The Long Call: A Detective Matthew Venn Novel (Matthew Venn series, 1) - Hardcover

Cleeves, Ann

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1250204445 ISBN 13: 9781250204448

Publisher: Minotaur Books, 2019

Synopsis

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

From Ann Cleeves―bestselling and award-winning author of the Vera and Shetland series, both of which are hit TV shows―comes the first in a gripping new series, told with deep compassion and searing insight.

“Ann Cleeves is one of my favorite mystery writers.”―Louise Penny

A PEOPLE MAGAZINE BEST BOOK OF FALL 2019

In North Devon, where two rivers converge and run into the sea, Detective Matthew Venn stands outside the church as his estranged father’s funeral takes place. On 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 to the people and places of his past, as deadly secrets hidden at their hearts are revealed, and his new life is forced into a collision course with the world he thought he’d left behind.

About this title

About the Author:

ANN CLEEVES is the multi-million copy and New York Times bestselling author behind two hit television series―the BBC’s Shetland, starring Douglas Henshall, and ITV’s Vera, starring Academy Award Nominee Brenda Blethyn―both of which are watched and loved in the US. The Long Call, the first in the Two Rivers series introducing Detective Matthew Venn, was an instant New York Times bestseller.

Shetland is available in the US on Netflix, Amazon Video, Britbox and PBS, and Vera is available on Hulu, Amazon Video, BritBox and PBS.

The first Shetland novel, Raven Black, won the CWA Gold Dagger for best crime novel, and Ann was awarded the CWA Diamond Dagger in 2017. She lives in the UK.

Review:

A Wall Street Journal Bestseller!
A Library Journal Best Book of 2019
A September 2019 LibraryReads pick!
A St. Louis Post Dispatch Best Book of 2019
One of Aunt Agatha's Best Books of 2019

"Cleeves's true strength lies in her descriptions of the natural world, gorgeously captured."―New York Times Book Review

"Cleeves' acclaimed Shetland series may be history, but her newest detective―buttoned-up, gay, married, ex-evangelical Matthew Venn―is a righteous successor."―People

"The plotting is complex and intriguing, the location comes alive, and the resolution satisfies... fans of Cleeves lamenting the end of the 'Shetland' series will find much to love in her new characters and setting."―Library Journal (starred)

"Fans missing detective Jimmy Perez (Wild Fire, 2018, etc.) will find a worthy successor in the equally complex Venn, who presides over an excellent mystery in this series kickoff."―Kirkus

"Cleeves makes good use of Devon local color and populates this subtle, expertly paced mystery with distinctive supporting characters."―Publishers Weekly

"As usual with this talented author, the key is relationships, and the murder is an occasion to examine them and then, finally, to expose what rips them apart."―Booklist

"Cleeves' new series is as nuanced, compassionate and compelling as her bestsellers starring two other gifted cops, Vera Stanhope and Jimmy Perez."―Seattle Times

"This is a perfect opening chapter that promises to be another phenomenally successful Cleeves series."―Globe and Mail

"Cleeves shows her usual mastery at creating fully fleshed characters, as well as a plot that keeps readers rapt, and ready for the next installment."―Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Long Call . . . is driven by strong characters who are deep, likeable and presented in great detail. Cleeves is also adept in providing a good sense of place. Although the story is rife with twists and surprises, the end comes together nicely."―The Missourian

"Matthew is immediately engaging. So, especially, is Jonathan, and so are Matthew's two sidekicks, colorful single mother Jen and straitlaced and ambitious Ross."―St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"As a huge fan of both the Shetland and Vera series of books, I had high expectations for Cleeves’ latest. She easily exceeded those expectations with The Long Call. Matthew Venn is a keeper. A stunning debut for Cleeves’ latest crimefighter."―David Baldacci, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Brilliant, thoughtful and deeply engaging."―Sara Paretsky, New York Times bestselling author of the V.I. Warshawski series

"Ann Cleeves is a phenomenal talent. With unfailing skill, gorgeous setting, flawless plot and seamless voice, she brilliantly conjures new worlds in crime fiction. Her instantly iconic Detective Matthew Venn is a treasure―and we will all follow him anywhere."―Hank Phillippi Ryan, Nationally bestselling and award-winning author of The Murder List

“Fans of Ann Cleeves' Vera and Shetland novels won't be disappointed with this unputdownable series debut! With an evocative setting, a gripping plot, and beautifully drawn characters, The Long Call is a terrific read―and Matthew Venn is my new favorite detective.”―Deborah Crombie, New York Times bestselling author of Garden of Lamentations

“A new series from Ann Cleeves had hopes raised sky-high but The Long Call exceeded them. Of course, the setting is sumptuously realised, as Cleeves moves without apparent effort from painting the sweep of wild landscapes to skewering the tiniest domestic vanity. Matthew Venn is a triumph of Cleeves’ particular blend of compassion and toughness and I already love him.”―Catriona McPherson, national bestselling author of Strangers at the Gate

“Ann Cleeves has done it again! A new detective, a new series, another terrific puzzle of a story that won’t let you go until the very end. Matthew Venn quickly earns his place beside Vera and Jimmy in a debut you don’t want to miss: The Long Call.”―Charles Todd, bestselling author of The Black Ascot

"In The Long Call, Ann Cleeves builds a prism of a world, multi-faceted, complex, and as brilliant as a diamond. Fans of Vera and Jimmy will love Matthew Venn."―Lori Rader-Day

"Clever, compassionate, and atmospheric, with a great cast of new characters to love. I am already a Matthew Venn fan."―Elly Griffiths, award-winning author of the Ruth Galloway series

"Ann Cleeves has a special gift for making it seem as if she has been writing about a new character or new location for years. The Long Call is brilliant--a page-turning and sensitively told tale, with a vividly evoked North Devon setting, a powerful emotional heft and a new detective hero in Matthew Venn who you will want to follow for book after book. Wonderful!”―Chris Ewan, award-winning author of the Good Thief's Guide series

"Ann Cleeves’ new series gets off to a terrific start with The Long Call―her native Devon is wonderfully evoked, and Matthew Venn is a very appealing new detective. Another sure-fire hit."―Martin Edwards, author of Gallows Court

"Cleeves excels at creating believable, flawed characters in dramatic settings. Moody and tense, The Long Call will more than satisfy Cleeves's many existing fans and new readers alike."―Shelf Awareness

"[The Long Call] introduces us to an unexpectedly splendid new hero, Detective Matthew Venn. In this book we have fleshed-out characters, as well as an engaging plot, with lots of twisting contemplations and complications."―The Regulator Bookshop

"[An] intelligent and complex police procedural of which Ann Cleeves is a master. This has all the Cleeves' hallmarks―beautiful writing, intelligent plotting, thoughtful social explication, and wonderfully memorable characters. Great debut to a new series."―Aunt Agatha's

"Cleeves evokes the local landscape as if it were a character in its own right. The plot moves at a healthy pace, and there is at least one surprise in store. By the end, The Long Call had me hooked―a promising beginning to another fine chapter in the Ann Cleeves story.”―The Times UK

“With a series of ingenious twists and an endearing cast of characters, The Long Call is a triumph that cements Cleeves’ status as one of Britain’s best crime writers.”―Daily Express (UK)

“Splendid stuff, with Cleeves’ characteristic gift for locale (here north Devon).”―Financial Times (UK)

Praise for Ann Cleeves:

“Ann Cleeves is one of my favorite mystery writers.”―Louise Penny

“Gripping from start to finish.”―Booklist

“Chilling . . . enough to freeze the blood.”―Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review

“Cleeves’ taut, atmospheric thriller will keep readers guessing until the last page.”―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

About this edition

• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1250204445
• ISBN 13: 9781250204448
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 384