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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.
shopthebookworm's review against another edition
3.0
If you like a mystery, then this is your book. The characters are what are interesting. The dynamics of a small town English police force...where nobody is perfect. The killer came as a complete shock.
wanderlustsleeping's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
3.75
Too many red herrings, but an enjoyable read! The part with Matthew’s Mom was really good. The last few lines!
Will be picking up the next one!
Will be picking up the next one!
inhisbluegardens's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.5
The sequel to The Long Call, DI Venn is called to a dramatic case within a community of artists in rural North Devon. The murder victim is one Dr Yeo, a respected and seemingly beloved individual, and the murder weapon appears to be a shard of glass belonging to his daughter's artwork. Disturbingly, his daughter is close to Venn's husband Jonathan and the couple's personal lives become more and more entangled in the case.
There was a larger cast of players in this story and I think the details got a wee bit muddled at some points, compared to the first book. It didn't feel quite as concise as I would have liked but I did still enjoy it. It deals with some heavy themes of mental illness sensitively but realistically and I don't feel like the reader is pandered to, either. There was some really great insight into familiar secondary characters, particularly DS Rafferty, and I hope this continues in future books.
There was a larger cast of players in this story and I think the details got a wee bit muddled at some points, compared to the first book. It didn't feel quite as concise as I would have liked but I did still enjoy it. It deals with some heavy themes of mental illness sensitively but realistically and I don't feel like the reader is pandered to, either. There was some really great insight into familiar secondary characters, particularly DS Rafferty, and I hope this continues in future books.
norrieaga's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know...I enjoyed The Darkest Evening so much more. The characters in this series are not steeped in the same levels of soul as in Cleeves other two series. The land is not a character like it is in Shetland or Vera, it's not even much of a background compared to those series....however, I came to know both of those after multiple installations had been written and had already seen their respective Tv shows.
I can imagine that I will grow in fondness and familiarity with the places over time, but I really only liked one protagonist (Jen Rafterty).
I found some characters to be really flat, and I still don't quite see how one of the villains came to be villainous. Which is one of my least favorite ways to feel after reading the end of a mystery. It was decent, and I will read decent Ann Cleeves writing any day.
I can imagine that I will grow in fondness and familiarity with the places over time, but I really only liked one protagonist (Jen Rafterty).
I found some characters to be really flat, and I still don't quite see how one of the villains came to be villainous. Which is one of my least favorite ways to feel after reading the end of a mystery. It was decent, and I will read decent Ann Cleeves writing any day.
panamarenka's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
thisandthatwithkaren's review against another edition
5.0
“The Herons Cry" by Ann Cleeves the 2nd instalment in her Two Rivers Mystery Series. Which I’m super excited is being made into a tv series like her Shetland and Vera books.
I enjoyed going back to North Devon and the world of DI Mathew Venn, and his quirks but I liked how the author also let’s us see into the lives of the other characters just as much. We learned a lot more this time, and I liked how Lucy still played a part.
The story focused on mental illness, and the stress it can have on the NHS, family and the person suffering. The mystery had lots of sub plots that it kept me guessing till the very end.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from the publisher and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have also pre-ordered hardcover copy for my home library
I enjoyed going back to North Devon and the world of DI Mathew Venn, and his quirks but I liked how the author also let’s us see into the lives of the other characters just as much. We learned a lot more this time, and I liked how Lucy still played a part.
The story focused on mental illness, and the stress it can have on the NHS, family and the person suffering. The mystery had lots of sub plots that it kept me guessing till the very end.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from the publisher and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have also pre-ordered hardcover copy for my home library
and_britt's review against another edition
3.0
A constant change of events leads from one obstacle to the next. The way the characters intermingle and navigate their lives plays a vital role in the hopes of solving this complex mystery. The intricate details helps the reader better imagine themselves into the story to figure out what happened and who done it.