Reviews

Døden på stranden by Ann Cleeves

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brettcarl's review against another edition

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

bookish_emily's review against another edition

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4.0

One morning in a quiet town in southern England, a woman walking her dog discovers a man's body on the beach. At first thought an accident, it is then discovered that the man was stabbed to death. DI Matthew Venn, recently returned to his hometown, is placed in charge of the case. As the investigation continues, it seems to revolve more and more around The Woodyard, an arts center for the community and a place for learning-disabled adults to receive care during the day. Unfortunately for Matthew, his husband Jonathan is one of the chief administrators there. When one of the adults with Downs syndrome goes missing, Matthew must put aside his personal attachments and rely on his team to solve the case before it's too late.

The Long Call is the start of a new series from acclaimed mystery writer Ann Cleeves. It is well-plotted and has interesting characters. At times it is very obvious that the book is setting up for a series, rather than focusing on the individual storyline of the novel, but that isn't too much of a detractor. It's a good read for fans of atmospheric mysteries.

bookph1le's review against another edition

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4.0

A really well-done mystery that kept me guessing until almost the end. The characters are well-drawn and complex, and the setting was very vivid. This is my first book by Cleeves and I can see why she's such a popular author. This was a great example of a well-drawn British mystery that relies on human nature and human foibles rather than convoluted plot twists to create an engaging, page-turning mystery. I'll definitely be back for more.