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stmchester's review against another edition
3.0
Low-key mystery with interesting characters & setting. But pretty slow moving & it fizzled out when the mystery was solved. I'll keep reading this series as it evolves, but this one is not a must-read.
lotmak's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
katielew6's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Cozy mystery set in England. Read while up at the Destefani’s for the first ski of the season. Likeable characters and enjoyed trying to guess the killer. Good, but not wowing, reveal.
kate66's review against another edition
5.0
I like lots of things about Ann Cleeves' books. One of which is her ability to create believable detectives. Matthew Venn is not a cuddly character but neither was Vera or Jimmy. However he does provide a great counterpoint to Jen Rafferty's friendliness and Ross's desire to be liked and to be seen to be successful. The characters' private lives are given more page space in this book but there's never so much that the story becomes about them.
There's no point me talking about the plot because, as always, it's beautifully crafted; it involves various peculiar characters all of whom could have "dunnit" and, as usual, I didn't guess the killer.
Another great book from Ms Cleeves. I look forward to more Vera or Matthew ... or both please.
There's no point me talking about the plot because, as always, it's beautifully crafted; it involves various peculiar characters all of whom could have "dunnit" and, as usual, I didn't guess the killer.
Another great book from Ms Cleeves. I look forward to more Vera or Matthew ... or both please.
lauries69's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
al27caro's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Very good but so many characters make it confusing at first.
quollologist's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Murder, Suicide, and Death of parent
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
4.0
If you pick this one up, be ready to tuck in. The story will suck you in and keep you until the end! Although this is book 2, you don't have to have read book 1 in order to enjoy this story. It's tied to the main character, Matthew Venn, as he investigates murders.
This was a perplexing case. There is a huge cast, but they are all tied together in small ways and make it easier to keep names/jobs/relationships connected as the narrators are always bumping in to someone in town.
In this, you get a few POV, but each one opens the story up a bit more so you can see what was happening somewhere at a particular time. Even with these little bits of added information, I spent the whole story grasping at straws wondering who on earth was doing it! I did like the bits that felt very relevant and now (the suicide chat room, the addictions and depression) and I thought each added to the story and weren't used just for shock value. However, the ending was surprising and well-crafted.
Now I'm really excited to read the next one!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This was a perplexing case. There is a huge cast, but they are all tied together in small ways and make it easier to keep names/jobs/relationships connected as the narrators are always bumping in to someone in town.
In this, you get a few POV, but each one opens the story up a bit more so you can see what was happening somewhere at a particular time. Even with these little bits of added information, I spent the whole story grasping at straws wondering who on earth was doing it! I did like the bits that felt very relevant and now (the suicide chat room, the addictions and depression) and I thought each added to the story and weren't used just for shock value. However, the ending was surprising and well-crafted.
Now I'm really excited to read the next one!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
kansas_girl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Heron’s Cry is Ann Cleeves second installment in the Two Rivers Series, featuring Detective Matthew Venn, and she is well on her way to fulfilling the promise of the first of this series. Atmospheric and engaging, this sequel to The Long Call further explores the intriguing character of Matthew Venn, still working through his personal insecurities, who is nonetheless insightful, brilliant and completely in control of his team of quirky investigators in a North Devon police department. A gruesome murder at an artists’ conclave brings Venn and his team into a world of convoluted relationships, interwoven with the suicide of a young man with mental insecurities. Cleeves’ plots are always complex and thoughtful, with characters who are deeply realized even as minor figures. With this novel, Cleeves is at the top of her game—subtle, mesmerizing, and sophisticated.