RED BONES

TITLE: RED BONES
AUTHOR: ANN CLEEVES
Pages: 392
Date: 12/09/2009
Grade: 4+
Details: no. 3 The Shetland Quartet
Library

Whalsey is a small island you of Shetland Mainland. When a young archaeologist digs up human remains she hopes they will confirm a 16th dwelling on the spot. The locals though are speculating the remains could be more recent, and Mima, the old woman on whose land the dig is taking place, is very upset by the find.
When Mima is subsequently shot and killed it appears to be a tragic accident, but Inspector Jimmy Perez is not convinced. Just as he can't believe that the young archaeologist committed suicide a few days later, even though she had a troubled past.
But with the investigation being unofficial and partially being left to Sandy who is inexperienced and personally involved, it proves hard to get to the bottom of family rivalries, jealousy, loyalty and local myth.
Ann Cleeves once again paints an atmospheric picture of life in a remote and isolated community. They mystery is good and the solution makes perfect sense and fits the story. Yet, I found this book a bit slower and less engrossing then the previous two, with maybe a bit more introspection by the main characters then I would have liked.
Still, with this being a quartet there is a fourth book on the way, and I will most definitely read it.