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Available
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Series
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Collection
Publication
Minotaur (2020), 400 pages
Description
From Ann Cleeves--bestselling and award-winning author of the Vera and Shetland series, both of which are hit TV shows--comes the first in a gripping new series. "Ann Cleeves is one of my favorite mystery writers."--Louise Penny In North Devon, where two rivers converge and run into the sea, Detective Matthew Venn stands outside the church as his father's funeral takes place. Once loved and cherished, the day Matthew left the strict evangelical community he grew up in, he lost his family too. Now, as he turns and walks away again, he receives a call from one of his team. A body has been found on the beach nearby: a man with a tattoo of an albatross on his neck, stabbed to death. The case calls Matthew back into the community he thought he had left behind, as deadly secrets hidden at its heart are revealed, and his past and present collide. An astonishing new novel told with compassion and searing insight, The Long Call will captivate fans of Vera and Shetland, as well as new readers.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member thornton37814
Detective Matthew Venn grew up in the legalist Barum Brethren sect. Now mostly estranged from his family because he left the sect as do many persons coming of age, he lives in North Devon with his husband Jonathan who manages the Woodyard, a community center of sorts. When a man volunteering there
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turns up dead of a stab wound on the beach, Matthew's team investigates. When the connection to the Woodyard emerges, he considers excusing himself from the investigation but is encouraged to continue. The novel also brings awareness of Down's Syndrome through some characters of importance to the story who learn skills in the Woodyard's day program. The mystery was interesting, and I really don't have a problem with the main character's gender. What I did have a problem with was the repeated emphasis on his gender throughout the story. It felt forced, and it seemed the author/publisher was pushing an LBGTQ agenda on readers rather than being a natural part of the book. While I realize some of this was to emphasize his distance from his upbringing, it went overboard and probably turned off a lot of readers. Still the story and setting are interesting, and I'll probably give the next installment or two a try. Show Less
LibraryThing member richardderus
I CHECKED THIS BOOK OUT FROM MY LIBRARY. BE SURE TO USE YOUR LIBRARIES, FOLKS! THEY NEED US.
My Review: Don't you hate being Right? It's the police's job, though, isn't it; they have to be Right or the consequences are so dire for so many people...innocent people who don't know their trust has been
And that's why we read mysteries! They're ma'at in action, aren't they? Small demonstrations that when our Negative Confessions come before Osiris, Hapi won't need to open those toothy crocodilian jaws and end our existence. And I'm using ancient Egyptian examples for a very specific reason.
Matthew Venn is a new series character for mystery veteran Cleeves, she of Vera and Jimmy Perez (Shetland) fame. She's chosen England's most beautiful county (and her own native ground), North Devon, for her setting. She's decided the twenty-first century's not going to take her down without a fight, so Matthew's gay, and a lapsed member of one of the seemingly innumerable weirdo strict-constructionist christian sects. His involvement in matters churchly having perforce lapsed when he came out, he doesn't have contact with his former friends despite being back among them in his posting as a Detective Inspector. He does have a lot of community ties, though, as he's married to the man responsible for the local arts-and-social-services venue.
And now that sense of place is established....
Murder and maleficent doings are afoot.
People who are possessed of money mistake its power for their own. They imagine that, because they can push money into open palms, they're the ones with Power. But the only ones without money, but who want it, are the only ones whose hands are open enough to close their minds, their eyes, their hearts. Those who don't care, whose worlds don't revolve around the money-god, are a sight more open to concerns that aren't important to the obsessed.
He was a man who’d turned his personal likes and dislikes into a moral code; because he didn’t enjoy spending money in the Woodyard cafe, there was something morally suspect about the people who did. The Brethren had been much the same. Matthew thought they’d created a God in their own image, hard, cold and inflexible.
It's this dichotomy that Author Cleeves mines for the plot of this tale. It is about power, and its abuse, and the only person who won't stay quiet about it is the one whose hands aren't outstretched for more, but in finger-pointing accusation. The moneyed, the influential, can't have that and they rally around the problem of their own positions, their absolutely justified and necessary access to More.
Looking at the assembled group, the families and the ardent young converts, Matthew had had a sudden understanding, as the early evening sunshine shone through the dusty glass, a vision close to a religious experience: this was all a sham. The earnest elderly women in their mushroom-shaped hats, the bluff good-natured men – they were all deluding themselves. They were here for their own reasons, for the power trip or because they’d grown up with the group and couldn’t let go.
It's such a shame that some Others must die to maintain it.
As always, Author Cleeves will lead you a merry chase and make your head spin with information you think could be important but...and then there's...what about...it's her stock in trade. All those Vera Stanhope and Jimmy Perez novels aren't accidental! But here's my beef with this book...like all Author Cleeves' work, there is a startling amount of sexlessness here. Matthew and Jonathan aren't even allowed a cuddle (British sense) on the page...there's no suggestion of sex in any of her books. Of the healthy sort.
All night, he’d been aware of Jonathan sleeping beside him, motionless, the gentle breaths not moving his body. Jonathan had a gift for sleep that Matthew envied more than anything. More than his husband’s easy confidence, his courage, his ability to laugh off hurt and insults. Now Matthew was alone in bed and that rarely happened. Usually he was the first up.
And that continues here. I quite strongly wish she'd move past this, what? reticence? distaste? whatever it is because this is new territory for her. These are the first gay people in her books! Use this freshness as a chance to stop pathologizing sex. Matthew needs Jonathan's comforting bodily presence as any husband who's just been through a physical and emotional ordeal would. But he isn't granted it. And it's true none of her other sleuths are, either, which is why I'm bringing it up now.
When Matthew's police work results in a resolution for this case that I must say I dismissed as improbable when it occurred to me, I was surprised. Author Cleeves brought in motives I didn't expect. She made me think, hard, about how she'd placed her tells and her Maguffins. If that isn't a sheer, unadulterated pleasure for an old, experienced bird-dogger, I don't know what is.
Book two of the series comes out tomorrow! You *will* want to get one. It's a new-series Cleeves mystery...how could you possibly resist?
My Review: Don't you hate being Right? It's the police's job, though, isn't it; they have to be Right or the consequences are so dire for so many people...innocent people who don't know their trust has been
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abused.And that's why we read mysteries! They're ma'at in action, aren't they? Small demonstrations that when our Negative Confessions come before Osiris, Hapi won't need to open those toothy crocodilian jaws and end our existence. And I'm using ancient Egyptian examples for a very specific reason.
Matthew Venn is a new series character for mystery veteran Cleeves, she of Vera and Jimmy Perez (Shetland) fame. She's chosen England's most beautiful county (and her own native ground), North Devon, for her setting. She's decided the twenty-first century's not going to take her down without a fight, so Matthew's gay, and a lapsed member of one of the seemingly innumerable weirdo strict-constructionist christian sects. His involvement in matters churchly having perforce lapsed when he came out, he doesn't have contact with his former friends despite being back among them in his posting as a Detective Inspector. He does have a lot of community ties, though, as he's married to the man responsible for the local arts-and-social-services venue.
And now that sense of place is established....
Murder and maleficent doings are afoot.
People who are possessed of money mistake its power for their own. They imagine that, because they can push money into open palms, they're the ones with Power. But the only ones without money, but who want it, are the only ones whose hands are open enough to close their minds, their eyes, their hearts. Those who don't care, whose worlds don't revolve around the money-god, are a sight more open to concerns that aren't important to the obsessed.
He was a man who’d turned his personal likes and dislikes into a moral code; because he didn’t enjoy spending money in the Woodyard cafe, there was something morally suspect about the people who did. The Brethren had been much the same. Matthew thought they’d created a God in their own image, hard, cold and inflexible.
It's this dichotomy that Author Cleeves mines for the plot of this tale. It is about power, and its abuse, and the only person who won't stay quiet about it is the one whose hands aren't outstretched for more, but in finger-pointing accusation. The moneyed, the influential, can't have that and they rally around the problem of their own positions, their absolutely justified and necessary access to More.
Looking at the assembled group, the families and the ardent young converts, Matthew had had a sudden understanding, as the early evening sunshine shone through the dusty glass, a vision close to a religious experience: this was all a sham. The earnest elderly women in their mushroom-shaped hats, the bluff good-natured men – they were all deluding themselves. They were here for their own reasons, for the power trip or because they’d grown up with the group and couldn’t let go.
It's such a shame that some Others must die to maintain it.
As always, Author Cleeves will lead you a merry chase and make your head spin with information you think could be important but...and then there's...what about...it's her stock in trade. All those Vera Stanhope and Jimmy Perez novels aren't accidental! But here's my beef with this book...like all Author Cleeves' work, there is a startling amount of sexlessness here. Matthew and Jonathan aren't even allowed a cuddle (British sense) on the page...there's no suggestion of sex in any of her books. Of the healthy sort.
All night, he’d been aware of Jonathan sleeping beside him, motionless, the gentle breaths not moving his body. Jonathan had a gift for sleep that Matthew envied more than anything. More than his husband’s easy confidence, his courage, his ability to laugh off hurt and insults. Now Matthew was alone in bed and that rarely happened. Usually he was the first up.
And that continues here. I quite strongly wish she'd move past this, what? reticence? distaste? whatever it is because this is new territory for her. These are the first gay people in her books! Use this freshness as a chance to stop pathologizing sex. Matthew needs Jonathan's comforting bodily presence as any husband who's just been through a physical and emotional ordeal would. But he isn't granted it. And it's true none of her other sleuths are, either, which is why I'm bringing it up now.
When Matthew's police work results in a resolution for this case that I must say I dismissed as improbable when it occurred to me, I was surprised. Author Cleeves brought in motives I didn't expect. She made me think, hard, about how she'd placed her tells and her Maguffins. If that isn't a sheer, unadulterated pleasure for an old, experienced bird-dogger, I don't know what is.
Book two of the series comes out tomorrow! You *will* want to get one. It's a new-series Cleeves mystery...how could you possibly resist?
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LibraryThing member Spencer28
This is a new series from Ann Cleeves and I'm already impatient for the next one! Cleeves' is a master of detective fiction, and has managed to craft three unique and different series--Detective Matthew Venn could easily hold his own with Vera and Jimmy Perez. I found Venn to be an intriguing
I received a digital ARC via NetGalley.
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protagonist with an interesting backstory. This is highly recommended for all Cleeves' fans and others who enjoy well-crafted stories.I received a digital ARC via NetGalley.
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LibraryThing member pgchuis
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
This is the first in a new series set in North Devon, with a new DI, Matthew Venn. I loved the setting and Matthew's character and background. There are two more junior police officers who I assume will also continue to feature. It
SPOILERS
was s/he turning on his/her conspirators, or was this some sort of mental break? The identity of the actual killer was a little unconvincing for me.
I also found the way Christine and Lucy's Down's Syndrome was depicted was inconsistent at times - one moment they were independent and making plans for action and the next they were utterly innocent and naive.
On the whole though, I think this series is going to be excellent.
This is the first in a new series set in North Devon, with a new DI, Matthew Venn. I loved the setting and Matthew's character and background. There are two more junior police officers who I assume will also continue to feature. It
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was mostly well-plotted, although the characterization was perhaps stronger. I had the odd niggle - why did the solicitor insist on coming into see Matthew, when the little he had to say could perfectly easily have been said on the telephone? When the murderer confessed at the endSPOILERS
was s/he turning on his/her conspirators, or was this some sort of mental break? The identity of the actual killer was a little unconvincing for me.
I also found the way Christine and Lucy's Down's Syndrome was depicted was inconsistent at times - one moment they were independent and making plans for action and the next they were utterly innocent and naive.
On the whole though, I think this series is going to be excellent.
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LibraryThing member RowingRabbit
The long call is a term used to describe the cry of the herring gull although to main character DI Matthew Venn, it always sounds more like someone howling in pain. This observation gives you immediate insight into Venn, a smart & tightly wound copper in North Devon.
There are a few things you need
Needless to say they’ve had zero contact & as the book opens, we find Venn standing outside his father’s funeral service after reading about it in the paper. He doesn’t know it yet but he’s about to begin a murder investigation that will bring his life full circle.
A man’s body has just been found on the beach at Crow Point. Eventually he’s identified as a recovering alcoholic who volunteered at the Woodyard, a multi-use community centre run by Venn’s husband Jon.
It’s a place we become very familiar with as more characters join the story. In alternate chapters we meet a counsellor, an art teacher, a philanthropist, a priest & some of the people who attend programs there. All of them have ties to the Woodyard. And all of them have secrets. Venn & his team have their work cut out as they try to prise the truth from people who would rather it stay hidden.
This is a good old fashioned murder mystery that reserves the chills & thrills for the final chapters. There are plenty of descriptions of the area & residents, lending the story a moody atmosphere. Sprinkled through the investigation we get details on Venn’s background & his relationship with Jon. The supporting cast is large & full of distinct, well developed characters. Standouts for me were DS Jen Rafferty, a smart cop who throws out comments that shock her conservative boss from time to time. And Lucy Braddick, a 30 year old woman with Down’s Syndrome who’s desire for independence ends up putting her in danger.
The plot takes its time as the team gradually accumulates information, clues & red herrings. It’s a book that is just as much about the characters as the investigation. Other crimes pop up & the trick is trying to figure out which ones are related. The pace is consistent until the last quarter when pieces fall into place & it’s a full on sprint to the finish.
My one reservation is Venn himself. We understand where his baggage comes from through vignettes from the past. Behind his buttoned-up demeanor are conflicting emotions he goes to great lengths to keep in check. He’s a man who is never at ease, even with his husband & the result was I found it difficult to connect with him. But this is book #1 in a series. The groundwork is done & no doubt the author has great plans for how his character develops.
Like Cleeves’ other series, this is a character driven procedural with a plot that keeps you guessing. And maybe wondering if you know your neighbours as well as you thought.
There are a few things you need
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to know about Venn as they inform his character & how he conducts himself. His mother & father belonged to a strict evangelical community & he did too until the day he no longer believed in God. It turns out when you’re banished from the church, you also lose your family in the deal. Years went by & Venn ended up living in the area so his family were aware he became a cop. Then he married another man….I’m guessing Mom & Dad probably didn’t see that coming. Needless to say they’ve had zero contact & as the book opens, we find Venn standing outside his father’s funeral service after reading about it in the paper. He doesn’t know it yet but he’s about to begin a murder investigation that will bring his life full circle.
A man’s body has just been found on the beach at Crow Point. Eventually he’s identified as a recovering alcoholic who volunteered at the Woodyard, a multi-use community centre run by Venn’s husband Jon.
It’s a place we become very familiar with as more characters join the story. In alternate chapters we meet a counsellor, an art teacher, a philanthropist, a priest & some of the people who attend programs there. All of them have ties to the Woodyard. And all of them have secrets. Venn & his team have their work cut out as they try to prise the truth from people who would rather it stay hidden.
This is a good old fashioned murder mystery that reserves the chills & thrills for the final chapters. There are plenty of descriptions of the area & residents, lending the story a moody atmosphere. Sprinkled through the investigation we get details on Venn’s background & his relationship with Jon. The supporting cast is large & full of distinct, well developed characters. Standouts for me were DS Jen Rafferty, a smart cop who throws out comments that shock her conservative boss from time to time. And Lucy Braddick, a 30 year old woman with Down’s Syndrome who’s desire for independence ends up putting her in danger.
The plot takes its time as the team gradually accumulates information, clues & red herrings. It’s a book that is just as much about the characters as the investigation. Other crimes pop up & the trick is trying to figure out which ones are related. The pace is consistent until the last quarter when pieces fall into place & it’s a full on sprint to the finish.
My one reservation is Venn himself. We understand where his baggage comes from through vignettes from the past. Behind his buttoned-up demeanor are conflicting emotions he goes to great lengths to keep in check. He’s a man who is never at ease, even with his husband & the result was I found it difficult to connect with him. But this is book #1 in a series. The groundwork is done & no doubt the author has great plans for how his character develops.
Like Cleeves’ other series, this is a character driven procedural with a plot that keeps you guessing. And maybe wondering if you know your neighbours as well as you thought.
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LibraryThing member lindapanzo
This is a solid first installment in the new British police procedural series called Two Rivers, by the author best known for the Shetland series as well as the Vera Stanhope books.
While the book gets off to a bit of a slow start, it really picks up and the reader soon finds that friends and
This series, featuring detective Matthew Venn, offers a huge amount of potential and I, for one, am absolutely looking forward to reading the next books in the series.
Highly recommended, suspenseful mystery written by a real pro.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.)
While the book gets off to a bit of a slow start, it really picks up and the reader soon finds that friends and
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neighbors are not always what they seem.This series, featuring detective Matthew Venn, offers a huge amount of potential and I, for one, am absolutely looking forward to reading the next books in the series.
Highly recommended, suspenseful mystery written by a real pro.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.)
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LibraryThing member nancyadair
"He'd left the window down and now he could hear the surf on the beach and the sound naturalists names the long call, the cry which always sounded to him like an inarticulate howl of pain. These were the noises of home." from The Long Call by Anne Cleeves
I was intrigued to read The Long Call
The Long Call has a vivid sense of place--North Devon. "North Devon seems to attract the weirdos, don't you think?" one character accuses. Weirdos or not, the Barum Brethren may be dying out but the tight community still holds a lot of local power.
The novel opens with Matthew watching his father's funeral from afar, knowing he would not be welcome. He carries the bitterness of rejection, a remnant of hope of reconciliation. "Doubt was a cancer that grew unbidden," he knows.
Matthew went into police work because he sought the order and meaning lost when he left the Brethern. Isolated from the world while growing up, he was an outsider at university and dropped out. He is not a sociable man, he can be short and single-minded and stiff. But he is a good man.
Matthew is married to Jonathan, his opposite in many ways. Jonathan's dress is informal. He has a marvelous ability to connect to people. And he works for a community center, Woodyard, that includes a day center for special needs and offers classes to the public.
While at his father's funeral, Matthew was called when a dead body is found on the beach near his home. Simon Walden was new to the community and worked at the kitchen at Woodyard. Walden had a complicated life; he carried the burden of accidental homicide and had a history of alcoholism.
While Matthew and his team piece together the mystery of Walden's death, one of the day center women goes missing. The incidents may be related.
Matthew must reenter the Brethern community during his inquiry, which brings him face to face with the Brethern's spiritual leader. Then another day center woman goes missing. What Matthew discovers is a community cover-up of a hideous abuse of power.
I enjoyed Cleeve's story-telling and felt Matthew was remarkably sympathetic and well-drawn. I was propelled to continue reading the last half of the novel. I would read the next book in the series. And will soon be checking out Cleeve's television series!
I received access to a free book through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
I was intrigued to read The Long Call
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reading the blurb about the main character: when Detective Matthew Venn left the community of the Brethren he lost his family, too. What a fascinating back story for a detective! Plus, I wanted to delve into something by Anne Cleeves since I have heard of the television series--Vera and Shetland--based on her other book series. The first book in a new series seemed the right place to begin.The Long Call has a vivid sense of place--North Devon. "North Devon seems to attract the weirdos, don't you think?" one character accuses. Weirdos or not, the Barum Brethren may be dying out but the tight community still holds a lot of local power.
The novel opens with Matthew watching his father's funeral from afar, knowing he would not be welcome. He carries the bitterness of rejection, a remnant of hope of reconciliation. "Doubt was a cancer that grew unbidden," he knows.
Matthew went into police work because he sought the order and meaning lost when he left the Brethern. Isolated from the world while growing up, he was an outsider at university and dropped out. He is not a sociable man, he can be short and single-minded and stiff. But he is a good man.
Matthew is married to Jonathan, his opposite in many ways. Jonathan's dress is informal. He has a marvelous ability to connect to people. And he works for a community center, Woodyard, that includes a day center for special needs and offers classes to the public.
While at his father's funeral, Matthew was called when a dead body is found on the beach near his home. Simon Walden was new to the community and worked at the kitchen at Woodyard. Walden had a complicated life; he carried the burden of accidental homicide and had a history of alcoholism.
While Matthew and his team piece together the mystery of Walden's death, one of the day center women goes missing. The incidents may be related.
Matthew must reenter the Brethern community during his inquiry, which brings him face to face with the Brethern's spiritual leader. Then another day center woman goes missing. What Matthew discovers is a community cover-up of a hideous abuse of power.
I enjoyed Cleeve's story-telling and felt Matthew was remarkably sympathetic and well-drawn. I was propelled to continue reading the last half of the novel. I would read the next book in the series. And will soon be checking out Cleeve's television series!
I received access to a free book through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
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LibraryThing member tamidale
Ann Cleeves presents a very realistic police procedural in the first book of her new Two Rivers series. This was my first time reading Cleeves and I enjoyed the intricate mystery she presented.
In the beginning, things moved a bit slow, but this was still interesting enough to keep me engaged. With
Detective Matthew Venn and his two sidekicks, Jen and Ross, team up to track down all the clues to find the killer. Each one brings something unique to the investigation and I enjoyed reading how each one had their moment of triumph in discovering important information.
I loved the inclusion of the character’s with Down’s syndrome and how Detective Venn was understanding of their needs each time these character’s had to be interviewed.
Even though the story wrapped up, many of the characters have more layers to be revealed, which makes for a good reason to read what comes next in the Two Rivers series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for allowing me to read an advance copy and give an honest review.
In the beginning, things moved a bit slow, but this was still interesting enough to keep me engaged. With
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quite a few characters to choose from, it was fun trying to guess the killer.Detective Matthew Venn and his two sidekicks, Jen and Ross, team up to track down all the clues to find the killer. Each one brings something unique to the investigation and I enjoyed reading how each one had their moment of triumph in discovering important information.
I loved the inclusion of the character’s with Down’s syndrome and how Detective Venn was understanding of their needs each time these character’s had to be interviewed.
Even though the story wrapped up, many of the characters have more layers to be revealed, which makes for a good reason to read what comes next in the Two Rivers series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for allowing me to read an advance copy and give an honest review.
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LibraryThing member hubblegal
Detective Matthew Venn’s father has died. Venn is not welcome at the funeral so he stands outside. His family is part of a strict religious sect and when Venn left that community, he also left his family. Also, his mother blames him for his father’s death due to the shock of learning that
As he stands outside his father’s funeral, he’s called to the scene of an apparent murder. Simon Walden was a resident of a home owned by Caroline, the daughter of a trustee of Woodyard Centre. Caroline took Walden in when she learned that he was living with terrible guilt over a drunk driving accident which resulted in the death of a child. Matthew is torn between investigating this murder or withdrawing due to the conflict of his husband’s affiliation with Woodyard Centre.
I’ve long wanted to read Ann Cleeves books since I very much enjoyed the TV series “Vera”. When I saw that Ms. Cleeves was starting a new series, I knew this was the time to start reading her work. This is a very slow paced mystery so if you’re looking for a lot of excitement, you won’t really find it here. This author delves deeper than just setting up one thrill after another. She writes from the heart and her characters are very human with all their faults. I loved Matthew and Jonathan and Matthew’s sergeant, Jen. And I loved the British seaside setting. Matthew’s relationship with his family and Jonathan and the treatment of two young Down Syndrome girls are all handled with compassion. The mystery turned out to a heart-wrenching one. I’m looking forward to the next installment of this series and do hope it also makes it to the TV screen.
Recommended.
This book was given to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
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Matthew married a man by the name of Jonathan Church. Matthew and Jonathan are very happy together. Jonathan runs Woodyard Centre that houses a day-care center, an artist colony and a counselling service center.As he stands outside his father’s funeral, he’s called to the scene of an apparent murder. Simon Walden was a resident of a home owned by Caroline, the daughter of a trustee of Woodyard Centre. Caroline took Walden in when she learned that he was living with terrible guilt over a drunk driving accident which resulted in the death of a child. Matthew is torn between investigating this murder or withdrawing due to the conflict of his husband’s affiliation with Woodyard Centre.
I’ve long wanted to read Ann Cleeves books since I very much enjoyed the TV series “Vera”. When I saw that Ms. Cleeves was starting a new series, I knew this was the time to start reading her work. This is a very slow paced mystery so if you’re looking for a lot of excitement, you won’t really find it here. This author delves deeper than just setting up one thrill after another. She writes from the heart and her characters are very human with all their faults. I loved Matthew and Jonathan and Matthew’s sergeant, Jen. And I loved the British seaside setting. Matthew’s relationship with his family and Jonathan and the treatment of two young Down Syndrome girls are all handled with compassion. The mystery turned out to a heart-wrenching one. I’m looking forward to the next installment of this series and do hope it also makes it to the TV screen.
Recommended.
This book was given to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member BarbaraRogers
Barbara's rating: 3 of 5 stars
Series: Two Rivers #1
Publication Date: 9/3/19
Number of Pages: 384
I came across this book because I was searching for a new mystery series to read and love. I was really excited to get started on it, but what I found was a really slow-moving tale that could easily have
Detective Inspector Matthew Venn is originally from the Devon area and returned, after several years away, when he married his husband Jonathan. Jonathan and Matthew are polar opposites. Jonathan is a sociable soul full of wit and charm and Matthew is a prim and proper one who prefers to be more solitary.
The team of investigators that Matthew leads is also a disparate group who don’t really mesh but manage to solve the crime. Matthew is from a religious cult family who disowned him when he questioned their teachings. He is still more prude than not, even though he is gay. Jenn respects Matthew and thinks he is a good leader and a good man. Jen, however, has low self-esteem and a lot of self-doubts – mostly stemming from an abusive marriage. Then, there is Ross who just irritates everybody. Ross is a bit hyper and cannot be still and cannot be enclosed for any length of time. He’s also the golden boy of the Detective Chief Inspector Joe Oldham, who is in charge of their station, and that causes the others to resent him.
Matthew and his team are called to the scene of a murder on the beach at Crow Point, very near Matthew’s home. The man has been stabbed and there is nothing on his body to identify him. He has a tattoo of a large bird on his neck, but no other identifiable markings. When he is finally identified as Simon Walden, they find he is a derelict drunk with depression and other mental instabilities. Then, later, they find there is so much more to him.
When there are also two kidnappings of women with Down Syndrome added to the list of crimes to be solved, the intensity of the investigation has to be really stepped up. Matthew is sure the kidnappings are somehow related to the murder, but he can’t see what the connection would be.
You’ll be surprised by the wrap-up and solution to all of the crimes – at least I was. I had parts of it figured out, but not all – and I’m usually pretty good at figuring the mysteries out almost from the beginning.
I would have loved this mystery had it been less slow and plodding. If you don’t mind that, then I’d say that I recommend this book for you. However, if you are like me and lose patience with so much extraneous information and slow-moving investigations, then you might want to look elsewhere. The pace does pick up in the last twenty percent of the book if that is of any value to you.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: Two Rivers #1
Publication Date: 9/3/19
Number of Pages: 384
I came across this book because I was searching for a new mystery series to read and love. I was really excited to get started on it, but what I found was a really slow-moving tale that could easily have
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been one hundred pages shorter. The murder mystery was a good one with many layers and multiple suspects – I really was guessing until the end. For me, it didn’t excite me or interest me enough to continue with the series – even with the excellent mystery. It was more character-driven than event-driven and none of the characters really stood out – not even the main character Inspector Matthew Venn. I think I learned and understood much more about the secondary characters than I needed to know – and not as much about the primary characters as I needed/wanted. I actually think the most interesting character in the book was the victim.Detective Inspector Matthew Venn is originally from the Devon area and returned, after several years away, when he married his husband Jonathan. Jonathan and Matthew are polar opposites. Jonathan is a sociable soul full of wit and charm and Matthew is a prim and proper one who prefers to be more solitary.
The team of investigators that Matthew leads is also a disparate group who don’t really mesh but manage to solve the crime. Matthew is from a religious cult family who disowned him when he questioned their teachings. He is still more prude than not, even though he is gay. Jenn respects Matthew and thinks he is a good leader and a good man. Jen, however, has low self-esteem and a lot of self-doubts – mostly stemming from an abusive marriage. Then, there is Ross who just irritates everybody. Ross is a bit hyper and cannot be still and cannot be enclosed for any length of time. He’s also the golden boy of the Detective Chief Inspector Joe Oldham, who is in charge of their station, and that causes the others to resent him.
Matthew and his team are called to the scene of a murder on the beach at Crow Point, very near Matthew’s home. The man has been stabbed and there is nothing on his body to identify him. He has a tattoo of a large bird on his neck, but no other identifiable markings. When he is finally identified as Simon Walden, they find he is a derelict drunk with depression and other mental instabilities. Then, later, they find there is so much more to him.
When there are also two kidnappings of women with Down Syndrome added to the list of crimes to be solved, the intensity of the investigation has to be really stepped up. Matthew is sure the kidnappings are somehow related to the murder, but he can’t see what the connection would be.
You’ll be surprised by the wrap-up and solution to all of the crimes – at least I was. I had parts of it figured out, but not all – and I’m usually pretty good at figuring the mysteries out almost from the beginning.
I would have loved this mystery had it been less slow and plodding. If you don’t mind that, then I’d say that I recommend this book for you. However, if you are like me and lose patience with so much extraneous information and slow-moving investigations, then you might want to look elsewhere. The pace does pick up in the last twenty percent of the book if that is of any value to you.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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LibraryThing member kimkimkim
The long call - “an inarticulate howl of pain” - an apt description for much of this book. There are too many characters, with too many back stories, going in too many ways and doing too many things. This was a bit of a long slog.
There is a strange and unfortunate feeling of weakness attributed
Thank you NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for a copy.
There is a strange and unfortunate feeling of weakness attributed
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to the protagonist. The lead character, Matthew Venn, seems completely uncomfortable in his “own skin” unsure of his place, his thinking, his ability to lead the case and it just didn’t work for me. The story had great potential but the plodding uncertainties and the back and forth and more of the same were wearisome. Thank you NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for a copy.
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LibraryThing member cathyskye
For those of you still in mourning for the ending of Ann Cleeves' Shetland series, you have cause to rejoice. This new Two Rivers series featuring Matthew Venn has a powerhouse beginning in The Long Call, and I'm looking forward to more.
Cleeves has chosen another atmospheric setting for her new
Matthew Venn is the sort of insightful, compassionate main character that readers should love. Raised by strict evangelical Christians, Venn is a quiet man. Buttoned down. Very self-contained. He's also more than brave enough to stand up for himself and his beliefs, leaving that religious sect and eventually becoming a policeman and marrying Jonathan, an outgoing, caring man who manages the Woodyard, a vital part of the community of Barnstaple. Their chalk-and-cheese personality traits are just what each of them needs to keep themselves on an even keel. One more thing about Matthew Venn? He's so good at listening that he reminds me a bit of Jimmy Perez, you Shetland fans.
Venn also has an interesting team to work with. Constable Ross May is the Detective Chief Inspector's golden boy, and everyone knows that they have to be careful of what they say around him. May is also young and impetuous and has a lot to learn. On the other hand, Venn believes Sergeant Jen Rafferty is probably the best detective he's ever worked with. Rafferty is the single mother of two who escaped an abusive husband. She has guts, spirit, loves to laugh, and can be a lot of fun... when she's not investigating a murder.
Although I didn't find either the crimes or those who committed them to be very surprising, I didn't care. As an introduction to a new series, The Long Call is superb. Ann Cleeves weaves spells when she tells a story. Now all I have to do is wait to be trapped willingly in the web of the next one.
Cleeves has chosen another atmospheric setting for her new
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series, the coastal area of North Devon. This land of water and sky and "...the cry of the herring gull, the sound naturalists named the long call, the cry which always sounded to him like an inarticulate howl of pain" is woven through every inch of the story until it is a character in and of itself.Matthew Venn is the sort of insightful, compassionate main character that readers should love. Raised by strict evangelical Christians, Venn is a quiet man. Buttoned down. Very self-contained. He's also more than brave enough to stand up for himself and his beliefs, leaving that religious sect and eventually becoming a policeman and marrying Jonathan, an outgoing, caring man who manages the Woodyard, a vital part of the community of Barnstaple. Their chalk-and-cheese personality traits are just what each of them needs to keep themselves on an even keel. One more thing about Matthew Venn? He's so good at listening that he reminds me a bit of Jimmy Perez, you Shetland fans.
Venn also has an interesting team to work with. Constable Ross May is the Detective Chief Inspector's golden boy, and everyone knows that they have to be careful of what they say around him. May is also young and impetuous and has a lot to learn. On the other hand, Venn believes Sergeant Jen Rafferty is probably the best detective he's ever worked with. Rafferty is the single mother of two who escaped an abusive husband. She has guts, spirit, loves to laugh, and can be a lot of fun... when she's not investigating a murder.
Although I didn't find either the crimes or those who committed them to be very surprising, I didn't care. As an introduction to a new series, The Long Call is superb. Ann Cleeves weaves spells when she tells a story. Now all I have to do is wait to be trapped willingly in the web of the next one.
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LibraryThing member Beamis12
A new series from Sleeves takes us to North Devon, and introduces us to police detective Matthew Venn. Venn, an ex member of the religious sect the Brethren has been booted out for non belief. He and his husband Jonathan live on the shore, where a body of a young man will be discovered.
An
ARC from Netgalley.
An
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interesting case that unravels many different threads, uncovering multiple layers that will drag others into its net. Really, Cleve has the enviable knack of conjuring atmospheric reads and characters with fascinating back stories. In fact, I read today that this new series has already been optioned for a TV series. I have a feeling Matthew will grow on me in subsequent reads as the series progresses. That said, I will still miss Shetland and Jimmy Perez. ARC from Netgalley.
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LibraryThing member KateBaxter
Such a great start to a new police procedural mystery series by renowned author, Ann Cleeves.
Recently appointed Detective Inspector Matthew Venn stands circumspect outside the chapel where his estranged father is memorialized and his mother weeps. The family belonged to a strict Brethren order
Cleeves is brilliant in her character development and her understanding of police procedural protocols. She has created fresh and incredibly believable characters for the story. Each has their outstanding qualities as well as a few idiosyncrasies and/or shortfalls. Suit-wearing DI Venn is certainly the leading character with strong supporting roles by brown-noser (to the DCI) DC Ross May, party girl and mother of teens Sergeant Jen Rafferty, Matthew's husband and community center administrator Johnathon Church as well as a cadre of unique and interesting tertiary characters. The writing is mature and exquisitely crafted. The interplay of characters is rich and complex displaying mental health issues, impaired cognitive skills or even some who suffer from excessive wealth with their delusions of superiority. Each has differing ideas as to what is good for all. Ann Cleeves is off to a great start on this new series and I eagerly await the next book featuring DI Matthew Venn and his grand cast of supporting characters.
I am grateful to author Ann Cleaves and publisher, St. Martin's Press, for having provided a free e-copy of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Synopsis (from publisher's website):
The Long Call is the captivating first novel in the Two Rivers series from Sunday Times bestseller and creator of Vera and Shetland, Ann Cleeves.
In North Devon, where the rivers Taw and Torridge converge and run into the sea, Detective Matthew Venn stands outside the church as his father's funeral takes place. The day Matthew turned his back on the strict evangelical community in which he grew up, he lost his family too.
Now he's back, not just to mourn his father at a distance, but to take charge of his first major case in the Two Rivers region; a complex place not quite as idyllic as tourists suppose.
A body has been found on the beach near to Matthew's new home: a man with the tattoo of an albatross on his neck, stabbed to death.
Finding the killer is Venn’s only focus, and his team’s investigation will take him straight back into the community he left behind, and the deadly secrets that lurk there.
Recently appointed Detective Inspector Matthew Venn stands circumspect outside the chapel where his estranged father is memorialized and his mother weeps. The family belonged to a strict Brethren order
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which Matthew could not follow. Doing so would be tantamount to denying his own nature. Upon that same day, a body is discovered at Crow Point where the Taw and Torridge rivers converge. Matthew is called to the scene where it is discovered that it wasn't just a body upon the sand but a murdered one. So begins the tale.Cleeves is brilliant in her character development and her understanding of police procedural protocols. She has created fresh and incredibly believable characters for the story. Each has their outstanding qualities as well as a few idiosyncrasies and/or shortfalls. Suit-wearing DI Venn is certainly the leading character with strong supporting roles by brown-noser (to the DCI) DC Ross May, party girl and mother of teens Sergeant Jen Rafferty, Matthew's husband and community center administrator Johnathon Church as well as a cadre of unique and interesting tertiary characters. The writing is mature and exquisitely crafted. The interplay of characters is rich and complex displaying mental health issues, impaired cognitive skills or even some who suffer from excessive wealth with their delusions of superiority. Each has differing ideas as to what is good for all. Ann Cleeves is off to a great start on this new series and I eagerly await the next book featuring DI Matthew Venn and his grand cast of supporting characters.
I am grateful to author Ann Cleaves and publisher, St. Martin's Press, for having provided a free e-copy of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Synopsis (from publisher's website):
The Long Call is the captivating first novel in the Two Rivers series from Sunday Times bestseller and creator of Vera and Shetland, Ann Cleeves.
In North Devon, where the rivers Taw and Torridge converge and run into the sea, Detective Matthew Venn stands outside the church as his father's funeral takes place. The day Matthew turned his back on the strict evangelical community in which he grew up, he lost his family too.
Now he's back, not just to mourn his father at a distance, but to take charge of his first major case in the Two Rivers region; a complex place not quite as idyllic as tourists suppose.
A body has been found on the beach near to Matthew's new home: a man with the tattoo of an albatross on his neck, stabbed to death.
Finding the killer is Venn’s only focus, and his team’s investigation will take him straight back into the community he left behind, and the deadly secrets that lurk there.
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LibraryThing member Dokfintong
Ann Cleeves wrote "Shetland"
Until I started writing this review I did not know that Ann Cleeves' books are the basis for the 2013 TV series "Shetland" that I enjoyed so much. This new "Two Rivers" series promises to be as satisfying.
Matthew Venn, now a police detective, is making a life with his
A mentally distressed man is murdered. A handicapped woman is kidnapped and released unharmed. There seems, at first, to be no reason for the killing or the kidnapping, but as Detective Venn pushes forward with the investigation and discovers the links between the murdered man and the kidnapped woman, he uncovers more and more unsavory hints of abuse and cover-up. I found the ending a bit improbable but no so strange as to disrupt my enjoyment of the story. Other reviewers complain about the slow pacing, but I didn't mind.
I received a review copy of "The Long Call: The Two Rivers Series" by Ann Cleeves from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley.com.
Until I started writing this review I did not know that Ann Cleeves' books are the basis for the 2013 TV series "Shetland" that I enjoyed so much. This new "Two Rivers" series promises to be as satisfying.
Matthew Venn, now a police detective, is making a life with his
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husband in his home village. Being near to home is an advantage and a distraction to him. He knows the territory well but his personal history of the place and the people sometimes intrudes on his objectivity. But he is a good copper and knows the limits of his conflict of interest.A mentally distressed man is murdered. A handicapped woman is kidnapped and released unharmed. There seems, at first, to be no reason for the killing or the kidnapping, but as Detective Venn pushes forward with the investigation and discovers the links between the murdered man and the kidnapped woman, he uncovers more and more unsavory hints of abuse and cover-up. I found the ending a bit improbable but no so strange as to disrupt my enjoyment of the story. Other reviewers complain about the slow pacing, but I didn't mind.
I received a review copy of "The Long Call: The Two Rivers Series" by Ann Cleeves from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley.com.
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LibraryThing member smik
Set in North Devon near Barnstaple with a new detective Matthew Venn, married to Jonathon Church who has set up and manages The Woodyard, a centre offering, among other things, learning disability services.
The body found on the beach is identified as an ex-soldier who has been volunteering in the
The novel opens with Matthew Venn watching his father's funeral from a distance, long estranged from his parents when he chose to leave the Brethren in his first year at university.
This new series has given Ann Cleeves scope to create interesting new characters and different settings.
So there is a lot of background to learn, a new police investigative team, and then some interesting plot threads.
A good read.
I have followed Ann Cleeves since first reading the first novels in the Shetland series, and then meeting Vera Stanhope. I look forward to reading the second in this new series.
The body found on the beach is identified as an ex-soldier who has been volunteering in the
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kitchen at the centre.The novel opens with Matthew Venn watching his father's funeral from a distance, long estranged from his parents when he chose to leave the Brethren in his first year at university.
This new series has given Ann Cleeves scope to create interesting new characters and different settings.
So there is a lot of background to learn, a new police investigative team, and then some interesting plot threads.
A good read.
I have followed Ann Cleeves since first reading the first novels in the Shetland series, and then meeting Vera Stanhope. I look forward to reading the second in this new series.
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LibraryThing member eyes.2c
Death stalks a North Devon community
A complex mystery set in North Devon in an area near the mouth of the estuary, where the Taw met the Torridge and flowed into the Atlantic. Detective Matthew Venn has taken up a position in the community of his childhood. An unforgiving upbringing governed by the
As an avid fan of Shetland and Vera I'm looking forward to where Matthew Venn might go in the future.
A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley
A complex mystery set in North Devon in an area near the mouth of the estuary, where the Taw met the Torridge and flowed into the Atlantic. Detective Matthew Venn has taken up a position in the community of his childhood. An unforgiving upbringing governed by the
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strangling strictures of the ultra conservative religious community he was part of formed him. As the story unfolds Cleeves sets the scene with what seems like disjointed events that will all have relevance as situations unfold coalescing into a fascinating end. His father's funeral Matthew views from afar, a stabbing, a missing girl with disabilities from the center that Matthew's male partner is in charge of, confrontation with the church leader, a powerful backing of the center, the backer's daughter and her housemate a talented artist. Add to this a couple of interesting detectives assisting Matthew and all will mesh to make a surprising whole. The very complexity of this mystery on several levels makes it a great read.As an avid fan of Shetland and Vera I'm looking forward to where Matthew Venn might go in the future.
A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley
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LibraryThing member Darcia
I'm just going to rip off the Band-Aid: I was bored with this book.
To start with, the pace is oh so slow and the mood just feels dull.
Then we have a large cast of characters, none of whom I found even remotely interesting. DI Matthew Venn wallows in self-doubt to the point that I wondered how he
The plot, as far as the murder mystery, is a basic whodunit. We have a lot of storylines alongside the plot, such as Venn's issues with his homosexuality and religious upbringing, his female partner's sexual adventures and desires, an older man struggling with the loss of his wife and the future for his daughter who has Down's Syndrome, and two unlikable female roommates with an odd relationship and whatever secrets they were keeping. It's a lot of distraction that amounts to not much of anything.
The setting has potential but never comes alive. I didn't get a good sense of place with the area, nor did I get much sense of the atmosphere inside The Woodyard.
At the 53% mark on my Kindle, when still nothing much was happening, I gave up because I honestly didn't care who did it or why.
*I received a review copy from the publisher, via NetGalley.*
To start with, the pace is oh so slow and the mood just feels dull.
Then we have a large cast of characters, none of whom I found even remotely interesting. DI Matthew Venn wallows in self-doubt to the point that I wondered how he
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functioned as a cop. I wanted to empathize with him, but I only felt irritation. The plot, as far as the murder mystery, is a basic whodunit. We have a lot of storylines alongside the plot, such as Venn's issues with his homosexuality and religious upbringing, his female partner's sexual adventures and desires, an older man struggling with the loss of his wife and the future for his daughter who has Down's Syndrome, and two unlikable female roommates with an odd relationship and whatever secrets they were keeping. It's a lot of distraction that amounts to not much of anything.
The setting has potential but never comes alive. I didn't get a good sense of place with the area, nor did I get much sense of the atmosphere inside The Woodyard.
At the 53% mark on my Kindle, when still nothing much was happening, I gave up because I honestly didn't care who did it or why.
*I received a review copy from the publisher, via NetGalley.*
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LibraryThing member diana.hauser
THE LONG CALL by Ann Cleeves. This is Book 1 of her Two Rivers series.
Ann Cleeves needs no introduction. She is a brilliant author best known for her Vera Stanhope series and the Shetland Mystery series featuring Jimmy Perez.
In THE LONG CALL, Ms. Cleeves introduces Matthew Venn, a detective in
This new series, this new title, does not disappoint. It is rich in complex characters, intertwining plot points and a tremendous sense of place. (I love the map!)
I would heartily recommend this book. 5 Stars *****
Ann Cleeves needs no introduction. She is a brilliant author best known for her Vera Stanhope series and the Shetland Mystery series featuring Jimmy Perez.
In THE LONG CALL, Ms. Cleeves introduces Matthew Venn, a detective in
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England’s North Devon area. This new series, this new title, does not disappoint. It is rich in complex characters, intertwining plot points and a tremendous sense of place. (I love the map!)
I would heartily recommend this book. 5 Stars *****
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LibraryThing member ivydtruitt
THE LONG CALL, Ms. Cleeves' return, is bound to delight many current fans and garner more.
Distinctive, detailed characters, strong sense of place, and tight plotting tick the top 3 boxes on my list, though not necessarily in that order. Not figuring out the who, what, & why, ahead of time is a
Despite these elements THE LONG CALL wass easy to put down & forget about. Why didn't I like it more?
Personally speaking, there wasn't a connection with any of the characters. I didn't dislike them, I simply didn't care. It was a detached, distant reading experience for me. No engagement at all.
So, while it ticked most of my boxes THE LONG CALL missed the most crucial mark.
I received an ARC via NetGalley, my thoughts and opinion are my own.
Distinctive, detailed characters, strong sense of place, and tight plotting tick the top 3 boxes on my list, though not necessarily in that order. Not figuring out the who, what, & why, ahead of time is a
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bonus.Despite these elements THE LONG CALL wass easy to put down & forget about. Why didn't I like it more?
Personally speaking, there wasn't a connection with any of the characters. I didn't dislike them, I simply didn't care. It was a detached, distant reading experience for me. No engagement at all.
So, while it ticked most of my boxes THE LONG CALL missed the most crucial mark.
I received an ARC via NetGalley, my thoughts and opinion are my own.
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LibraryThing member quondame
Mathew Venn is unusual in my experience of characters who are police detectives. No tendency to violence and little to temper, his personal issues are less about specific traumatic events or bad habits and more the result of a thinking person growing up in a community of faith. The characters, the whiff Oriental Express communal effort to be the only real flaw. 🌈
It's lovely to become acquainted with a writer with such a promising bibliography.
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setting, and communities which resulted in the murder and subsequent events are all excellently presented. I found the pace ever so slightly slower than I prefer, and It's lovely to become acquainted with a writer with such a promising bibliography.
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LibraryThing member AVoraciousReader
Book source ~ NetGalley
Detective Matthew Venn left his roots behind when he went to college and discovered the strict evangelical community he grew up in was crap. It’s while he’s lurking outside his father’s funeral many years later that he gets a call that there’s a body on the beach. He
This is a solid but slow moving mystery that connects several things together. I like Matthew Venn and his team as well as his husband Jonathan and the place he manages, the Woodyard. In other words, I really like the world and the characters. It’s not an exciting heart-racing page-turner, but the mystery is compelling and Matthew’s flaws, strengths, intuition, and sound detective work are what drives it forward. I’d read more in this series.
Detective Matthew Venn left his roots behind when he went to college and discovered the strict evangelical community he grew up in was crap. It’s while he’s lurking outside his father’s funeral many years later that he gets a call that there’s a body on the beach. He
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has no clue that this case will crash land him right back into the community he walked away from.This is a solid but slow moving mystery that connects several things together. I like Matthew Venn and his team as well as his husband Jonathan and the place he manages, the Woodyard. In other words, I really like the world and the characters. It’s not an exciting heart-racing page-turner, but the mystery is compelling and Matthew’s flaws, strengths, intuition, and sound detective work are what drives it forward. I’d read more in this series.
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LibraryThing member Laura400
While it seems a lot of other reviewers here found The Long Call too slow-going, I found it engaging, thoughtful and well-written, and read it quickly. Perhaps the key indicator of whether you'll enjoy this is whether you've enjoyed reading her other series. Just as in Vera and Shetland, the main
There is only one actual murder in this book, so we spend a lot of time, comparatively, getting to know the two principal police officers and the setting. But it is the first of a planned series. There are other sources of suspense, and other big issues, as the story develops, and very little is straightforward, intentionally. It's fair to say that the solution to the murder gets short shrift in all the churning background, and there's a lot of withholding by the author until the very end. On the other hand, the whodunnit bit and most of the motive isn't hard to work out, even though some of the reasons aren't made clear until nearly the end. Maybe that's like a real investigation, though. I thought it was a very good book.
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police detective in The Long Call is quiet and introverted, and works where he grew up, so he spends a lot of mental energy grappling with the past and family issues. There's also a strong sense of place here, just as the other two.There is only one actual murder in this book, so we spend a lot of time, comparatively, getting to know the two principal police officers and the setting. But it is the first of a planned series. There are other sources of suspense, and other big issues, as the story develops, and very little is straightforward, intentionally. It's fair to say that the solution to the murder gets short shrift in all the churning background, and there's a lot of withholding by the author until the very end. On the other hand, the whodunnit bit and most of the motive isn't hard to work out, even though some of the reasons aren't made clear until nearly the end. Maybe that's like a real investigation, though. I thought it was a very good book.
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LibraryThing member EdGoldberg
A dead body is found on the beach and it is Matthew Venn's job to find the killer. The problem is the dead person, Simon Walden, worked at the care center run by Matthew's husband, Jonathan. Should he recuse himself or go forward with the investigation?
In addition, a child with Down's Syndrome who
The author of the Shetland series and the Vera series has created another character in Matthew Venn. Unfortunately he doesn't have the same charisma as the actors starring in the two series mentioned above.
The Long Call is nothing more than adequate.
In addition, a child with Down's Syndrome who
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attends the center was raped but no charges were pressed because 'who would believe a witness with Down's Syndrome'?The author of the Shetland series and the Vera series has created another character in Matthew Venn. Unfortunately he doesn't have the same charisma as the actors starring in the two series mentioned above.
The Long Call is nothing more than adequate.
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LibraryThing member Perednia
Excellent debut of Detective Matthew Venn, his team and his husband. Story begins slowly but oh, how it all ties together and comes to a strong finish. Looking forward to getting to know these characters even better and seeing how they develop.
Awards
Agatha Award (Nominee — Contemporary Novel — 2019)
Theakstons Old Peculier Prize (Longlist — 2020)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2019-09-05
Physical description
400 p.; 8.2 inches
ISBN
1250204453 / 9781250204455