Simon Green gives us a dark story set in a stone circle like Stonehenge. The people who are invited to explore the restored stone circle have beliefs in history or the supernatural. Very atmospheric. Then people start dying. Were there demons? or is it murder for money? Read and find out.

An entertaining quick read where all the characters are flamboyant and colorful which leads to many wild things and possibly supernatural? At least that is what Alastair and Diana have been hired to find out! The "Holy Terrors" are back to see if a circle of stones, famous for many previous disappearances and whispers of demons from another dimension visiting, is actually all its cracked up to be. A light read, a bit of spookiness, but not quite so many dead bodies this time around. Since Alastair and Diana are old hands at this now, there is lots of fun banter between the two, and you know they will always survive, be it something supernatural, or just plain human nastiness.

I like this couple and this series is quite fun to read. I will happily read more, if Diana and Alastair find more cases or shows together!

As the Bishop said to the Actress, this time was better than the last time. Or perhaps he should have said. Or I’d have said to him (as the reader and not the actress) because this second outing in the Holy Terrors Mystery series was better than the first entry, The Holy Terrors.

It helped more than a bit that we are at least already acquainted with that Bishop and that Actress, Alistair Kincaid and Diana Hunt, after their first meeting and first adventure.

What REALLY helped was that even though a whole bunch of the mystery was obviously a put up job from the off – even if we don’t know exactly how it was put up, or why – the setting was inherently a whole lot creepier than the supposedly “most haunted hall in England” in that first go around.


Stonehenge at Sunset
Stone circles are a haunting feature of the British Isles – and there are considerably more of them than people tend to think there are. Over 1,300 are scattered over England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Brittany and the Channel Islands. Stonehenge may be the largest, and certainly the best known, but it’s far, far, far from the only one.

And no, with all our science, we still don’t know for certain what they were built for. But they are fascinating, and creepy, and fascinatingly creepy all at the same time. Whatever the reason for them, the ‘monumental’ amount of effort required to build them at the time when they were built represented a HUGE drain on the society of the time. Their builders certainly thought they were important based on the amount of time and effort that was needed to build them.

Myths and legends are attached to all of them – and not just the stories of time travel between the stones that the Outlander books popularized. In the present, they also generate a lot of tourist income wherever they are located.

All of which makes the idea of this second book in the Holy Terrors series more plausible and a bit less of a joke than the first story. Which made the whole enterprise just a bit easier to get into and go along with for the ride.

That the tiny, off-the-beaten path town of Chipping Amesbury, with its even more out of the way stone circle, would like to revive the tourist industry that used to sustain them before the town becomes as derelict as the stone circle makes a whole lot of sense. That the new local squire actually has enough money to put a big push behind that desire is a bit less common but at least is plausible.

That some locals think he’s disturbing things that shouldn’t be disturbed makes a nice foil for his attempt at restoration, and provides just the right note of tension to this story about a made-to-order documentary about this particular stone circle and how much it can improve the local economy – which seemingly EVERYONE should want.

That the documentary production includes the local TV news personalities, to give it some gravitas, and the ‘Holy Terrors’ duo who caught the popular imagination back in their first adventure to give the project a bit of pizzazz seems like exactly the kind of thing that a publicity hunting squire would do to drum up the desired interest.

Which is, of course, when the entire thing goes utterly pear-shaped, and the crew is stranded in that remote stone circle, surrounded by dense fog, as the bodies start dropping. Out of the circle and seemingly into thin air – or perhaps, to some Other Place.

Escape Rating B: I liked this better than the first book, because I went into it more willing to suspend my disbelief this second time around. I’m already convinced that there is nothing real about so-called ‘Reality TV’, but I’ve been to more than one stone circle and they do have a bit of a weird vibe even if it’s only in the sense of “what they hell made these people go to all this trouble.” I’ve been to Stonehenge a bunch of times and it’s been gloomy and lowering and weird every time.

So I went into this one, well, not thinking that anything supernatural or extraterrestrial was going to come out of the stones, but that both the locals and the crew would be a bit creeped out and that everyone on all sides would have some ‘feelings’ about it all because the places do engender those feelings for real.

I was expecting a human agency behind it all – because that’s the way that all of this author’s recent paranormal-ish, supernatural-ish series (I’m looking at you Ishmael Jones) mostly work.

But I did expect to have a bit more fun along the way that I did last time because the premise had a bit more meat to it. And it did and I did. But I’m left wondering just how long the author plans to ride this one-trick pony, because there’s no real meat on those bones.

Although I certainly want the Bishop and the Actress to resolve their “will-they? / won’t they?” relationship before the ride is over!

If you are searching for a cozy mystery that feels like the adult version of a Scooby Doo episode, then search no further. The story is quick paced, easy to digest, and satisfying at the end. Do I sometimes wish the main charaacters could have had just a bit more character layers? Yes. But at the end of the day, I was satisfied with what I got. I give Stone Certainty a solid 3.5/5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the opportunity to review Stone Certainty by Simon R. Green.

Another great read in this series by Simon Green. I enjoy these characters, and the plot/pacing never disappoints. Can't wait for the next in the series. #StoneCertainty #NetGalley

Stone Certainty was a solid Simon R. Green mystery. I would have like more supernatural elements, which Green has used in the past. However, the mystery was well-thought out. I found myself caring for some of the characters. 4 stars.

This book was literally Scooby Doo with adults. The characters were just as cartoonish, the plot just as silly and full of holes, and the logic just as flimsy. There was absolutely no character development, and just as in the first installment in the series, there was too much talking and not enough action--page after page after page of "'xxxxx,' said Alistair. 'xxxxx,' said Diana. 'xxxxxx,' said Peter. 'xxxxx,' said Cissy." and that was it. I needed something more than repetitive juvenile dialogue to draw me into the story. The plot was just as ridiculous. I could buy that Alistair and Diana were brought in on this documentary because of their previous involvement with the ghost-hunting project. But the constant repeated mentions of how Alistair was an "expert" on stone circles, along with everyone relying on his so-called expertise to examine the site and investigate details was borderline laughable. They really couldn't find ANYONE else in the whole UK who knew more about stone circles than an C-list bishop? No archaeologists, or anthropologists, or Oxbridge professors, or...anyone? Seriously? If the author hadn't leaned into that so heavily, I might have bought it; or if Alistair said something like, "I wrote an article once, so the producers must have thought I know more than I do. Real experts must not have wanted to be involved in this project." And then just the nonchalant moving about of standing stones?! Come on. The National Trust just lets that happen? When the rag-tag group of documentary employees was in charged with investigating the murder, that was pretty much it for me. This whole book was ridiculous. It was a waste of my time to read it. A classic Scooby Doo cartoon could do this way better, and be much more entertaining.

There is never a moment I don't jump at the chance to read a new Simon R Green book. He has a fantastic way with sci-fi, supernatural, paranormal, and urban fantasy. The books and stories may not be incredibly hard hitting, but they are almost always entertaining and keep me reading to the very end.

This is book two in the Holy Terrors series, and I do think they can be read individually as I did not get my hands on the first one before diving into this story. There are references to the previous mystery which may clarify some references but I don't feel like it took away from this story.

Diane and Alistair are in Scotland at the site of a stone circle which was previously moved around for "aesthetic" reasons. Now the new land owner wants to move them back to their original spot but ancient stone circles are mysterious and have supernatural lore surrounding them. A documentary is being made and the two "Hoy Terrors" who made a name for themselves in a previous case, find themselves in another ghostly mystery.

Though these books have a "scary" element to them, they really are fun and entertaining. If you're looking for a quick read, enjoyable read, definitely add this to your series to be read.

A new book from Simon R Green is like a visit from an old friend. You always know what you’re going to get, and yet, there might be a surprise or two.
Stone Certainty brings us back to the two surviving cast members from The Holy Terrors. This time around Alastair and Diana are on site when a Stone Circle is repaired. Wackiness, of course, ensues.
Like The Holy Terrors, this book started off slow for me. It was never boring, but not exciting, either. Up until the whole cast got together. Then, it was fun.
If you like SRG’s work, this book will definitely satisfy you.

If you happen to pick up this one without having read The Holy Terrors – tuck in and enjoy yourself. This is one of those reads where you can happily dive in without your relationship with the story being compromised by not knowing the first book. While Green refers to Diana and Alistair’s previous spooky experience together, it doesn’t impact in any way on the current adventure.

Regular visitors to my blog will know that I generally don’t do horror. And while the cover and blurb gives a suitably creepy vibe – Green has a lovely line in humour, even as the body count piles up. That said, there is a masterful evocation of how it feels to sit inside a stone circle as night falls, while waiting for whatever monster to appear from another dimension and snatch people away… I was holding my breath, while turning the pages as I know only too well that Green isn’t afraid to off characters I’ve grown fond of if he thinks the story demands it.

The other strength of this book is Green’s characterisation. It takes a lot of technical skill to keep readers fully engaged in a group – and it’s a skill Green possesses. The interaction between the film crew, the TV hosts and our protagonists is often spiky and frequently funny. I like the fact that the most sceptical and analytical personality within the group is Bishop Alistair, the man of God. Which, of course, makes entire sense. As someone who gets to see humanity at its worst and most vulnerable, Alistair has a keen sense when those around him aren’t being honest in their emotions. While the gorgeous Diana gives a wry commentary on the tensions between the two co-hosts selected to present this TV special.

All in all, this is an intense, eventful read with a brilliant buildup of the menace surrounding this ancient stone circle and a cast of interesting, spiky characters – I was thinking this book would make a wonderful film or TV programme as I was reading. Any niggles? While I was fully engrossed in this one – there are just a few too many similarities with the first book, The Holy Terrors, to the extent that I knocked off a mark. That said, it wasn’t a dealbreaker and I look forward to reading the next story featuring Diana and Alistair. While I obtained an arc of Stone Certainty from the publisher via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10

Bishop Alistair Kincaid has traveled to the small town of Chipping Amesbury to take part in a documentary about its imposing stone circle, the stuff of dark myth and legend. He is delighted that actress Diana Hunt, will be there too. She had worked with him before. Several other visitors join them, including lead presenter Stewart Munroe, fellow presenter Natalie Daye, producer Kim Locke, and local historian Elspeth Montgomery. The stone circle was being put back in their original spot.. The stones had been removed and placed elsewhere in order to stop the stones from bringing monsters from another place that were causing problems. The cast of the documentary at their first time at the stones talk a lot about
The creepy stories that are made even creepier by a sudden violent storm. As darkness grows, the group returns to The Other Place. It was originally known as The Smugglers ‘ Rest. When the group go to return to the stone circle, the locals descends upon them threatening them upon returning to the stone circle. They don’t want the stones to become “alive.” After arriving at the stone circle, a corpse is discovered with a pitchfork marking the person as a witch. Elspeth , a local spreads superstitious stories for the killing. The one policeman PC John Fitzroy is inexperienced and not very skilled in dealing with this murder. He must wait for other police to investigate in a day or two. Bishiop Alister and Diana are going to investigate. Will they discover who the murderer is?

Green’s mystery follows a classic pattern, introducing a huge cast of colorful suspects before the inevitable midpoint murder. . I enjoyed the cast who were involved with the documentary but also suspected of the murder. The novel kept me interested as I wanted to know if the stone circle was the murderer or was it a person? I enjoyed this novel even though it seemed a little mysterious about the stones circle and the fearful locals. I do hope there will be another book in this series. It is a cozy mystery with a “supernatural” twist due to the stories about the stones circle.

This is a classic Simon R. Green book with gothic elements. Serious Alastair and glamorous Diana are characters that are fun to follow on this wild ride of a gothic novel, they made me laugh out loud on several occasions. It's hard to go wrong with this book.

This was a fun, quick read with an interesting duo of protagonists/amateur sleuths—an actress named Diana and a bishop named Alistair. I always enjoy a British setting, and I love the mystery and intrigue surrounding stone circles. The folklore surrounding this set of stones was entertaining with the way it repelled the locals. If you like mysteries with a hint of a paranormal then this is the book for you.

This book, just like the first book, is like Scooby Doo for adults. When I read book one of this series, I immediately hoped for a second book because I wanted to revisit with Alistair and Diana. I'm not ashamed to say, I felt excitement when I had the chance to read this book. And I must admit, I'm a fan. It's a blend of folklore, suspense, and mystery, written with dark Gothic atmosphere, humour, and perfect characters. For a short novel, the author knows how to pinpoint what's needed to bring each character alive.

You may wonder how humour fits in with Gothic atmosphere. It may seem odd, but it works. From the first moment our two protagonists meet at the standing stones, you can sense the atmosphere build. Constant references to spooked locals, demonic doorways, old stories of warning and doom, old graveyards, and local superstitions are perfect fuel for the atmosphere to enrich this story.

Green also knows how to describe the perfect setting, whether it's outdoors at the standing stones, or inside the only local hotel. Every scene is written with two thoughts in mind. Atmosphere and characters. It's written to propel you through the story and make you turn those pages. It's also written for the reader to have fun. Something at odds with a tense story.

Enjoyed this dark tale and looking forward to book three!!

I don't even know how to review these books anymore - they basically all feel like the same book... That's not a bad thing necessarily - they're still fun to read. But it does mean that you can't read them too close together or they start to run into one another - especially when it comes to the characters. I like that this Holy Terrors series spins things so that it seems supernatural but turns out not to be - it's a shift in focus from Green's typical direction, and I do enjoy seeing how things play out in that regard. Otherwise there's nothing new here, per se - it's a familiar formula and it works.

Get ready for another fun adventure! I read the first book and loved it, so when I saw this one, I knew I had to read it. There were zero regrets in asking for the book. I read through this in one sitting.

The Bishop and Diana team up again, this time at a stone circle. The squire is looking to bring some attention to the land, and bring in more tourists. But it seems that the townspeople do not want it, and recount stories of the dark things that have come from the stones. Alistair does not think there was anything nefarious going on, but Diana is not so sure. Putting their heads together, they start to sort through some of the stories and strange occurrences.
But then, the deaths start. As the group huddles together for safety, two of their number go missing, and are later found dead. Who would want to kill them and why? Alastair is determined to solve the mystery before anyone else gets hurt.

I absolutely loved this book. Diana and the Bish are two of my favorites (obviously), but I look forward to seeing them in more adventures. This series holds a lot of promise.

Quick spooky setting read. Diana and Alastair from the previous book are back working together to film a documentary about a stone circle. Of course other things happen and a murder to add to the suspense. Fast fun read with Green's snarky dialog add up to a good figure it out mystery. Thanks for the early read to NetGalley and the publishers.

My last review of a book of Simon R. Green was for his book The Holy Terrors. And I was quite underwhelmed with that. I expressed the hope that the author would soon be back with another book. And he did 😉.
Stone Certainty is the second book in this series and I'm happy to say that it is so much more fun than the first one!
Although a rather short book (192 pages) with not a lot of characters and a gloomy setting, it was a fun read.
Alistair and Diana, nicknamed 'the Holy Terrors' after their adventures in the first book, have somewhat lost contact because they were each working on their own careers. Now, they are back together because they play an important role in a film about the renovation of a stone circle. So, we get to meet the very rich owner of the land (and therefore the circle), his girlfriend (reluctantly) and the crew that you need for making a film.

I just loved the characters and their snappy dialogues. The whole story takes up only two days but a lot is happening. There are some gruesome events and some funny ones. The characters all come to life.

So, looking forward to the next one in this series!

Thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this review copy.

"The Holy Terrors' return together to film a documentary about the relocation of the final stone in an ancient stone ring. However when a body turns up, with their throat slit and stabbed with a pitchfork, it takes Alistair and Diana wits to unpick exactly what is happening and why.
I enjoyed this tale, relatively quick to read with plenty of suspense and unexpected twists. A good tale that plays on the supernatural tales that abound old isolated communities.

What a fun story! I know, it’s supposed to be spooky, but spooky is fun for me. I absolutely love Simon Green’s books. This series is no different. I loved all the snarky dialogue and the idea of demons pouring out of a stone circle. And considering the books that Green has written, it wouldn’t be unexpected for that to happen in his story. But I did love the kind of classic spooky mystery vibe it had going on. Was it predictable? Kind of. I knew what was going to happen and who did it pretty quickly, but not how they were going to go about it. I do wish Lily had gotten more of a role toward the end though. I dug her character. Maybe she’ll make an appearance in a future book. In any case, if you want a quick spooky mystery read that’s really fun, this is the book for you!

Huge thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!