Reviews with content warning for Murder - The Heron's Cry

A beautifully written story. Wonderful scenery and imagery. I love how Cleeves normalizes all of the different types of families. I was dissatisfied with who the murderer turned out to be. I imagined a much more interesting bad guy.

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what_heather_loves's review

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emotional mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

"Jonathan nodded towards the heron. 'Those birds always remind me of you. So patient. Just willing to wait. Entirely focused on their prey.' A pause. 'I wish I could be more like that. But I jump in, all splash and nose.'
'I've never heard one call', Matthew said.
'That's like you too then. Silent. I' m never quite sure what you're thinking.'
Matthew didn't know what to say. He wanted to tell Jonathan that he lived him just the way he was, but it would have sounded trite..."

Back in North Devon for book 2 of the Three Rivers DI Matthew Venn series sees more rural drama. The brutal death of a popular man, an unlikely victim, sees Venn and his team digging into local suicides, fraught relationships and the benefits and disbenefits of incomers. Living on a commune of sorts with a farming family and creatives, the plot explores how a controversial local businessman and philanthropist chooses to spend his money and whether it's viewed as benevolent paternalism or controlling gentrification. All handled calmly by considered and reliable Venn, who is very likeable. His outgoing husband Jonathan and detectives Ross and Jen are recurring characters whose home lives are also explored.

Solidly set in its rural location, the coastal nature, it's wildlife, language, customs and culture, along with its summer time-frame, make for a relaxing read. A 'traditional mystery of the best sort' (The Guardian), it reminds me how much I enjoy series novels, as opposed to thrillers: a well-set, rural police procedural with equally well-drawn recurring and new characters. It's not gruesome, but neither is it cosy, with plenty of secrets and mystery - it feels familarily and reassuringly British and, most importantly, a thoroughly enjoyable read. Will be loved by fans of the author, as well as fans of Elly Griffiths and LJ Ross.

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edilund's review

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dark mysterious relaxing tense medium-paced

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linguisticali's review against another edition

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dark mysterious

3.5

A decent mystery, but not as good as the first one. I'm not totally comfortable with how they can only ever refer to Lucy in terms of her learning disability and there was a hint of

sympathy towards the idea that it's reasonable for disabled people's family members to snap and kill them? But to be fair that didn't come through strongly. Maybe it's growing up in the era of pro-ana forums and easy to find suicide tips but all the forum stuff felt overblown to me.

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angelfireeast24's review

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emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Great mystery kept me on the edge of of seat. I loved the characters and I enjoyed the ones I disliked which is a sign of strong writing. Highly recommend reading

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stelepami's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense

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

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