Book Review: The Long Call by Ann Cleeves

The first book in The Long Call series, the first in a new Detective series by Ann Cleeves.

Add The Long Call to your Goodreads TBR:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43263552-the-long-call

Pre Order/Purchase Links:

Booktopia:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-long-call-ann-cleeves/book/9781509889570.html

Dymocks:

https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/the-long-call-by-ann-cleeves-9781509889570

Angus & Robertson:

https://www.angusrobertson.com.au/books/the-long-call-ann-cleeves/p/9781509889570?gclid=CjwKCAjw-vjqBRA6EiwAe8TCkw4V66J0eL4BEDpxN2kmFooeqaxU8uWpPm1UEpfSSfpOCRvDcEonSxoCGHkQAvD_BwE

QBD:

https://www.qbd.com.au/the-long-call/ann-cleeves/9781509889570/?gclid=CjwKCAjw-vjqBRA6EiwAe8TCk10dvd6bt6OJOGc3lkJTnI6CUcb2iEK3v382CiMBEA4_rCh_dttaYBoC8ZIQAvD_BwE

Published on the 27th August, 2019 by Macmillan, an imprint of Pan Macmillan Australia.

Australian RRP: $29.99

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Mystery Fiction, Thriller Fiction, Suspense.

Page Count: 384

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Sypnosis from Pan Macmillan Australia:

In North Devon, where the rivers Taw and Torridge converge and run into the sea, Detective Matthew Venn stands outside the church as his father’s funeral takes place. The day Matthew turned his back on the strict evangelical community in which he grew up, he lost his family too.

Now he’s back, not just to mourn his father at a distance, but to take charge of his first major case in the Two Rivers region; a complex place not quite as idyllic as tourists suppose.

A body has been found on the beach near to Matthew’s new home: a man with the tattoo of an albatross on his neck, stabbed to death.

Finding the killer is Venn’s only focus, and his team’s investigation will take him straight back into the community he left behind, and the deadly secrets that lurk there.

My Review:

I recieved a copy of this book from Pan Macmillan Australia in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.

Going in to this book, I felt like I was discovering something big for the first time- I’ve only heard the most glowing things about Ann Cleeves books, but until now I hadn’t had the chance to pick something up by her, but had definitely always been intrigued to give her books a go!

Oh, I cannot express how glad I am that I was able to read her newest book, I feel like it was the best point to start getting into her books! Her mysteries are woven so intricately and her characters blended together so vividly too! I honestly didn’t know who to trust throughout this story, I feel like so many of our main players of this story had a connection to Simon, who was found deceased at the beach, the exact same day that our Detective was secretly at his Father’s funeral!

I instantly adored Matthew Venn, he’s just such a fascinating character, clearly torn up by his Father’s death, but equally struggling to reunite with his family, having parted ways with them not on the best of terms so many years ago! And then there’s his shining light, his ray of hope in the darkness, his husband, Jonathan, who always is there for him when Matthew needs it!

As the case unfolds, the intrigue just heightened so much! Even Jonathan found himself drawn into the case too, not only because his husband is one of the investigating officers! I absolutely adored Jen too, a workmate of Matthew’s, and enjoyed the scenes which depicted her family life too, her feeling bad for not always being there for her children, but also I felt like she’s doing her best in her work!

Jen, like Matthew and Jonathan were instantly likeable and with Ross thrown in as well, I feel like we have a stellar team of mystery solvers! I thoroughly enjoyed all of their perspectives on this case and their approaches talking to those that knew the victim! It was all just unfolding so brilliantly and I practically binged the second half of this book for needing to know what the penultimate ending would be! It was so satisfying too, I definitely cannot wait to check out Ann Cleeves’ other books, the way she crafts a mystery and murder is unlike no other! If you’ve been eagerly awaiting this book, I can’t recommend it enough!

Happy Reading,

Brooklyn.

Q: Have you read Ann Cleeves? Will you be reading The Long Call? Let me know 🙂

About Ann Cleeves (from Pan Macmillan Australia):

Ann Cleeves is the author of over thirty critically acclaimed novels, and in 2017 was awarded the highest accolade in crime writing, the CWA Diamond Dagger. She is the creator of popular detectives Vera Stanhope and Jimmy Perez who can now be found on television in ITV’s Vera and BBC One’s Shetland. The TV series and the books they are based on have become international sensations, capturing the minds of millions worldwide.

Ann worked as a probation officer, bird observatory cook, and auxiliary coastguard before she started writing. She is a member of ‘Murder Squad’, working with other British northern writers to promote crime fiction. Ann is also a passionate champion for libraries and was a National Libraries Day Ambassador in 2016. Ann lives in North Tyneside near where the Vera books are set.