Thanks to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

When the body of a man with a stab wound is found on a beach, An investigation is started and DI Matthew Venn must lead his team in finding out what happened. When the investigation leads them to the Woodyard, a neighborhood center for many types of activities, the team finds too many links that force them deeper into investigating the staff and what is happening behind the scenes. When more vulnerable adults are threatened, the team kicks in to high gear to find those responsible.

This is a new detective series by Ann Cleeves, who has written the Vera and Shetland series, some of my favorites. This was another of her outstanding police procedurals, with a detective and team that struggles balancing their personal lives while making every effort to solving the mystery.

I received an advance copy of this book from net galley in exchange for my opinion.

This is a mystery plot with a murder to solve, and it does try to keep the reader guessing until the end. Because of that I wanted to finish the book.
The author introduces so many characters that don’t seem to have anything to do with the storyline or don’t tie into what is happening in the book.
The idea of the storyline will draw the reader in, but then they might have a hard time wanting to finish this book.

Ann Cleeves has crafted a completing and complex suspense novel with a timely, contemporary theme. The reader can choose to read it as a psychological drama, a murder mystery, or a sophisticated British novel with a very strong sense of place.

I have not read this author before and very much enjoyed this first encounter with her work.

I am thoroughly hooked on this series and can not wait for the next one. What a perfect setting and a perfect cast of characters for future novels. I don’t want to give away too much but just trust it’s as good as other better reviews say! I’ll be reading her Shetland series while I await book number two.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was not able to connect with this book at all. I was able to get to chapter 3 and was not able to follow. I do know that it starts with a funeral then a murder and a gay detective in England.

I really enjoyed this book by Ann Cleeves. I hope it’s the first of a new series with detective Matthew Venn. He’s an interesting character and I’d love to see how he develops over time.

Having finished and loved the Shetland series, I was very excited to learn about this new series!

I really enjoyed “meeting” the new police crew and I’m intrigued by some of the backstory and interested in learning more.

The story starts off at a quick pace and you have to play a bit of catch up, which is great. You’re learning at the same time as the detectives. There are a couple of parallel stories, which give you the opportunity to spend a little time with each of the crew individually. The story gets a little convoluted but it all comes together nicely, and dove tails perfectly!

I really enjoyed this and look forward to more in this series!

I received an e-book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

This first book in the new police procedural series by Anne Cleeves, easily draws you in and keeps you enthralled. This well-crafted mystery set in Britain, has a great range of interesting, fully developed characters, a captivating plot of deceit, secrets and intrigue, and sub-plots that weave expertly into the story. Detective Matthew Venn is a complex, captivating character. He is compassionate, somewhat strait-laced, introverted and a deep thinker. Jonathan, his husband, is his polar opposite; relaxed, outgoing and loves to socialize. The two compliment each other well and you can’t help but become attached to both. Matthew’s past and present life entwines in the case, creating additional problems and tension as the connections grow. I loved the complexity of the characters and how the investigation unfolded. It is a terrific thriller with murder, estranged family, kidnapping, abuse, personal struggles and people who are not what they seem. The twists, suspense and wonderfully crafted plot will keep you reading to the end and leave you wanting more stories in this world.

In this intriguing new series from Ann Cleeves, she introduces another quirky lead detective, Matthew Venn., and his small staff. Early on, we learn that Matthew is recently married to a younger man, Jonathan, and is still insecure about his relationship. Raised in a strict evangelical Christian sect, Matthew was shunned by his recently deceased father and his still living mother.

When a virtual stranger to Matthew's village, Simon Walden, is found stabbed on a deserted stretch of beach, Matthew and his two detectives, Jen and Ross, begin to interview those who might have knowledge of Simon, of which little is known.

The plot revolves around a Community center which has various functions, one of which is to provide supervision for adults with learning disabilities, more particularly Down's Syndrome. Matthew's husband is the director of the Community Center and its board of directors are the usual mix of clergy, local businessmen and others who have interest, some of the innocent variety but, of course, some not.

There are some instances where the action was interrupted by untimely ventures into the personal lives of the secondary characters but as the copy was unedited at the time of this reading, it is expected that these minior issues will be sorted out in the final draft. All in all, a promising start to a new series.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

This British police procedural introduces a number of interesting characters. We meet Matthew as he eavesdrops on his father's funeral. All of the characters are well-developed and believable. The mysteries, as they unfold, keep the reader guessing. The ending is satisfying. I want to read other books in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for this fine review book. It is obvious why Ann Cleeves has such success with her mysteries and this one may be the best one I have read.


A new series, this tale begins in North Devon with Matthew Venn's sadness at the early part of his life and ends on an upturn of those same facts. This was one book I essentially "read right through" unusual for me!
In between comes a cast of interesting and complex characters who were developed exceptionally well which include Detective Matthew Venn, his husband Jonathon, Matthew's team and a cast of characters portrayed with warmth and dignity. Entrancing.

Several women who had varied developmental disabilities were introduced to us, all of them very vibrant and likeable. Cherished by their parents and their educators they were drawn into a complicated plot to defraud where they and others were in harms way.
I am so looking forward to the next book in this unique series

Ann Cleeves has a knack for creating compelling characters, and bringing to life the places where her books are set. She has again succeeded in drawing me in and making me long for more about Matthew Venn and his team.
"The Long Call' is a well-written British police procedural set in North Devon, in which Venn returns home for his estranged father's funeral. He is quickly called away to a seemingly simple murder. As the layers are peeled back, they reveal a complicated web of secrets and deceit. The story was riveting and the ending was indeed a surprise for me. Being the first book in a new series, you can expect some character building. There is a hefty does of suspense with careful plotting and the story includes a diverse range of characters. I really enjoyed it and look forward to more.

Amazing!! I am so impressed by Ann Cleeves' novel. I have not read anything of hers yet and I am so happy that I did! Bravo to her. This story was amazing and it really captured my attention the whole read. I recommend this one to everyone!

As a huge fan of the Shetland novels and the TV series, I was excited to receive this book. No disappointment here. Ann Cleeves is a master of the mystery/crime genre and her skills are on display here. Engaging characters, wonderful dialog, a perfectly crafted plot, and of course setting and atmosphere. Detective Matthew Venn returns to North Devon for his father's funeral, and to a community that is no longer his. The expected quick trip turns out to be anything but. Bodies with odd tattoos found on beaches tend to do that. A great story. Highly recommended.

The Long Call by Ann Cleeves simply wasn't for me. Though well-written and plotted, the slow pacing made for a less than enjoyable read. I struggled to finish the book. Received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Ann Cleeves is one of my favorite mystery writers and with The Long Call she hasn’t disappointed me.

I loved the pace of this book and the twisting plot. One minute you're pulled in one direction, and you're looking at one person as the "bad guy," and the next minute you're looking at someone you would never expect. I also found that the characters were well developed, and the author didn't bore you with a lot of wishy washy stuff in the characters minds. They were always having "important thoughts" that helped development of the characters back story, and the story in general. This is the first book I read by this author but it won't be that last!
The book follows an investigator by the name of Matthew Venn, and the book begins with him standing at the outskirts of his father's funeral, as he isn't sure he is allowed to attend. His father and mother are part of a religous group, and Matthew was cast out during his college days so he wasn't welcome there. We then learn more about him, and his two partners Jen and Ross, when they become the assigned investigators on a murder investigation.
There are multiple other characters I could get into, but the best would be for people to read the book and sort it all out!

The Long Call by Ann Cleeves was the best British novel I have read in a long time. The story of a murder on the beach of a newcomer, abduction of some adults with learning disabilities, a community help center, men of power (financially, religious leaders, Board of Directors) are all entangled in this mystery. A local detective tries to sort all of this out but at the same time not sure if he is the right detective for the job due to his relationships with the some of the suspects. Definitely kept me guessing. Would recommend for those that enjoy mysteries and suspense.

This is my first Ann Cleeves book. I know, I know. About time right? So now I know what all the fuss is about. Very descriptive in each and every character. You really get to know them and the village. While some might say its too wordy, I loved it.,

I also liked the modern take of a couple who just happen to be of the same sex.

The mystery, itself was quite good and I hope she has more books featuring the same characters in this book.

Thank you so much St. Martins Press for this advanced copy.

I always love finding a new series. In this book, Ann Cleeves presents a mystery with well-developed characters. Matthew Venn is a policeman who is investigating the murder of a man found on the beach near his home. Returning to his home town, Matthew interacts with people with whom he hasn't seen or spoken to in many years. Looking forward to the second book in this series!