Blue Lightning: A Thriller

By: Ann Cleeves

Narrated by: Gordon Griffin

Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

Inspector Jimmy Perez takes his fiance home to Fair Isle, the tiny island he comes from, to meet his parents. The island is a magnet for bird watchers, who congregate at the local inn and lighthouse. When a local married celebrity who had an eye for the lads is murdered, Perez discovers that the suspects are very close to him indeed.

©2010 Ann Cleeves (P)2010 Soundings

Totally unput-down-able! More please!

Any additional comments?

I was first introduced to Anne Cleeves' Shetland series via the BBC's televised series, which I loved. The books are much much better and beautifully read by Gordon Griffin. The mystery remained whole until the last fifteen minutes and I would have never guessed the identity of the culprit. But added to the suspense, there is the unfolding of Jimmy Perez, the main detective's, new romance with Fran, as well as the wonderful sense of place and an introduction to the Shetland Island's customs. I thoroughly recommend this audiobook.

Another gripping Shetland thriller

Great story! Ann Cleeves really keeps you guessing. I found the end shocking and difficult!

Thanks to BBC and Public Television!

If my local public television station hadn't broadcast the Shetland mystery series produced by the BBC I might not have found this author.

This is my fourth Ann Cleeves book. The books are long, but they've never seemed too long as I've listened to them. In fact, as soon as I'm done with a book, I immediately want to move on to the next one. I am trying to pace myself, so I don't run out of Ann Cleeves books to listen to!

One thing that sets this series apart is Jimmy Perez. In him the author has created a complex and fascinating character. The other main "character" in this series is Shetland. There is a very strong sense of place in this series.

Narrator Gordon Griffin is superb.

Slow-burning police procedural

This was my favorite of the first four Shetland books — I know because it forced me to immediately start the fifth book. It’s a slow-burning police procedural about a bird expert being killed on the Fair Isles. If Cleeves has a problem, it's that she creates such rich characters, even minor ones who are only around for a few chapters, so you want to scream at her when she kills them off. Bechdel test: Pass. Grade: A-

Narration: Very good. I like him slightly better than the narrator who takes over after this book.

So Satisfying

As always with Ms. Cleeves, her characters are wide-ranging, interesting, and believable; and her sense of place is exquisite. Things didn't always go as I'd wanted, but it worked somehow. Narration is good. Happy to have had this one.

emPHASis on wrong sylABle.

Where does Blue Lightning: A Thriller rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

My opinion of the story is not unbiased, as I read these out of order, thus knew an important part of the story line in advance. Though I love Ann Cleeves books and Jimmy Perez mysteries.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Gordon Griffin?

Someone who pays attention to what they're reading, and doesn't. End the sentence. Before it's finished. And knows where to place the emphasis. And doesn't turn a declarative sentence into a question? With! Inappriate! Exclamations! interspersed arbitrarily. It's as if he was reading words completely out of context. I played the book at1.25 speed setting, and still there were long unnecessary pauses.

Great story but..:

Another great story from Ann Cleeves but the narrator for Jimmy’s character sounds old, far to old to be Jimmy. Otherwise, an excellent story!

Too Little, Too Late

The story idea seemed great—birders on an island with a killer—but about 1/2 way through, I had to skip to the end to find out who did it. Maybe it was too many characters who just seemed to hang about. The story just wasn’t going anywhere. It was a nice touch to hear from the perspective of two of the most likable characters but their punishment was brutal and unfortunate. They were the best part of the story.

pretty darn good story

I am shattered by the result, but cannot argue with the story. I need to visit Shetland.

Another Good Whodunit

Ann Cleeves always provides a story full of interesting and well-developed characters. As in all her books, there were many twists and turns which had me often changing my mind as to whom the murderer might be. However, in this book I never saw the ending coming--a different twist for sure.

Really good

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I was hooked from the very beginning. I was so enthralled I could have been there in Shetland with them! It also helped that the narrator was good.

Brilliant

Another Ann Cleeves Shetland story well crafted and very well preformed by the narrator. Bring on the next book.