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LJ Ross
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Angel: A DCI Ryan Mystery (The DCI Ryan Mysteries Book 4) Kindle Edition

by LJ Ross (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 45,018 ratings
FROM THE #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF HOLY ISLAND

He’ll make you his angel, but first you have to die...

After a turbulent time, DCI Ryan’s life is finally returning to normal and he’s looking forward to spending an uneventful Easter bank holiday weekend with his fiancée.

Then, on Good Friday morning he is called out to a crime scene at one of the largest cemeteries in Newcastle. The body of a redheaded woman has been found buried in a shallow grave and the killer has given her wings, like an angel.

Soon, another woman is found at a different cemetery, followed quickly by another. Panic spreads like wildfire as a new serial killer is born, and Ryan’s band of detectives must work around the clock to unmask him before he can strike again.

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast paced crime whodunnit set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.
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  1. Book 4 of 23
    The DCI Ryan Mysteries
  2. Print length
    248 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    26 Aug. 2016
  5. File size
    1.2 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 23 books in this series.

In this series (23 books)

Kindle Edition
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  1. Her devotion to her work had cost her several relationships and a brief bout of alcoholism but you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.
    Highlighted by 152 Kindle readers
  2. The sun was setting by the time Ryan’s team of detectives reconvened. It dropped low into the horizon, spreading wide arcs of flaming light over the city while stars began to pop in the cardinal blue sky far above. The temperature had dropped so that the air was crisp and cold, wiping away the cloud to leave a blank canvas for the night sky in all its splendour.
    Highlighted by 123 Kindle readers
  3. He had spent hours listening to pen-pushers who expounded the virtues of rehabilitation and remorse, lamenting the evils of retribution and recidivism.
    Highlighted by 118 Kindle readers
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01IFJWM8A
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.2 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 248 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 45,018 ratings

About the author

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LJ Ross

LJ Ross

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LJ Ross is an international bestselling author, best known for creating atmospheric mystery and thriller novels, including the DCI Ryan series of Northumbrian murder mysteries which have sold over 10 million copies worldwide.

Her debut, Holy Island, was released in January 2015 and reached number one in the Amazon UK and Australian charts. Since then, she has released more than twenty further novels, all of which have been top three global bestsellers and most of which have been UK #1 bestsellers. Louise has garnered an army of loyal readers through her storytelling and, thanks to them, most of her books reached the coveted #1 spot whilst only available to pre-order ahead of release. Her eleventh novel, "The Infirmary", is a prequel story and is also available as a major Audible Originals audio-drama starring Tom Bateman, Kevin Whately, Bertie Carvel, Hermione Norris and Alun Armstrong.

In addition to her DCI Ryan series, Louise has created a new series of thriller novels based around the central character of ‘Dr Alexander Gregory’, whose work as a psychological profiler takes him around the world. The first three books (Impostor, Hysteria and Bedlam) were #1 bestsellers and the fourth book was released in March 2022 (Mania). They were narrated in audio by the actors Hugh Dancy (Impostor & Hysteria) and Richard Armitage (Bedlam & Mania).

"The Cove" (the first book in her new Summer Suspense Mysteries series) was released in 2021 and followed up by "The Creek" in 2022 and "The Bay" in 2023. This is a new series of standalone romantic suspense novels featuring strong female protagonists. "The Haven" will follow in summer 2024.

The novels all are available to purchase in e-book, paperback and audiobook formats on the Amazon store, as well as in libraries and book shops around the world.

Louise was born in Northumberland, England. She studied undergraduate and postgraduate Law at King’s College, University of London and then abroad in Paris and Florence. She spent much of her working life in London, where she was a lawyer for a number of years until taking the decision to change career and pursue her dream to write. Now, she writes full-time and lives with her family Northumberland, where she enjoys reading all manner of books, travelling and spending time with family and friends.

Louise is a keen philanthropist, and is pleased to have supported numerous non-profit programmes in addition to founding several of her own, including the Lindisfarne Reading Challenge and the Lindisfarne Prize for Debut Crime Fiction.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
45,018 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this mystery book thrilling with great twists and turns that keep them guessing until the end. The writing is well-crafted with an atmospheric style, and the characters are brilliantly portrayed with real feelings for each one. Moreover, the series gets better with each book, featuring fast-paced stories that bring local landmarks to life.

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898 customers mention ‘Readability’898 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, with the plot improving with each page, and one customer mentioning they were hooked until the final page.

"...The storylines are well structured, cases and events that occurred previously are touched on, giving the books a great sense of continuity, as does..." Read more

"...Angel is a standalone story but weaves in events and characters from previous investigations that mean it’s far better read as part of a series...." Read more

"I am a big fan. Great read, I look forward to read the next book in this series. Highly recommend if you love detective crime thrillers" Read more

"...The lead character, Ryan, is very likeable and I want to keep reading the books in this series to see what he does next...." Read more

259 customers mention ‘Suspense level’204 positive55 negative

Customers enjoy the suspense level of the book, praising its great twists and turns that keep readers guessing until near the end.

"...writing style, the area, the realistic characters, their interactions and camaraderie, and the way their personal lives are interwoven into the..." Read more

"...There’s an ominous subplot that provides a growing sense of foreboding and everything’s set up gloriously for the tension to go through the roof in..." Read more

"...Thrilling to the end with a big twist which will leave you reaching for the next book in the series." Read more

"Brilliant keeps you on edge of seat, couple of twists, now on to the next one.....where's my cuppa ! Brb" Read more

178 customers mention ‘Writing quality’167 positive11 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as well-observed, atmospheric, and easy to read.

"...I love the atmospheric writing style, the area, the realistic characters, their interactions and camaraderie, and the way their personal lives are..." Read more

"...this fourth book moving away from the "Circle" it does not disappoint the reader in the slightest...." Read more

"An enjoyable well written thriller. The well known characters are described with imagination which makes them very real. I look forward to the sequel." Read more

"Good plot. Finely drawn, believable characters. Excellent writing style" Read more

169 customers mention ‘Believable characters’164 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the believable characters in the book, with one customer noting how the character of Ryan is evolving throughout the series.

"...I love the atmospheric writing style, the area, the realistic characters, their interactions and camaraderie, and the way their personal lives are..." Read more

"...So exciting, you build up a picture of the main characters and of the Northumberland countryside." Read more

"An enjoyable well written thriller. The well known characters are described with imagination which makes them very real. I look forward to the sequel." Read more

"...story for DCI Ryan and his team, danger and mayhem abound mixed with likeable characters. Can't wait to read the next." Read more

121 customers mention ‘Series quality’121 positive0 negative

Customers love this mystery series, noting that it gets better with each book and serves as a good follow-up to previous installments.

"...from previous investigations that mean it’s far better read as part of a series...." Read more

"...Thoroughly enjoyed the book and avidly recommend it. The whole series has been great so far." Read more

"...reader in a state of impatience for the next installment of this brilliant series. READ IT! You won't be disappointed!..." Read more

"...For that reason I would say the series is best read in sequence for anyone contemplating reading...." Read more

84 customers mention ‘Description’71 positive13 negative

Customers appreciate the book's descriptions, finding them apt for the subject matter, well detailed, and extremely believable, with one customer noting how they bring the area to mind.

"...that occurred previously are touched on, giving the books a great sense of continuity, as does the character development and insight...." Read more

"...The well known characters are described with imagination which makes them very real. I look forward to the sequel." Read more

"...book kept me up until an ungodly hour, which is an apt description given the subject matter...." Read more

"...As always the main characters in this series are well described and dare I say it, well loved by now...." Read more

79 customers mention ‘Pace’68 positive11 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pace, describing it as a fast-paced crime story that starts quickly.

"...It is a good, fast paced read, with plenty of bad stuff going on, but it's important to remember that it is fiction...." Read more

"Bounces along at a great pace. In the series, I read and will be reading more" Read more

"A fast paced story for DCI Ryan and his team, danger and mayhem abound mixed with likeable characters. Can't wait to read the next." Read more

"This is the 4 th in the series and was a good story, and a fast, easy read...." Read more

26 customers mention ‘Location’26 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate how the book incorporates local landmarks and places, with one customer specifically mentioning recognizable locations in and around Newcastle.

"...taking place, and if you are familiar with these places, can picture the scenes so well...." Read more

"I love this storey, I like how our local monument is incorporated, I have read the previous books I'll be on to the next one soon." Read more

"...I love the way the story unfolds and also the descriptions of people, places, hopes, fears, feelings and nightmares...." Read more

"...Particularly appreciating her knowledge of the local area and landmarks. Looking forward to reading the next DCI Ryan novel" Read more

Nooooooo - unfair!!!
5 out of 5 stars
Nooooooo - unfair!!!
Really enjoyed it...wrote off the day, but it was too hot in Germany to do much else, so never mind. Great to catch up with the characters who by now feel like old friends, great storyline which hung together well, but it's a bit sad to have to wait for the next book to find out what happened. I also like that L J Ross writes intelligently and grammatically so well. For me part of the pleasure in reading a good book goes if I'm criticising the style and finding typos, but that's my problem I guess. My dog has been waiting patiently for his walk...
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Cathy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to the series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 November 2016
    Verified Purchase
    A prologue set in 1990 opens the story. A girl is making a bid for freedom and a better future, through a bathroom window sealed with paint which she had been working to loosen for weeks. She needed to cross the roof to the guttering and climb down a drain pipe, but falls to her death before she can reach the ground. Who is she and what connection could she have with events so many years later?

    Twenty six years later, the uneventful weekend Ryan was looking forward to with his fiancée Anna, doesn’t quite materialise as he and DS Frank Phillips are called to a crime scene at the West Coast Cemetery. The body of a red-haired woman has been found by a grave-digger, buried in a plot that was due to be utilised the following day. Her arms and clothing had been staged to look like wings. A handwritten note is found with the body, giving absolution in Latin, suggesting a religiously motivated crime.

    Meanwhile DI Denise MacKenzie and DC Jack Lowerson are investigating the possibly natural death of sixty-five year old Barbara Hewitt, found by her cleaning lady. Leaving nothing to chance, and after the pathologist rules strangulation as the cause of death, they delve into the life and strict routine of the seemingly unpopular Ms Hewitt. Is it possible there’s a link between the two cases?

    When other bodies are discovered in graveyards, it’s obvious the killer is intent on targeting red-haired women, again with the religious implications which adds to the drama. The victims are all similar in age and colouring to Denise MacKenzie.

    I love the atmospheric writing style, the area, the realistic characters, their interactions and camaraderie, and the way their personal lives are interwoven into the narrative. The storylines are well structured, cases and events that occurred previously are touched on, giving the books a great sense of continuity, as does the character development and insight.

    An old adversary makes an appearance, leaving a suspenseful cliff hanger ending. I’m not a huge fan of cliff hangers, unless I can read the books one after the other, but…I’m so looking forward to the next instalment!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Squeaky Joe
    4.0 out of 5 stars A stonking good tale
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 March 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Easter bank holiday weekend looks like it might be a relaxing time for DCI Ryan, but when he’s called to a crime scene in a Newcastle cemetery, a bizarre murder sets him off on the trail of a killer. Meanwhile, Lowerson and MacKenzie take a trip up to Rothbury to check out what appears to be the natural death of an older woman. However, the case isn’t all it seems and it begins to look as if they could be looking for a second killer. When another body is discovered in a cemetery, Ryan and his team face growing pressure, and to make matters worse, a name from the past is lurking on the horizon—someone is plotting revenge…

    This is the fourth book in the DCI Ryan series and as with the others, is a stonking good tale, though the writing is perhaps not quite as tight as the first three books. Throwing poor Ryan into yet another murder mystery with a bit of a twist, Ms Ross gives him lots to think about as he searches for the killer in a series of bizarre murders. In this volume, there’s a new Chief Constable, who naturally wants results yesterday. And while Ryan’s love interest takes a bit of a back seat, the focus moves to redhead Mackenzie who is the recipient of a number of unsettling messages. As always, the author weaves a clever plot that kept me guessing all the way to the end, and just in case we thought it was all going to be alright, she brings Ryan’s past terrors back to haunt him. Nice.

    NB It’s worth saying that the plot involves a bit of Catholic-bashing, which I didn’t mind at all, but some folk might find offensive.
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  • J. G. Osborn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling warm-up for the main event
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 March 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Angel is the fourth title in the DCI Ryan series of crime novels and the first where we step off St Oswald’s Way to a kill site that isn’t an ancient northern landmark.

    The Circle has been broken, the Hacker is reduced to taunts from the high-security wing of HMP Frankland, and Anna is trying to discuss wedding plans with Ryan on the rare occasions he returns home. Everything’s back to normal in the chaotic world of Northumbria CID. What could possibly go wrong?

    Well. An historic death hasn’t been forgotten. A confession pushes a respected local over the edge and Ryan’s team are stretched to the limit trying to stop their latest fruitcake wreaking a terrible revenge. And just when you think it’s over, a brooding nightmare vents its spleen in the worst possible way.

    The investigation is a slog. Hours are long, minds are tired, and forensic evidence is virtually non-existent. There’s little prospect of capturing the Graveyard Killer until Ryan has a blinding flash of inspiration that would make Sherlock Holmes proud. Suddenly, a fascinating but slightly pedestrian whodunnit transforms into a fast-moving adventure culminating in a standoff at Sir Antony Gormley’s towering steel masterpiece overlooking the A1. What happens next though is a twist of toe curling drama that makes it feel this is just the warm-up act for what’s to follow.

    Angel is a standalone story but weaves in events and characters from previous investigations that mean it’s far better read as part of a series. There’s an ominous subplot that provides a growing sense of foreboding and everything’s set up gloriously for the tension to go through the roof in High Force.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Polly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 March 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I am a big fan. Great read, I look forward to read the next book in this series. Highly recommend if you love detective crime thrillers
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  • Chris Woods
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another good read in this series set in the North East of England
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 January 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed the first 3 books in this series, but put off buying and reading this one due to one bad review I saw. It is a good, fast paced read, with plenty of bad stuff going on, but it's important to remember that it is fiction. The lead character, Ryan, is very likeable and I want to keep reading the books in this series to see what he does next. The end of this book left this reader wanting more, so I've got the next book in the series, High Force, to read in due course. 4 stars as very good, but not exceptional to this dedicated crime reader.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Mme Hustwayte
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellence Again!
    Reviewed in France on 18 October 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Fast, gripping, terrifying continuation of the series so far. Wonderful descriptive story telling. I can't wait for the next one!
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Northumberland books
    Reviewed in Canada on 8 May 2023
    Verified Purchase
    If you have be to the North of England these are a must read
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  • Charly Gnant
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lesenswert und fesselnd
    Reviewed in Germany on 9 September 2016
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    Absolut fesselnde Serie! Liebenswerte Charaktere. Jeder der die Gegend mag wird seinen nächsten Urlaub dort planen. Freue mich schon auf die Fortsetzung
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  • Chris
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful reading.
    Reviewed in the United States on 15 May 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I don’t know if I’ve left a review on any of the previous books in the series but,if not, one is certainly due. LJ Ross in my estimation is a phenomenal author. I love her characters, and her plots. Her novels are mesmerizing. They invoke the full range of emotions sprinkled with wonderful humor, and the need to read on.
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  • Margaret Mulgrew
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very good read
    Reviewed in Spain on 9 March 2024
    Verified Purchase
    So far I have enjoyed 4 of LJ Ross's books and am now on my 5th - I can thoroughly recommend them.
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