Cuthbert’s Way by LJ Ross

Today Mandie has her review of Cuthbert’s Way by LJ Ross as her DCI Ryan catch up continues. Here’s what the book is all about:

About the Book

A SECRET KEPT FOR A THOUSAND YEARS…

After the dramatic theft of a priceless artefact from Durham Cathedral, the rest of the world believes that DCI Ryan and his team were able to recover and return St. Cuthbert’s cross to its rightful home. But Ryan knows the cross he recovered was a fake—far from being over, their problems are only just beginning…

Just as Ryan and his team begin to unravel the truth behind the spate of mysterious thefts, something even more priceless is stolen—something that can never be replaced.

As the nationwide manhunt continues without success, Ryan is thrust into despair—until he realises the answer lies not in modern policing but in an age-old secret known only to a chosen few. To recover what’s been lost, he must first crack ‘Cuthbert’s Code’, following the trail of a long-dead saint across the wild, unpredictable hills and valleys of the borderlands.

Can Ryan find what he’s looking for, before it’s too late?

He’s going to need a miracle…

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunit set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.

Mandie’s Thoughts

Cuthbert’s Way is the 17th book in the series and follows on quite nicely from the Shrine as the team try to resolve the mysteries and the crimes that started in the previous book. I was lucky enough to have been able to pick this one up straight after finishing The Shrine so felt that the two stories flowed quite nicely from one to the other. Normally you can read each of the Ryan series as standalones (although not sure why you would want to) but in this case you do really need to have read the preceding book first.

This book really does delve into the history of St Cuthbert and the myths surrounding him. Ryan needs to be able to remove the fact from the fiction and crack the code to be able to put the case to bed and ensure the safety of those around him and you just know that he will stop at nothing to make both things happen. This is a book that explores the relationships within the team and also Ryan’s family as much as it does the case being investigated and it is that balance that often sets these books apart and makes them such a draw to fans time after time. Getting to know and love the main characters so that you are invested in outcomes is as important as the case being solved. I loved seeing more of the dynamic between Ryan and his father as they pulled together to protect loved ones and the gradual understanding and acceptance of each other almost felt like you were intruding on private moments.

As always, the settings were an integral part of the story and with each book I feel that I am getting to know and love the Northumbrian landscape just that little bit more. I am still holding out hope that one day the team will be able to relax a little in their personal lives and just have a gruesome case to deal with but am not sure that this will be on the cards any time soon but now that I am up to date with the series I am just going to have to wait patiently (or not so patiently) to see what life and the author has instore for the team next.

About the Author

LJ Ross is an international bestselling author, best known for creating atmospheric mystery and thriller novels, including the DCI Ryan series of Northumbrian murder mysteries which have sold over 5.5 million copies worldwide.

Louise was born in Northumberland, England. She studied undergraduate and postgraduate Law at King’s College, University of London and then abroad in Paris and Florence. She spent much of her working life in London, where she was a lawyer for a number of years until taking the decision to change career and pursue her dream to write. Now, she writes full-time and lives with her husband and son in Northumberland, where she enjoys reading all manner of books, travelling and spending time with family and friends.