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Synopsis (from Goodreads):
For the first time in 20 years, Ann Cleeves—international bestselling and award-winning author of the Vera and Shetland series, both of which are hit TV shows—embarks on a gripping new series.
In North Devon, where two rivers converge and run into the sea, Detective Matthew Venn stands outside the church as his father’s funeral takes place. Once loved and cherished, 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 into the community he thought he had left behind, as deadly secrets hidden at its heart are revealed, and his past and present collide.
An astonishing new novel told with compassion and searing insight, The Long Call will captivate fans of Vera and Shetland, as well as new readers.
Review:
My mom was an avid reader of mystery novels. She enjoyed the puzzles and the suspense. I guess that because my mom loved these books, I automatically resisted them (ah, daughterly rebellion). But in recent years, I have finally come to understand their appeal.
This is the first Ann Cleeves novel I have read, but it certainly won't be the last. The Long Call has lots of what I love about any book: a small-town setting, an array of quirky characters, and a compelling story. But this is also a top-notch crime story that was very exciting.
What I Liked:
Setting:I love books set in small towns. There is something about a place where everyone is known that makes me want to delve in more deeply. After all, everyone has their secrets. The setting is North Devon, England. I found the faded resort town to be charming.
Even though the place was charming, it was not a sugary sweet small town. The effects of a downward trending economy were evident, from the seedy streets (away from the tourist areas) and various social issues that accompanied them.
Characters:
I really liked Matthew, the lead detective. His smart appearance belies a very complicated backstory that is relevant to the action in the book. His husband, Jonathan, is the polar-opposite of Matthew with his laid-back attitude and casual attire. They couldn't be more different, or a more perfect fit for each other.
I also liked Jen, the other police officer (detective?) in the story. Her struggles are very different from her colleague, Ross. Jen is constantly juggling being a single parent with putting in the hours and dedication to her career. I like her running commentary, as she often wonders if the assignments she gets are because she is good at certain skills, or because she is being pidgin-holed into less important work because she is a woman. Since she is one of the only women in her department, these are not unreasonable concerns.
Also, I quite liked the various characters in the book who had Down's Syndrome. I liked that the author showed different presentations of the same condition. I also really appreciated the families who took care of these characters. This book didn't sugar-coat the challenges families face, especially when the parents face old age.
Story:
The story begins with a body found on the beach. A seemingly random series of events that follow gives Matthew the idea that they are all connected. But he can't quite figure out how. That's the puzzle portion of the book, and it's fun to figure out how everything is, indeed, connected.
The ending was exciting, with lots of plot twists I didn't see coming. This seems to be the first book in a new series, and I will really look forward to the next book.
Rating:
Release Date: September 3rd, 2019
Author: Ann Cleeves
Publisher: Monitaur Books
Genre: Crime/Mystery
Page Length: 384 Pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-book
Recommendation:
This seems to be the first book in a new series, and I will really look forward to the next book. If you enjoy mysteries, you will love this book.
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