Holy Island cover art

Holy Island

The DCI Ryan Mysteries, Book 1

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Holy Island

By: LJ Ross
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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About this listen

Detective Chief Inspector Ryan retreats to Holy Island seeking sanctuary when he is forced to take sabbatical leave from his duties as a homicide detective. A few days before Christmas, his peace is shattered, and he is thrust back into the murky world of murder when a young woman is found dead amongst the ancient ruins of the nearby priory.

When former local girl Dr. Anna Taylor arrives back on the island as a police consultant, old memories swim to the surface, making her confront her difficult past. She and Ryan struggle to work together to hunt a killer who hides in plain sight while pagan ritual and small-town politics muddy the waters of their investigation.

Murder and mystery are peppered with a sprinkling of romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunnit set on the spectacular Northumbrian island of Lindisfarne, cut off from the English mainland by a tidal causeway.

©2015 L J Ross (P)2015 Audible, Ltd
Cosy Romance Romantic Suspense Mystery Fiction Island Suspense

Critic Reviews

" Holy Island is a blockbuster." ( Daily Express)

What listeners say about Holy Island

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Childish and cliched writing but okay story

I'm genuinely surprised by reviews that rate this as well written. The plot and pacing is fine -- but the dialogue and characterisation is infantile and cliche-ridden compared with the best of British crime writing.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Best read

Really enjoyed everything about the book, I can't wait to read the next one.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Murder mystery & a touch of romance.

First time I have listened to one of L J R oss"s books . Thoroughly enjoy
ed it, it is also good to have a little romance in the story. Will listen to more.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Listen

What a great listen can’t wait to get into the next one, and see what Ryan gets up to next.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great first exposure to LJ Ross

Was devastated when I can to the end of Denzil Meyrick’s writings was reading finding a replacement to listen to .. this filled the gap perfectly .. and s huge series to work my way through now !

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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great

slow start but great mix of a blossoming romance and cultish small town murders. narrator great

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant narrator

Johnathon keeble makes you think your there can not fault him wonderful accents have you guessing if it is him

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Real history threaded with Murder

Loved being immersed in the setting: a historical icon. exciting twists. Did not appreciate Mills & Boon moments.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Mills and Boon meets Shetland.

A strange mix of cliche romance and bloody murder, Holy Island can't make up its mind what it wants to be. DCI Ryan is a TDH (tall, dark and handsome) hero that seems to have supernatural powers of detection, as well as seduction. He just has to appear in the room to make it all come together; no matter how obnoxious he gets, he just can't do anything wrong. It's the first in a series, so maybe the character evolves, if you are willing to give him another chance it might get better. I'm not sure I will give him another chance. I don't think I could ever tolerate him. Narrator is excellent and makes it bareable, otherwise I might not have gotten through to the end.

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10 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Mystery

I took a while to get into this story but once I did I had to keep reading to find out 'whodunit '
I will definitely read the next book in the series.

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