Northumberland is a county that has long captivated those who have explored its landscapes and dramatic coastlines, but for many readers, the county’s charm is most vividly brought to life through the novels written by LJ Ross, bestselling author whose work has become recognised through the whole country.
Through her DCI Ryan series and standalone novels set in Northumberland, Ross offers readers a literary tour of Northumberland mixed with crime stories, attracting readers not only for its location but for its plot.
LJ Ross is one the most prominent voices in contemporary British crime and fiction. Debuting in 2015 with Holy Island she follows Detective Chief Inspector DCI Ryan as he travels around Northumberland resolving complex investigations.
Throughout the years, this series has gained a huge following, mosly thanks to Ross’ ability to combine suspense with great atmospheric settings. Apart from her crime fiction plots, she stands out for her skillful integration of the Northumberland into her novels.
Instead of just being in the background, the county’s landcapes, historical landmarks, and local traditions play integral roles in her stories, in some novels even becoming more important than the characters themselves. Through her books, readers are introduced to a Northumberland that is both familiar and mysterious, inviting them to experience the county’s beauty from their own homes.
From the windswept coastline along the North Sea to the remote landscapes of Northumberland National Park, the county’s natural beauty isn’t just used as a descriptive background as it often reflects the mood of the narrative and the psychological states of the characters.
In her book, Holy Island, the moorlands, full of isolated farms and crumbling stone cottages, add an air of danger to the investigation. The shores of the coast evoke desolation, while the castles and ruins – such as Alnwick Castle or Hadrian’s Wall – give the sense of history and mystery to the plot.
Many readers are unfamiliar with the area, but with Ross’ detailed descriptions of these places, it helps transport them into the heart of Northumberland.
Northumberland is famous for its historical landmarks, many of which feature in her books. In the DCI Ryan series, the protagonist, Detective Chief Inspector DCI Ryan, finds himself confronting dark secrets from the past, whether they are linked to ancient castle, ruins or local myths.
Hadrian’s Wall frequently appears in this series. This ancient fortification once marked the northern border of the Roman Empire, and LJ Ross uses it to represent the metaphor for the barriers between the past and the present – Hadrian’s Wall was the northern boundary of the Roman Empire and it represents as a physical reminder of the region’s long past – the known and the unknown.
In novels like Syncamore Gap, it’s used as a place where secrets get buried, not only in a methaphorical way but also in a literally way and that’s where the line between history and mystery blurs.
She also uses the medieval castles of Northumberland, like Bamburgh Castle or Lindisfarne Castle. They offer an unnatural and atmospheric backdrop for the crimes and investigations that unfold in her novels.
The link between the past and present of Northumberland history is an essential and recurrent theme in Ross’ work, where characters’ investigations often lead them into cases and characters where the past refuses to stay hidden.
Apart from introducing Northumberland’s historic sites, she also introduces the people and the communities that make the county unique. The small towns and cozy villages reflect the way of life, but she makes these familiar and friendly communities into unsettling ones where we can see tangled relationships and dark secrets.
In Cragside, Rothbury become the focal point for DCI Ryan’s case. Its narrow streets, traditonal stone houses, and local pubs evoke a haunting sensation where everyone knows each other but can’t be fully trusted. This blend of familiarity and suspense add the depth necessary to make any story written by LJ Ross interesting and eye-catching, adding another layer of authenticity to her books.
For those who are looking to explore Northumberland in a more creative way, her novels are the excellent literary guide. Each book invites you to visit places she describes and the fans of the DCI Ryan series, visiting the places where the book takes you become a quest to undercover all of the secrets it hides.
Whether is a walk across the Northumberland Coast, a visit to one of the county’s many castles, or a trip to a village pub, Ross’s novels make it clear that the ture appeal of the county not only lies in its flora and fauna, but in its deep connection to its people and its story.