Scully Cove is a place of superstition and legend, so when local celebrity Jem Rosco-- only recently returned to the village of Greystone-- is found dead in a small boat anchored off the cove, those legends resurface.
Detective Inspector Matthew Venn is in charge of the investigation, and he finds himself back in a community he visited as a child, a community he parted ways with. Rumors grow when another body is found, and even the careful, guarded inspector finds his judgment clouded which could be very dangerous for both him and his team. Scully Cove's dark secrets do not want to be uncovered.
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From gale-force winds, rising tides, and going out on stormy seas on a lifeboat search and rescue, Ann Cleeves' The Raging Storm kept me drenched in salt water and glued to the page. This talented woman knows how to blend mystery with setting and characterization to make a compelling read.
Venn's own history and his upbringing within a religious cult have made him a loner, someone who's introspective and prefers observation instead of interaction. Through word and deed, his methods have begun taking root in Jen and Ross, the two members of his team. These two tend to be competitive, and it can be entertaining to watch them try to one-up each other.
The fictional village of Greystone is one that I would want to avoid since it is very insular and wary of anyone who doesn't live there. As Matthew, Jen, and Ross interview villagers, readers watch the three form opinions of each one. The problem is... are these opinions valid? Even the "all-seeing" Matthew Venn finds out that he can be led astray.
The Raging Storm is another masterful outing for Ann Cleeves. Long may she write, and long may I read every one of her books.
The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves
eISBN: 9781250836786
Minotaur Books © 2023
eBook, 392 pages
Police Procedural, #3 Matthew Venn mystery
Rating: A
Source: Net Galley
I'm not at all surprised, Cathy. She is so very good at creating atmosphere, isn't she? And her settings are always terrific. It sounds like a compelling story, too.
ReplyDeleteShe said at The Poisoned Pen Monday afternoon that she always chooses her settings first before anything else.
DeleteAh, another Cleeves mystery to look forward to! Thank you for the review.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteI'm looking forward to this one. Almost bought a copy yesterday before remembering I haven't read the second in the series yet. First things first.
ReplyDeleteYep!
DeleteThis looks and sounds so good. That cover is amazing.
ReplyDeleteYes, I love the cover.
DeleteWhat is also fascinating is listening to Ann Cleeves at the PP. What a delightful and interesting person who lived in an isolated island with her spouse years ago and then on another island, much due to him being a birder. But her writing history is interesting, too. This new series sound good.
ReplyDeleteIt is good.
DeleteAnn and her husband came here to Cochise County, Arizona for birding. It's one of the best places in the world for that.