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. ( )

This was one of my most eagerly anticipated books of the year, so I had ripped the package open and started the first chapter before the postie had even made it back down the path. I did have a dilemma when I was part way through - I realised I was reading so quickly that the end was fast approaching and, to quote my 3 year old self when watching Cinderella, I didn't want it to finish. I appeased myself with a promise to read all three books again soon.

It is a strong, confident storyteller who can kill off a long-standing character at the start of a book and LJ Ross has certainly established herself as a master storyteller, so she does this brilliantly. There are so many strong characters in the series that, love them or hate them, the show can go on without them. Well, the show couldn't go on without DCI Ryan, of course...but The Circle may not have read that part of the script.

As always, and I may be a little biased, the setting is magnificent; from the rocky outcrop of Bamburgh to the isolated hilltop church of Heavenfield, the love that LJ Ross has for her home county shines out from every page. Even the rusty aeroplane wings of the Angel of the North are described with love, affection and North East pride. These books should be sold at Tourist Information shops as each landmark is not only described but brought to life by including local history and legend. I was surprised to learn the legend behind the origins of Holy Island - I can't believe I had never heard this legend before, as I briefly paused my reading to google aerial photos of Holy Island.

With twists and surprises galore, Heavenfield is yet another outstanding book from LJ Ross. The whodunnit deserves a standing ovation as it had my brain working in overdrive and I would never have guessed in a million years! There are many heart-pounding moments as The Circle tightens their net in the quest for self-preservation and, after many jaw dropping moments, I couldn't help but wonder who would be left standing at the end.

The DCI Ryan series is going from strength to strength and, I have to agree with my 3 year old self, I really don't want it to finish!

I can't thank LJ Ross enough for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )

LJ Ross is doing everything just about perfect with this series.

This is the third installment in this series featuring DCI Maxwell Ryan. While the tropes and themes Ross uses here aren't necessarily ground-breaking, they hit all the right notes for fans of British detective stories, leaving no reason for such fans to not pick these up & devour them quickly.

The series is set in Northumbria, lending itself well to a sense of isolated gloom, a perfect place for The Circle to gain a foothold. This group of Satanists have been quietly exploiting their power in their community for years, & now they've come up against DCI Ryan. This installment seems to resolve the story; if so, it comes to a satisfying end. But have no fear: it also positions Ryan to move forward in the next book (& there WILL be a next book before the end of the year).

I was taken in by Holy Island, the first of this series, & can't recommend it enough. Anyone who loves mysteries, British cop stories, a touch of the paranormal, thrillers, or anything along these lines should pick up this book. But only after reading the first two. Enjoy!

Thanks to the author & publicist for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )