Raven Black Audiobook By Ann Cleeves cover art

Raven Black

Book One of the Shetland Island Mysteries

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Raven Black

By: Ann Cleeves
Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
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The basis for the hit series "Shetland" now airing on PBS.

Winner of Britain's coveted Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award, Ann Cleeves's Raven Black introduces a dazzling suspense series to U.S. mystery readers.

It is a cold January morning and Shetland lies beneath a deep layer of snow. Trudging home, Fran Hunter's eye is drawn to a splash of color on the frozen ground, ravens circling above. It is the strangled body of her teenage neighbor, Catherine Ross.

The locals on the quiet island stubbornly focus their gaze on one man--loner and simpleton Magnus Tait. But when detective Jimmy Perez and his colleagues from the mainland insist on opening out the investigation, a veil of suspicion and fear is thrown over the entire community. For the first time in years, Catherine's neighbors nervously lock their doors, while a killer lives on in their midst.

 International Mystery & Crime Police Procedural Thriller & Suspense Mystery Crime Detective Suspense Thriller Fiction Traditional Detectives Banking
Intriguing Mystery • Unexpected Twists • Excellent Narration • Atmospheric Setting • Well-crafted Plot • Pleasant Voice

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I love a book that has me researching the internet and my atlas for more information about the place. The Shetlands was the perfect location for the moody feel of this story. I can see why Ann Cleeves is a beloved author of thrillers from the United Kingdom. I particularly liked how the mood and place were as much a part of the story as the people and plotting. All were developed gradually and consistently. Jimmy Perez is a detective I will follow for as many selections that Audible will provide -- which I hope will be many. The narration was excellent.

Sometimes the story slowed down, but in the end, it all makes sense, and I was surprised by the outcome. I noticed in my research that the BBC has a 2014 TV series called "Shetland" that is based on Ann Cleves stories of Jimmie Perez. This TV series is not available in the US yet, but I will be checking regularly. I would love to watch them, too.

Interesting Place & Great Characters for a Series

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I've heard so many great things about this author so I had to find out for myself. I'm a fan of the "Vera" and "Shetland" tv adaptations so there's another reason to read the books.

It was interesting enough but I found it rather slow and drawn out. The descriptions of Shetland and its customs are quite well done. I will continue with the series.

A bit slow to get started

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Good story- maybe even great. Good narration. I'm a big fan of Anne Cleeves work, this one felt tedious. I think it needed some trimming up. The detail into each character's background and thoughts is excellent but that's where it got tedious it was almost 12 hours I think and it could have easily been cut down to 9- 9.5. Definitely worth the listen particularly if you're a fan of her other books.
I love both tv series 'Vera' and 'Shetland' . predictably this is very different then the show w a few character's being portrayed differently . I personally think both book and tv series 'Shetland' are very good. However, w the ' Vera' series I think the books are much better. I'm not sure how other 'Shetland's' tv series fans will like the changes they see in this book though. Again, I think it's worth a listen especially if you're a fan of Cleeves other work.

Good- but 2hours too long

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Well written prose, but characters were unsympathetic and not believable. Good narration, not enough engagement in characters and story to finish it.

meh

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It's a good story with an unpredictable twist, but a bit slow going for my taste. Take my review with a grain of salt however, I don't typically listen to this genre, I'm an avid Stephen King fan. The narrator did do a good job and was consitant with the characters and the plot twist was unexpected and appreciated.

Slow rolling, but okay

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