Dead Water Audiobook By Ann Cleeves cover art

Dead Water

A Shetland Mystery, Book 5

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Dead Water

By: Ann Cleeves
Narrated by: Kenny Blyth
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Ann Cleeves returns to her critically acclaimed Shetland Island series, now a BBC television show available on streaming.

Dead Water is the next stunning mystery featuring Inspector Jimmy Perez, who listeners will remember from Raven Black, White Nights, Red Bones, and Blue Lightning. When the body of a journalist is found, Detective Inspector Willow Reeves is drafted from outside to head up the investigation. Inspector Jimmy Perez has been out of the loop, but his local knowledge is needed in this case, and he decides to help Willow.

The dead journalist had left the islands years before to pursue his writing career. In his wake, he left a scandal involving a young girl. When Willow and Jimmy dig deeper, they realize that the journalist was chasing a story that many Shetlanders didn't want to come to the surface.

In Dead Water, a triumphant continuation to her Shetland series, Ann Cleeves cements her place as one of Britain's most successful crime writers.

©2013 Anne Cleeves (P)2013 Isis Publishing Ltd. Crime Fiction Detective Fiction International Mystery & Crime Mystery Traditional Detectives Crime Suspense

Critic reviews

“Cleeves returns to a sea-bound land of crofters' cottages, barren rocks and fog, especially the fog surrounding the murders...the well-constructed procedural grains another dimension from Jimmy's re-engagement with his work and his life.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Cleeves has an unusually deft hand with characters; not one of them seems purely plot functional, and Perez's character keeps deepening with each book. The rough islands cresting the Atlantic fit the bleakness of the murders depicted here. This series is one of two that Cleeves has going; the other stars Northumberland detective Vera Stanhope and is a hit BBC series.” —Booklist (starred)

“Creates a dark enough mood to keep you straining to see what will come to light next.” —People
Atmospheric Setting • Complex Characters • Authentic Scottish Accent • Intriguing Mystery • Unexpected Twists
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This is the fifth "Shetland" book I've read and I loved it as much as I did the first four.

Ann Cleeves does an excellent job of describing the characters and the setting. As I listen, I feel a very strong sense of place, though I've never even visited an area bears any similarity to Shetland. Her characters are interesting and seem real as she describes them. Jimmy Perez is the main protagonist. He has suffered a terrible loss in his life, and is beginning to recover in this story.

Kenny Blyth's narration is seamless and excellent. Some readers have commented that they found him hard to understand - I did not have that experience. I have lived my entire live in the North Central United States and had no problems understanding the accents.

If you like fast paced books with non-stop action, this one probably isn't for you. What you will find here is a well told story populated with interesting characters who live is a fascinating place.

I Love This Series

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I love the Shetland Island driers but am missing one. The other detective Vera Stanhope is also great but only one book recorded I have my fingers crossed for more.

Wish there were more Anne Cleeves mysteries available.

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First let me say I like the new narrator very much. I liked Gordon Griffin also, in earlier books in the series. I did not find Kenny Blyth at all hard to understand - I thought he had just enough accent to fit the Shetland setting. I noticed when he needed a classy English accent he did that perfectly (as far as I could tell).

If you want to get other audiobooks from this series try typing in the title in the search blank, or go to Amazon and search there. You should be able to buy them on Amazon with your Audible credits.

It's an interesting story but I thought the solution to the murders required way too much surmise on the part of Jimmy Perez after the fact - I don't want to spoil the surprise but the culprits hardly figured in the story at all up until the end so a lot of back explanation had to be added right at that point, after they were caught. Perhaps there were clues I missed as I did listen in the car but the final revelations seemed to come out of the blue. Still, I enjoyed the book and do recommend it. I hope Willow figures into future books in the series.

Good but not Great

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Loved this book - made me so homesick for Scotland. Gifted writer, great story. I recommend all her books!

Brilliant!

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Just love the Shetland series. The characters, details and setting is so that I feel I am there. The mystery is always twisting and keeping me engaged and guessing. thank you Ann Cleeves!

Great Series

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Any additional comments?

Someone once said that to visit new places you must travel or read a book. I enjoyed the story a great deal, but traveling to the Shetland Islands in this book is even better. The descriptions are great, the characters believable, and feel of the place is appealing.

The reader enhanced the experience of both the story and the visit. Events and characters are depicted well without unnecessary profanity or gruesome detail.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to listening to the others in this series.

A Great Read

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I won't be spoiler but I will say I was dismayed about the ending of the prior book in this series, which seemed gratuitous and harsh. Having said that, this story picks up smoothly and continues to develop the main characters while adding an interesting new face to the mix. The story is well developed and the descriptions of the islands make you feel you could be there. I loved loved loved the narration. The range and nuance of the accents was lovely and engaging and pitch perfect. This is a great addition to the series, no disappointments.

Ready to move to Shetland, for the summer anyway

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Love the twists and turns, the little details of sight and sound. These make it all so real. Kenny Blyth has the perfect voice, so believable. Wish he had narrated all the Shetland books.

One great story

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The story was good and kept my interest, it just moved along so slow. I would have liked more action.

Good but slow

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I enjoyed this book so much more than the first four because of the narrator. It’s amazing the difference that a different voice can make.

I love this narrator

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