The first novel in her Alexander Gregory Thrillers series, Impostor, was shortlisted in the British Book Awards 2020: Crime & Thriller Book of the Year. The audiobook of Impostor, narrated by Hugh Dancy, was also selected as a finalist in the New York Festivals Radio Awards, Best Fiction Audiobook of the Year Category. The beginning of this story grabbed me by the collar and wouldn’t let go. In a way it was quite sombre read. When you read it for yourself you will understand why. It is one that will get the emotions going. It certainly did mine anyway. Moving through time we now find ourselves at a much more contemporary landmark. Completed in 1998 and celebrating it’s 25 th birthday this year, the Angel of the North has become one of the most iconic symbols of the region. The work of sculptor Anthony Gormley it stands 66ft tall and a wingspan of 177ft. For ourselves and so many it’s the sign that after a trip away from the North East that you have come home. This was an absolutely astounding debut. The writing was sublime, the characters so vivid and the beautiful Northumbrian coast described with such a passion that only a true Northerner can conjure. (The Book Magnet)

Collection of sketches that were never used on her various TV shows plus some speeches and bits from stage shows that weren't included on the filmed versions. I don’t know how LJ Ross does it, but The Shrine is another exceptional read in the DCI Ryan series. To get to book 16 and still maintain the same level of quality throughout the entire series is proof of an outstanding writer. There are also several elements that are clearly going to continue in future books - however none of these appear to have been translated into English. I'm assuming that this one didn't sell well enough to merit it. Walk along the river and look up at that much photographed view of the Cathedral. Visit Durham’s indoor market and meander through its stalls and then pop into one of the city’s fabulous eateries.When an army exercise in Otterburn ends with the death of a civilian, DCI Ryan and DS Phillips investigate alongside the army. While they are investigating, Mac and Samantha carry on with their holiday. This was an absolutely astounding debut. The writing was sublime, the characters so vivid and the beautiful Northumbrian coast described with such a passion that only a true Northerner can conjure (The Book Magnet on Holy Island) For DCI Ryan his experience of the Tyne Bridge was certainly an explosive one! For ourselves we’ll never forget the time we crossed the Tyne Bridge when doing the Great North Run a few years ago. Memories that will stay with you forever. From the more historic High Level Bridge to the latest, the Millennium, these seven bridges that span the Tyne are such a part of the story of Tyneside. I used the Whispersync feature with this book, so I listened to the audio of some of it and read some of it. I liked the narrator’s voice as it was very smooth and flowed nicely. However, he didn’t seem to have a very wide range for voices – the females sounded like males with high voices and the male characters just sounded kind of raspy rather than distinctive. That said, I still enjoyed the listen – just not as much as I would have if there were a wider voice range.

The sixth in the hugely enjoyable DI Ben Kitto series, set on the Scilly Isles. Someone from Ben Kitto's past is about to resurface, and being on an island, miles out to sea might not be enough to keep him safe. Meanwhile on the island, old bones are literally dug up, and turn into a cold case from decades earlier. Out in The Northumberland National Park it is night time and a group of soldiers is practising shooting with live rounds when a woman runs across the terrain. She is running for her life. She is shot and killed, her face horribly mutilated. She has no identification on her. Nonetheless, it is the vintage crime authors such as Agatha Christie and Daphne du Maurier, which have had the most influence on her work with her DCI Ryan Mysteries. After practicing law for nearly ten years in London, the stressful environment and the long hours began to take their toll. If you love walking, make a break of it this summer and explore the route. There’s so many gorgeous places for an overnight stay. The prequel story to the DCI Ryan series, The Infirmary, is released only on Audible, in a very different way than the previous novels. There is a whole cast of characters playing each role, including Tom Bateman, Hermione Norris, and Kevin Whately.

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We’re moving inland now and very much keeping that sense of history as we head along Hadrian’s Wall to encounter a world famous tree. Sycamore Gap is situated in a dramatic basin that frames it perfectly and is probably one of the most photographed and painted trees in all the world. Many remember it’s appearance in the 1991 film, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, where it’s location in the film is rather off the actual mark. Here in the North East the 580 square miles that makes up Kielder’s Water and Forest Park has been granted Dark Sky status. From here you can explore the wonders of the night sky. The Park is also home to Kielder Observatory which has a calendar of Star Gazing events to suit all ages. The area offers wonderful walks, cycling routes and water sport opportunities. One of the other things I truly enjoy are the settings and historical connections with Northumberland. The author describes all the locations so well that you can "see" them in your mind's eye. I really feel I will want to take a trip to this area in NE England.

Most GR readers regard this as the most slapdash in the series, but I enjoyed it a little more than Holy Island, possibly because I was more prepared for the style of the book. She also traveled to Sorbonne in Paris and in Florence to study further in legal training, as she considered having a well-rounded education crucial in life.LJ Ross (Louise Ross) was born in a village in Northumberland called Ponteland where she also grew up. She attended Darras Hall primary school, then Dame Allan’s School in Farnham, and then and Central Newcastle High School. Once she graduated from high school, LJ Ross moved to London to study law at King’s College, where she got a master’s degree in law. Frank and Ryan have got to be two of my favourite characters in a series. The bond between them both is easy to see and they really make the story even more enjoyable, as Frank brings a bit of humour in whilst Ryan is kind of the strong and sexy one. Well in my head he is. Crossing the tidal causeway, you will find yourself on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. It’s easy to see why LJ chose the location as the setting for the first novel. With its historic priory and the castle that rises up over the Island. Many people who visit the Island walk the three mile ancient Pilgrim’s Way that is marked by wooden posts along the sand. Remember the tide and always ensure you study the crossing times before visiting. When Paul worked in Tourist Information the safe crossing times were one of the most frequently asked questions. Before she sits down to write a book, LJ Ross writes a rough idea, and then she tries to write the blurb for the book. If she can do it, the book is a go. But if she can’t even define a proper blurb, she knows she has to move to a better idea. For her research, the author visits many places in the areas where her books are set. Some of the inspirational authors for her novels have been Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, Jim Thompson, and M. M. Kaye. Walk from Bowlees Visitor Centre and cross the Wynch Brdige across the River Tees and walk the Pennine Way path towards High Force to see it from above.