The Rock by LJ Ross

Not to be outdone, and technically she read the book before I did, Mandie is also reviewing The Rock, the latest DCI Ryan mystery from LJ Ross. It’s down to Mandie that I started reading the series in the first place and what a journey it has been for us both. safe to say we both love the books. Here’s what it’s all about:

About the Book

FROM THE SHADOWS INTO THE LIGHT…

When a fishing boat is wrecked off the treacherous North Sea coast and the body of a young woman washes up on the beach beside the iconic ‘Marsden Rock’, DCI Ryan cannot ignore the call to duty.

With one already dead and more human cargo missing from the wreckage, Ryan and his team race to find the remaining souls — before it’s too late, and their investigation turns to murder. As they uncover the seedy underbelly of Tyneside, cold and calculated opportunism clashes with the rock-hard arm of the Law, but there’s one thing that proves stronger than stone…

The human spirit.

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

Mandie’s Thoughts

Its hard to believe that this is the 18^th book in the DCI Ryan series and after having had a major catch up reading session earlier in the year it was like being able to greet old friends you have not seen in ages as I put all other books aside and delved right in.

There is something about this case that seems a little bit darker that we have seen Ryan and co dealing with of late. The opening chapter gives a sense of what is involved but it soon becomes evident there is a whole lot more to this and as the perpetrators are revealed there are certainly some shocks along the way. Despite the subject matter one thing you can guarantee is that there are no gratuitous scenes, no gut churning descriptions. What we are given is a story highlighting the plight of so many that is unfortunately all too real and happens more often that decent society would like or admit to. It also highlights the unseen victims, the ones that are involved by circumstance and outside pressure and can see no way out.

Despite all this there are still moments of humour brought about predominantly by Frank. There are some moments that will stick in your head for quite some time, but you can honestly see why Denise Mackenzie married him in the first place. It is these moments that just bring home how close the team are and why readers are always so eager for the next instalment.

With Ryan also questioning his commitment to his career due to the times he believes he has put his family in danger you have to wonder if it is all about to end. Thankfully for us the readers and Northumbria CID, Anna gives him a metaphorical slap up the side of the head and for now at least that’s just not going to happen. Like all the LJ Ross fans out there I eagerly (but patiently) await the next book in the series so once again I can immerse myself in the team and their investigations.

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 6 million copies worldwide.

“The Rock” (book 18 in the DCI Ryan Mysteries series) is available for ebook now!

Her debut, Holy Island, was released in January 2015 and reached number one in the Amazon UK and Australian charts. Since then, she has released a further nineteen novels, all of which have been top three global bestsellers and sixteen of which have been UK #1 bestsellers. Louise has garnered an army of loyal readers through her storytelling and, thanks to them, several of her books reached the coveted #1 spot whilst only available to pre-order ahead of release. Her eleventh novel, The Infirmary, is a prequel story and is also available as a major Audible Originals audio-drama starring Tom Bateman, Kevin Whately, Bertie Carvel, Hermione Norris and Alun Armstrong.

In addition to her DCI Ryan series, Louise has created a new series of thriller novels based around the central character of ‘Dr Alexander Gregory’, whose work as a psychological profiler takes him around the world. The first three books (Impostor, Hysteria and Bedlam) were #1 bestsellers and were narrated in audio by the actors Hugh Dancy (Impostor & Hysteria) and Richard Armitage (Bedlam). She is also writing several standalone romantic suspense novels featuring strong female protagonists which will be available in 2021.

The novels are available to purchase in e-book, paperback and audiobook formats on the Amazon store, as well as in libraries and book shops around the world.

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.

Louise is a keen philanthropist, and is pleased to have supported numerous non-profit programmes in addition to founding several of her own, including the Lindisfarne Reading Challenge and the Lindisfarne Prize for Debut Crime Fiction.