Reviews

The Long Call by Ann Cleeves

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kennedien's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 Really enjoyable. I call this wholesome crime fiction. Sure terrible things are happening but the people involved and around town are very nice. It just didn’t blow me away, more of an easy pleasant read than a rollercoaster of a thriller.

craigpwmoroney's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny inspiring relaxing sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

mezzoir's review against another edition

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3.0

It was an OK read and will improve as the series develops. Vera is still my favourite Cleeves character.

testaroscia's review against another edition

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3.0

Rather than start Shetland and Vera series (I will eventually) I decided to come closer to Home and North Devon. A fine book, with obvious craft. Maybe driven through on automatic rather than manual gear shift as the pacing is consistent never really picking up but not allowing itself a slow down either.

dunnadam's review against another edition

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5.0

A nice leisurely read that I really enjoyed. It played out like a TV movie for me, and I cast Douglas Henshall as the lead in my head.

cecile87's review against another edition

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3.0

I thought the story plodded a bit, but overall it was an interesting police procedural. Along the way, it personalized groups of people that are typically stereotyped and made inhuman or subhuman. The only group that was perhaps more harshly treated were the members of the religious cult.

I’ve no sympathies for that group, however; judgmental, scornful, hypocritical, unforgiving. Doesn’t sound like what Jesus would practice to me. Why have so many interpreted what I call Mesopotamian folktales in such punitive ways towards others? I guess to control.

Some reviews didn’t like the attitude towards religious types and perceived a political agenda. Why is it political when they happen to disagree? Why is it an agenda when they happen to disagree?

I appreciated the avoidance of gratuitous victimization of the protagonist, which other mysteries can’t seem to avoid.

Anyway, I would have liked to find out if the protagonist’s mom would accept the mentioned invitation to visit that was proposes at the end.

karenhillwood22's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Detective Matthew Venn working with colleagues Jen & golden boy Ross look into who murdered a man found on the beach. Abduction, abuse, secrets and lies unfold. A good 'who done it' detective novel.

katiegilley's review against another edition

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4.0

Since finishing the Shetland series by Ann Cleeves, I was looking forward to meeting her new detective, Matthew Venn. And what a lovely and thoughtful man he is! I enjoyed meeting his partner, Jonathan, and their cozy home. And I'm so intrigued about Matthew's upbringing and hope that Cleeves revisits it in her upcoming novels. This mystery kept me on my toes - I couldn't guess the killer or motive until the very end. Exactly as it should be!

brettcarl's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

Typical mass-market crime-thriller thar lacks depth, nuance, insightful, but most importantly, intrigue and entertainment. What a shame.

gmamartha's review against another edition

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mysterious tense

3.0

Content Warnings

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