Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

In my constant search for series in this genre, I stumbled across this gem on Amazon UK. When I saw it was based upon the writing of Ann Cleeves, (Vera,) I snapped it up. While I have never read Cleeves' books her stories as portrayed in these two adaptations really appeal to me. I love Vera and now I love Shetland. Shetland, like Vera, is character centric. In Shetland, our focus is upon the head of CID, Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez, portrayed by Douglas Henshall, (Collision, Primeval,) a widower with custody of his beautiful teenage step-daughter, Cassie. He moved away from the Islands, where he grew up, but on the death of his wife, he returned to Lerwick, where they met and fell in love. He feels close to her there and wants Cassie to know the place and people from where her mother came. Inspector Perez appealed to me as a main character because he's a good man, with a hard job, navigating through an even harder time in his life. I am a huge fan of crime fighters/sleuths being good people. Perez is good, as well as smart, shrewd, intuitive, moral, and fair. As he deals with the survivors and family members of the dead, witnesses, and suspects he does it with kindness, sensitivity, and respect. He is soft spoken but direct. Cleeves' deft hand is clearly seen in the main character closely watching people with the ability to look deeply inside of them and see more than they wish to reveal. Jimmy's interactions with his step-daughter's biological father had me approving of him even more. Perez is a good dad. Henshall fills the role perfectly. His portrayal was spot on with no slippage in character. He was always believable. The crew that surrounds and aids Perez are perfectly suited to him. While his Police Sergeant, Billy McCabe (Lewis Howden) is older and wiser, the other two officers who help him do the legwork involved in murder investigation are young and inexperienced. Still, what they lack in experience, they more than make up for in enthusiasm and determination. PC Sandy Wilson (Steven Robertson), is dreaming of and studying to become a detective. Sandy displays maturity and emotional fortitude in the face of familial loss. Rounding out the crew is DC Alison "Tosh" MacIntosh (Alison O'Donnell). Her forensic skills and quick mind aid Perez in surprising ways. All three are Shetland Island locals having lived there their entire lives. They know the land and better yet, they know the people. This gives them insight and awareness of the goings on and proves, at times, to be invaluable in solving the murders that devastate the small, close-knit community. Unfortunately, and sadly, this means they also know and in some cases, love the victims... and the murderers. Sandy and Tosh, while young, are sharp and eager to learn the craft of murder solving. I liked that they were aware and appreciative of Perez's obvious abilities. Also they respected him, but then he's a man who earns respect. Formerly a detective in Glasgow, he brings an impressive resume, experience, and skill to Lerwick. Jimmy Perez is an excellent role model for the aspiring detectives on his team. I liked how he lead by example. A visiting forensic officer from the big city of Inverness said to him, "You know you're wasted here." Oh, no he is not! He's right where he's supposed to be. The Shetland Islands of Northeast Scotland are stark in their harsh beauty. I was completely captivated by the windswept land, gray churning ocean, and hovering clouds. The often gloomy appearing landscape seemed the perfect setting for tragic death by murder. The locale haunted me and I found myself yearning to go there and experience it for myself. The Scottish dialect can be difficult to understand but I found it lyrical and charming. There are subtitles so nothing is lost to our listening ears. In addition to the beautiful scenery I was struck by the haunting Celtic theme music. It set the mood of sadness, which accompanies death, perfectly. In the credits, the only reference to the music was the composer, John Lunn. I would love to have the soundtrack...if one were available. There are four episodes, based upon the best-selling books, Red Bones, Raven Black, Dead Water, and Blue Lightning. Each contain murder, compelling characters, and surprise endings. I loved pitting my crime solving wits against the culprits' and adding my will to Perez and his team's efforts to find and bring the murderer(s) to justice. I highly recommend this series. If you have not yet seen Vera you are missing out. Recently released in the UK is Vera 4, another masterpiece of murder. As noted in the product description, this set is Non-USA format and requires a multi-region DVD player and compatible television to play.