A review by gabmc
The Long Call by Ann Cleeves

4.0

This is the first book in a new series by Ann Cleeves, who also writes the 'Vera' and 'Shetland' books. Detective Matthew Venn and his team are called to a dead body in a beautiful location on a beach quite near where Matthew lives. Matthew has just been at the funeral of his estranged father. He was brought up in a religious sect known as "The Brethren" but could no longer be a member when he came out to his parents. His husband, Jonathon, manages The Woodyard - a community that supports the arts, people with disabilities and learning about the local area. The dead man, Simon Walden, volunteered in the kitchen at The Woodyard. As Matthew investigates Simon's murder, a woman, Christine, who goes to the day centre at The Woodyard disappears, possibly kidnapped. There are several powerful men on the Board of Trustees of The Woodyard who seem to be closing ranks. I really enjoyed getting to know these new characters and new locations.