Holy Island by LJ Ross
Review of the novel Holy Island by LJ Ross
Published by Dark Skies Publishing
First Published: January 2015
Dedication: For Ethan, with love always.
Cost: £7.99 (UK Paperback 2020)
ISBN: 978-1-912310-01-2 (Paperback Edition – starts on page 1 - 457
pages.)
This is Louise Ross’s first novel, where she introduces us to her main
character, Detective Chief Inspector Ryan. The success for LJ Ross has meant
she has sixteen DCI Ryan novels and three other thrillers.
This story is located on Holy Island, also known as Lindisfarne or The
Holy Island of Lindisfarne, a tidal island off the northeast coast of England.
Although the location is real, Ross reminds the reader: “Names, characters,
businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the
author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner”. See Appendix at the end
of the review for a little history about the location. It may help the reader
to enjoy the plot as it unravels.
It is 21st December, it’s bitterly cold and as the story begins. The reader is presented with one of the residents reporting, to
DCI Ryan, an apparent death of one of the locals, which she has discovered while
walking her dog in the ruins of the Priory. Immediately Ryan triggers standard
police procedures and takes responsibility for the investigation. However, we discover
that as Ryan reports the incident to the Detective Chief Superintendent, CID
commander for Northumberland, Gregson, DCI Ryan has been suspended from duty
for the last three months and requests that he is reinstated to take charge of
the investigation.
At this point, the unusual situation of Holy Island is revealed to
the reader. There is no local police presence and the task of managing any
local emergency situation lies with the local coastguard. On this morning, at
7 a.m. there is also the problem that the island is cut off from the mainland
due to the current tide. The crime involves a young twenty-year-old university
student, home for the Christmas holiday, who has been laid out ceremoniously on
a alter in the Priory. It is Alex, the coastguard station officer, that points
out the implications of the December 21st Winter solstice in relation
to the Priory and Holy Island. It means nothing to DCI Ryan.
Soon after 8 a.m. Ryan has members of the Northumbrian Police on
the island assisting with his investigation. Unbeknown to Ryan, Gregson has recruited
a university lecturer, Dr Anna Taylor, who has family on the island, to help him
with what is now being defined as a ritual murder. Once again Ryan shows his ignorance
of the history of Holy Island and tells Dr Taylor that her specialist knowledge
is not needed and has no relevance to the murder. Against all standard
protocols, Ryan sets up an investigation room in his cottage, calling all
relevant parties together to direct the crime investigation.
The story becomes very much a forensic investigation as
regular meetings take place at Ryan’s cottage, with individuals reporting back
their findings, and it is evident that although Ryan has lived on the island for
a few months, he knows very few of the locals or history of the island. This is
evident when he visits the local pub.
At that moment, the door swung open and both women turned in
reflex. Megan reacted first, recognising the tall, dark man who entered the pub
instantly. In fact, she had been watching out for him whenever she could and
had even taken to long walks around the village so that she could wander past
his cottage whenever she thought he might be at home. The curtains were usually
closed, the lights dim. He rarely came into the village and had only been seen
in the pub once before. So far, she hadn’t been able to pin him down, but it
was only a matter of time.
At this point, page 60, we are given a long description of DCI
Ryan, by both women. But Ryan’s thoughts are only about the death of Lucy, so
he produces his police warrant card and begins to ask questions relating to the
murder.
The pub becomes an important part of the investigation as the landlord
knows the history of the island and many of the locals. But it soon becomes the
second crime scene when another local is found ritualistically murdered on the
roof of the flat attached to the pub.
It’s December 22nd, and still Ryan fails to see a
connection to the Winter solstice, the Priory and the monastic history of Holy
Island, even though the forensics suggest otherwise. Perhaps it’s because he
begins to have an affair with Dr Anna Taylor. When a third murder takes place, he
sees that there is a need to protect her from the activity surrounding the
investigation. Then one of the locals comes forward and admits to the killing spree
and everyone but DCI Ryan feels they have solved the case and wants to shut
down the investigation. Something isn’t right.
There are a couple of twists at the end and I’m not sure if they
are forced into the story or have a proper place, particularly the Epilogue,
page 453 to 457, and this one in particular may be a lead into the next or future
story.
I enjoyed reading this story, but I do feel that some points
suggest that it is a first novel; how was it that Ryan knows very few islanders
when the population is only about 160; why, after living on the island for over
two months has Ryan not visited the pub more than once; why are the locals
asking more questions about Ryan than would be expected from someone that has
lived with them for a while; as the story opens we are advised that its very
cold and ‘Winter is an unforgiving time on Holy Island’, but the weather plays
no further part during the investigation – we do have Ryan having a problem
with a boat he has commandeered.
I feel that there was too much forensic aspect to the plot, with
the case being solved in three days and as a result of that there was little
description about the beauty of the island and its history. Would I want to
read further LJ Ross novel? Yes, I would. I like the idea that there are sixteen
stories, but I’m not sure what career path Ryan can take. He has taken a liking
to Doctor Taylor and I’m interested to see if that progresses. Rating 5 stars.
Dr Sheppard
19 July 2020
Appendix
Lindisfarne - Taken from Wikipedia
Holy Island has a recorded history from the 6th century AD; it was an
important centre of Celtic Christianity under Saints Aidan
of Lindisfarne, Cuthbert, Eadfrith of Lindisfarne and Eadberht
of Lindisfarne. After the Viking invasions and the Norman
conquest of England, a Priory was re-established. A small castle was
built on the island in 1550.
The island measures 3 miles (4.8 km) from east to west
and 11⁄2 miles (2.4 km)
from north to south and comprises approximately 1,000 acres (400 hectares) at
high tide. The nearest point of the island is about 1 mile (1.6 kilometres)
from the mainland of England. The island of Lindisfarne is located along the
northeast coast of England, close to the border with Scotland. It is
accessible, most times, at low tide by crossing sand and mudflats which are
covered with water at high tides. These sand and mud flats carry an ancient
pilgrims' path, and in more recent times, a modern causeway. Lindisfarne is
surrounded by the 8,750-acre (3,540-hectare) Lindisfarne National Nature
Reserve, which protects the island's sand dunes and the adjacent intertidal
habitats.
As of February 2020, the island had a population of 160. There
are three pubs and a hotel was operating; the store had closed but the post
office remained in operation. No professional or medical services were available,
and residents were driving to Berwick-upon-Tweed for groceries and
other supplies. Points of interest for visitors included Lindisfarne Castle
operated by the National Trust, the Priory, the historic church, the nature
reserve, and the beaches. At certain times of the year, numerous migratory birds can
be seen.
The causeway is generally open from about three hours after high tide
until two hours before the next high tide.
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