The story begins with the murder of Archie Stout on a cold and windy winter night in the Orkney Islands off the northern coast of Scotland.

Stout is the oldest and closest friend of Detective Jimmy Perez, as well as a distant relative. Perez, Willow Reeves -- his partner and boss -- and their growing family have recently relocated to one of the Orkney Islands from Shetland, where stories in a previous eight-book series featuring Jimmy Perez were set. There, they had been quick to reunite with Archie Stout, his wife Vaila, and their two sons.

Stout's body is found on an archaeological dig site, and the murder weapon was one of a pair of Neolithic story stones taken from a nearby museum.

There are plenty of potential suspects to go around: a woman with whom Stout is alleged to have had an affair, a possibly jealous wife, a celebrity archaeologist, an elderly naturalist, a teacher much involved in local history, an addict Stout had rescued, and more. Perez, Willow, and their team interview them all, sorting possible motives and opportunity.

Jimmy's emotional conflict sometimes leads him astray, and it takes Willow's calmer presence to get him back on the track. But Archie isn't the only victim, and the tale gets even more tangled. Frustration mounts as the community gets closer to Christmas and the island gets crowded with family gatherings, tourists and holiday events. Eventually, it's Perez who zeros in on the truth and a shocking conclusion to the case.

Author Ann Cleeves offers another complex plot with fully developed characters and an intriguing look into life on a wild and rugged island complex.

I must confess here that I've never read any of the other Jimmy Perez books or even viewed the TV series based on them. I did enjoy this one and might hunt up some of the earlier ones. I do like the writing of Cleeves, and Vera Stanhope remains my favorite of her multiple series.