Murder in My Backyard (Inspector Ramsay Book 2)

The world lost a first-class storyteller when P.D. James died, but I have found someone to fill the British Isles mystery void: Ann Cleeves. This was the first book of hers that I've read and I plan to buy them all. Their styles aren't identical, but they're both masters of well-crafted plots and multilayered characters. I did not figure out who the murderer was till near the end, and I like that. This wasn't flashy or lurid - it was an engaging story with realistic characters. Can't wait to read more about Inspector Ramsay and the other people who spring to life in Ms. Cleeves's books!

I really enjoyed this story. I found Inspector Ramsey to be a very interesting character. Having a fellow detective who didn't believe in him was something that happens in normal life - because of jealousy. I hope that it doesn;t become one of those situations where somebody is trying to frame Ramsey - or bring him down - though. I really don't like that kind of storyline.This novel takes place in a small English village - where everyone knows everyone. Ramsey has recently moved into the area and is just getting to know people there. Just after he moves in, a well respected older lady is found murdered in her own backyard. So the story is about "her" back yard and Inspector Ramsey's new home and "backyard"The character development is well done. The story moves along at a believable pace

I've been a fan of Ms. Cleeves for a while now - ever since she surprised me with a real "Whoa, I didn't see THAT coming" moment. I've been reading mysteries a long time so those moments are rare. This was my first Ramsay book and indicative of what I like about the author. Utilitarian sentences. Nothing flamboyant or ornamental. Just good story telling. Tho I caught early clues and had the culprit identified therewere viable red herrings and well defined characters all around

I've enjoyed other Ann Cleeves books, but this one was rather boring. Maybe it was because I didn't ever become invested in any of the characters, including Ramsay, the main detective. I found myself not really caring who the killer was. I also found the ending to be rather anticlimactic.Overall, it's an OK read, but definitely not a thriller. I recommend her Shetland mysteries. Much better. The main character is far more interesting and her descriptions of life on the Shetland Islands make for a fascinating read.

The character of Inspector Ramsey is still unfleshed (What’s his backstory? Motivation? Trauma? Etc.) but the mystery is better this time around. So many suspects and so many secrets. The culprit is well masked until later in the book but the signs are there. If you find Cleeves’ Vera and Shetland series too dense and complicated then Inspector Ramsey might be the ticket.

Another Ann Cleeves master mystery with a twisty "who could have done this and why" plot that baffles to the end. These odd but intensely human characters keep the reader eagerly turning pages in an attempt to discern motives and motivation.

Good story with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. This story took a little while to get into, but was not disappointing. It had enough quirky characters to keep the ending from being obvious. I enjoy these sort of mysteries that are more about the interaction between characters than about fingerprints and supercops. I will read more of this series.

Very well written, with well rounded characters. Loved the village descriptions. A popular citizen is murdered in a village, and the inspector finds many suspects. Small village life examined very well. Suspects described, and introduced. Murder solved orderly. Good English mystery. Recomend for gentle escapism.

Murder In My Backyard is the second in the Inspector Ramsay series by Ann Cleeves and, like A Lesson in Dying, is a very good traditional murder mystery read, that keeps your interest throughout and keeps you guessing right until the very end. Set in the North East I particularly enjoyed the way the author brought the area to life - the rural village setting on the coast and the characters living there were very well drawn and interesting to read about.After events in the first book, Inspector Ramsay was left suffering from something of a confidence crisis and in this book he is determined not to jump to conclusions and follow every avenue to avoid making mistakes. We learn more about his background in this book and I get the feeling that as the series goes on, more and more will be revealed about him to build up a full picture of the man and that we are really only just getting to know him.A thoroughly good read.

I am a lover of Ann Cleeves books. I love all the Shetland series and the Vera series but Inspector Ramsey well....???? With the other series the reader is given a idea that the Inspectors have gathered clues throughout the investigation. This enables the reader to narrow the suspects down to one or two before Vera or Jimmy Perez solve the crime. Inspector Ramsey seemed to be going off on different tracks and getting nowhere faster. Suddenly at the end he manages to solve it - but how? What were the clues that made it all clear? All the cards are held 'too close to his chest'.I liked the character and similar to Perez and Vera, he is a bit of a loner. Ramsay was married to a wealthy lady called Diane, who found somebody else and poor Stephen Ramsay was given the elbow. Ramsay has now bought himself a nice cottage in the quiet Northumberland village of Heppleburn and Diane and he have remained friends. This is the second book of the series and was originally printed in 1991. I am sure once I have read all six books I will enjoy this character more.

An interesting and enthralling story with lots of twists and turns written as only Ann Cleeves can. Hopefully there will be more stories to come about Inspe tor Ramsey and his sergent.

Yet another great read from Ann Cleeves. Her stories are always intreguing and keep the reader in the dark up to the final page. Good reading each time.....Well, I have just read this story for the second time and have enjoyed it just as much if not more than the first read . Ann Cleeves books are always kept on my Kindle so I can always read them.

As a fan of Cleeves' later novels, I though I would give this series a go. However, I have found the characters thin and not at all engaging and the storyline less than gripping. Ramsay seemed to spend his time trekking round one character after another to find them not at home or refusing to give him any information. The denouement was sudden and, whilst it did fit the evidence, I found it totally unsatisfying. I won't be buying the 3rd in the series.

Enjoyed this very much. I am now getting used to Inspector Ramsey. Plenty to keep you interested with many twists and turns.To be recommended

I usually really enjoy this author's books, but found this one rather dull snd boring. The characters were not engaging and the Inspector himself didn't appeal. Generally rather disappointing.

Ann Cleese was one of them, if you like stories that are a little different but follows the “who done it rules then this is hero and author follow.

I gather the Inspector Ramsay books were written early on in Ann Cleeve's career as a writer and in them one can see the direction in which she will be going in the future. I enjoyed them, partly as an academic study of what was developing in her mind. He is rather an enigma in the first book but blossoms out later on. I expect when I have exhausted all her most recent work, I will fall back on them for my Ann Cleeves "fix".

Reading book just now so have not finished it, too busy at Christmas to read it, but enjoying the twist and turns of the plot.

Perhaps a little drawn out. Not in the same class as the Shetland or Vera but I expect that as the stories get more established the books will become must reads.

I took this on holiday and read it more quickly as it was a page turner which kept my interest

Other than the fact that the writing is so good you wouldn't confuse it with her other works. Fresh characters, well drawn and with a lovely lack of personal baggage. Realistic but normal. Good plot.

There are that many Twists and turns it will keep you on your toes. I thought I had the murderer in my sights a few times but I was wrong. You will never get the murderer until the end. A very good read.

Although this is not up to the same standard as Vera and Shetland it was still an entertaining and interesting read.