Holy Island cover art

Holy Island

The DCI Ryan Mysteries, Book 1

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Holy Island

By: LJ Ross
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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About this listen

Detective Chief Inspector Ryan retreats to Holy Island seeking sanctuary when he is forced to take sabbatical leave from his duties as a homicide detective. A few days before Christmas, his peace is shattered, and he is thrust back into the murky world of murder when a young woman is found dead amongst the ancient ruins of the nearby priory.

When former local girl Dr. Anna Taylor arrives back on the island as a police consultant, old memories swim to the surface, making her confront her difficult past. She and Ryan struggle to work together to hunt a killer who hides in plain sight while pagan ritual and small-town politics muddy the waters of their investigation.

Murder and mystery are peppered with a sprinkling of romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit set on the spectacular Northumbrian island of Lindisfarne, cut off from the English mainland by a tidal causeway.

©2015 L J Ross (P)2015 Audible, Ltd Cosy Crime Mystery Romance Romantic Suspense Murder Fiction Suspense

Critic Reviews

" Holy Island is a blockbuster." ( Daily Express)
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I'm genuinely surprised by reviews that rate this as well written. The plot and pacing is fine -- but the dialogue and characterisation is infantile and cliche-ridden compared with the best of British crime writing.

Childish and cliched writing but okay story

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Really enjoyed everything about the book, I can't wait to read the next one.

Best read

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First time I have listened to one of L J R oss"s books . Thoroughly enjoy
ed it, it is also good to have a little romance in the story. Will listen to more.

Murder mystery & a touch of romance.

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Having visited Holy Island, I looked forward to reading a thriller set in this stunning location, Sadly I found the plot fairly pedestrian - e.g. handsome, ‘masterful’ (rather misogynistic) detective meets distinguished historian and they get involved. Masterful detective crosses stormy seas to rescue fair lady just in time (with the knife about to descend into her chest) and thus rescues her from a cohort of drug addled persons. He subsequently (almost single handedly) arrests those persons responsible for three brutal deaths. All in all, despite the rave reviews, I found the story sadly stereotypical.

Story competently written but lacks originality

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Thoroughly enjoyed the first instalment of LJ Ross, but found this one a little teadous and storyline bit to far fetched, but the love interest of Anna ...went a little bit Miles n Boon for my liking , still I won't be put off !

my second LJ Ross Listen

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