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Blue Lightning
Blue Lightning: A Thriller | Ann Cleeves
36 posts | 33 read | 23 to read
Inspector Jimmy Perez takes his fianc home to Fair Isle, the tiny island he comes from, to meet his parents. The island is a magnet for bird watchers, who congregate at the local inn and lighthouse. When a local married celebrity, who had an eye for the lads, is murdered, Perez discovers that the suspects are very close to him indeed. With a sensational ending destined to create much buzz in the mystery world, Blue Lightning will thrill suspense fans everywhere. This series is the basis for the hit BBC show Shetland, starring Douglas Henshall, which attracted over 12 million viewers in its first two nights on the air.
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review
LibraryCin
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Mehso-so

This was good. It is quite atmospheric, but I tend to tune much of that out. I did have a bit of trouble figuring out all the characters at the start of the book; it didn‘t help that at least one of the characters (though I did eventually figure it out) was sometimes called by his first name and sometimes by his last. Overall, the story ended up being good, and I liked it as much as the first in the series and better than the other two.

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rwmg
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Pickpick

While Jimmy is visiting his parents on Fair Isle to introduce Fran, one of the ornithologists at the bird observatory in a converted lighthouse is found dead, stabbed in the back.

Intriguing mystery with a great and unexpected ending to the first Shetland quartet.

LiteraryinLawrence This sounds great! How important is it to read the previous books in the series first? 12mo
rwmg I think you could still follow the story without having read the earlier ones but the ending just wouldn't have the same impact. 12mo
30 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Susanita
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If you‘re going to watch the show, you need to read this first. #IYKYK #withacolor #temptingtitles

Eggs 💙⚡️💙 13mo
34 likes1 comment
review
Crinoline_Laphroaig
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Pickpick

Last night I finished my reread of Shetland Book 4. Husband was working late so I 'waited' up for Him. 😉

Loved seeing Jimmy Perez back on his home island. I'm assuming since author Ann Cleeves actually worked at Bird Observatory on Fair Isle at one time, descriptions of life there are pretty accurate, excepting all the murders.

#travelbybook #shetland #jimmyperez

Minor Spoilers in Comments.

Crinoline_Laphroaig Even knowing what was coming I was still blubbering over fictional characters. 😭 2y
PhyllisH I love the Shetland series.😁 2y
GingerAntics Yeah, I‘d hope the murdered weren‘t something she experienced there. 2y
See All 7 Comments
Crinoline_Laphroaig @GingerAntics I read somewhere that she ended series after 8 books because 'how many people can get murdered in a small island chain?' 😆 2y
GingerAntics @Crinoline_Laphroaig 🤣😂🤣 that is a fair point…. She‘d hate to make the murder rate really high around there. 2y
rwmg I'm told that failing a major war Midsomer is the most dangerous place to live in the world 2y
Crinoline_Laphroaig @rwmg I just googled. 22 Seasons of Murder. 😮 2y
51 likes7 comments
review
kspenmoll
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Pickpick

Just Stunned- totally unprepared for the events near the book‘s end. Perez is visiting family with his fiancé on a remote island in the Shetlands.High winds have marooned a small group of birders in a Birding Center. Tensions, jealousies, rivalries abound. Murder ensues.The effects of isolation, loss, & grief major theme. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #fabulousfebruary #readathon

majkia The ending was soooo unexpected. 2y
Andrew65 The ending was a real shocker 😢 2y
66 likes1 stack add3 comments
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kspenmoll
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#bookreport

Top row are 3 books I finished this week. The other 5 are in various stages. #kindle #ShetlandIslands #libraryfinds #deadphilosopherssociety #ThisLife #audiobook #mystery

Cinfhen Nice!! Have a wonderful week ahead 💚 2y
59 likes1 comment
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kspenmoll
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Been on a Jimmy Perez, Shetland Island marathon. Finished first two; currently reading the third. #ftidaynightread #TGIF

57 likes1 stack add
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Andrew65
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Not sure that I forgive Ann Cleeves for the #Heartbreak she caused in this book.
#ItHadToBeYou

TrishB 😢😢 2y
PageShifter 🤔🤔 2y
AllDebooks I've never read any of Ann Cleeves work, would you recommend and if so, where to start? 🤔 2y
See All 12 Comments
Andrew65 @AllDebooks My favourite is this series, The Shetland Series. One of my favourite series. Definite recommend. Starts with (edited) 2y
Andrew65 @AllDebooks Her Vera Stanhope Series is also excellent 2y
AllDebooks Thanks @Andrew65 I'll have a browse at the library 😀 2y
Andrew65 @AllDebooks I have hundreds of recommendations 🤣 Hope you enjoy them, both series only get better as they progress. 2y
AllDebooks Excellent, I may be calling on you again 🤣 2y
Andrew65 @AllDebooks Any time 🤣 2y
Susanita Oh yes. Good choice. 2y
Eggs Love Shetland 💗💗 2y
62 likes1 stack add12 comments
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Susanita
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Of course I‘m using this for #beginswith #blue

Eggs Great choice 2y
35 likes2 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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Oh my goodness, I am SO overwhelmed and touched by all the lovely birthday wishes and by everyone who took the time not just to read yesterday, but to think of me while you did! ❤️ Thank you to all of you for making my birthday so special!!! Yesterday was a really long work day for me but I honestly love my job and the weather was beautiful, so even though I didn't get a lot of reading in, I still had a lovely day. PLUS my husband got off early⬇️

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) enough to take me to supper!!!

This photo is actually from my picnic-lunch-in-the-back-of-my-delivery-truck last Friday because I forgot to take a picture yesterday, but it was a very similar meal 😂

Once again, thank you to everyone for reading along & for wishing me a happy birthday even if you didn't have time to read. Hopefully I don't miss any of you with this tag list!!!

#BirthdayBash
(edited) 2y
See All 22 Comments
Texreader I‘m glad it was such a great day! I hope you got my card in time! 2y
Allylu This #BirthdayBash was a great idea. I hope I remember it next March for my birthday. 😊 2y
TheSpineView Sends you wishes for a fabulous year. Hope you brings you joy!💞 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘m glad your birthday was great, even if you had to work. 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Yay!!! I did some reading at work in your honor shhhhh 🤣🤫 2y
Amiable It made me happy to see how many people were reading for you, too! I‘m always amazed at how warm and welcoming this community is. (edited) 2y
BiblioLitten It was great reading for you and I‘m glad you had a lovely day💕 2y
jb72 Happy Birthday 🎉🎈 2y
ElizaMarie Happy belated birthday (my fellow Libra). I am so sorry I have missed it. Super overwhelmed (still) but... I am glad you were able to read and enjoy your day. Also that pizza looks so so good! 2y
MartinaLove Happy birthday!! 🎂🎁 Have a lovely day!! 2y
Jari-chan Very happy birthday to you!!! 2y
BookBosomed1 Wahoooo! 2y
TheAromaofBooks @Allylu - You totally should do this for your birthday next year, too!! We need to find a Litten to host a #BirthdayBash every day of the year - a neverending readathon!! 😂 2y
TheAromaofBooks @Texreader - I did, thank you!!! Did you make that card yourself?? I love gingham!! 2y
TheAromaofBooks @ElizaMarie - Happy birthday to you, too!! I totally missed your birthday... and basically everyone's because I'm sometimes very bad at being a part of this penpal group 😂 Hopefully your life starts to calm down someday!!! And the pizza is from our favorite local joint... it's dangerously delicious! 😆 2y
Crazeedi Your #birthdaybash was such a great idea, so glad you had a good day Sarah! We love you!!💞🎉 2y
ElizaMarie @TheAromaofBooks It looks so so good. Also yeah, I am super behind on all pen pal things. I am barely able to focus on people that I see IRL with every week! it's crazy how busy I have been lately!

WE will catch up eventually!
2y
Allylu @TheAromaofBooks That sounds awesome! 🧁🧁 2y
TheAromaofBooks @Allylu - Oh!!! I keep forgetting to tell you that the LMPBC book arrived earlier this week!!! Thank you for sending it along!! 2y
108 likes22 comments
review
TheAromaofBooks
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Pickpick

I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first three, mainly because I didn't understand a plot decision/death Cleeves made. I didn't feel like it fit with the rest of the story and rather annoyed me. I'll put more in a spoiler comment. But overall another good entry for this series. I don't know why, but these books take me forever to read even though I enjoy them, so I am going to take a break from them & read an Agatha Christie!!

TheAromaofBooks I felt like having Fran get murdered at the very end was just a gratuitous way of developing Jimmy's character. There was no (explained) motivation for the murderer to kill her, no explanation as to why they were even together when she was killed - it felt like a very shoe-horned device to me just because Cleeves needed Jimmy to “toughen up“/she didn't really want them to be together. I wasn't a fan. 3y
TheSpineView Way to go!🤩📖 3y
See All 7 Comments
Andrew65 This one was a real shock and seemed a strange decision for the series. Left me reeling. Well done 👏👏👏 3y
LauraBrook That death is a real shocker - I had to read the next one right away to find out what happened. I‘ve been about 1/3rd of the way into the 6th book for a few months now. Maybe I‘ll pick it back up this afternoon. 3y
TheAromaofBooks @Andrew65 @LauraBrook - It just felt kind of contrived instead of a natural part of the story - more shock value than anything. I'm still intrigued to finish the series, though, and also to see if Jimmy does raise Fran's daughter like she asked him to. 3y
Andrew65 @TheAromaofBooks I agree it just didn‘t fit. 3y
74 likes7 comments
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Lynnsoprano
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Pickpick

I‘m not rushing through this series because it‘s so good, I want it to last. This is a book that‘s hard to put down, even though I read a review that had a spoiler for a major plot twist. Great mystery, characters, setting, this has it all. But please, folks, hide your spoilers!

Jas16 Great review and totally agree! 3y
Lynnsoprano @Jas16 Thanks 😊 3y
62 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Jas16
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Pickpick

I was in the mood for a mystery and had put this one off because I accidentally learned the plot twist when reading a review but knowing part of what was to come didn‘t ruin my enjoyment of the book at all. I just wish I already had the next in the series ready to start right away.

BiblioLitten Is this the first in the series? 3y
Lynnsoprano I agree completely. We probably read the same review, but it didn‘t make the story any less interesting or exciting. 3y
43 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Jaimelire
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Pickpick

I read this one a while back and forgot to review it. I am loving Ann Cleeves and am definitely getting addicted to Mr. Perez😍

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rabbitprincess
Pickpick

This certainly does have a sensational ending; I didn‘t see it coming. Couldn‘t put this down! And I immediately requested the next book in the series.

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Susanita
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Oof. Two of the murders in this book upset me. I‘m not altogether disappointed that I have to wait a few days for the next one, so I can get over what happened.

Thankfully, the audiobook had fewer abrupt cuts than the last one. She used the “X heard someone screaming” cliche again, although in this case it‘s understandable. And also... BIRDS. Lots of birds.

Ruthiella I think I often pick up on repeat wording in audio that I‘d gloss over in print. 🤔 (edited) 4y
34 likes1 comment
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EadieB
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Day 24 - #BrokenHeart #FebruaryFeels
#BlueLightening #AnnCleeves

In this episode of the Shetland Mystery series, Jimmy Perez ends up with a broken heart when his fiancé, Fran, is killed while visiting Jimmy‘s parents home on Fair Isle.

Eggs I 💗❤️💗 the Shetland stories, Jimmy Perez and especially Tosh! 4y
43 likes1 comment
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Christinak
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There was the same engine noise and smell of diesel and she had a #new perspective on the landscape around her. There was a joyous sense too that she was playing truant. She was such a kid. #QuotsyJan20

36 likes1 stack add
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TrishB
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Pickpick

Finished last night- good murder mystery at the centre of the story - didn‘t see the twist coming in the personal story though 😱😱 wow - makes the next one interesting.

Cathythoughts Great review! Ohhhh 😍 your making me want to return to this series .... I‘m on 2 or 3 .... must check 4y
TrishB @Cathythoughts so many series! Hard to keep track where you‘re up to in all of them! 4y
100 likes1 stack add2 comments
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TrishB
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Quick lunchtime read. Don‘t seem to have had a minute last couple of days!

erzascarletbookgasm Hope you get some reading done! I haven‘t sat down with a book since I posted my weekly forecast! My reading this week is 👎 4y
TrishB @erzascarletbookgasm pretty much ready for bed the minute I get in! 4y
90 likes2 comments
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TrishB
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#bookhaul charity shop 😁
Cathy reminded me about this series! I‘ve read 1-2 and got number three on my kindle, made up to find these today!

squirrelbrain Great haul! I‘m resisting the call of my local charity shop today.... so far anyway! 😁 5y
erzascarletbookgasm 👍 great! 5y
Cathythoughts That‘s brilliant!! I‘m on the 2d one right now & got the 3d on my kindle ( to feel secure that it‘s there when I‘m ready 🙄) this is a great haul Trish 👍🏻... such comforting reads. I‘m set up for the afternoon here , reading away ... I must look up your new ones. I think there are 8 in the series..... 👍🏻♥️ 5y
See All 10 Comments
TrishB @Cathythoughts decided to start number three 👍🏻 definitely a comfort read. 5y
Cathythoughts Definitely 👍🏻♥️ 5y
TrishB @squirrelbrain @erzascarletbookgasm love it when you get them from charity shops 👍🏻 5y
ShelleyBooksie My fav show!! 5y
TrishB @ShelleyBooksie I‘ve never watched the show! I‘m not very good at telly! 5y
ShelleyBooksie @TrishB - I do not watch much telly either as my nose is usually buried in a book but I make an exception for this show. The Shetland Islands are so beautiful - the scenery is amazing and I really like the actors. 5y
Millesent @ShelleyBooksie. Thank you for mentioning that Ann Cleeves is the one who writes Shetland. I am in the USA and I really enjoy watching the series on PBS. 5y
91 likes10 comments
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Andrew65
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Some of my favourite books that were impossible to #Forget because of key events (and shocks) that happened in them. #SpringIntoReading

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Great choices!!! ❤️ 5y
83 likes1 comment
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Andrew65
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There was a shocking #unwanted plot twist in this book, that has a pronounced effect on Jimmy Perez and the other books in the series. A wonderful series. #ANewChapter

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Sounds intriguing!! 5y
Andrew65 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks A great series if you haven‘t read them. 5y
emmaturi Love this series, just got the very last one to read! 5y
Andrew65 @emmaturi I still need to read the last, almost don‘t want to as them it will all be over! 😂 5y
90 likes4 comments
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Andrew65
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The events at the end of this book totally blew my mind! #🤯 Never saw these events coming, total shock! Things will never be the same again.
#ReadingResolutions

If you have not read the Shetlands Series books you really need to. The eighth and last book has just been published!

booksandsympathy I just finished the first book and about to start the second. 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 Great series! 6y
See All 11 Comments
Andrew65 @booksandsympathy Enjoy, I think they only get better after the first one. 😊👍 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB The best! 6y
TrishB Only first one so far. 6y
Andrew65 @TrishB I felt that was the weakest one in the series. 6y
TrishB Good to hear as I was a bit- it‘s ok but....I have a couple of others on my kindle for future reads! 6y
Andrew65 @TrishB I hope you enjoy the others when you get to them. 6y
Colleenma I have read every one of these and totally loved them. The show is just as good. Called Shetland 6y
Andrew65 @Colleenma Love Dougie Henshall! 😍 6y
88 likes1 stack add11 comments
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Andrew65
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#Blue #readingresolutions Some of my favourite blue books, why do mystery, crime and thriller books lend themselves so well to blue books! The tagged book has one of the biggest shocks I have known in a book.

Andrea4 Is it the coldness/iciness of blue? 6y
Andrew65 @Andrea4 That‘s a good thought. 6y
Andrew65 Hope you enjoy it when you get to it @Tove_Reads 6y
67 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Crinoline_Laphroaig
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Pickpick

Don't mind me I'm just blubbering over fictional characters. 😭#shetland

MamaGina I understand...read this last year and blubbered too😩 6y
33 likes1 comment
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Crinoline_Laphroaig
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Guilty pleasure of crawling back into bed. Early morning workout class I attend was cancelled. Time for another cup of Scottish Breakfast Tea and a few chapters. I'll spend extra time on the treadmill later. 🤓

BeckaroniAndCheese Sounds wonderful! I love my English breakfast tea. What is Scottish breakfast tea? 6y
Crinoline_Laphroaig @BeckaroniAndCheese Scottish is stronger, heartier. If you are an Outlander fan it's Jamie compared to Frank. 😉 6y
BeckaroniAndCheese @missnavigation Excellent analogy! I'll be on the hunt for this on my next grocery run 😆 6y
Crinoline_Laphroaig @BeckaroniAndCheese I like Both Brodies and Taylors. Taylors I sometimes find in Grocery store. Brodies is available on Amazon and it's containers have works of art on them 6y
BeckaroniAndCheese @missnavigation Noted! Searching the interwebs now 😋 6y
44 likes5 comments
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Crinoline_Laphroaig
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Perez and Fran go to Fair Isle! 👫 #shetland

rockpools You 'persuaded' me to reserve book 2. Now I'm feeling impatient! 6y
35 likes2 comments
review
Katiesbookishlife
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Mehso-so

Started off a bit slow but the ending certainly made up for that. If anyone is planning on watching the tv series of Shetland, I would strongly suggest reading the books first as the tv series is structured differently and gives away some massive spoilers.

24 likes1 stack add
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Colleenma
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Pickpick

I love these books. I have read three this is my fourth. Started with the bbc series on Netflix.

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Andrew65
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This is my favourite book by Ann Cleeves, in the excellent Shetland series. This book has a totally shocking end that I didn't see coming. #colorinthetitle
The first quartet in this series all have colour in the title:
Raven Black
White Nights
Red Bones
Blue Lightning
I heartily recommend this series.

Emiller I loved the tv series! Now I must read the books 😊 7y
Andrew65 @Emiller Definitely, I like Dougie Henshall as an actor. They are cracking reads. Quite an atmospheric start with the first one. Originally she only planned to write one quartet but then decided to write a second quartet, still waiting for the last one to be published in this quartet. 7y
19 likes2 comments
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Lizpixie
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#RockInMay #day6 #SmallTown You can't get much smaller than Fair Isle, one of the smallest islands in the Scottish Shetlands, which is where this novel is set. DI Jimmy Perez is originally from Fair Isle, known for its knitting & its birds. Only 768 hectares all up, Perez takes his fiancée Fran back home to meet his parents, but when a murder happens in the bird observatory, Perez is forced to take over the case. But tragedy is in store for him.

Cinfhen I've had enough of birds at the moment 😜😂Freaked me out 7y
Lizpixie @Cinfhen that book freaked me out too😳 7y
BarbaraJean I've been wanting to read this series--I'm in the middle of watching Shetland on Netflix. It's based on these books (a bit loosely, from what I gather!) 7y
62 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Lizpixie
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#marchintoreading #day7 #lighthouses Another recent story involving a lighthouse is this one by Ann Cleeves. Set on the tiny island of Fair Isle, part of it takes place in the lighthouse on the north end of this small piece of Scotland. There's a picture of it on the cover, but it's on my ereader which only does B&W so here's a beautiful picture I took of Macquarie Lighthouse in Watsons Bay on ANZAC day last year. It was a perfect autumn day.🌞

Cinfhen That sky is soooo blue 💙😇💙 7y
Lizpixie @Cinfhen totally unedited, that's exactly what it looked like that day. It was a perfect April morning☀️ 7y
67 likes2 comments
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Lizpixie
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Pickpick

Bk4 in the Shetland series is fantastic. Set in Fair Isle, the most remote island in Britain, full of original islanders and the birdwatchers from the most respected bird observatory in the British Isles. Island life is fascinating enough, throw in a killer & Jimmy Perez, visiting his parents with his new fiancée, has his hands full. Difficult with one body, then another woman is found murdered. On a tiny island how can a killer hide? Sad ending?

59 likes3 stack adds
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Lizpixie
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Started Bk4 in the Shetland series, this one is set on Fair Isle, the most remote inhabited island in Britain. Seemed appropriate to put the headphones in and listen to some fiddle music.🎶🎶🎻🥁🎶🎶

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jhm
Mehso-so

I got this book because I enjoy the "Shetland" TV series. The book was a lot less of a procedural, and other than the physical setting and descriptions of that part of the world, it was fairly weak tea. On the plus side, I could easily understand what the characters were saying.