This Audible Original drama stars Tom Bateman (Murder on the Orient Express, Jekyll & Hyde, Snatched), Bertie Carvel (Doctor Foster, Les Misérables), Hermione Norris (Spooks, Cold Feet) and Kevin Whately (Lewis, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet) and is a prequel to the DCI Ryan series. I like police procedurals and this one has a unique feel as DCI Ryan sets up his base in the front room of his holiday let. This Audible Original drama stars Tom Bateman ( Murder on the Orient Express, Jekyll & Hyde, Snatched), Bertie Carvel ( Doctor Foster, Les Misérables), Hermione Norris ( Spooks, Cold Feet) and Kevin Whately ( Lewis, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet) and is a prequel to the DCI Ryan series. In the case of DCI Ryan, the death of his sister still haunts him. Not only does it strain his career, but every decision he makes after his sister’s tragic passing is informed in some way by her death and thoughts of the man that took her life.

This book sets the tone for all the books in the DCI Ryan series that follow. Anyone that has read crime fiction will recognize the style and themes present in the DCI Ryan books. As with most literary crime dramas, the DCI Ryan books are led by a tortured law enforcement operative. Dr Taylor has the other advantage of having grown up on Lindisfarne but has some personal issues there having left to go to university and not returned in over 8 years. LJ Ross has done a great job giving an insight into, and greater understanding of, Ryan’s personality before the nightmare events that sent him to Holy Island, showing how those events influenced the person he became. He’s totally focussed on his job and is determined to catch the killer.

Detective Chief Inspector Ryan

Holy Island is a perfect setting for a murder mystery; cut off from the main land twice a day when the tidal waters cover the causeway. When a murder at high tide happens it has to have been committed by someone still on the island. Fortunately although there is no standing police presence there a detective is on hand to handle the case. DCI Ryan has been recuperating in a local cottage for the past 3 months following a particularly difficult end to a murder investigation. So he feels both obligated and ideally placed knowing the island and many of its inhabitants already. I loved how Ryan and Anna interact with each other. They both carry some baggage and have some issues but there is still a lot of humor between them. He has the need to be protective and she has a need for independence. It's fun watching them meet in the middle. But when people award 5 stars and glowing superlatives unqualified by any critical thinking, my reaction is to think: Enjoy a walk along the Quayside taking in the bridges then head along to the Ouseburn and enjoy that stunning view from the Free Trade Inn.

As everyone becomes a suspect, Ryan and his team get drawn further and further into the case, but for Ryan the nightmare gets closer to home than he could ever have imagined. Walk along the river and look up at that much photographed view of the Cathedral. Visit Durham’s indoor market and meander through its stalls and then pop into one of the city’s fabulous eateries. The Infirmary is a brilliant production. Tom Bateman as Ryan and Kevin Whately as Frank Phillips are perfectly cast and capture the nuances of the characters superbly. Mark Bazeley—the killer, Bertie Carvel—the killer’s inner dialogue, both of whom are enough to make the blood run cold. Hermione Norris as the narrator, and the rest of the cast are all excellent and bring the story to life. The suspense is palpable and the pace is just right throughout. And, although the story is harrowing with the most terrifying and brutal villain, much is left to the imagination. Of Anna we discover that she's beautiful (of course), intelligent (of course), and damaged by past trauma (of course). And that's it. That's all the character she needs, being a woman and all. Her main purpose, apart from imparting a few bits of historic lore that a simple Google search would reveal, was to be the romantic counterpart to Mr Perfect. Their whirlwind romance was trite and utterly unconvincing.For DCI Ryan his experience of the Tyne Bridge was certainly an explosive one! For ourselves we’ll never forget the time we crossed the Tyne Bridge when doing the Great North Run a few years ago. Memories that will stay with you forever. From the more historic High Level Bridge to the latest, the Millennium, these seven bridges that span the Tyne are such a part of the story of Tyneside. Walk from Bowlees Visitor Centre and cross the Wynch Brdige across the River Tees and walk the Pennine Way path towards High Force to see it from above. There is more going on in this idyllic setting that no B&B visitor would wish to know. The writing draws the reader in and leaves one breathless as the police seem unable to break the closing ranks of the communiuty.

LJ Ross is an internationally bestselling author, whose books have sold over 7 million copies worldwide.

ABOUT LJ ROSS LJ Ross is an international bestselling author, whose books have sold over 8 million copies worldwide. This book is a prequel to all the rest, and I knew how it would end, that didn't detract from the story. For anyone new to Ryan this would be a great place to start, and the story ends where Holy Island begins - and you will fall in love with Ryan!. For anyone who has read the other DCI Ryan books this is a must-listen. Louise was born in Northumberland, England. She studied undergraduate and postgraduate Law at King’s College, University of London and then abroad in Paris and Florence. She spent much of her working life in London, where she was a lawyer for a number of years until taking the decision to change career and pursue her dream to write. Now, she writes full time and lives with her husband and son in Northumberland and Edinburgh. She enjoys reading all manner of books, painting, travelling and spending time with family and friends.