- Paperback: 302 pages
- Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (16 Aug. 2016)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1518759564
- ISBN-13: 978-1518759567
Synopsis
The past never stays buried for long…
Detective Chief Inspector Ryan believes he has put his turbulent history behind him. Then, in the early hours of the summer solstice, the skeleton of a young woman is found inside the Roman Wall at Sycamore Gap. She has lain undiscovered for ten years and it is Ryan’s job to piece together her past.
Enquiry lines cross and merge as Ryan is forced to face his own demons and enter into a deadly game of cat and mouse with a killer who seems unstoppable.
Murder and mystery are peppered with a sprinkling of romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit set amidst the spectacular scenery of Hadrian’s Wall country in Northumberland.
Review
Sycamore Gap is the second book in L.J Ross’s brilliant DCI Ryan series that started with Holy Island, which I reviewed in January. When the body of a young woman is found at Sycamore Gap on Hadrians Wall, DCI Ryan and his team are called in to find the killer. What Ryan doesn’t expect is that this case will take him back to the man who killed his sister, Kier Edwards serving a life sentence in HMP Frankland.
I think I enjoyed Sycamore Gap more than the previous book Holy Island, if that is possible, and there is no doubt that this is becoming one of my favourite detective / crime series. Living in the North East of England, it is wonderful to know and visualise all the places used in these books; and they are such beautiful locations. What I love about these books is the relationships between the characters, especially between Ryan and Phillips. Ryan maybe Phillips’s superior officer, but they have an easy going relationship with plenty of Geordie humour and sarcasm. Love is still in the air for Ryan and Anna, and Phillips has a new love interest as well.
The plot is intricate and fast paced with may different layers to keep your attention. Ryan, as in the previous book, goes off the map and against his boss DCS Gregson, who is not all he seems. Whilst most of the chapters concentrate on Ryan and his investigation, there are also several chapters written in the first person narrative from the killer, a look into his or her mind. Louise Ross writes beautifully, drawing you into the plot whilst also making the characters personable so you care about them, which makes you want to read the next book.
Sycamore Gap is a brilliant read that seamlessly combines a crime procedure plot with thriller, romance and some good Geordie humour. I am nearly through the third book, Heavenfield, and wish I had the time to read them all back to back they are that good. If you are looking for a new crime series, full of twists, suspense, and thrills then I can’t recommend this series highly enough; fabulous characters and chilling crimes make this an amazing read.
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