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A review by marilynw
The Heron's Cry by Ann Cleeves
4.0
The Heron's Cry (Two Rivers #2) by Ann Cleeves
We are back with DI Matthew Venn, still dressing like an undertaker, DS Jen Rafferty, still drinking too much, and DC Ross May, still acting like he's better than everyone else, when deep down he's not feeling so secure about his life. There's been a murder and Jen spent time with the victim the night before, because the victim needed to talk to her about something, but she was too drunk for decent conversation. Everything is too close for comfort, with all kinds of connections between the various characters, confusing the picture and sending the team in too many directions.
The victim, Dr. Nigel Yeo, seemed to be a good man, who was trying to right wrongs. Before too long there is another body and maybe some past deaths might be connected to the present deaths. This is a very slow burn and the team does their foot work, while the list of suspicious people grows by the minute. Guilt is a theme that is a big part of this story. Guilt about the past, guilt about what was done and not done, and trying to find the guilty party/parties for past and present wrongs. No one wants to suspect friends or relatives of friends, everyone feels defensive, and there are just not enough hours in the day and night to solve these crimes while giving the home front the attention it needs.
The story belongs to the characters and I've enjoyed how this little world is built. I look forward to more from this series, in the future. Will Matthew ever wear a wrinkled shirt, will Jen ever rise above takeout for her kids, and can Ross stop trying to climb the ladder and instead be happy to do the job he has now?
Publication September 7th 2021
Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
We are back with DI Matthew Venn, still dressing like an undertaker, DS Jen Rafferty, still drinking too much, and DC Ross May, still acting like he's better than everyone else, when deep down he's not feeling so secure about his life. There's been a murder and Jen spent time with the victim the night before, because the victim needed to talk to her about something, but she was too drunk for decent conversation. Everything is too close for comfort, with all kinds of connections between the various characters, confusing the picture and sending the team in too many directions.
The victim, Dr. Nigel Yeo, seemed to be a good man, who was trying to right wrongs. Before too long there is another body and maybe some past deaths might be connected to the present deaths. This is a very slow burn and the team does their foot work, while the list of suspicious people grows by the minute. Guilt is a theme that is a big part of this story. Guilt about the past, guilt about what was done and not done, and trying to find the guilty party/parties for past and present wrongs. No one wants to suspect friends or relatives of friends, everyone feels defensive, and there are just not enough hours in the day and night to solve these crimes while giving the home front the attention it needs.
The story belongs to the characters and I've enjoyed how this little world is built. I look forward to more from this series, in the future. Will Matthew ever wear a wrinkled shirt, will Jen ever rise above takeout for her kids, and can Ross stop trying to climb the ladder and instead be happy to do the job he has now?
Publication September 7th 2021
Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.