Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Series: Two Rivers #1
Published by Minotaur Books on September 3, 2019
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble




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.
I got an email about The Long Call and was drawn to it immediately. I love mysteries and police procedurels, even better that it was British. I enjoy the cultural and language differences and all the places mentioned. There was a good mystery with various twists and plenty of interesting characters in fairly small community and surrounding area.
What sets this story apart, is the realistic and lovely diversity in the characters. The main detective is gay, estranged from his strict religious family. His husband runs a community day centre with artists, and disadvantaged adults, and a cafe. The murder of a man in the community has Matthew and his team learning all kinds of details and secrets about members of the community.
The murderer as well as other people with things to hide are not keen about the investigation. The case was a clever way to unfold all the background, personalities and secrets of many in the community. I enjoyed this and plan to continue with the Two Rivers series. I look forward to seeing how these characters fare in the future.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2019 Releases
- COYER Hunt
I’ve noticed her name/books popping up in my Amazon and Goodreads recommend lists, but having grabbed the chance yet. Glad your first try turned out a good one and you’re going back for more.
I hadn’t heard of her before but apparently she has had several successful series in the past. Considering mystery / thriller / suspense is my go to genre and the only thing I read for 10+ years when I was busy I’m surprised I hadn’t found her before.
I’ve collected all the books in her Shetland Island series, which is also a TV series on Netflix. I’ve yet to start but am dying to do so! Love your review of this one, Anne?
Thank you! I knew she had a series made into TV. I have Netflix. I could even add it to the multi-page list of things I might watch. But I only watch something, like 1 episode, every 3-4 months so I don’t get far with anything. At this rate it would take me 6 years to watch a 24 episode of one series.
i grabbed this one too. everything about it spoke to me. i will be sharing my review soon and i am glad i picked it up
I chose it for the British mystery but ended up also loving the diversity in the characters.
This totally seems like one you would love based on the blurb alone. Glad it did not disappoint.
Yes I am on a mystery/thriller binge and British only makes it better.
This is a new one to me and it sounds like something I would enjoy. Glad to hear it was a good one!
Yes it was better in more ways than expected. I knew I would like the British mystery but the diversity was a good surprise.
I was really tempted by this book when it was offered to me. I am happy to hear that it is well done. I will have to check my library for it. Great review!
Thank you. I think it is well within the type of book you would enjoy.
I’ve been wanting to try her books and I think I’ll grab this one!
I hadn’t heard of her and am so glad I tried it.
I’ll be reading this one in a few days and can’t wait, especially after reading your review. I love that there’s so much diversity.
It’s both more interesting and more realistic. Enjoy!