I've begun reading The Shetland series by Ann Cleeves, for those who don't know, some of this series has been adapted and turned into a very successful TV series, much of it really filmed for the BBC on Shetland. The TV shows are atmospheric, tense, well acted and visually striking, with a very film noir feel about them.
The books so far (I've read 3 of the 8) are different, a bit more mundane in places, and characters and subplots are different. Red Bones is the third in the book series and I have some memories of the TV production of this storyline. However the book is better, with more character development, particularly for the more minor characters. I won't be reviewing them all, but red Bones is my favourite so far.
Red Bones is set in the small island community of Whalsay, the sixth largest of the inhabited Shetland Islands. The name Whalsay means whale island. The sparse landscape and overwhelming foggy weather is beautifully depicted.
Mima was a mother, grandmother, gossip, floozy or witch, depending on who detective Jimmy Perez speaks to. She was always the life and soul of the island, but who shot her? This tiny community harbours secrets, it lives on lies as well as fishing and crofting
And whose is the red skull dug up by visiting archaeologists?
This novel has some beautifully depicted characters, particularly Mima, Sandy who is her grandson and a junior police officer, and the young archaeologist, Hattie.
I remembered some of this story from the TV series, but the characters are differently drawn, subplots are different and any foreknowledge didn't spoil my enjoyment. Plus I couldn't remember who dunnit! In a way solving the murder was subsidiary to the story of this community and its secrets.
A really enjoyable read, thoroughly recommended.
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