Sycamore Gap – L J Ross (DCI Ryan #2)

Sycamore Gap (DCI Ryan #2)

 

 Sycamore Gap– L J Ross (reviewed 25.11.2015)

Blurb 

 
THE EXPLOSIVE SEQUEL TO THE UK #1 BESTSELLER HOLY ISLAND The past never stays buried for long... Detective Chief Inspector Ryan believes he has put his turbulent history behind him. Then, in the early hours of the summer solstice, the skeleton of a young woman is found inside the Roman Wall at Sycamore Gap. She has lain undiscovered for ten years and it is Ryan's job to piece together her past. Enquiry lines cross and merge as Ryan is forced to face his own demons and enter into a deadly game of cat and mouse with a killer who seems unstoppable. Murder and mystery are peppered with a sprinkling of romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit set amidst the spectacular scenery of Hadrian's Wall country in Northumberland.

My Review 

It may help the reader to read the first book, but in my opinion this book can be read as standalone read.  There are subtle references to the first book, however I would imagine the reader will be able to understand the story, the first book will enable you to understand the characters and some of their traits.   

Detective Chief Inspector Ryan is back and again with another case that grips you from the start.

The book starts off with us introduced to DCI Ryan and his team who are called in to investigate another “potential” murder again set in Northumberland, this time near Hadrian’s Wall.  A body of a young girl who has been missing for what becomes apparent is 10 years, found hidden deep inside the wall.   Ryan and his team recognise the girl once the initial forensic tests have been conducted due to Dr Kier (yes he’s back) having a photograph in his possession despite being incarcerated. 

Ryan is determined to be involved in this case and despite warnings from his boss Gregson continues to investigate and pursue this matter.  He has a personal interest in Dr Kier and quietly right!    

This book is set approximately 6 months on from the end of Holy Island (L J Ross’ first book). 

This is a dark murder mystery with plenty of twists to keep you enthralled.  The mysterious society known as the "Circle" is mentioned again, and as the story of Sycamore Gap grabs you, further members of the “Circle” are discovered and make you realise how large this group is and that the members include people who are in high powered positions. 

Relationships between Ryan and his colleagues keep the reader entertained.  His love of work; finding the right result for the right reasons comes across; his enthusiasm for his team including Phillips (who has a love of garish ties), MacKenzie (the female investigation officer who is an invaluable member of the team), Lowerson (who without giving anything away is now reunited with the team).  The love of his life Anna who again makes an appearance in the book. 

Again, as with the first, this instalment ends with a cliff-hanger, leaving you wanting the author L J Ross to write faster and quicker to put you out of your misery.  I for one want to know answers to some questions.

I will add that I don’t like doing spoilers in my reviews, I like to think that anybody reading the review wants to know what happens and therefore they will buy the book (and hopefully the first one as well) as they are intrigued as to what happens next!

If that person is you, and you want to know what this fantastic author has to offer then I’m afraid, yes you’ve guessed it you’re going to have to read the book.  If you don’t then you really are missing out on a gem of a read. 

I would like to say a special thanks to the author L J Ross who contacted me via my blog to ask would I like to review this book and again I am so pleased that I said yes!      

Holy Island - L J Ross

 

Holy Island

Blurb 

 
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 whodunit set on the spectacular Northumbrian island of Lindisfarne, cut off from the English mainland by a tidal causeway.

My Review

Detective Chief Inspector Ryan currently on leave from the force (he was asked to take a sabbatical from the force and you are left wondering why at the beginning but all becomes clear as the book progress) and escaped to “Holy Island” an island which twice a day is cut off from the mainland.  Whilst on the island, a place that seems like it could become his home, a place he seems to have settled in and away from everyone that knows him, a place he feels like he can put the past behind him and move on that is until a horrible murder takes place. 

The murder is of Lucy Mathieson, a local of the island and the discovery of her body at the Lindisfarne Priory.  DCI Ryan takes charge due to being on the island and insists to his boss (Gregson) that he is fit for duty and capable of running the investigation properly. 

During the course of the investigation Dr Taylor arrives on the island to assist as a Police consultant as the killing is linked to certain holy rituals.  Dr Taylor has a specialism in ceremonial rituals. However Dr Taylor (Anna) is a familiar face to the island having lived there when she was young with her parents and sister.  Her sister Megan is still living on the island. 

During the course of the investigation it becomes apparent that DCI Ryan has feelings for Dr Taylor and a relationship starts, rather predictable really but don’t despair this is the only predictable part in the book.  Ryan comes across as rugged, strong with a sensitive side to him possibly classed as a knight in shining armour.  As the investigation progresses and more murders happen DCI Ryan is left with a feeling that Anna wasn’t chosen to assist for her specialism but for other unknown reasons and wants to protect her with every waking moment despite what’s happening on the island. 

What are the reasons I hear you say, well I asked myself the same questions as I was reading the book: -

1.       Is there a reason Anna has been asked to assist?

2.       Is Ryan (due to his personal situation) able and capable of solving a murder?

3.       How many more people are going to die whilst this investigation is continuing?

I will add that I don’t like doing spoilers in my reviews, I like to think that anybody reading the review wants to know what happens and therefore they will buy the book as they are intrigued as to what happens next!

If that person is you, and you want answers to these questions then I’m afraid, yes you’ve guessed it you’re going to have to read the book.  If you don’t then you really are missing out on a gem of a read. 

*Lindisfarne is a real island just off the coast of Northumberland and is known as Holy Island and anyone that has read my reviews before will know I’m a UK thriller / mystery kind of girl.  This is an excellent book, excellent story and yes you’ve probably guessed it in my opinion an excellent story. 

I would like to say a special thanks to the author L J Ross who contacted me via my blog to ask would I like to review this book and I am so pleased that I said yes!