Thin Air

Detective Jimmy Perez investigates a death at a historic house in the remote Shetland Islands. A group has gathered at the house for a mid-winter party when one of the guests, Eleanor, is found dead in the snow. The investigation forces Perez to untangle the complex relationships between the guests while battling harsh winter conditions. The victim's connections to a folktale about a long-ago disappearance become central to understanding the present-day crime. The isolation of the Shetland setting and the dark winter atmosphere create tension as Perez pursues leads. Local superstitions and island traditions intertwine with modern police work as the case progresses. The novel explores themes of isolation, hidden truths, and how the past echoes into the present. Through the lens of a murder investigation, the story examines how small communities preserve their secrets and how ancient stories maintain their power across generations.

Readers note this is a slower-paced mystery that focuses more on atmosphere and character development than action. Most find detective Jimmy Perez's character compelling and appreciate the vivid descriptions of Shetland's landscape and culture. Liked: - Strong sense of place and local dialect - Complex character relationships - Atmospheric tension - Satisfying resolution - Works as a standalone despite being part of series Disliked: - Pacing too slow for some readers - Too many characters to track - Some found the ending rushed - Several readers mentioned confusion about character names Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (2,300+ ratings) "The way Cleeves writes about Shetland makes you feel the wind and rain," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader counters: "Found myself skimming long descriptive passages just to get to the plot points."

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🔍 "Thin Air" is set in the remote Shetland Islands during a period known as the "simmer dim" - when the sun barely sets and twilight lasts all night long. 🏆 Author Ann Cleeves received the prestigious Diamond Dagger award from the Crime Writers' Association in 2017, recognizing her lifetime achievement in crime fiction. 📺 The book is part of the Shetland series, which was adapted into a successful BBC television show starring Douglas Henshall as Detective Jimmy Perez. 👻 The plot incorporates elements of a local Shetland folk tale about a ghost called "Peerie Lizzie," weaving traditional island folklore into the modern mystery. 🌊 Cleeves worked as a cook on Fair Isle (part of the Shetland archipelago) in her younger years, which helped her develop the authentic sense of island life that permeates her Shetland novels.