Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I went into this title really excited having finally realised how good Vera Stanhope is as a character. Unfortunately, Matthew Venn doesn't seem to have the same charm. It was a real struggle to keep picking this book up and I really don't like to ever say that. I am, however, pleased to see so many others enjoying it and I'm very happy to be in the minority on this occasion.

Based in Devon, Matthew Venn is the Detective Inspector in Ann Cleeves new ‘Two Rivers’ series. Shortly after observing the burial of his father, he is challenged with finding out who killed a man found on the beach, and also the murderers motive. The pace of the story is slow and steady which I quite enjoyed and we learn about Venn’s upbringing, beliefs and struggles growing up, painting a picture of a man who has had to deal with being ostracised by his family. As usual we are guided towards a range of suspects and motives, with twists galore. I was kept guessing all the way through. An excellent start to this new series, I’m looking forward to reading more about DI Venn. Thank you to Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I struggled with this one, I just couldn't engage with the characters. I can't put my finger on exactly what it was that made me feel this way. I will try the next in the series

The Long Call is the first book in Ann Cleeves new series, the two rivers. Detective Matthew Venn was brought up in a strict Evangelical Barum Brethren but broke away from them as he realised he could not live that way any longer. Now, despite returning to live locally , Matthew has to watch his father’s funeral from afar rejected by his parents’ and his brethren. Venn lives in a house on the water with his husband Jonathan, polar opposites but they make each other complete. Venn and his team, Ross and Jen begin investigating an unknown body found at Crow’s point, a section of the river bank right by his home. As the investigation unfolds suddenly Matthew is knee deep in personal connections. The dead body appears to be one of the volunteers at the Woodyard Centre . Jonathan, Matthews husband manages the centre which is a community arts space and also was home to a centre for teenagers with learning disabilities. If that wasn’t enough Matthew is called by his mother, one of the brethren, who’s daughter has Downs goes missing after her session at the Woodyard.
This first Matthew Venn book is an outstanding read. Ann Cleeves writing gives breadth and depth to her characters and this is clearly seen in this wonderful novel. This multifaceted thriller utterly enthralled me from start to finish and I’ve just begun the second Two Rivers novel.

Great novel that had me hooked throughout. Really liked the way the separate storylines joined together and the way the characters developed.

A man’s body has been found on the beach at Crow Point, soon he’s identified as a man who helped at a local community centre….a centre run by police officer, Venn’s husband.

This centre runs programs for people with various needs, such as alcoholism. Here we meet more characters and the people who help such as a councillor, an art teacher and a priest….

They all have secrets….how far would someone go to keep theirs secret!

The Long Call is a beautifully descriptive, classic murder mystery, full of interesting characters and great diversity. Plenty of twists to keep even the most hardened fan of police procedural hooked. A thoroughly engaging read.

Interesting new character and another beautiful county for an Ann Cleeves mystery filled with her trademark psychological msytery.

With many thanks to Net galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review.

Cards on the table....I've never read any of Ann Cleeves books but I adore Vera. I wrongly had thought that the brilliance of the show was Brenda, who is a legend. Having devoured The Long Call I realise that actually the brilliance is in the writing.

The Long Call is set in Devon and introduces us to a new detective Matthew Venn. Matthew grew up in The Brethren (think religious cult) until he was cast out for being gay. He has moved back to his home town with his husband Jonathan who runs a centre for adults with learning disabilities. A man is found stabbed on the beach who has connections to the centre and when a young lady with Downs Syndrome goes missing Matthew is forced to reconnect with his past if he has any hope of finding her and solving the murder.

This book is so wonderfully written. The characters jump out at you. Its not gruesome just really good writing that sets the scene. It moves along at a good pace and has a little twist at the end that I didn't see coming.

I'm looking forward to more in the series.

A new detective series launched by this fantastic author and amazingly another great main character
This series can build and be as brilliant as the Shetland series

Ann Cleeves is one of my must reads, and it was good to read a new series from her. It did feel as if she was still finding her feet with the setting and character, but that might be because they’re so different from her previous ones. Will be good to see it develop.

Thank you Pan MacMillan and NetGalley for this book.
This was my first book by Ann Cleeves and I was thrilled to get the opportunity to read it. Having read it, it won't be my last book by Ann.
This was a great story and very well written and I like reading a series of books from the beginning. I like the different points of view through the book and was undecided who the murderer was until near the end which is good for me.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series

The first of a new series by Ann Cleeves. Her books are always good to read and it is a good move to give us a new cast of characters and associated plots. This book is an excellent read and I look forward to reading more in the series.

A skilled storyteller brings to life a new cast of characters and weaves a new place into her stories. The estuary of the Taw and Torridge in North Devon is beautifully captured and evoked, and the community closely and lovingly described. The mystery is unravelled gradually by Matthew Venn, a by the book detective married to a more easygoing, relaxed and arty husband. Matthews personal history is well evoked and there is a real sense of tension as he confronts his upbringing.
I look forward to the next book in the series.

I had never read anything from Ann Cleeves so I was delighted to get an opportunity to review her newest book The Long Call. I love detective series and I’m happy to say that this is one of the best mystery books I’ve read in a long time. I liked how it was told from different view points and I was left wondering to the very end who was the murderer was! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

A promising new series from crime author Anne Cleeves.
Not quite as good or atmospheric as her previous series of books but probably just needs time to bed in.

I adore all Ann Cleeves books, both the Vera and the Shetland series, in addition to the TV programmes. The Long Call is the first in a new series by this author, set in North Devon and starring Detective Matthew Venn. I enjoyed both the characters and the setting in this book. Ann Cleeves is exceptional in setting details and the reader can really imagine that they are in that particular part of the world. I found the plot slow moving at times and as with any new series, as it takes time to lay the foundations of both the setting and characters, this may affect the plot somewhat in the initial first in a series book. I look forward to reading the second and more books in this series.

My thanks to NetGalley.

This is the first book in the new Two Rivers series. Here the reader meets a new detective and soon the book starts of with a death and the action doesn't stop until the end. Recommended for anyone who loves a good whodunnit.

4-4.5*
The Long Call begins with Detective Inspector Matthew Venn watching his father’s burial. He doesn’t go into the service. He long ago denounced the religious beliefs of his parents, was ostracised and left them to make his own way in the world.

Whilst not set on an island such as Shetland was Ann Cleeves has still achieved an intimate, claustrophobic atmosphere within this story. In part through the small geographical area in which this story is set but also through the relationships Malcolm Venn grew up with, has now forged personally, comes into contact with through work and how they become part of his investigation.

This is a captivating story which carries you along with this rather likeable new detective in solving the mystery of who killed the man on the beach, why he was killed. Each of the threads within it are cleverly drawn together. There is a dark side to this story but it is not overly graphic.

This is a wonderful beginning to a new series which has already won awards and has also been optioned for TV. I look forward to reading more and then, hopefully, at some future date seeing the adaptation.

I very much enjoyed reading The Long Call by Ann Cleeves. It has a good crime mystery and investigation at it’s heart whilst nicely setting the scene – character, place (North Devon) and some of Malcolm Venn’s back story.

Thanks

With thanks to Pan Macmillan via NetGalley for an eCopy of The Long Call by Ann Cleeves. These are purely my own thoughts, for which I have received no payment.

Having watched Vera and loved it as a TV series but have never read a book by Ann Cleeves so when the chance to read this came along I jumped at the chance. It is an excellent book totally nerve shredding and I actually liked it more that Vera and hope this is picked up as TV adaptation.
I will certainly be reading much more from Ann.