Longstone

The DCI Ryan Mysteries, Book 10

By: LJ Ross

Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble

Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

From the number one international best-selling author of Holy Island and The Hermitage.  

Between the devil and the deep blue sea...

Viking treasure is discovered beneath the icy waters of the North Sea, and local historian Dr Anna Taylor is called in to help catalogue the most exciting hoard in living memory. But when a shipwreck diver washes up dead, she’s soon out of her depth. Luckily, she knows just the person to call....

When DCI Ryan arrives at the picturesque fishing town of Seahouses, he's faced with an impenetrable wall of secrets and lies. As he juggles marine archaeology and the cutthroat world of shipwreck diving, another murder blows the case wide open. To uncover the truth, Ryan must delve deeper into the hearts of those around him to find what lies beneath....  

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

©2018 LJ Ross (P)2019 Audible, Ltd

Critic reviews

“LJ Ross keeps company with the best mystery writers.” (The Times)

“A literary phenomenon.” (Evening Chronicle)  

Loved it! Another long wait for book 11.. *Sigh*

Another wonderful story with DCI Ryan, his wife Anna and their friends Frank Phillips and Denise MacKenzie-Phillips, who are also police officers.

This story was about 3 murders, one committed more than 20 years ago, and 2 others to cover up that first murder. And I gotta tell ya’ I was really, really, surprised at who the killer was. I would NEVER expected that person as the one. And wow, what a terrible deal for Josh and Daisy.

Oddly enough, I don’t like stories with the MC being married. No idea why I just don’t, usually. BUT I just love the love between Ryan and Anna. There’s no sign of sex in these books but just their words and there few kisses are so sweet, and they seem so real.

As to the narration: Jonathan Keeble is totally awesome.

LJ Ross you are the bomb! :)

I hope you write at least 100 more mystery/thrillers! I will purchase, and listen to, them all. I love the way you write, and your plot lines are awesome. "Longstone" was great! I couldn't stop listening and lost some sleep (not complaining). Jonathan Keeble is such a first rate, and amazing narrator. THE PERFECT NARRATOR FOR YOUR BOOKS!
Scotty,
Audible addict.

Love this series

Exceptional narrator! I am never disappointed in a DCI Ryan murder mystery. A great read.

Longstone

I absolutely love the DCI Ryan series, this one as good, if not my best of them all. There is always a twist in the tale. Cannot wait for the next one. The narration was excellent as always.

Brilliant..

Ryan and the team are back on home soil, and they're soon thrust into an investigation when a body is recovered from the sea. Someone who'd be searching for a lost viking longship just off the coast. Things turn from bad to worse when the killer takes action to cover their tracks. In typical Ryan fashion, he and the team stop at nothing to work out what has taken place.
Some great light entertainment with the lovable DS Frank Philips at Ryans side.
Longstone is another in the wonderful DCI Ryan Series. Beautifully narrated by Jonathan Keeble once again.
Highly recommended.

end of the line

I had enjoyed the early Ryan books but gave up after the Italian farce, only gave this one a chance on audio because it was cheap but still feel robbed. LJ needs to stop churning the books out and concentrate on her craft. the characterisation is tired and paper thin, she tries too hard to inject the emotion through lengthy prose, and really men don't think like that, they don't brood and ponder and analyse and nor do women swoon every time a half decent man hoves into view. the books in this series are like mills and boon with some improbable deaths thrown in. LJ started writing because she believed she could do better but has become a parody of what she sought to exceed. keeble is usually a good narrator but falls short with the Ryan series, most characters sound like poor extras from aufwiedersehn pet and the rest sound like they are from the 1950s, no hint of the northumbrian lilt in the local accents. I do not take pleasure in giving this review but the book was dismal.

Disappointing plot

I’ve been listening to all the DCI Ryan series in order. Whilst I enjoy the camaraderie of the characters and plots of previous books, Longstone just didn’t work for me. The motivations and actions of the characters living within Seahouses seem daft and not at all convincing. I can’t help but wonder if the author got writers block but was under pressure to finish up and crack on with the series.

Best yet!

At last a story that does not hark back overmuch - except for excellent choice of location - to previous well worn story-lines. A fresh departure after the admittedly satisfying 'Hermitage' Book 9 released on Audible the same day. Hope the trend continues and that Jonathan Keeble continues to narrate instead of over egging with an ensemble cast.

Another great

I love this series. The characters are well rounded and so real. The plots are sufficiently intriguing and complex to hold you from start to finish - and there’s always a final surprise! LJ Ross is a talented author and her stories are wonderfully complemented by the skilful narration of Jonathan Keeble. I truly hope for more!

Excellent as ever!

I enjoy this series of DCI Ryan books, it brings out the places of my childhood so well

By numbers

I have read other books by this author, and whilst none of them was a masterpiece they were fun for what they were. This one it's just preposterous. Not only because I guessed 'who did it' about half way through, but because it's soulless, the characters behaviour is unbelievable and the whole story is not engaging at all.
The narrator is also extremely irritating with it's over the top accents and his ability to make every character a pure caricature from the 1950s. I kept on thinking the book was set in the post war era. Plus, his interpretation of DCI Ryan makes him sound like the less charismatic man on the planet. I know people love this narrator but I will avoid him from now on, unless the book is set in the 50s of course!
After the recent terrible efforts by Val McDermid (is she even writing her own books these days? They suddenly have got so poor that it's hard to believe it's the same author of her previous output...) LJ Ross is another writer I will have to remember to avoid in the future.

Pure joy

I know we're looking at horrible murders and people generally behaving abhorrently but I just LOVE these books. I save them for whenever I'm feeling a bit down or having a listening slump. Then, within a few minutes of Jonathan Keeble reading LJ Ross' exquisite writing, all is good in the world again. The characterisation is so sublime, so perfect, I'm managed to convince myself that I've met Denise and Frank, Anna and Ryan. In fact, I'm pretty sure I went to their weddings. The friendship between the two couples is the perfect foil for the evil in the world. It's like getting together will old friends who you don't see often enough and remembering how much you love being in their company. LJ Ross has hit on the perfect formula for an excellent book. Long may it continue.

An absolutely ingenious book

L J Ross is one of my favourite authors, and getting two books together was an absolute treat to get two books together. I really feel like I know Ryan and the other major characters. Very well written and genius plots. Highly recommended.

Another Brilliant Story

I love this series and the narration is perfect, recommend it to all who love a good murder mystery.