Heavenfield

The DCI Ryan Mysteries, Book 3

By: LJ Ross

Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble

Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's Summary

The hunter becomes the hunted....

When a man is found dead at the remote church of Heavenfield, DCI Ryan is the only other person for miles around. The police have no weapon, no motive and no other suspects.

Already suspended from Northumbria CID, Ryan must fight to clear his name. But soon more than his career is at stake when prominent members of the mysterious Circle begin to die.

Somebody wants Ryan's name to be next on the coroner's list, and to survive he must unmask the devil who walks among them - before it is too late. Unfortunately for Ryan, the devil looks just like everybody else....

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit from LJ Ross, set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.

©2016 L J Ross (P)2016 Audible, Ltd

Spoilers, maybe.. but I doubt it..

This one started with a man being killed and Ryan being accused of killing him. That was a good start, I thought. And, wow, everything just went crazy in this book: Gregson going after Ryan, trying to get him thrown off the force, and the deal with Gregson’s wife, 2 prison/hospital deaths while they were already looking into another killer’s death.

And if some of you don’t know what I’m talking about and think I’m giving up spoilers I’m not, for those of you who read the first two books. For those who didn’t you might be lost. This was really a fascinating series.

It was just fabulous getting to know Ryan and Anna, and watching them fall in love. Loved Phillips and MacKenzie, and I absolutely love Phillips’s ties, what a quirky guy he was with his ties. Really liked Jack but I wasn’t really sure about him in the beginning. And, wow, wow, wow, what a trip that Jane was. She had a god-like attitude and thought the immediate world would soon be kneeling at her feet. Every one of these “Master’s” were totally insane killers, thinking they were doing Satan’s work. Every time one Master died another would take his place, until Jane was given the position as High PriestESS, after years of there being only Priests.

This was a truly great series and I’m sorry the story of “The Circle” had to end. But, boy, what an ending.

Again there was no sex in this book, not even a hint of it, but there was love and affection and that’s all I can ask for.

The was swearing and the F-bomb was used 12 times.

As to the narration: Again the narrator did a great job with his emotions while reading and the men had wonderful voices but the women’s voices still sucked, just like they did in the first two books. However, even with the women’s voices I’d still listen to the narrator again.

With the books being free with KU and the audibles only being $1.99 you really can’t go wrong.

Hope to see more of Ryan, Phillips and the others

Jonathan Keeble makes the characters memorable. Hope L J Ross is writing about new adventure of these characters.

The best of the series so far

Heavenfield is the third book featuring DCI Ryan and follows on from the events in Holy Island and Sycamore Gap. These have been getting better and better. This one is definitely my favorite. The history that is weaved into the story and the atmospheric settings in the North East of England combined with the fast paced, clever plot and the fantastic characters made this an excellent crime thriller. I would love to see Ryan, Anna, MacKenzie and Phillips investigating other cases in the future.These characters have really grown on me and it is nice to follow how they are developing with each book.
The narration by Jonathan Keeble is absolutely fantastic. He kills it with the different accents and I've been super impressed how consistent the different characters' voices have been across all three books. He has really brought these characters to life for me.
I would recommend the entire trilogy to all fans of fast-paced crime thrillers with believable characters.

Really enjoyed this

This is the third book in the DCI Ryan series . They need to be read in order because of the story arc which starts in book 1 . I think the writing from this new author has improved and she has developed the characters well and now by book 3 has edited out some of the extraneous descriptions and brooding looks from the first books. For those who insist on strict police procedurals this may not be for you. However these books are set in the area I grew up in which just added to my enjoyment and the narrator was excellent . I look forward to more from LJ Ross

Great series

I have to admit I liked this one a little less than the previous two, but it was still 4 stars for me. The characters have gotten a little more sappy, which is not necessarily my cup of tea. I’m curious to see where the rest is going and I really liked the ending to this one.

Excellent Story - Nice narration

I have definitely become a fan of this series. I came to it late – with the sixteenth book – but I enjoyed that one so much that I’ve been reading the earlier books. I’m skipping all around in the series, so I can assure you that you can read each book as a standalone. The characters are consistent from book-to-book, and references are made to happenings in previous books, but you don’t have to have read those books in order to enjoy the book you are reading. The books are basically police procedurals, but the crimes are definitely of the sensational variety – as in cults, psychotic murderers, etc.

I listened to the audiobook version and enjoyed the narration. I like the narrator’s smooth voice, but all of his accents – English, Irish, Scottish, etc. all seemed to sound the same. He also used guttural voices to accentuate the accents and I didn’t feel that helped at all. His delivery was well-paced.

The heinous cult, The Circle, is back and strange things are happening. The Circle has tentacles in every profession and walk of life – at every level. You never know if the person with whom you are speaking is a member of The Circle or not. That means Ryan and his team have to tread very carefully and keep everything tightly contained within their single team. Heaven only knows how many members of CID are also members of The Circle. They are pretty sure of one, Detective Chief Superintendent Arthur Gregson, but does it go even higher than him?

DCI Ryan is on administrative leave after the events of the last case. DCS Gregson is bound and determined to see Ryan lose his job over these trumped-up charges. Can he do it? Ryan’s hearing will come up soon, but in the meantime, he’s totally sidelined. When Ryan is discovered at the scene of a murder, with blood on his hands, he becomes the chief suspect in that as well. Well – he’s DCS Gregson’s chief suspect – Ryan’s team knows he isn’t guilty.

When more murders happen, and Gregson himself is attacked, things really get busy. It will take Ryan and all of his team’s best efforts – with the help of Dr. Anna Taylor – to finally put an end to The Circle and all of the misery associated with it.

The ending was exciting and all of the explanations wrapped up the loose ends. I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

loved it

Jonathan Keeble is a famtasicly talented narrator, this book ties the last book's all together for a final great end to this saga. really interesting, and entertaining.

So Enjoyable

I am so glad to have come upon this series. For me it’s in the vein of Inspector Morse, or Inspector Lewis. This series is really entertaining, with great writing, characters and narration. I have listened to two, and am about to embark on my third.

intriguing story

liked this story, it bought answers and rounded some things up, like the main characters my favourite is Phillip's who is delightful, warm and funny. Good mystery and some exciting bits, am enjoying each book, not brilliant which is why I gave 4 stars not 5 but certainly enjoyable and enough interest to make me keep buying the books.

entertaining

Jonathan keeble does a fantastic job as a narrator. the story is unbelievable but it is fun to listen to

Can't wait for the next instalment!

I really enjoyed both Holy Island, and Sycamore Gap (the first two books in the DCI Ryan series) by LJ Ross. I've been counting down the days for the release of the audio version of Heavenfield since it's hard copy release in February. I was not disappointed! Firstly, I enjoyed the story and felt that it added to the overall narrative of the series, being a full story in its own right (although I think listening to the first two books first will help you enjoy the book better) as well developing the plot, leaving me wanting to hear more (can't wait for Angel, the next in the series).

The content and pace of each chapter draws you in and pushes you on; I felt really annoyed when I had to pause the story as I was far away in Northumberland helping with the investigation (well I was observing!!) and wanted to know what happened next. I also love the way all the characters are drawn, and I was interested in how they developed and what happened to them, not just the main protagonists.

Thirdly, and oft forgotten, the narration is superb. Jonathan Keeble brings alive the carefully crafted plot and is true to the characterisation drawn by LJ Ross. The only problem I have is that I have to wait for the next instalment, and it's audio version.

A good series at a crossroads I think

This third story seems to finally tie up lots of loose ends we've had flying about from the previous books and I think that's probably a good thing - its time for a new plot, I'm getting a bit tired of this one. I very much like the characters in this series and I think the conversation is particularly well written but I am sad to say that the main romantic thread (which I thought was very well done initially) is getting a little Mills & Boon (which other reviewers thought was the case a few books back). If you have listened to books 1 and 2 this won't disappoint but come on L J Ross you now need to get this great cast of characters involved in some new cases and some new personal stories. Exceptionally well read by Jonathan Keeble.

Bored with the format.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, then quite enjoyed the second. But really, how many dodgy policemen and woman can be involved in this dodgy religious group? Didn’t finish this one as got bored.

LJ Ross - the Murder/Mystery Master...

Another fantastic DCI Ryan instalment. Similarly to the others in the series, they can be enjoyed standalone, though you'll certainly enjoy them more if you complete the series in order - the character interplay and backgrounds will make much more sense.
Still, a fantastic book nonetheless...

Disappointing on all levels

What disappointed you about Heavenfield?

This is he 2nd DCI Ryan book that I have listened to. Not sure why I got it in the first place as the first one I listened to (Sycamore Gap) wasn't great shakes. Seems that all the crimes in this part of England somehow hinge around the personalities of the police and their families and DCI Ryan in particular.

What will your next listen be?

Am now listening to a lovely book by Ruth Ozeki (A Tale of the Time Being). Also read by her. Great improvement on the flawed "thriller".

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The performance was OK but some of the accents chosen for the various characters a bit too exaggerated.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Heavenfield?

Bad story line.

Any additional comments?

Needs to have DCI Ryan solve cases that are not connected to him or Anna. And leave out the cults.

Unimaginative regurgitation of the two previous books

I had bought several audio books by LJRoss based upon other reviews. The first was ‘chick lit’ trying to be a gritty detective novel, and books 2 and 3 have followed suit. There is so little difference between the storylines that having read 3, they just meld into one.
For such an accomplished renown detective, Ryan’s caseload is very light and because of the boring similarity between the murders I am disappointed that it took him so long.

Disappointing after first two exciting books.

What did you like best about Heavenfield? What did you like least?

Was looking forward to reading her third book. Her first two books were excellent. Was disappointed by the storyline although it was a follow on and felt that it was rather rushed and 'ran out of steam'. I disliked some of the graphic descriptions, I am not a prude but found that some descriptions were not necessary. It was almost as if she had to finish her third book to finish her publishing contract and had lost interest.

Would you ever listen to anything by LJ Ross again?

I would give her another chance.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Didn't really compared to her first two books.

good listen.

Had a late night as had to hear the end. a really good listen. will there be more?

A great listen

Can't wait for the next book in the series. I have really enjoyed the first three Ryan books.

HB

I couldn't wait to listen to the third book, having thoroughly enjoyed the first and second books, and I wasn't disappointed! I hope that there will be more Ryan stories. I find the characters interesting and believable and the countryside descriptions very atmospheric, an interesting backdrop to the story line.