The Heron’s Cry is Ann Cleeves follow-up to her book, The Long Call, which is the start to a new mystery series set in North Devon and very well done. DI Matthew Venn and his team return when a murder takes place at the artist community that his husband, Jonathan, runs.

The characters are very likable. Cleeves spends a lot of time discussing the backgrounds of the characters and their relationships. Of interest is the difference in personality of Matthew and his partner, Jonathan. One being on the straight and narrow and the latter more relaxed.

I am a big fan of Ann Cleeves. Her Shetland and Vera series are well written and very enjoyable. Good news is that her newest series will also be brought to television.

4 out of 5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for the ARC of THE HERON’S CRY in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date - September 7, 2021
Review posted to Goodreads on 7/25/21

This was the first book in this series that I have read. It does appear that while it might be nice to read the books in order, the author does not give away the solutions to previous crimes. The 3 main characters were nicely defined and easily understood. The secondary characters were interesting, and although I have read many mysteries, I was surprised when the guilty party was identified, although perhaps I should have paid more attention? I did enjoy this mystery, but I did find that the many formatting issues were a distraction. I do not see the point, but perhaps the author does so to make her books identifiable as hers? These formatting issues were sometimes too confusing, though.

The Heron's Cry is the second book in this series, The story follows Detective Matthew Venn and his team as they investigate murders in community. Venn and his team were introduced in The Long Call and while this book stands alone, it is a great second in the series.
A local doctor is killed in his daughter's workshop with a piece of her glass work, another murder follows rather quickly leaving the constables trying to uncover the cause, including investigating old suicides. There is a mental health component that is so current, the issue of encouraging young people to commit suicide. A book is great if I never saw the twist at the end coming.
This is a series I'll keep reading. Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for my advanced reader copy.

This is the second book in the Two Rivers series, and I enjoyed the first one and liked the detectives so I wanted to read this one. It is set in North Devon and Detective Matthew Venn and his crew are called to the scene of a murder at the home of a group of artists. The man who died, Dr. Nigel Yeo, had been stabbed with a piece of glass from a vase made by the resident glass blower, his daughter, Eve.

I like Matthew Venn as a character for his strong work ethic and interrogation skills. His husband, Jonathan, is an interesting guy and is artistic, calm, and caring - and he cooks too which is nice. Both Jenn and Ross are back in this book too. Jenn is a hard-working, single mom with great intuitive skills; and Ross is an ambitious brown-noser, but has good skills as well (and I liked the way he thinks of his wife, Mel).

There are several murders in this book and the investigation is both interesting and surprising. I couldn't guess correctly who the real threat was, and I liked that.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This will be published on September 7, 2021.

This is the second book in the series and it did not disappoint. Thank you St. Martin’s Press
and Net Galley for letting me read this.

The Heron's Cry is the second book in the new Two Rivers series by Ann Cleeves. The story follows Detective Matthew Venn and his team as they investigate murders in the local artist community. The investigation includes looking into past suicides and the discovery of an unsavory online community. The mental health aspect of this story is heartbreakingly real.
The book begins at a slow pace. We are still getting to know Venn and his new team of investigators. Character development is a strength of this author, so be prepared to look for those little clues about Matthew, Jonathan, Jenn and Ross. I very much look forward to seeing this crew in future books, and would definitely recommend this series to fellow readers.

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur books and St. Martin's press for the ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

This is the second book in a new Two Rivers series by the author who wrote the "Vera" and "Shetland" series. I was reading the first book in the series, The Long Call, when I had the opportunity to read the NetGalley copy of "The Heron's Cry." The first book was so good, would the second book be able to able to carry off the tone and quality of the first? Absolutely! Matthew Venn is the lead detective who works with Jen (single mother of two teens) and Ross (a work in progress) to discover who murdered the father of a young artist, Eve, a glass-blower. Her father Nigel, was killed with a shard of glass from one of her piece's. Days later another artist was also murdered with a shard of glass from another of Eve's works, Even discovered both bodies. How are these deaths connected to the past suicides of two teens? The squad carefully, methodically, and skillful unravels that mystery. Highly recommended!

Another spellbinding mystery from the very talented Ann Cleeves.
When a murder occurs at an artists retreat at the home of the extremely wealth Frances Ley, Detective Matthew Venn is called to the scene. He finds his victim, upstanding Dr. Nigel Yeo stabbed with a shard of glass from his daughters broken vase. An unlikely target, Dr. Yeo is a public servant and loved by his daughter. A twist is added when Matthew realizes the daughter is a friend of Jonathan, Matthew’s husband. Working with his team to find the murderer and with two more deaths taking place along the way, this is far too close for comfort.
The well developed characters, locations and complex twists are paced to make this read a page turning experience.
Thank you NetGalley, Ann Cleeves, Minotaur Books/St. Martins Press for an Arc in exchange for an honest book review.

The Detective Matthew Vann series is a fairly new series by bestselling author Ann Cleeves, and The Herons Cry is the second installment. Her novels are set in England, and this one in North Devonshire. Detective Matthew Venn is called to investigate a murder in a rural area where several artists, live in an artist community; Dr. Nigel Yeo’s body is discovered by his daughter, a glassblower, and he has been stabbed with a shard of glass from one of her pieces. No one can understand why Yeo is murdered: he is a well-liked upstanding citizen, with no known enemies. Then as the story continues, more murders are discovered, and new clues come to light. Matthew and the detectives who are assisting him, uncover a whole new set of people involved and new suspects that seem, at first, unconnected to these artists and Dr. Yeo.

Cleeves has become a favorite author over the last while due to her expert way of telling a story that keeps readers on the edge. The backdrop of the UK region is fascinating and adds some extra interest because it is so different from the US, especially to those who aren’t familiar with England. Cleeves is also a master of character development, and the characters in the novel are interesting and believable.

Venn is a new type of protagonist in that he is a gay man married to Jonathan who has ties to the artists and is able to assist with his husband’s investigation.

This is a series to watch; it will keep the interest of thriller aficionados and gain some new fans of Ann Cleeves. She is definitely an author that is becoming loved by everyone; her novels are excellent and a joy to read. The Herons Cry is definitely recommended.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

In the second book of the Two Rivers series, Ann Cleeves reacquaints us with Detective Matthew Venn, his artistic husband Jonathan, and the rest of the police force from the first book. Nigel Yeo has been stabbed with a shard of glass from his glassblower daughter's craft. The victim's daughter is friends with Matt's husband, which allows Jonathan to blow an important role in the book. Since Jonathan is my favorite character in the series, this was a plus.

Soon there is another murder, and the plot takes a series of unexpected twists. I'm curious to see how the characters continue to develop as the series progresses. Cleeves has given each of the main characters a complicated background that allows for lots of intriguing developments in future installments.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

I really enjoyed this book. Characters are well developed and reveal flaws and insecurities. The story keeps you guessing until the end. The murder scenes are not gruesome as in some books. I look forward to the next book.

Thank you @StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for a digital ARC of #TheHeron'sCry. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Always nice to see another book in a series by an author you really enjoy. While this book continues the story of North Devon DI Matthew Venn, the supporting characters of his husband Jonathan and his two deputies, Jen and Ross, are rounded out a bit more. I expect that as the series grows, the characters begin to feel like friends or neighbors just like the characters in her other books. The crime/mystery in #TheHeron'sCry was unique and kept me guessing until the end.

Looking forward to reading more in this series!

⭐⭐⭐.5 Stars
This is second in the Two Rivers series. I read “The Long Call” which was the first in the Matthew Venn Two Rivers series. In that story Ms. Cleeves introduced us to a new character ~ Senior Detective Matthew Venn. I enjoyed it and have been looking forward to the next story in the series.
This is only my seventh Ann Cleeve story. I am new on this train but I am enjoying the ride!

Senior Detective Matthew Venn grew-up in a strict evangelical church but left the church many years ago. Although he is happy in his relationship with Jonathan, he is still trying to make peace with his mother.
This story starts with investigating an early morning murder at a farmhouse in the art studio. Eve had asked her father Dr. Nigel Yeo to meet her early to help with a glass blowing project. She arrives at the studio early thinking she will get there before her father. However, she finds he is already there and has had been murdered by one of her glass vases.
To add to this, Jenn, Matthew’s partner was actually at a party the evening before hosted by her friend Cynthia and she spoke to Nigel Yeo and he asks if he may contact her later. She agrees however not sure if it is personal or business related.

She had a bit too much to drink so can’t remember everything but does remember meeting Will who took her back to his attic apartment which just happens to be in this same farmhouse.

When the investigation begins, it is a bit slow in gathering back ground information ~ establishing the characters and their relationship to each other. Although interesting ~ I am saying hurry up ~ ask the hard questions!!!
The murder has me curious.
I love to try to figure out whodunit Yikes! There was so much going on I had to use my Kindle highlight feature so that I could remember. Awww I was totally clueless ~ certainly had my attention!

Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press ~ Minotaur for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 7, 2021

I received an early ARC copy of this book, so thank you to Netgalley for the sneak peak. I'm a long time Ann Cleeves fan. I've read all her books, so was thrilled to have a new one. Unfortunately, I couldn't go full 5 stars. Not that it's bad, oh no. It's just not quite up with what I've come to expect from a Cleeves book.

First off, and this is important to many, one of the recurring themes of this book is suicide. It's pervasive and disturbing, as it's meant to be. This book may trigger some people and it's unfortunate that early descriptions of the book haven't mentioned this part of the plot. Of course, this is a murder mystery and murders we have, as only Cleeves can write about them. Mixed in, are suicides. Which is which?

This is book two of her new Two Rivers series, featuring Matthew Venn, whom I still don't have much of a handle on. He's a bit bland and I think Cleeves realizes this, so has given us some more interesting side kicks and characters. In this story, we become well acquainted with Jen, his DS. She's competent, flawed and interesting. We learn more about Venn's husband Jonathon, as well, as he assumes more of a role than he had in The Long Call. I find him more interesting than Venn and kept wondering why he's attached himself to such a mild mannered fella. The chemistry seems missing.

As for the denouement, uh, uh, no spoilers, but I'll admit I was surprised.

Another winner from Ann Cleeves! The Heron's Cry is the 2nd book in the Two Rivers series centering on Detective Matthew Venn and his husband Jonathon. Matthew is the somewhat uptight part of the couple and Jonathon is the arty sociable partner. They compliment each other well as Devon experiences trouble in the art colony. Cleeves use of the scenery of the location adds a wonderful bonus to this tale of multiple murders. I was definitely caught off guard at the end. I look forward to more Two Rivers.

This is the second book in the Two Rivers series. While the same main characters from the first book return, they seem to be missing the spark they had before. In a character driven book such as this one, it is important they continue to charm the reader.

The double mystery of the investigation of a previous suicide and the current murder of a man stabbed with a glass shard blown by his own daughter was intriguing. An enjoyable British police procedural.

My copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.

The second novel in the DI Matthew Venn series which began with The Long Call returns us to the seacoast of Devon in The Heron’s Cry.

Frank Ley’s investment abilities made him uncomfortably rich. He has been buying up failing properties and businesses to improve the lives of individuals and their communities. He rents out workshops to artists, two of whom live in the upper story of his home. His niece and family run the dairy and farm.

Frank is not approved of by all. Some think that ‘rural gentrification’ is not an improvement.

Policewoman Jen is invited to one of Frank’s informal parties where she meets Nigel Yeo who wants to talk to her, but Jen had too much to drink that night.

It was the last time Nigel was seen alive. The next morning, he was found dead in his daughter’s workshop on Ley’s property. Matthew and his team of Jen and Ross spend the next week chasing down the murderer, dealing with two more deaths along the way. To complicate matters, people involved include close friends of Matthew’s husband Jonathan.

My favorite part of the series are the characters and the portrait of the entire community which includes the privileged to struggling farmers and shop owners, and hippie, artsy folk. The village is deluged with tourists during the summer months, escaping the heat and attracted by the beauty of the seaside.

Matthew was raised in a religious community called The Brethren; he retains the quiet sobriety of the community. As a gay man he was no longer accepted, and it caused a breach with his family. His husband reaches out by inviting Matthew’s widowed mum to dinner on her birthday. Jenn is a harried single mom of two, and Ross has never warmed to Matthew, plus he has ambitions–and a troubled marriage.

Cleeves is a master of her craft, her characters beautifully drawn, and the convoluted turn of events kept my interest.

I received a free egalley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.

I loved this next book in the Matthew Venn / Two Rivers mystery series! The characters were fresh and had good development, and it left me wanting the next in the series ASAP. The evocative description of the landscape is one of the real pleasures of this series, but the story itself kept me interested and engaged.

Matthew Venn is sent to investigate a murder of a man looking into a suicide, he is surprised to find that the man made contact with one of his officers the night before at a party. Jen had a bit much to drink at the party and can't remember much except the man was very nice. Another body turns up and this time everyone is confused.
Another enjoyable read and the characters are so likeable, you find yourself pushing them on and trying to help solve the case. The one thing about Ann Cleaves books are that I can never guess the killer, she has you thinking everyone is innocent or guilty. When the pieces come together you are surprised too.

This is the second book in Ann Cleeves' Detective Matthew Venn series, set in Devon among artists, farmers, and medical professionals. The team is called out to investigate the death of a Dr. Yeo in his daughter's studio. He's been stabbed with a piece of one of her artisan glass pieces. As it turns out, Dr. Yeo was also an investigator- in the medical field and it seems his investigation may have been an unwelcome one.

This book is a testament to Cleeves' ability to create characters that are so fully human they lie beyond the reader's ability to like or dislike them. They're real and standing there in the room with us. We know them, and perhaps, though in a different country or profession, we are them. Matthew Venn is both a strong and unexpected series lead, reserved and in some ways uncertain, coping with an upbringing of religious trauma, the roots of which get more exposure in this book.

The mystery itself builds well with solid, mostly unhurried pacing (there are points where a plot should hurry a bit and those are hit as well). All in all, a wonderful addition to the genre.