Shetland author returns to island for final book

Bestselling crime author Ann Cleeves is visiting Shetland to launch her latest novel – and say a bittersweet farewell to detective Jimmy Perez.

Wild Fire is the eighth and final book in the Shetland series, which has been adapted into a hit BBC series.

Ann launched her first Perez novel – Raven Black – in the Shetland Library in 2006 and it turned into a runaway success story for her. In Shetland and round the world, crime readers and fans of the series starring Douglas Henshall have been fascinated by this dark side of Shetland.

Ann is also the author of the Vera Stanhope books, and is surely one of very few authors to have spawned two prime time TV series running on two channels at the same time.

Shetland Library Manager Karen Fraser said: ‘Through all her successes Ann has always come back to Shetland to launch her books, and is a great ambassador for libraries, and for the islands.

‘She has worked closely with the television process, helping to set up good contacts and locations.

Ann Cleeves will return to Shetland to launch the final book in the crime series

‘Fans will be sad to hear the books are coming to an end (and dying to know if Ann will give Jimmy a happy or tragic ending), but will be delighted that the television series continues.

‘Ann always likes to see as many folk as possible when she’s in Shetland so she will be doing events at our Unst and Whalsay libraries as well as the main launch in Lerwick Town Hall.’

The Town Hall event will feature a performance by musician Cathy Geldard premiering her original composition, A Tune for Jimmy Perez. Shetland Distillery has also produced a special edition Wild Fire gin for the occasion and will launch it that evening.

Ann said: ‘I’ll always be grateful to Shetlanders for their support and generosity and I can’t wait to be back in September to thank them properly.’

Ann will be speaking at Baltasound Community Library on Tuesday, 4 September at 7pm and hosting a drop-in at Whalsay Secondary School Library on Wednesday, 5 September from 1-2pm.

Both these events are free and include book signings. The Lerwick Town Hall launch is at 7pm on Wednesday, 5 September and tickets are £4 from Shetland Arts Box Office.

Wild Fire is published by Pan Macmillan on 6 September.