Death Rocks by LJ Ross

Death Rocks by LJ Ross
Publisher: Dark Skies Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A COINCIDENCE…

When the body of a talented photographer is found on the rocks beneath the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, DCI Ryan and his team of detectives immediately suspect the worst. But, since none of their potential suspects seems to have a motive, the case runs cold.

Then, when another body is found dead on a lonely stretch of road near Hadrian’s Wall and their only suspect has an airtight alibi, the team are faced with another crime without a perpetrator.

With the number of unexplained deaths in the area increasing rapidly and only a series of coincidences to work from, Ryan and his team must find the invisible link between them to crack the case—before it’s too late.

Can Ryan solve his most dangerous case yet?

DCI Ryan and his team are called into what could be a suspicious death – but equally might just be a tragic accident – on Death Rocks. With no clear motive and no real suspects, the case quickly goes cold on the team. But when another potentially suspicious but possibly accidental death turns up DCI Ryan and his team know something just be going on – but can they work out what it is?

I’ve been enjoying this long running series and found this book to be an interesting and strongly written addition. While the team has been together for years and have a great cohesion to them, I feel that there’s enough progress – and a new team member joining the group – that this would be a perfect book to introduce oneself to the series.

I also felt the murder mystery was a delightful breath of fresh air. With no clear motive or suspects – and even a question over whether this is actually murder at all – I found the police procedural aspect to the book really well written, and it also felt fresh and interesting to me.

There is some friction between some of the team initially, and while I feel bad for Jack, sometimes I also feel he can be a real idiot. I was pleased, though, this tension and conflict was resolved fairly quickly but also realistically. Readers should be aware that this book has quite a twist and a character death at the end. Plus, while a lot of the plot is wrapped up there isn’t a complete conclusion of everything – a few aspects are left for resolution hopefully in the next book.

Readers who enjoy a well-paced and excellently written British police procedural should find this is a very good book – and possibly the opening to a whole new series.