The Long Call by Ann Cleeves

Author: Ann Cleeves

Title: The Long Call

Publisher: Pan

Published : 

Pages : 400

Genre : Crime Thriller 

     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.

     So the Last time I delved into the world of Ann Cleeves was way back in two thousand and seventeen. I can't for the life of me work out why it has taken me so long to come back around to her. As looking back on that review I really enjoyed my time with her book. But here we are none the less three years later going back for round two. Much like then, this came about by someone recommending it to me. And whilst then I was dropping into a long-established run this time with The Long Call I start afresh with a new series.

     Unlike last time this time the action takes place in North Devon a location not all that far from my home county. I think a book that takes place in familiar surroundings to you can always feel like it brings a little something extra. Although for a great many people who will read it North Devon will be nothing more than an image in their minds. But for her part, Cleeves to me has given us a world that represents the reality pretty much spot on. As I worked my way through this book I could see a representation of places I've been. I suppose for those who do not live in England you would be unaware that a lot of people dream of escaping down to Devon and Cornwall to escape the rat race and live a simpler life. Always forgetting that just like anywhere else crime exists and hardships still exist. 

     I greatly enjoyed my time getting to know Matthew and the other cast of characters that she has created here. When it comes to her lead this is not a man on the edge or an alcoholic medicating just to get through the day. He is less hard-edged than some of his contemporaries. This is a man trying to do his best, he is someone who can put people at ease and will do his utmost to see things from other's point of view. I can not say he has that bulldog nature of some others but from start to finish I knew he would get to the bottom of the case. 

     As for the plot, there are a great many strands to pull together and it certainly kept me entertained. And whilst I have no wish to give anything away there are some very key elements to the plot that some will find hard to read about. Cleeves has tackled a topic that is difficult in a more than careful way. I do sometimes wonder why we pick at such elements for fiction books and I suppose that unlike the real world where we get justice and karma comes around. Throughout the cause of the book, I don't feel I ever got ahead of the author she managed to plot out a tight and complicated narrative without taking a massive leap away from reality. It's one of those books designed for cold winter nights. When you can light the fire grab a glass of your favorite tipple a get lost in a book. 

     Overall I was happy to have spent time with Cleeves latest outing. Not to mention being there for the birth of what I am assuming is a new series. I think anyone who is a fan of those very British detective novels will find something to love here in her new hero. And as a side note, I recently learned they are also turning this one into a T.V show shows.