Having just finished reading the first of the Shetland books, I went back and re-watched this two part adaptation of the book.
Understanding that filming a book is a challenge and that often the writers make changes here and there, there were a few really major changes done.
One is that Jimmy Perez is described as having a Mediterranean complexion -- dark hair and olive skin -- due to his ancestor in the 1580's being a Spaniard. When I read that in the book I scoffed at the idea of Perez showing those traits after generations upon generations of marrying Shetlanders (in the TV show he mentions that he must take after the bride and not the ship-wrecked husband.)
Another major change is that in the book Cassie is only about 6 years old and Jimmy and Duncan's relationship is far from cordial. And Fran is Cassie's mother and still very much alive (although she and Jimmy are not an item yet) and Cassie lives with her mother, not with Jimmy (although Duncan is her father.)
A major plotline in the book is changed concerning the disappearance of Catriona nine (not 19) years before. She was actually murdered in the book, although finding her well-preserved body is something the TV writers kept. The suspicion that falls on Magnus is kept as well, and his character is about the same.
The book takes place in mid-January, and featured the Shetland festival Up Helly Aa near the end. Another point left in from the book is the killer of Catherine is the same person, although the motive is a bit skewed.
Neither Rhona nor Tosh appear in the book and Sandy is painted as an immature know-it-all. There are also other minor character changes.
I think I enjoyed the show more before reading the book. This re-watching had me comparing all the differences, so that was probably a bit unfair.
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