The Infirmary, the newest release in the fantastic DCI Ryan series takes us back in time to before the Holy Island (book 1) events occurred. However, the author uses such cringe-worthy vocabulary for description— what seems to be a century old— that I have to stop mid-read. I am new to the series and DCI Ryan and his team, but I read a review by Jen (read it here) and I knew my next credit from audible was going on this book! I believe L J Ross wrote this further down the line as people wanted the full story/background on DCI Ryan and the early history of the team.

The DCI Ryan Mysteries (20 book series) Kindle edition The DCI Ryan Mysteries (20 book series) Kindle edition

This book would be a good place for new comers to the series to start, but if you have read the later books don't let this put you off. Nonetheless, given that he is a homicide detective, he also deals with demons from past cases that often haunt his days. That Frank or Ryan could make the connections just that little bit sooner, act that little bit differently.Detective Inspector Declan Walsh must navigate a minefield filled with political intrigue, adulterous affairs, social activist aristocrats and brutal, bloody murder. She seems stuck on characters curling their lips— who in the world has used that phrase in the last 60 years? When the officer in charge of the case turns up dead, it falls upon Detective Chief Inspector Ryan to take up the baton and find the person responsible. Murder and mystery are peppered with dark humour in this fast-paced crime thriller, set amidst the iconic North-Eastern landscape. So far they have claimed one victim, a young woman who has been murdered in the most brutal of ways.

The Infirmary: A DCI Ryan Mystery (The DCI Ryan Mysteries)

I find this very unfair on the author as it is not reflective of her writing but of people not reading the book information properly.At six and half hours listening time it’s a more concise story than the books but compelling nevertheless with realistic dialogue, a very well crafted and written plot. Anyone that has read crime fiction will recognize the style and themes present in the DCI Ryan books. She enjoys reading all manner of books, painting, travelling and spending time with family and friends.

The Infirmary - LJ Ross The Infirmary - LJ Ross

Although it is book 11 in the series it is a prequel to the first book, Holy Island, so you know how it’s going to end. The plot of the book is fast paced, gripping and dark in parts and even tough I knew where it was going I couldn’t put this book down. having thought that they were just a way of making money once the ''Hero'' has been established but I will reconsider my views, this one makes sense all I have to do now is rearrange my list so that this book becomes the first then I shall read them all again with more insight into my favourite team of detectives. This audiobook can easily be listened to as a standalone, or as the first in the series as at this stage the relationships are all new, the future of Ryan and his team undecided and anything can happen.DCI Ryan’s North East Ever thought of retracing the footsteps of DCI Ryan and DS Phillips in the North East of England? 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.

The Infirmary (DCI Ryan series prequel) by L.J. Ross | Goodreads The Infirmary (DCI Ryan series prequel) by L.J. Ross | Goodreads

In Holy Island we first learn that DCI Ryan is on a sabbatical after a harrowing case that continues to effect him. So although I knew the ending would be gut-wrenching, the whole journey wasn’t that comfortable either. Having already read books 1 - 8, I knew how this was going to end, but it didn't distract at all from my enjoyment of it. After spending four years in Professional Standards, he has little choice but to take the promotion. Ross was born in Ponteland, Northumberland and attended the Darras Hall First School, Central Newcastle High and Dame Allans, before she proceeded to Kings College at the University of London to undertake a degree course in law.She studied undergraduate and postgraduate Law at King’s College, University of London and then abroad in Paris and Florence.