“Raven Black” is the first book of a quartet by Ann Cleeves. Set in the Shetland Isles, it is a crime thriller, but one with a difference. Ann Cleeves moved to the Shetland Isles when she was 19, and her descriptions of these cold, isolated and snow covered islands could only have been written by someone who had spent time there and learnt to love this isolated area of Scotland.
I have to say it was like a breath of fresh air reading a crime novel that, for once, did not bog me down with too much emphasis on police personnel or the technicalities and procedures of the investigation.
I instantly warmed to the main character, Inspector Perez, an Islander (or “insider”), who found himself in charge of a murder enquiry when the body of a young girl is discovered in the snow. Black ravens were circling around the body and the girl had black hair, giving the book its title. Perez was a rather scruffy, untidy but warm individual, more a man than a policeman, and contrary to his appearance, lived in an immaculate, tidy house near the sea front.
The Shetland Isles reminded me of how the Isle of Man used to be – the locals, the come-overs - in Shetland there are “insiders”, “incomers” etc., with everybody knowing everyone’s business (or thinking they do!), with old traditions, and families that go back to Viking times.. And no murders to brag about either!
The murder enquiry becomes more complex and the “Big Boys” are called in (police from the mainland – Aberdeen), and Perez has to reluctantly hand over the case to Taylor (an Englishman to boot!). When another child is found dead, it is vital that a suspect has to be found quickly, and a result achieved.
The finger of suspicion points to Magnus Tait, the local weird character (every small community has one) and he is eventually arrested. Perez and Taylor are both of the same mind that they have the wrong man behind bars, and even when the mainland police leave the islands, with an apparent case closed, Taylor stays on to assist Perez find the real murderer, and a respect for each other begins to emerge.
I found it amusing that when the CSI from the mainland commented that the murdered girl was not carrying her keys, the local police pointed out that here in Shetland, no-one locked their doors! Just like the Isle of Man a few years ago! Perez was considering leaving the police to take up crofting, and join the lifeboat crew as his forefathers had done, but the buzz of a strong case like this could maybe change his mind. I also felt the beginnings of a romance for Perez with another character, Fran, divorced with a small child. As the story unfolds, it is apparent that the murdered girl, was a “dark horse” and many of the characters had been involved with her in one way or another. I had absolutely no idea who the murderer was until the very last, and exciting few pages, which shows what an excellent story teller Ann Cleeves is. Raven Black had me turning the pages, and thinking - “just one more chapter, and I really will turn the light off!” I will certainly read the next three books in this series ... especially want to see if Perez and Fran do “get it together”!
