Author Ann Cleeves always sheds light on some facet of Shetland life. In Thin Air it's hamefarin or homecoming-- a time for expatriates return home to celebrate their roots. What better thing to do than bring a group of outsiders to Shetland who don't necessarily get along with each other? And who better to investigate the disappearance of one of them than Detective Jimmy Perez?
Although Jimmy is still in mourning for his wife, fellow detective Willow Reeves is attracted to him, and it's interesting to watch her emotions play out throughout the book. Jimmy is his usual (rather) enigmatic self, getting the job done with a minimum of fuss or even notice. Perez is so unobtrusive about what he does that he leaves people wondering how he's made them all so dependent on him.
While we're dealing with Shetland's fog which is affecting the ferry and plane schedules (and making us feel claustrophobic), Perez does his job. Endless rounds of going to people and listening to what they say, how they say it, and what they don't say. Few fictional detectives can listen to the degree that Jimmy Perez can. And few fictional detectives have the other characters wondering "how [Perez] managed to win people over. Perhaps it was something as simple as kindness."
Indeed, it is kindness. Thin Air is a very quiet mystery, muffled in fog and shrouded in secrecy. It's as quiet and deceptive as Jimmy Perez himself-- and every bit as satisfying. If you have yet to read one of Ann Cleeve's Shetland novels, I urge you to begin at the beginning with Raven Black. If you're well acquainted with Jimmy Perez, I have good news. This is another excellent addition to the series. Dig in.
Although Jimmy is still in mourning for his wife, fellow detective Willow Reeves is attracted to him, and it's interesting to watch her emotions play out throughout the book. Jimmy is his usual (rather) enigmatic self, getting the job done with a minimum of fuss or even notice. Perez is so unobtrusive about what he does that he leaves people wondering how he's made them all so dependent on him.
While we're dealing with Shetland's fog which is affecting the ferry and plane schedules (and making us feel claustrophobic), Perez does his job. Endless rounds of going to people and listening to what they say, how they say it, and what they don't say. Few fictional detectives can listen to the degree that Jimmy Perez can. And few fictional detectives have the other characters wondering "how [Perez] managed to win people over. Perhaps it was something as simple as kindness."
Indeed, it is kindness. Thin Air is a very quiet mystery, muffled in fog and shrouded in secrecy. It's as quiet and deceptive as Jimmy Perez himself-- and every bit as satisfying. If you have yet to read one of Ann Cleeve's Shetland novels, I urge you to begin at the beginning with Raven Black. If you're well acquainted with Jimmy Perez, I have good news. This is another excellent addition to the series. Dig in.
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