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A review by mg_in_md_
The Long Call by Ann Cleeves
4.0
Having read and loved two other series by this author (Shetland Island and Vera Stanhope), I was excited to hear that a new series was in the works and even more so when I was given a chance to read an advanced reader's copy of the first book in the series. This introduction to the Two Rivers series drew me in immediately with its lush writing, as is the case any time I've picked up one of the Shetland or Vera books. The author's ability to create realistic settings and three dimensional characters, as well as complex mysteries that often blend past and present, is one of the reasons I love her work, and this novel did not disappoint.
I connected with Detective Matthew Venn from the opening pages. He is complex, thoughtful, and compassionate. I felt like I knew and understood him, and that he was the type of character I would enjoy spending time with in the future. I was also intrigued by Venn's co-workers (particularly Jen Rafferty) and his husband, Jonathan. I am eager to learn more about their backstories and look forward to getting to know them even better as the series progresses. The secondary characters were thoughtfully portrayed and felt as fully developed as the main characters.
While I have never visited a town like North Devon, I felt like I had been transported there and was fully immersed in that world. The sense of place was strong and provided another layer to the story. If you enjoyed the Shetland Island series for its strong sense of place, I think you'll be equally drawn to the world of Two Rivers.
The mystery begins when Venn is assigned to investigate an apparent homicide. He soon discovers that the dead man found on a local beach has a connection to the community center where his husband works. The investigation grows more complicated when two women with Down's Syndrome--one of whom has a connection to the dead man--are abducted from the center. More than once, Venn offers to step back from the investigation as the ties to the center grow. However, it is clear that he will follow the investigation wherever it needs to go to uncover the truth. His past also factors into the mystery, as does his tense relationship with his family. I loved the complexity of the story and how the investigation unfolded.
I look forward to returning to North Devon soon, and am thrilled to have a new series by Ann Cleeves to add to my "must read" list. This review is based on an advanced reader edition that I received courtesy of NetGalley and Minotaur Books (thank you!).
I connected with Detective Matthew Venn from the opening pages. He is complex, thoughtful, and compassionate. I felt like I knew and understood him, and that he was the type of character I would enjoy spending time with in the future. I was also intrigued by Venn's co-workers (particularly Jen Rafferty) and his husband, Jonathan. I am eager to learn more about their backstories and look forward to getting to know them even better as the series progresses. The secondary characters were thoughtfully portrayed and felt as fully developed as the main characters.
While I have never visited a town like North Devon, I felt like I had been transported there and was fully immersed in that world. The sense of place was strong and provided another layer to the story. If you enjoyed the Shetland Island series for its strong sense of place, I think you'll be equally drawn to the world of Two Rivers.
The mystery begins when Venn is assigned to investigate an apparent homicide. He soon discovers that the dead man found on a local beach has a connection to the community center where his husband works. The investigation grows more complicated when two women with Down's Syndrome--one of whom has a connection to the dead man--are abducted from the center. More than once, Venn offers to step back from the investigation as the ties to the center grow. However, it is clear that he will follow the investigation wherever it needs to go to uncover the truth. His past also factors into the mystery, as does his tense relationship with his family. I loved the complexity of the story and how the investigation unfolded.
I look forward to returning to North Devon soon, and am thrilled to have a new series by Ann Cleeves to add to my "must read" list. This review is based on an advanced reader edition that I received courtesy of NetGalley and Minotaur Books (thank you!).