The best features of this book were Peter May's beautiful writing and his description which made you feel like you were right there on the island witnessing everything that was happening. Also, I found the island and the people very interesting. It was a brilliant story with just enough mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.

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This is a deliciously well realized crime novel that takes place in a setting few Americans have visited - the Hebrides islands off the west coast of Scotland. You get as much foggy, stormy scenery and local culture as you do plot and characterization - which for me was all to the good.

It's quite unusual to come across a detective who can be gentle and empathetic with both a man who has advanced Alzheimer's and a Bible-thumping bully. This too was a plus for me.

I especially liked the way the past unfolded, bit by bit in flashbacks, while not revealing the culprit until the end.

Unlike most dark crime novels, this had a fairly happy ending.

Do read the first volume of this trilogy first: The Blackhouse. I'm on to the third now...

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