Ann Cleeves storytelling style is like few others. It may be comparable to Elizabeth George in her focus on cultural details and character stories, but Cleeves intimates deep meaning despite long winded backstories that from less accomplished authors, would make readers close the book. From Cleeves' pen, readers don't want to miss a word. A Lesson in Dying (Minotaur Books 2025), Book 1 of 6 in her Inspector Ramsay series, stars a middle age detective with an unusual way of approaching his job. The story starts when a headmaster at a school is found hanged after a community Halloween party. First thought to be suicide, it soon becomes evident it is murder and the man’s wife is arrested. At that point, readers might expect to see the star, Detective Ramsay, dig into clues and cobble together the evidence, but instead, Cleeves does this through a spurned boyfriend, eager to prove her innocence in hopes by doing so he'll have a second chance at a life with her, one that didn't work the first time. He is clever at prizing out clues, often with the aid of his daughter, a bored housewife looking for excitement.

My only complaint is that Ramsay's involvement was secondary for the majority of the book. There were great swaths of the novel where he wasn't even involved except tangentially. Readers ended up relying on the questionable talents of the spurned lover and his daughter, neither one trained investigators. That is the idea behind the "cozy" genre rather than the detective genre, but it isn't a cozy in any other respect. Overall, I would recommend this to those who love cultural books more about lifestyle and character than plot and action.

It's worth noting: This was originally written over a decade ago and only recently printed in the US which is why I got an ARC copy from NetGalley.

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for letting me read this book.

British murder/mysteries - I love them. I also love Ann Cleeves’ detectives, especially the Vera and Shetland stories. Detective Ramsey is a new Cleeves character for me, but I enjoyed his first case, as well. How do you find a murderer when everyone dislikes the victim? In this case, Ramsey has help from some non-police characters in the story. As the deaths increase, it becomes imperative to solve the case.

I am a big fan of Ann Cleeves, whether it is Vera, Shetland, Mathew Venn, or her stand-alone novels. Detective Ramsay is a new discovery of a much older series. A Lesson in Dying is book 1 in a series of 6 novels, written in the 1990s and now being released in the U.S. as Classic Ann Cleeves. As is the case for Vera, Detective Stephen Ramsay is also based in Northumberland. The murder of a headmaster is the draw for Detective Ramsay's visit to a small village, where everyone seems to have a secret to hide.

A Lesson in Dying is well-written and holds the readers' attention. Cleeves fills this novel with the same elements readers have found in so many of Cleeves other series. There are plenty of flawed characters, whose behaviors have made them susceptible to blackmail, as well as possible suspects or even victims in a murder. Detective Ramsay is also a flawed character, whose behavior makes him an outsider. As is so often true for Cleeves, the characters in her novels are human, with secrets and desires and needs that make them red herrings in a murder mystery. Cleeves carefully unwraps her characters as the novel progresses, thus creating many possible murderers and victims. There are multiple POV, as each character narrates his or her history. Detective Ramsay is unconventional in his approach to solving a murder, or two. As in the case in some many small villages, there are those who are outsiders and the who are the subject of gossip.

I enjoyed reading A Lesson in Dying. This book is a fast moving, compelling novel, and it is a good mystery, with many suspects to consider. A Lesson in Dying is a terrific introduction to Detective Stephen Ramsay. I do recommend this novel. Thank you to Minotaur Books, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. The review herein is my own honest evaluation of A Lesson in Dying. Cleeves' fans will enjoy finding a new series to read.

Inspector Jack Ramsay must discover who killed the loathsome headmaster in this first in a series sure to appeal to fans of cozy, gentle mysteries.

Another detective!

The introduction of Detective Ramsay finds us in a small town where no one is quite what they seem. When a man is murdered, the question is not who wanted him dead, but who didn't want him dead? Almost everyone has a motive or a secret, and finding out the why becomes difficult as it seems everyone had something to hide. Ramsay befriends a local man and his daughter, both of whom are going through their own identity crisis', but one has a personal motive to make sure the killer is brought to justice.

I am so excited to that we are receiving a new series. The atmosphere of the book draws you in....you can imagine that you are in the small town an as usual the description of the scenery makes you realize how beautiful the area is. Guessing the secrets of the villagers and how they are connecte kept me on my toes. While I enjoyed getting to know the secondary characters, I did close the book wondering more about Ramsay himself. It sometimes felt as if he was a side character in his own origin story, so I am looking forward to the next title and finding out more about him, and if his new found friends will also be featured. At times you could feel his loneliness and his feeling of being an outsider, at work and in his personal life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and I am ready for the next title. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for offering me the chance to review this book!

This was a strong start to the Inspector Ramsay series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the mystery of this book. I thought the mystery worked well and was hooked from the first page. It had me on the edge of my seat and enjoyed the overall package. The characters worked well and were written well by Ann Cleeves.

A Lesson in Dying The First Inspector Ramsay Novel by Ann Cleeves It is a great start to a new crime/mystery series that I will continue with. I am a huge fan of Ann Cleeves writing and British mysteries and this did not let me down I was eager to dive into the Inspector Ramsay series, having fallen in love with Ann Cleeves' Vera series. Inspector Ramsay proves to be a distinctly different protagonist from Vera , with a complex introduction that sets the tone. Initially unpopular and seemingly set up for failure, Ramsay navigates his challenges with quiet determination.

This intriguing mystery boasts a cast of unforgettable characters, keeping me invested in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to witnessing Ramsay's growth in the next installment.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from the publisher and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An Ann Cleeves II haven't read! Ramsey is a very lonely, difficult inspector. He is tasked with finding the killer of a disliked headmaster. Lucky for him he has met Patty, a parent and restless soul who adds him with the help of her father, Jack Robson, the school maintenance man.Good characters and plot.

Who could resist a new Ann Cleeves mystery? Or a an older one, first published in 1990? A Lesson in Dying introduces Inspector Ramsey who has one and possibly two, murders to solve. The totally unlikeable, bullying headmaster of Heppleburn school is killed, then hanged on the playground after a school Halloween party. His wife is arrested but there are many other suspects. Ramsey, helped by Patty, a friendly neighborhood busybody, interviews all these suspects but it will take another death to move the case to conclusion.

Ann Cleeves is the master of British crime novels. Atmospheric locations, well described characters, their interactions and a plot complicated enough to keep you guessing. A Lesson in Dying, although written almost thirty five years ago, is a perfect example of that. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Ann Cleeves for this ARC.

Who hung the headmaster in the playground on the night of the school Halloween Party?!! Good book! This book had suspense, intriguing, murder, mystery, a great who done it and a few crazy twists and turns! The story was interesting, it wasn't one of my top favorite but still worth reading! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.
It was so great starting a 'new' series by Ann Cleeves, I'm so glad they're republishing the Inspector Ramsay books.
As usual, Ms. Sleeves sucked me in immediately; she's incredible, I have read all of her books, except for the Detective Ramsay books and have never been disappointed.
I love getting into the heads of the characters she creates. This one is no exception. You get to know the people involved rather than focusing on only the police procedures.
I loved it, highly recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

Oh great, another Ann Cleeves series I need to finish. Like I need another book :) Well, as soon as I got to the last page, I immediately requested the next book in the series from my library. Since this was listed as being newly in print in the U.S., I assumed the others wouldn't be available yet. So glad I was wrong! Was it her best writing? Not even close. But was it fun? Sure was! I can't wait to see where she takes Ramsay next and learn more about him. I'm kind of hoping Patty will continue to make appearances; she was my favorite character. If you're a fan of this author, I definitely recommend this.