I was excited to hear of LJ Ross signing a deal with Penguin to republish her earlier books, and it was a great excuse to return to where it all started, back on Holy Island.
Escaping to Lindisfarne, the tidal island off Northumberland, DCI Ryan is taking a break from his job after a traumatic case. Unfortunately his break is rather short lived as a body is found. With the murder showing signs of a ritualistic killing, expert Anna Taylor is called in. Anna has been away from Lindisfarne for some time, but is a local girl who knows the place and the people.
As the killing continue, the tension ramps up, and the pressure to resolve the case increases. With the island cut off from the mainland by the tides, there’s no where for the killer to escape, and makes for an intense and atmospheric novel. Set just before Christmas, the short daylight hours and sparse island population create a chilling atmosphere which is perfectly conveyed through the writing.
As the bodies rack up, time begins to run out for Ryan and Taylor, and makes for a gripping story.
Holy Island makes for compelling reading, and it’s the perfect entry point for what has become a very long running series, with strong characters and eerie and twisty plots. The writing conveys the uncanny feeling so well, you find yourself looking over your shoulder as you’re reading well into the night. It’s more than a police procedural – it weaves in ancient folklore along with romance and a dark humour, and there’s a sinister and unsettling feeling that only increases as you read.
I’ve loved my return to the Holy Island, and the story felt as intriguing and spooky as it did when I first read it many years ago.
If you haven’t picked up an LJ Ross novel before, start here – and it’ll be a while before you ever stop.
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