Thank you to St. Martins Press for gifting me a free copy of this book through netgalley.com. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

These are slow moving mysteries that focus more on the people than the murder. Matthew Venn likes to get history on all involved so investigators dig deep to see if there is any connection to the man found dead.

Raging Storm is set in a small town of mostly Brethren families. Outsiders are looked at with unease. Since Matthew grew up Brethren he has an insiders view into their world and can often block the silence. Ross, one of the detectives is pompous and doesn't like Venn's methodical way of working and he is jealous of his coworker Jen and her relationship with the boss. Jen is balancing being a single mom of two kids and being away when they need her.

You get to know these characters over the different books. I'm sure you could read this as a stand-alone but I think you would miss something in the relationships.

I really like this series and love that you don't have to have fast paced action in order to write a good mystery. Sometimes the people themselves provide you enough entertainment.

Celebrity adventurer and sailor Jem Rosco unexpectedly and mysteriously arrives in a small seaside village in Devon county, England, an area in which he grew up. Rosco’s arrival causes quite a stir among the locals, many of whom knew him in his youth. Rosco soon disappears and is found murdered in a small boat mysteriously anchored in a sea cove which is steeped in superstition and somewhat feared by the villagers. Detective Inspector Matthew Venn and his colleagues arrive to embark on the arduous task of solving Rosco’s murder, with Venn battling his own challenging memories of growing up in the same area as part of the Barum Brethren, a cult-like religious group he loathed and repudiated as he matured.

Author Ann Cleeves does an excellent job of developing both characters and plot, using what seemed to me to be a realistic portrayal of police procedure and Venn’s nearly obsessive desire to learn as much background information as possible, even facts that appear to have little relevance, to methodically walk the reader with the detectives towards the solution of the crime. Unlike many crime mysteries, this story doesn’t take shortcuts or use illogical and unlikely events to unravel the mystery and ultimately solve the crime. Cleeves use the weather and physical environment to great effect, making the bleakness of the village almost much an obstacle to the investigation as the reticence of the residents.

This was the third book in a series. I had not read the first two, but had no trouble following this one and am looking forward to reading those books and other works by Cleeves.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for my review.

Once again, Ann Cleeves delivers! A wild, rocky seaside setting. A fundamentalist Christian cult. A closed room murder in the great outdoors.

Matthew Venn and his team are called to a death in Greystone, a place familiar to him. There is a Barum Brethren meeting hall here to which he was brought by his parents as a child. His memories of the place are complicated. He and his team must discover just how Jeremy Roscoe met his untimely end.

With a storm raging, Matthew's team, Jen Rafferty, and Ross May, find themselves stranded in the local pub, the Maiden's Prayer — utilitarian at best. Greystone is not a tourist town.

As is her wont, Ann Cleeves has written a mystery with larger-than-life characters and a plot full of dizzying twists and turns. Her books are cinematic, creating a movie of the mind. THE RAGING STORM is no exception.

The backstory continues to evolve. Jen Rafferty, sergeant, single mother, ambitious, travels into her past taking her kids to stay with the ex's parents. Ross May is a misogynist trying not to be. He is also ambitious but lacks self-control. Joe Oldham, Ross' mentor, and Matthew's nemesis makes a cursory appearance. He does nothing to advance an investigation but makes demands for a fast solution.

As the plot ravels and unravels, you will be drawn into this mystery where nothing is as it seems. Put on your most comfortable clothes — PJs and that ratty old robe — and grab your beverage of choice. Now you're ready to settle into another tangled tale by the brilliant Ann Cleeves.

The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves Narrator, Jack Holden Matthew Venn/Two Rivers Series.
This is book three in the series and I have read them all. I think you get more out of the book if you have read the two previous books. I have to confess that I like the Vera series best, the Shetland series next best and this one comes in third. Truthfully, if I had read this series first I might have not read any other books by this author. It isn’t that the series is not well written, it's just that the main character is not very sympathetic, plus I am getting a bit tired of his problems related to his religious background. After all that, I would still say this is a well written story and it was a compelling read. The ending was a surprise and it was all tied up very well.

Okay, I love Matthew Venn. He’s so sweet but awkward and ultimately determined to do the right thing. He’s such a lovable character. I didn’t much care for the rivalry between Jen and Ross, though, so that tempered a bit of the enjoyment I got from the characters themselves. They were all excellent written with their own motivations and backstories that make them who they are, but there are just those people you kind of wish would get over an aspect of themselves, and that’s these two.

The setting is gorgeously grey, dark, and desolate. It was the perfect setting for the mystery and really leaned into those aesthetics and expectations. At times, Greystone truly felt like another character. And the people living there fit in beautifully. Small town, almost cult-y vibes from them all carved out the most base emotions while reading. It was easy to be intimidated, irritated, and othered by them as we interviewed them alongside Jen, Ross, and Matthew.

The mystery was also so good! I had ideas about who it could have been, but being in the heads of the officers themselves made clues stand out while driving readers along with the red herrings. This is the first in a long time I hadn’t guessed the murderer and was surprised at the end.

Ann Cleeves did an amazing job at intertwining different aspects to create an engaging plot with characters you can root for with realistic habits and actions that humanize them.

The only thing I wasn’t super fond of, but knew was going to be a key part in the series was the child character’s serious illness. Maybe it’s because I’m not a UK reader, but I spent more time wondering what the illness was and it was hard to sympathize with the parent in the right way to keep myself in the story when it was discussed. I tried to look up the disease, but nothing came up and a friend in the UK couldn’t find anything either. Was this a made up illness??

The Raging Storm is the third in Ann Cleeves Two Rivers series featuring Matthew Venn, set in Devon in the north of England by the sea. In this outing, Venn and his team are called to the small, old village of Greystone to investigate a death, one that carries the hallmarks of murder.

Jem Rosco, a son of the village and a sailor and adventurer, suddenly returned to Greystone, staying in a local cottage, regaling locals with stories nightly in the pub and hinting of an upcoming rendezvous with some unknown person. A couple of weeks into his visit, Jem disappeared. Then an SOS call is received and a body is found in a dinghy off a cove.

Venn’s arrival in Greystone is a return of sorts and brings back mixed memories from childhood visits with his parents for Brethren family events. There is a sizable Brethren church presence here and, while it doesn’t interfere with the management of the case, his break with his parents is constantly on his mind. Investigation reveals hidden facts and possible motives throughout the community and in Jem’s past history, keeping the team very busy searching for more evidence and details. As in all of Cleeves’s novels I’ve read, the characters are well developed at virtually all levels and the landscape becomes another character in the story, sometimes affecting the outcome.

Another recommended mystery with excellent characters, story and atmosphere. But I suggest you begin with The Long Call, the first of the Two Rivers series in order to learn more of the characters’s backstory and watch them develop.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. This review is my own.

I was a little disappointed in this book. Devon is a beautiful place, but the writer made is seem very cold, wet and gloomy.. I liked the detective, he seemed very real and so did the two sargents. Story begins in a ragging storm and the weather only improves a little from that point. The local pub is not a welcoming place and it was hard to like any of the characters.. It was necessary to concentrate on this story because there were so many characters and so much going on. I think it would make a good movie, very atmospheric.

Ann Cleeves astounds once again with "The Raging Storm," the third installment in the Detective Matthew Venn series. Cleeves weaves together an atmospheric narrative filled with fierce winds, dark secrets, and deadly intentions.

Set in the charming town of Greystone, Devon, the story kicks off with the arrival of the legendary adventurer Jem Rosco, a man of mystery and magnetism. As the residents marinate in the presence of this celebrity, his sudden disappearance and subsequent discovery of his lifeless body anchor the suspense in a chilling mystery. The stage is set for Detective Matthew Venn to unravel the secrets lurking within Scully Cove, a place steeped in its own eerie legends.

Detective Matthew Venn, a character whose judgment is clouded by his own connection to Greystone, comes to life as he navigates the murky waters of superstition, rumor, and reality. Readers are drawn into his world, feeling the tension that arises from his deep personal ties to the community.

As the winds howl, Cleeves takes readers on a journey that is as much about self-discovery as it is about solving a mystery. Venn's introspection makes it more than just a whodunit; it's a psychological exploration of the human condition.

Cleeves' writing, as described by The New York Times, evokes a unique sensation akin to ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response). It's a delicate balance between the dark and cozy, a fine line where tension thrives but never becomes overwhelming. This approach allows readers to sink comfortably, relishing the spine-tingling moments.

"The Raging Storm" reveals Cleeves' skill in creating an atmospheric setting that becomes a character in itself. Greystone, with its secrets and legends, comes alive, immersing readers in a world where the storm is not just meteorological but also metaphorical. It's a place where the past and present collide, and where the line between truth and legend blurs.

I love the small towns and remote, almost wild locations where Cleeves sets her stories and that here the final resolution isn’t totally sad or seedy. There’s angst, but it’s not of the hidden abuse or sexually deviant kind that so often populates these procedurals. I enjoyed the unraveling of the puzzle here, and didn’t guess the ending. My only complaint is that I can’t stand the personal drama of the detectives. They are all annoying and it became repetitive.

This review is going to start very differently than my others. My mother loves Ann Cleeves. She sings this author's praises left and right. Now, in my case, mom always knows best! She's the one who introduced me to Elizabeth George, Louise Penny, Ann Pachet, and many other incredible authors.

The Raging Storm brings us back to Inspector Matthew Venn who I adore. He's in a bit of a predicament with this his latest case. Jem Rosco, famous world adventurer, has been found murdered in Greystone. Inspector Venn has a history with Greystone. It's a place he visited in his youth, but left due to its often closed-minded ways. As Matthew returns as an adult and authority figure, he's seeing Greystone and its familiar faces with new eyes.

There are many interesting characters crafted by Ann Cleeves in this installment in the series. This was a solid addition to the series and a gripping read. I found it fast-paced and at times, I had to switch between the e-book (courtesy of St. Martin's Press/ Minotaur Books) and the audiobook (courtesy of Macmillan Audio). I listen to audiobooks at 2x speed, but The Raging Storm was a challenge for me. I had to slow it down and often switched to the text to read at my own pace, without missing anything!

If you are a fan of Ann Cleeves, I recommend reading this latest release!

The Raging Storm is the third book in the gripping and entertaining Two Rivers mystery series.

This book is set on the rugged Devon coast, a perfect place for a moody murder mystery. A local adventurer is found dead in a dinghy floating in Scully Cove and Detective Matthew Venn is the detective on the case.

Ann Cleeves is a master at writing her characters. I feel like I know Matthew, Jenn, Ross, and the other characters in the book. This is partly because we get certain chapters from their point of view.

The mystery was complex and difficult to figure out, until it was revealed at the end of the book.

The setting, characters, and well crafted mystery makes this a must read for mystery lovers.

THE RAGING STORM by Ann Cleeves is the latest Matthew Venn novel following The Long Call and The Heron's Cry). As this title indicates, the environment of North Devon (with stormy days and often treacherous tides at the seaside) is once again a key feature in building atmosphere and suspense. Inspector Venn and his colleagues, Ross May and Sergeant Jen Rafferty, are out to investigate the death of around-the-world sailing phenom, Jem Rosco. A local boy made good, Rosco had moved back recently to a small village where its inhabitants (local schoolteacher, taxi driver, magistrate, landowners, tavern keeper and so on) are now suspects in his death. Venn quietly leads the investigation, focusing on the many past relationships (several characters were at school together or romantically linked) along with current tensions and jealousies. With plenty of twists and strong character development, THE RAGING STORM received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly ("Cleeves's fans and newcomers alike will be hungry for the next entry.").

I'm a big fan of Cleeves' Vera Stanhope's series; so, I was happy for the chance to try this new series. This book is the third in the Two Rivers' series. I like the main character, Detective Matthew Venn and his partner, Jonathan. Matthew returns to a community that he tried to leave behind, having been raised in an evangelical environment. The case he's investigating is complex and filled with secrets and superstitions. This was an engaging, gripping, page-turner read. Thank you, NetGalley, and the publisher for the ARC.

THE RAGING STORM was a quick and easy read, but ultimately fell a bit flat. I read the two previous books in this series and found them more enjoyable than this one.

For me, The Raging Storm was an unsatisfying storm. The story takes a long time to unfold and the details revealed seem trivial. I wondered when author Ann Cleeves was going to pick up the action. When she finally did, it was more of a "who cares?" response from me as the murder victims were not likable, despite the first one being a rogue and adventurer, the second a public figure. I did finish the novel as I particularly liked the lead investigator, Mathew Renn. I would read more about him and his husband.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Book 3 in the Detective Matthew Venn series. Celebrity Jem Rosco disappears shortly after arriving in Greystone. His body is found in a dinghy near Scully Cove. Detective Matthew Venn is on the case. I enjoy a good police procedural and Ann Cleeves delivered with this book. A great addition to the Two Rivers Trilogy.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGallery for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Thiis third book in Ann Cleeves’s Two Rivers/ Matthew Venn series is an atmospheric and compelling mystery.. When television personality and famous sailor Jem Rosco is found murdered in the middle of an autumn storm, Chief Inspector Venn and his team are called to investigate, unleashing several dark secrets ib the course of their interviews with various town residents.
If you have read Ann Cleeves before and want more of the same, this book will definitely deliver. At its heart, THE RAGING STORM is a police procedural drama that quietly and slowly builds to a thrilling conclusion with many red herrings on the way. Along with Inspector Venn and his husband Jonathan, readers will also see series regulars Sergeant Jen Rafferty and Constable Ross May. While there are hints of character development and some advancement in the overall series storyline, the plot of this book is far more focused on the mystery itself. Therefore, I think one could start the series here without too much confusion.
Like her other works, Cleeves’s new novel showcases her skill as a storyteller. THE RAGING STORM is definitely a good mystery. Cleeves fans will love this. Having read 19 books by Ann Cleeves, I also thoroughly enjoyed this one. However, I think THE RAGING STORM is a plot-driven piece of what will ultimately be a character-driven series. A good and satisfying addition to a great series.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an advance electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was the first book I've read by Cleeves and it was packed with mystery and small-town secrets. This is a character driving but it immerses you in the story. I understand this is a series but I don't feel it affected my feelings for this book.

What I liked:
- I enjoyed getting the POV not only of the main investigator (Matt) but also his two detectives (Jenn and Ross) who work beneath him.
- This was very much character-driving but the pacing from the police producers to the background of the people in the town was steady.
- There were a lot of unlikeable characters but that didn't take away from the story at all. Actually, it made it more interesting.
- I thought the ending was satisfactory and completely didn't expect it.

Thank you to the publisher at Minotaur Books and Netgalley for a copy exchange for an honest review.

New York Times bestselling author Ann Cleeves returns with an evocative third mystery in the Two Rivers series featuring DI Matthew Venn. Prior to The Raging Storm (Minotaur), Venn had attempted to put the past behind him, but to no avail. When Jem Rosco, a celebrity adventurer, is found dead and naked in a dinghy drifting off the rocky coastline, Venn is dispatched to Greystone, Devon, to investigate the crime.
As a child, Venn had spent summers with his parents at the Brethren retreat in the dull seaside village. He now faces unpleasant memories about the religion he has questioned and rejected. And his own mother’s loyalty to the Brethren continues to torture him.
The tiny village of Greystone has a long memory, and the elders remember the embarrassment Venn caused his family and the sect. However, the town had been delighted about the return of another former resident, Jem Rosco. Rosco had been a delinquent youth, and contrary to the village’s predictions, he had achieved international fame as a sailor, adventurer, and legend. Although as a child, Rosco had never fit in: now as an adult, he is revered, but he has limited his community interaction to nightly pints at the Maiden’s Prayer pub.
Venn quickly discovers that no one knows a lot about Rosco’s present life. He is an enigma, blowing into the village like the North Wind. Yet the more Venn digs, the more he realizes everyone seems to possess an intimate connection to Rosco, himself, or the crime. But there is no evidence to connect any suspect to the murder. The only certainty is that Rosco had mentioned a mysterious mission — to meet a visitor who never materialized. Rosco’s untimely demise has left the village wondering about the true reason for his return and the identity of his visitor.
The Search for a Killer’s Motive
With the help of Venn’s loyal assistants, Jen Rafferty and Ross May, Venn scours the coast, uncovering the motives for killing Rosco. They are as varied as the shells, stones, and bones washing up on the shore. Old secrets and rivalries resurface in Rosco’s former lovers, spouses, school friends, admirers, and foster parents. Was it revenge, money, or jealousy that prompted Rosco’s murder?
Interestingly, Jem Rosco is not the only legend hovering over Greystone. As the result of a prank lifeboat call-out, his body was found afloat in the treacherous Scully Cove. Scully Cove is mired in superstitions as the scene of unexplained deaths, drownings, and accidents. The locals avoid it, and view the inlet as a place where the angry tides sweep people out to sea, or impale them on the sharp rocks. Contributing to the lore, Rosco’s death scene appeared staged. Someone wanted him found, but why? Why not dump the body in the roiling sea?
Chilling Mystery Shaped by Its Setting
Once again in The Raging Storm, Cleeves captures the heart and soul of Britain’s Devon Coast with her expressive, and impressive, use of landscape imagery. As in every Cleeves novel, the setting becomes an essential character, assuming a life of its own. This mystery would not have been as dramatic without the dangerous gale winds blowing, the white caps slapping against the shore, the jagged cliffs lording over the rocky shoreline, or the town isolated from the rest of the world by Mother Nature’s wrath.
In The Raging Storm, this landscape defines the residents of Greystone, while it creates impediments and unforeseen dangers for the strangers in town, like Venn, Jen and Ross. In the eye of a force nine gale, Venn and his team are forced to battle the elements, suspicious residents, and uncooperative witnesses to uncover the truth about Jem Rosco’s death. Meanwhile, Venn must battle his personal demons, unaware that his own life is in peril. For fans of Ann Cleeves, The Raging Storm offers an intriguing continuation of her new Two Rivers franchise. Cleeves has fashioned complicated characters, villains, and plots, and offers a glimpse of life in Devon England that leaves the reader craving more of Matthew Venn. The Raging Storm is chilling to the core.

A wonderful book! I love Ann Cleeves writing style and police procedural books. I feel Ann Cleeves builds the characters so well you feel you know them, and in this book the location had a role as well. She makes you feel you have sat down among friends to catch up. This is the third Matthew Venn book we get a closer look at the personal life of of the Detective Inspector Venn. I felt I was getting to know him better. When we begin, there is a murder. A local man’s body found in a dinghy in Scully Cove, which has a past of it’s own. Detective Inspector Venn begins the investigation into Jem Roscoe’s murder which is filled with speculation and superstition. Just when the answer seems to be coming, another body is found, again in Scully Cove. This only heightens the superstition rumors. And leaves Venn very frustrated and perplexed. This is a very good read. It keeps the reader guessing throughout. I would definitely recommend the book!
Thanks to Net Galley and Between the Chapters Book Club!