Dead Water

A Shetland Mystery, Book 5

By: Ann Cleeves

Narrated by: Kenny Blyth

Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

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

A GREAT MYSTERY

Would you listen to Dead Water again? Why?

I would absolutely listen to this book again and again. It has a great storyline and so well written. A joy to listen to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All the characters are well defined.

Which character – as performed by Kenny Blyth – was your favorite?

Ditto.

Any additional comments?

So delightful to have a book with great character development and story. Makes you want to visit Shetland Island. PLEASE MORE ANN CLEEVES.

Brilliant Narration

As usual, Ann Cleeves serves up a clever mystery that keeps the listener puzzled until the end. Good character development in this one, with Jimmy reluctantly emerging from grief and Sandy Wilson unexpectedly rising to challenges. The addition of Willow Reeves is welcome - an unconventional character and a pleasant contrast to her predecessor and his anger problems.The very best part, however, is the absolutely brilliant narration by Kenny Blyth. His accent is genuine, but not difficult to understand with just a week bit of patience which is quickly and richly rewarded. I will listen to anything he narrates! More Shetland Mysteries, please!

intiquing

I enjoy Ann Cleeves writing. I can hardly stop listening. There is a great sense of good tied into the personal relationships that balances the crime for me.

Narrator

Too bad about the switch in narrators. The first one was getting very good, finally distinguishing the women from the men.
This one has a pleasant Scottish voice but made very little difference between any of the characters. And even odder, how does a native Scotsman give a regional British accent to the people in Inverness?

Complex and Fascinating

Ann Cleeves writes the most complex and fascinating characters. She delves into the very souls of her characters.

Stories Just Getting Better

I was reluctant to continue the series after the last book, but I'm glad I did. Toward the end I thought I had figured it out...but, I didn't. I'm enjoying Ann Cleeves' books very much.

Great

It was a great story with beautiful narration. Loved the Shetland accent. It exceeded my expectations. I will listen again.

great reader

Would you consider the audio edition of Dead Water to be better than the print version?

I really liked the story which was still enhanced by the very good reader

What other book might you compare Dead Water to and why?

Anne Cleeves' other books, Elly Griffith' books, similar intimate atmosphere, attachment to main characters

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I felt I could have listened to the reader for a much longer time

Perhaps better than PD James!

If you enjoy PD James' mysteries , you will love Anne Cleeves' mysteries. A great police procedural with wonderful character development and a totally satisfying mystery conclusion.
This is a fantastic series, Enjoy!

Another great episode - LOVE this narrator

I'm deafish (hard of hearing) and I had more-than-average trouble understanding the previous narrator, who seems-to-me to say PEH-rez like eh-eh. I had a heck of a time with most of his proper nouns, rewinding and relistening until I could figure out, eventually, that ráh meant Fran. Kenny Blyth is giving my old ears none of these problems.

This is not my #1 favorite book of the series, possibly because I'd previously watched this TV episode, but it was still excellent and I'm emotionally torn up for poor eh-eh.