Sycamore Gap: A DCI Ryan Mystery by LJ Ross

Sycamore Gap is a gripping thriller blending murder, suspense, and emotional depth against the haunting beauty of Northumberland’s landscapes.

on May 29, 2026

Sycamore Gap: A DCI Ryan Mystery by LJ Ross

The novel "Sycamore Gap" by best-selling author L.J. Ross brings another nail-biting story to the widely popular DCI Ryan series, combining elements of suspense, psychological thriller and excellent detective work on the backdrop of the amazing scenery of Northumberland.

The story begins with the discovery of a young woman's skeleton found inside the Roman Wall at Sycamore Gap, which had been hiding there for more than a decade. From the start, the reader is swept into a complicated case that pushes DCI Ryan both into solving the crime in front of him and into facing aspects of his own dark past. The author successfully creates a mysterious and dangerous atmosphere using several parallel storylines and shocking discoveries along the way.

The setting of the book can be described as one of its strongest features. It is not just a location but the whole atmosphere created by the author using the amazing scenery of Hadrian's Wall country.

Aside from the mystery aspect, this book also includes a number of funny and romantic scenes, as well as some more vulnerable ones. This way, the author succeeds in developing her characters and providing them with a little more life without losing the momentum. DCI Ryan is still a complex and fascinating character – smart, flawed, and human at the same time. The side characters also provide a great deal of color to this book.

Overall, Sycamore Gap is one of those rare books that are both exciting and engaging. It has been written in such a manner that it is easy to understand and to dive into the plot, so you can easily find yourself completely immersed in this novel whether you have been reading mysteries for years already or you are just taking your first steps in this genre. Sycamore Gap is definitely another success by LJ Ross.