Two dead girls found outside the posh North Devon holiday home of a British MP the morning after a local music festival. DI Matthew Venn, a gay police detective replete with his own insecurities due to his evangelical based cult upbringing, is on the case exploring local tensions, difficult personalities, and long held secrets.
Ann Cleeves is a great mystery writer — I’ve loved reading (and viewing) all three of her series: Vera, Shetland, and this newer new Matthew Venn (this is number 3). The stories grip from page one and never really let up — plenty of tension and evolving character insights, never so much tension that my anxiety gets raised (I’m not a lover of thrillers). I enjoyed the constant shifting perspectives as characters (especially Venn) have to constantly examine the prejudices and biases that shape their judgements, leading to mistakes of attention where they can least be afforded.
Clean writing, never a dull moment, and a killer (no pun intended) finish.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on September 29th, 2026.
Books to look forward to ... 