The Long Call

Detective Matthew Venn stands outside his father's funeral in North Devon, marking his return to the region he left decades ago after rejecting his family's strict evangelical faith. Now heading the local police force, Venn must investigate when a body is discovered on a nearby beach. The case pulls Venn between his past and present as he works to solve the murder while navigating his relationship with his husband Jonathan, who runs a community arts center involved in the investigation. His team includes the steady Ross May and the unconventional Jen Rafferty, a single mother who brings her own perspective to the case. The investigation reveals connections between the victim and a center for adults with learning disabilities, forcing Venn to untangle a web of relationships in the tight-knit coastal community. As more threats emerge, the team races to prevent further violence. The Long Call examines questions of belonging, faith, and identity in a close community where long-buried secrets can shape the present. Cleeves crafts a procedural that balances the mechanics of investigation with the weight of personal history.

Readers appreciate the complex character development of Detective Matthew Venn and the exploration of his struggles with faith, sexuality, and family relationships. Many reviews note the authentic portrayal of Devon's coastal setting and police procedures. The character-driven nature resonates with mystery fans who prefer psychological depth over action. Readers highlight Cleeves' attention to social issues and her portrayal of diverse characters. Common criticisms include a slow-paced first half and too many secondary characters to track. Some readers found the ending predictable and wanted more tension throughout. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (44,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (17,000+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "The methodical pacing allows for rich character development, but those seeking thrills may get impatient" - Goodreads reviewer Several reviews compare it to Cleeves' Vera and Shetland series, with most finding The Long Call more character-focused but less suspenseful.

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🔍 The Long Call is the first book in Ann Cleeves' Two Rivers series, marking a fresh start after her successful Vera and Shetland series. 🌊 The book is set in North Devon, where two rivers, the Taw and Torridge, meet at Barnstaple Bay - a location the author chose for its dramatic tides and isolated beaches. 👮‍♂️ The main character, Detective Matthew Venn, represents a breakthrough in crime fiction as an openly gay male detective who struggles with his strict evangelical upbringing. 🏆 Ann Cleeves was awarded the Crime Writers' Association's Diamond Dagger in 2017, the highest honor in British crime writing, given for sustained excellence in the genre. 📺 The book has been adapted into a major ITV television series starring Ben Aldridge as Matthew Venn, following the success of Cleeves' other TV adaptations, Vera and Shetland.