first book 'Holy Island', I had never even heard of her or her books, and had no idea what I'd been missing. I didn't know that that book would introduce me to this excellent, addictive crime series. Since then, I've read all eight books, each one more brilliant than the other and I'm always on the lookout for news of when the next one would be published.

Although this book can be read as a standalone, I recommend readers to read the series in the correct order. LJ Ross always sets her books in some particular landmark in Northumberland. I've never visited this part of the world, but as I'm reading, thanks to her vivid descriptions, I feel as though I'm there, in the centre of all the action, seeing and hearing through the characters' eyes and ears and following Ryan and his mates as they try to solve one case or another. In this book, the drama is set on the spectacular bridges connecting the cities of Gateshead and Newcastle across the river Tyne. As I did with the other books in the series, I googled these bridges' names and learned a lot about them and their history. For me, the knowledge I gain from these books is just an added bonus.

Okay, as with the other books, the action in Seven Bridges is fast and non-stop, and the tension keeps building till the end. There were scenes that made my heart race and others where it was literally in my mouth. I imagined I was on one of those bridges with the other unsuspecting persons, unaware of the looming danger, unaware that a push of a button could end my life at any moment.

Ryan and his fantastic team of detectives are all realistic, likable characters in a desperate race against time to save lives. As I was reading, I found myself biting my knuckles and fearful of turning the next page because of the building tension. I had no clue what would happen by the end and I have to say that I was surprised when the culprit's identity was revealed at the end. The epilogue lets us have a peep on where the next adventure will take Ryan and now I can't wait to find out more.

Seven Bridges is yet another masterpiece penned by this brilliant author, I really enjoyed it and I highly recommend it.

With thanks to the author for an ARC of this book which I voluntarily accepted to read and review.

About the Author
LJ 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 best sellers chart.

Since then, she has released a further six full-length novels in the DCI Ryan Series, all of which have been top three bestsellers. Cragside, Dark Skies and Seven Bridges (due for release 25 May 2018) were all #1 in the UK on pre-orders alone.

The novels are available to purchase in e-book, paperback and audiobook formats on the Amazon store, as well as in selected independent bookshops. 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 before 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 Northumberland. She enjoys reading all manner of books, travelling and spending time with family and friends.

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Dark Skies - L J Ross

16/12/2017

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Book Description
Beware what lies beneath…

One fateful, starry night, three friends embark on a secret camping trip but only two return home. Thirty years later, the body of a teenage boy rises from the depths of England’s biggest reservoir and threatens to expose a killer who has lain dormant…until now.

Detective Chief Inspector Ryan returns from honeymoon to face danger from all sides. In the depths of Kielder Forest, a murderer has escaped justice before and will do anything to protect the secrets of the past. Meanwhile, back at Northumbria CID, an old foe has taken the helm as Superintendent and is determined to destroy Ryan at any cost.

Who will prevail in Ryan’s most dangerous case yet?

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunit set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.

5/5

'Dark Skies' is the seventh book in the fantastic DCI Ryan series by L J Ross, and like the others, it's an atmospheric, well-written, captivating read that had me hooked from page 1. Once again, the author took me to a breathtakingly beautiful location in Northumberland - this time to Kielder Waterside, where she literally immersed me into a bone-chilling mystery spanning decades.

"Secrets, he thought. There were secrets to uncover in this little corner of the world."

1981. Three teenagers are together in some desolate area, among the rubble of some demolished building. Something happens and one of the youths ends up brutally murdered.

Fast forward three decades and the mummified body of a young man is accidentally dislodged from its resting place in the depths of Kielder reservoir. The injuries displayed by the surprisingly well-preserved remains indicate suspicious death.

DCI Ryan is just back from his honeymoon when news of the body reach him, and together with his sidekick, DS Phillips, rushes to Kielder Waterside to start the investigation into what will evidently be a very awkward case. Who was this boy? When did he die? Who killed him? And why? How did he end up on the bottom of the reservoir and for how long has he been there? How can they identify him, let alone his killer?

Back at the station, Ryan watches his close-knit team being literally dismembered by the new Superintendent, a ghost from his past who's vowed to invade and destroy the new life he has built. How will Ryan cope at work, taking orders from the same person he's escaped from years earlier?

Well, I've said it many times before, but I'll say it again, the DCI Ryan series is absolutely one of the best mystery series I've ever read. Every time I finish one of these fabulous books, I feel the urge to shout about it from the rooftops and start yearning for the next one. Reading the terrifying prologue of 'Dark Skies', I knew that this would be another unputdownable book, and in fact I found myself gripped from the get-go, following Ryan and the others as they embark on a deadly hunt for a demented, shrewd killer who's been enjoying freedom for decades, hiding in plain sight. With numerous suspects, I couldn't for the life of me work out the killer's identity, and when I thought I had guessed, I was proved wrong at the end.

The author's crisp prose and detailed, vivid descriptions brought this beauty spot to life in HD. Even though I've never visited Kielder Waterside, I could clearly imagine this huge man-made reservoir with its water rippling gently in the breeze, glittering in the sunshine, the ferry taking its passengers from one side of the lake to the other, the boats moored to the jetties, the surrounding dense forest and the small visitor centres, lodges and businesses scattered around the area. I really wish I could visit this place one day.

Suspenseful from start to finish (oh that ending! Made me experience all sorts of emotions but above all desperate to read the next book, now!), but also peppered with humour and romance, and with a clever, intricate plot weaved around believable characters and breathtaking scenery, Dark Skies is yet another brilliant, engaging addition to the series and I highly recommend it.

This series is just AMAZING!!! Bring on the next one!

With thanks to the author for an ARC of this book which I voluntarily accepted to read and review.

About the Author
LJ 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 best sellers chart.

Its sequels, Sycamore Gap, Heavenfield, Angel and High Force were all top five UK best sellers and she recently hit the top of the charts again with her sixth book, Cragside, which was number one in the UK on pre-orders alone.

The novels are all available to purchase in e-book, paperback and audiobook formats on the Amazon store, as well as in selected independent bookshops. Holy Island is also available in German translation.

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.

If you would like to connect with LJ Ross, she would be very happy to hear from you:

https://www.facebook.com/LJRossAuthor
https://twitter.com/ljross_author
http://www.ljrossauthor.com
www.lovesuspense.com
lj_ross@outlook.com

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Cragside - L J Ross

9/7/2017

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Book Description
Are you afraid of the dark..?

After his climactic battle with notorious serial killer The Hacker, DCI Ryan is spending the summer with his fiancée within the grounds of Cragside, a spectacular Bavarian-style mansion surrounded by acres of woodland. When they are invited to attend the staff summer party – a Victorian murder mystery evening – it’s all a joke until the lights go out and an elderly man is found dead. It looks like an unfortunate accident but, as the dead man’s life begins to unfold, Ryan and his team of detectives realise that all is not as it appears.

When a second body is found, terror grips the close-knit community and Ryan must uncover the killer who walks among them, before they strike again...

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunit set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.

5/5

The DCI Ryan mystery series by LJ Ross is absolutely one of the best I've ever read. Brilliantly written, I enjoyed and loved each and every one of these books. So when the author offered me an advanced review copy of book 6, 'Cragside', I could hardly refuse!

Once again the author has done an outstanding job and kept me entertained and intrigued from start to finish. For me Louise Ross is the Agatha Christie of the twenty-first century!

Following events taking place in 'High Force', Ryan and Anna are now temporarily living in a holiday cottage within the estate grounds of Cragside, on the outskirts of the Northumberland National Park. Built against a craggy hillside, the aptly named, majestic Cragside residence is famous for being the first house in the world to have been lit by hydroelectricity, back in the 1800s, using water from the lakes on the estate.

One night Ryan and Anna are invited to a Victorian murder mystery themed staff party inside the house. At one point all the lights in the house go out and Victor, the owner's trusted valet goes to find the fuse box somewhere in the house and restore light. But Victor never makes it back to the party. Ryan finds his twisted body crumpled in a courtyard, at the foot of an external staircase. What happened to him? Was it an accident? Or murder?

Since nothing indicates foul play, the death is declared as 'non suspicious', but still Ryan's nose is not convinced. When a second death is reported at Cragside the following day, Ryan and his team find themselves at the start of a complex, frenetic investigation. But with a house full of suspects and a shrewd killer hiding in plain sight, Ryan knows that this will be a tough nut to crack.

From the very beginning I knew that I would have a great time reading 'Cragside'. Thanks to the author's crisp, articulate writing, I was drawn in from page one and through her vivid descriptions, I felt as if I was there at Cragside. Even though I have never heard of, let alone visited, this place, I could clearly imagine it... the impressive huge house with its turrets and towers, almost hidden from view by the many trees surrounding it. The iron bridge spanning the steep gorge which separates the house from the forest. The stream trickling between the rocks as it makes its journey through the valley far down beneath the bridge.

The characters in this book and the whole series are all realistic, and whenever I start reading a new DCI Ryan book, it's as though I'm revisiting old friends I've known for ages. Ryan, Phillips, MacKanzie, Jack and Anna are all very engaging characters and the right mix of ingredients for the perfect team. I love the strong sense of camaraderie and the banter going on between them. But in this book we also see some new additions to the CID team... one is a very intuitive, yet somewhat mysterious character that joins the others in the investigation. I won't say anything about the second addition though as they have just merely been introduced in this book, but I'm sure they will represent nothing but trouble for poor Ryan! Can't wait for the next book to see how that aspect of the story develops.

With ongoing suspense sprinkled with humour and romance, beautiful vivid descriptions, twists and turns, various interesting revelations made during the investigation, numerous suspects, blood-curdling scenes that made me bite my knuckles, and chapters ending in cliffhangers urging me to keep on reading, together with the perfect ending, I couldn't ask for more. This book ticks all my boxes!

Needless to say, 'Cragside' is another fantastic addition to the series, I really enjoyed it and I highly recommend it.

With huge thanks to the author for an ARC of this book which I voluntarily accepted to read and review.

About the Author
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, Heavenfield and Angel are also #1 bestsellers. The fifth book in the series, High Force, was released in ebook and paperback format on 31 January 2017. The novels are all available to purchase in e-book, paperback and audiobook formats on the Amazon store (the audiobook version of High Force will be released in early 2017). 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.

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High Force - L J Ross

3/2/2017

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Book Description
Detective Chief Inspector Ryan’s worst nightmare has just become a reality. Notorious serial killer The Hacker has escaped prison and kidnapped one of his best detectives from her own home. His brutality is the stuff of legend – Ryan lost his sister and nearly his own life bringing the man to justice first time around. Can Ryan do it again to save his friend?

There’s a nationwide manhunt underway but the trail has gone cold and fear spreads like a virus. Ryan and his team must find The Hacker before he takes another life – but are they too late?

The clock is ticking…

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunit set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.

5/5

The DCI Ryan series of books by LJ Ross is absolutely one of my favourite. I read, enjoyed and above all LOVED each and every one of them. So, I was ecstatic when the author announced the publication of her fifth instalment, 'High Force'. Now that I've read it, I find myself gobsmacked again and wondering how this author manages to write such brilliant, entertaining books time and time again.

'High Force' can be read as a standalone, but since the story picks up exactly where the previous book has left us, I would recommend reading 'Angel' first (which btw is just fantastic and one of my top reads of 2016).

"It feels like she's dead already."

The vicious serial killer known as The Hacker has been mentioned to some extent in all books in the series, but in High Force he's given central stage - he's on the loose and as bloodthirsty as ever. He's just kidnapped DI Denise MacKenzie from her home. Knowing that her life is in grave danger, Ryan and his team members, especially Phillips, are desperate to find and save her from the monster's clutches. The Hacker is hell bent on exacting vengeance on Ryan, but not before pushing him to his limit and shedding more innocent blood. The clock is ticking... will they make it on time to apprehend The Hacker and save Denise?

Thanks to the author's superb writing and excellent characterisation, this suspenseful book kept me on edge at all times. The murder scenes are quite gruesome and require a strong stomach. The author did a great job in portraying and building Denise's distress and hopelessness and the team's anguish and desperation in locating her before it's too late.

Balancing evil and darkness in this book are the author's vivid beautiful scenery descriptions which made me feel as if I were there, travelling through the beautiful Northumbrian countryside, with its lush green valleys and wooded dells. I actually had to google and learn more about the beautiful areas described such as High Force waterfall which I had never heard of!

At the end, following a breathtaking finale, the author leaves the reader with one or two questions in mind. Hmmm... will I find the answers in the next book? I'm dying with curiosity...

Needless to say I highly recommend this book and the whole series. They're all gripping, suspenseful, well-written books.

With thanks to the author for a review copy of this fab book which I voluntarily accepted to read and review.

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Angel - L J Ross

22/8/2016

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Book Description
After a turbulent time, DCI Ryan’s life is finally beginning to return to normal and he’s looking forward to spending an uneventful Easter bank holiday weekend with his fiancée.

Then, on Good Friday morning he is called out to a crime scene at one of the largest cemeteries in Newcastle. The body of a redheaded woman has been found buried in a shallow grave and the killer has given her wings, like an angel.

Soon, another woman is found at a different cemetery, followed quickly by another. Panic spreads like wildfire as a new serial killer is born, and Ryan’s band of detectives must work around the clock to unmask him before he can strike again.

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast paced crime whodunnit set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.

5/5

WOW! WOW! WOW! I thought it was impossible for this author to write a book which is better than the first three brilliant books in her DCI Ryan series. But hey! She. Has. Done. It!! 'Angel' is just FANTASTIC!! I absolutely LOVED it, and yes even more than the others, and THAT is saying something!

The story starts in 1990 with a girl falling to her death while trying to escape from somewhere. Who was this girl? From where was she trying to escape? At this point we don't know, but this girl will have a lot to do with how the story progresses.

"He had been chosen. This work and the salvation he could bring was the reason he had been born."

Then we're at the present. Easter time. A serial killer is on a mission, performing God's work (as far as he's concerned), killing redheaded women and dumping their bodies in local cemeteries, arranging their bodies as if they were angels in flight. DCI Ryan and DS Phillips rush to the first scene to start their investigation. Will Ryan's ability to step into the mind of the killer help him stop this psycho? How many women will have to die before he and his team can work out his identity? Why is this killer targeting redheads? And why is he dumping them in cemeteries?

With difference to the first three books in the series, which I suggest to be read in order, this book can be read as a standalone. There are a few references to what happened in the other books, but nothing that can't be worked out by the reader.

This book is superbly penned with a brilliantly weaved, fast-paced, suspenseful plot that kept me on my toes with my interest high at all times. I loved the religious element entwined in the plot. The author's vivid descriptions bring everything to life and even though I've never visited the places described I could imagine them with absolute clarity. I felt as if I was there, a passive character watching what was happening, but I didn't want to be there in the dark, wet streets or in the spooky cemeteries in close proximity to this vicious killer. It was simply too terrifying. The murder scenes are so realistically written, they honestly made me hold my breath and clutch at my throat.

This is definitely much better than watching a chilling thriller on TV!

DCI Ryan and his team are absolutely one of the best fictional police teams I had the pleasure to read about. They are not just names written within the text, but realistic, living humans with flesh, blood and feelings that interact with each other and reach out to the reader.

And the heart-pumping drama never stops, and when I say never, it's NEVER! Something absolutely dreadful happens at the end of this book. OMG no!!!! Oops!! I'm saying nothing more, sorry! Hey Ms Ross you're a real tease, just saying! And as far as tension is concerned you don't spare a page, do you? Now I can't wait for book 5 to come out.

Angel is without doubt one of the best books I've read this year and hence it goes straight up to my top reads for 2016. Obviously I highly recommend, not only this book but the whole series.

With thanks to the author for an ARC of this fab book.

About the Author
Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, LJ Ross graduated from King's College London with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Law and continued her studies in Paris and Florence. After working in the City as a regulatory lawyer for a number of years, she realised it was high time for a change. The catalyst was the birth of her son, which forced her to take a break from the legal world and find time for some of the detective stories which had been percolating for a while and finally demanded to be written.

She lives with her husband and young son in the south of England, but will always be a northern girl at heart.

Her first book, "Holy Island", has consistently been listed as an Amazon bestseller since its release in January 2015 and hit the Amazon UK Kindle #1 position in May 2015. Its sequel, "Sycamore Gap" was also a top ten bestseller and the third in the series, 'Heavenfield' was released on 8th March.

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Heavenfield - L J Ross

9/3/2016

2 Comments

5/5

Book Description
The hunter becomes the hunted…

When a man is found dead at the remote church of Heavenfield, DCI Ryan is the only other person for miles around. The police have no weapon, no motive and no other suspects.

Already suspended from Northumbria CID, Ryan must fight to clear his name. But soon, more than his career is at stake when prominent members of the mysterious ‘Circle’ begin to die. Somebody wants Ryan’s name to be next on the coroner’s list and to survive he must unmask the devil who walks among them – before it is too late.

Unfortunately for Ryan, the devil looks just like everybody else…

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit from LJ Ross, set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.

Stunning mystery...

Having read and enjoyed the first two books in the DCI Ryan series, I was thrilled when the author offered me an ARC of her newest instalment, Heavenfield, and as soon as I received it I started reading it straight away. And once again I found myself lost in beautiful Northumberland...

As a lover of history, I'm always keen to discover and learn about magnificent historical locations and buildings and ancient events and battles. And reading this author's books I always end up on Google as I feel the need to see the places mentioned, and every time, I realise that the online pictures are a mirror image of what I had imagined while reading the book. This shows the author's ability of vividly describing and bringing to life places and sceneries. This time I searched information about Heavenfield church and Bamburgh castle as these are the two focal points in this book.

But I don't want to give the impression that this is some historical fiction. No, this is a brilliant, modern day, blood-soaked murder mystery - the culmination of all events taking place in Holy Island and Sycamore Gap, the first two books, so I recommend readers to go through these books in the correct order.

This book starts with a bang...literally! A man is found dead in a church and Ryan ends up the prime suspect. But this will only be the first of many deaths in this book. In fact victims start dropping like flies! What these victims have in common is, that they are all connected to the mysterious Circle.

"Someone is ticking persons of interest off the list."

DI Denise Mackenzie leads the investigation and her first job is to clear her boss's name from the suspects' list. But someone sees Ryan as a stumbling block and won't rest until he has been eliminated. Who is behind all these murders? Who is acting like a vigilante? Who wants Ryan out of the picture? How will the other members of the Circle react?

The characters in this series are so realistic that it's as though I've known them for ages. Once again, through her excellent writing skills, and a balanced mix of suspense, humour and romance, the author has weaved yet another clever plot that kept me engrossed throughout. A dramatic scene towards the end left me gasp for air and I was on tenterhooks to see how it will all end. Who will die? Who will survive? I certainly wasn't expecting the ingenious (and believable) way in which the author ties up all loose ends at the end. Clever girl!

To those who have not yet discovered this author, I say one thing: You're missing out! Go grab the first book and a coffee and prepare to dive into this stunning mystery series. You won't be able to stop reading!

With thanks to LJ Ross for an ARC of this book.

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Sycamore Gap - L J Ross

24/2/2016

2 Comments

5/5

Book Description
The past never stays buried for long...

Detective Chief Inspector Ryan believes he has put his turbulent history behind him. Then, in the early hours of the summer solstice, the skeleton of a young woman is found inside the Roman Wall at Sycamore Gap. She has lain undiscovered for ten years and it is Ryan's job to piece together her past.

Enquiry lines cross and merge as Ryan is forced to face his own demons and enter into a deadly game of cat and mouse with a killer who seems unstoppable.

Having now read and enjoyed her first two books, LJ Ross is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. Thanks to her impeccable writing and clever plots, I've come to love the DCI Ryan series. Once again, reading Sycamore Gap, I found myself on my toes from start to finish. How did I not discover this author before?

The events in Sycamore Gap take place a few months after those of 'Holy Island'. This murder mystery can be read as a standalone but in the story we have some character development and references to the case in Holy Island, so I would suggest readers to read the books in the correct order.

I love this author's way of setting her crime stories in (and link them to) historical locations - places that exude an almost mystic aura. You know that horrible deeds have been carried out in these places and you can almost feel evil lurking there. In Holy Island events took place on the small island of Lindisfarne with its ancient derelict priory. In this book we have the famous Hadrian Wall in the scene. And it's exactly here where the story starts to unfold with the accidental discovery of a skeleton entombed inside the wall.

"...Ryan's unique skill for putting himself into the mind of a killer..."

From the prologue, we know who the dead person is: a young girl named Amy. From the remains it's evident that the girl has been murdered and so Ryan and his team lose no time and start their investigation. When did this girl die? Who killed her? And why? But Amy won't be the only victim. However with a tangled web of evil both inside and outside the police department, this won't be an easy case for Ryan to crack. And an unforgiving enemy is after him and everything he holds dear and has vowed to destroy him. Who will get the upper hand by the end? Well...

In this book the author weaves yet another intricate plot around strong, believable characters, both likeable and hateful. The dialogue is so realistic. I particularly liked Phillips and MacKenzie - they are so funny but at the same time brilliant cops who add that sparkle to the story.

The author's descriptions are so vivid that I felt as if I was there in a dark street or in the incident room following the case. In one particular scene I realised that I was clutching my shirt's collar and holding my breath. I wanted to read fast and turn the pages to see what will happen next but at the same time I felt anxious and fearful because I didn't want to know that what I thought was going to happen would actually take place.

With suspense throughout, but also with a dash of humour and romance thrown in from time to time, this is an engaging, gripping book. As in the previous one, the ending is not short of revelations and surprises. Now I can't wait to lay my hands on Heavenfield the third book in the series to be published soon.

With thanks to the author for a review copy of this book.

2 Comments

Holy Island - L J Ross

14/12/2015

0 Comments

5/5

Book Description
Detective Chief Inspector Ryan retreats to Holy Island seeking sanctuary when he is forced to take sabbatical leave from his duties as a homicide 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 review
'Holy Island', the first DCI Ryan novel by L J Ross, is a brilliant murder mystery that kept me pinned to my kindle from the first to the very last page.

This is a very 'atmospheric book', the author makes you feel you're actually there. I was spellbound by the setting of the story - the small tidal island of Lindisfarne (or Holy Island), off the northeast coast of England. This is a land that becomes isolated from the mainland twice daily by the rising tide, only for the causeway to rise back up from beneath the sea as if by magic when the tide retreats. I had never heard of this place and was so intrigued that I had to go and search on Wikipedia and see for myself the photos of the island and of the ruined priory and the fort mentioned in the book. Thanks to the author's vivid descriptions, everything was exactly as I had imagined.

"There are people that you see...then the people you don't."

A few days before Christmas, a local girl, Lucy Mathieson, is found dead on an altar in the ruined priory. DCI Ryan, currently residing on the island, is alerted and immediately sets off to investigate. The girl's position suggests this was a ritual killing. With a small close-knit (and close-minded) community on the island, Ryan knows that the killer is close by, watching him. He is later joined in the investigation by Anna Taylor, a historian who specialises on ancient rituals. Who killed Lucy? Why was she taken to the priory? How come no-one on the small island has seen or heard anything? The mystery surrounding the girl's death deepens with every page turned.

When more victims pile up within a short period, Ryan and his colleagues find themselves on a desperate race against time...and the tide to try and bring this brutal killer to justice. But in a place where normal rules don't apply, this won't be easy.

This story is very intriguing with many twists, turns, red herrings and many possible suspects. All characters are well drawn out and believable and the author makes the reader suspicious of practically every one of them. DCI Ryan is a brilliant, likeable and very handsome police officer who's recovering from a terrifying ordeal.

The climax of the story is very fast-paced and had me bite my nails and on the edge of my seat. The epilogue was certainly not the one I was expecting. I thought that the author would tie everything up with a nice, big bow in a 'they lived happily ever after' way...How wrong I was! The epilogue answers ALL pending questions but it holds many surprises too that left me open-mouthed.

This is a very good and well-written thriller. I really enjoyed reading it and would highly recommend it. A big well done to the author. Now I am really looking forward to reading 'Sycamore Gap', the second DCI Ryan novel.

With thanks to the author for sending me a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.

About the Author
Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, LJ Ross moved to London where she graduated from King's College London with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Law. After working in the City as a regulatory lawyer for a number of years, she realised it was high time for a change. The catalyst was the birth of her son, which forced her to take a break from the legal world and find time for some of the detective stories which had been percolating for a while and finally demanded to be written. She lives with her husband and young son in the south of England, but will always be a northern girl at heart. Her first book, "Holy Island", has consistently been listed as an Amazon bestseller since its release in January 2015 and hit the Amazon UK Kindle #1 position in May 2015. She is currently working on the next book in the DCI Ryan series, "Sycamore Gap", which is due to be released in the summer of 2015. If you would like to connect with LJ Ross, she would be very happy to hear from you: https://www.facebook.com/LJRossAuthor https://twitter.com/ljross_author www.lovesuspense.com lj_ross@outlook.com

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