I love a great crime and police procedural novel. This book is the first in a series by the author featuring a new character, Detective Chief Inspector Ryan. A long-running series in the UK, we are now gaining more access to it in the US.
Re-published in the US, check out my thoughts on this twisted mystery in a small town on an island. Could the location get any better? You be the judge.
Holy Island by LJ Ross
Series: DCI Ryan Mysteries, 1
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Publication date: April 7, 2026
ISBN-13: 978-1464291043
OVERVIEW:
On Holy Island, everyone is a suspect…
Detective Chief Inspector Ryan retreats to the remote Holy Island seeking sanctuary when he is forced to take sabbatical leave from his duties as a homicide detective. But just days before Christmas, his fragile peace is shattered when the body of a young woman is discovered among the haunting ruins of the ancient Priory.
Into this dark mystery steps Dr. Anna Taylor, once a local girl, now back as a police consultant. Her return stirs painful memories and unfinished business―and working alongside Ryan only complicates matters. Together, they must navigate small-town secrets, simmering tensions, and whispers of pagan ritual as they hunt a killer who may be hiding in plain sight.
Set against the stark, windswept landscape of Lindisfarne―an island cut off from the English mainland by a treacherous tidal causeway―the case forces long-buried secrets to the surface. On Holy Island, the past is never truly left behind, and every stone has a story waiting to be unearthed.
Holy Island by LJ Ross Review
This is my second novel by this author, and I am happy to discover the rich, enveloping detail that she does not shy away from in her storytelling.
What catapulted me the most was the facade between what the island stands for and the sick underbelly that no one wants to acknowledge or divulge. Ritualistic murder and town secrets no one will discuss, the reader is plunged into the depths of the hunt for a murderer.
But in a small town where everyone knows everyone, the truth is not easily found.
As the murders increase, so does the suspense as the author weaves a tale that is tough to read in some spots. I found myself skipping a few sections, especially when describing the pagan chants and rituals. Ah, no thanks.
What I did follow intently was the developing interest between DCI Ryan and his police consultant. Ross balances the crime-solving and the romantic interest delicately while adding layers to solving the crime.
If you love a great police procedural, Holy Island is the first book in the series and the groundroots for DCI Ryan. The twists and unique story will keep you engaged, and the epilogue will make sure you do not miss the next book!
4 STARS!!
Disclaimer: Affiliate Links have been included – Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
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