AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! WINNER OF THE AGATHA AWARD FOR BEST CONTEMPORARY NOVEL From Ann Cleeves–bestselling and award-winning author of the Vera and Shetland series, both of which are hit TV shows–comes the first in a gripping new series, told with deep compassion and searing insight. “Ann Cleeves is one of my favorite mystery writers.”–Louise Penny A PEOPLE MAGAZINE BEST BOOK … “Ann Cleeves is one of my favorite mystery writers.”–Louise Penny
A PEOPLE MAGAZINE BEST BOOK OF FALL 2019
In North Devon, where two rivers converge and run into the sea, Detective Matthew Venn stands outside the church as his estranged father’s funeral takes place. On the day Matthew left the strict evangelical community he grew up in, he lost his family too.
Now, as he turns and walks away again, he receives a call from one of his team. A body has been found on the beach nearby: a man with a tattoo of an albatross on his neck, stabbed to death.
The case calls Matthew back to the people and places of his past, as deadly secrets hidden at their hearts are revealed, and his new life is forced into a collision course with the world he thought he’d left behind.
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The Long Call is my first Ann Cleeves book and the first in a new series. I admit the first 30% or so was so slow. Mainly because of the introduction of all the characters. Once I got that under my belt I flew through the book.
I get the same feeling I do when reading The Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny. A dark, brooding detective that is quietly processing the crime and when he speaks you listen. He doesn’t waste words on unimportant things.
Perfect for fans of mystery and suspense. No detailed sex scenes but there are talks of rape. If you prefer not to read about LGBTQ characters this probably is not the book for you. The main character is gay.
I’m looking forward to continuing The Two Rivers series.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
What an amazing debut to the Two Rivers Series by new-to-me author, Ann Cleeves. I was completely captivated from the beginning and was hanging onto every word with twists and turns that are so intriguing and gripping, I couldn’t put the book down until I read the last word. I enjoyed getting to know the complex characters, especially Detectives Matthew Venn and Jen Rafferty. “The Long Call” is a must-read for anyone who enjoys well crafted mysteries.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest review.
I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Ann Cleeves, and Minotaur Books. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this British crime mystery of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work.
As usual, Ann Cleeves (think ‘Shetland’ and ‘Raven Black’) brings us a puzzle deeply cast, one that is almost obvious but inherently impossible. Your mind can’t really go there, on its own. I enjoyed the people involved in this story, the fully drawn Downs syndrome girls were given the proper respect and allowed character, and even the bad guys were understandable to a degree. Matthew and his husband Jonathan were presented in natural light and the crew at the cop shop were allowed to be human, as well. I love the work of Ann Cleeves. She brings us the world as it is, and that’s ok.
A new series from Ann Cleeves had hopes raised sky-high but The Long Call exceeded them. Of course, the setting is sumptuously realised, as Cleeves moves without apparent effort from painting the sweep of wild landscapes to skewering the tiniest domestic vanity. Matthew Venn is a triumph of Cleeves’ particular blend of compassion and toughness and I already love him.
Clever, compassionate, and atmospheric, with a great cast of new characters to love. I am already a Matthew Venn fan.
In The Long Call, Ann Cleeves builds a prism of a world, multi-faceted, complex, and as brilliant as a diamond. Fans of Vera and Jimmy will love Matthew Venn.
What an amazing mystery read, my first book by Ann Cleeves and already I’m a fan.
I love a good mystery book and I definitely love this one. A murder of a man in the beach in a small town, a case where everyone has a connection. Oh yeah this is a complicated story.
It might a bit slow at the beginning, but when the mystery kicks in, when suspects are thrown here and there, when victim’s personal life getting more complicated and when all the questions start to pouring in, there’s no stopping until I found out who’s the culprit.
Reading this book is like watching those mystery TV shows, great detectives work with the personal life of each detective mixed in to the story that makes everything more personal and tricky. So yes I really love this book.
If you love mystery read or mystery TV shows, I think you’ll love this one too.
I was looking for something different to read and when I stumbled upon this book and was given the opportunity to read an early copy I snagged it. I have never read Ms. Cleeves before but I am currently working on a Ann Cleeves TBR list because I want to read more. I have been on a mystery TV binge so this story definitely spoke to the mystery lover in me. Absolutely a must read!
The Long Call .Ann Cleevers
We meet Matthew a protagonist at the funeral of his father, observing, and
feeling angry, a disappointment to his father. Leaving, he received a call of a man at the shores dead, with clothing that was dried. Appearance of a
homeless man, that turns out was deceiving as the mystery unfolds.
Turmoil as he has to return to his birth place, and hasn’t been there since
a teen to interview people. Beginning of a new series by the author, and a good well flowing plot.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion by Net Galley and
San Martin Press.
The Long Call by Ann Cleeve’s is the first in her new Two River series. We are introduced to detective Matthew Venn and his husband Jonathan. Matthew has been estranged from his family. I felt that Cleeves had a powerful opening with Matthew watching his father’s funeral from a distance. He is called back to the office because a dead man has been found on the beach. It was an interesting mystery which involves the place where his husband works. I felt the story moved very slowly at times, and I think Cleeves might have been building depth to continue her series. I also felt the ending was rather abrupt.
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books (St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really tried to enjoy this book, it was really hard for me. For some reason I just was unable to connect with the characters or the story. A lot of people are involved and the author does make it a twisty type of read leaving you guessing at how it all comes together. My problem was it moved to slow to keep me invested in the story. Unfortunately that’s my issue and doesn’t mean it was a bad story it just didn’t work for me. This was my first read by this author and I just don’t think we are on the same page.
I love murder mysteries, and for a long time, I’ve been a fan of the television programs Vera and Shetland. I was delighted to find that Ann Cleeves had a new release available for review {insert fan girl squee}. Actually, I have to admit to not even knowing that the programs were based on books!
Inspector Matthew Venn, his partner, and his crack team of investigators are introduced in this initial book of the series. I loved how smoothly Ms. Cleeves swirled the private lives of her key players into this story. I cannot wait to see how Matthew’s very complex, conflicted character plays out in future books!
The various subplots are told in the present day. The third-person narrative serves the story well. The plot is perfectly paced (this is a police procedural, so set your expectations accordingly). Between the secrets revealed and red herrings along the way, The Long Call is completely engrossing and had me guessing to the end. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
I love the cover for The Long Call by Ann Cleeves and am always on the lookout for a good mystery. That being said, I really wanted to love this, but…
Maggie loved talking to her friend but one day he didn’t show up. And so her mystery begins and she wants answers.
The characters are gay, lesbian, mentally challenged…
Everything, good and bad, centers around the Woodyard, a community center.
It held no tension or suspense for me. I couldn’t get excited by the story or the writing but I am curious…so I will read on. I know a police procedural is not as exciting as a thriller, but I would put down The Long Call, read something else, come back to it, put it down…well, you get the picture. I was bored and my mind kept drifting.
I did finish it and because I had to know the ending, I gave it 3 stars, for satisfying my curiosity.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Long Call by Ann Cleeves.
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I love a good mystery and this one has so much more than just a murder to solve. Set in North Devon, England the descriptions of the area transported me across the pond, to marshes, sands and churning seas. Quaint villages are the setting and the community is strong.
The victim is a bit unusual in that he has purported mental issues in the form of alcohol and survivor guilt. Being a tenant in his therapist’s home was a bit unusual and a cause for raised eyebrows. There’s also a connection to Woodyard a community center with a variety of activities including a Day center for the learning disabled. He volunteers there in the Café and has also befriended a young woman who has Down’s Syndrome.
The investigator in charge Matthew Venn is hands on and looking into every nook and cranny to find clues to the murderer. He’s afraid at some point he may have to step away since his husband runs the Woodyard Center.
Matthew’s team is an interesting pair, Jen a single mother with a lot of experience and Ross who is the DCI’s ‘pet’ often sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong. Ross doesn’t even realize he rubs everyone the wrong way.
A very intricate tale, with many twists and turns as Matthew and his team travel through the last days of the victim. I couldn’t put this book down in spite of the fact it has no romance.
I can’t wait to see where Ann takes us in the next book.
Well this was just a bizarre case. I do like Matthew and Jonathan and would have liked more of them in the book. I could take or leave Jen and Ross. I did like the case. I liked the what you think you know isn’t all that it seems. The whole weird religious past for Matthew does make it more interesting to read how he handles life and his cases. I will be interested to see more stories that involve him.
*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
This is the first book in a new series by this author. It is well written and has great characters and world building seems to be starting off great. This book is about a Detective Mathew Venn who is married to a man named Johnathan. He is estranged from his family as their religous beliefs and life styles pushed them appart. After the death of his father Detective Mathew Venn is called into a murder case that brings him back into the North Dveon area and the life he grew up in and casues him to come full circle and face his past to fulfill his future. Looks to be the start of a good series. I did find it a bit slow to get into but the mystery and who dunit parts are real good.
This offers terrific world building and a marvelous cast of characters. The community includes an array of true to life residents of all ages and from varied socio economic circumstances. The plot gives us glimpses inside their day to day lives as it weaves a path through their interconnected secrets. I appreciated the lack of blood, gore, and swearing.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.