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  • Location: Orkney, Westray, Pierowall

The Killing Stones

The Killing Stones

Why a Booktrail?

2025: Jimmy Perez is back and this time he’s with Willow Reeves….

  • ISBN: 978-1035043095
  • Genre: Crime, Police Procedural

What you need to know before your trail

When a violent storm descends upon Orkney, the body of Archie Stout is left in its wake. An unusual murder weapon, a Neolithic stone bearing ancient inscriptions, is found discarded nearby. Archie was a popular, larger-than-life character, and his death is a shocking blow to the community.

Detective Jimmy Perez, no stranger to the complexity of human nature and the darkness it can harbour, is soon on the scene. He counted Archie as a childhood friend, so this case is more personal than most. Now living in Orkney with his partner, Willow, and their son, Perez is soon drawn into the lives of the islanders, many of whom hold secrets. Dark secrets, which could have led to the man’s murder.

Here, in these ancient lands where history runs deep, Perez must discern the truth from legend before a desperate killer strikes again . . .

Travel Guide

Orkney

Westray 

Small island in Orkney which has a tiny population of around 600 people. Pierowall is the main village or Westray’s biggest settlement and Archie goes missing from here as he plans to walk from here to Grobust which is ‘ not a long walk’.

As Perez walks there, you get a really good sense of the rawness and vastness of the island. He passes Noltland Castle and there is plenty flavour of the landscape and heritage.

Westray has a number of archeological sites dating from 3500 BC, and remains of several Norse-Viking settlements. In addition, the sea cliffs around Noup Head are home to thousands of seabirds.

BookTrail Boarding Pass: The Killing Stones

Destination/location: Orkney, Westray, Pierowall  Author/guide: Ann Cleeves   Departure Time: 2025

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