This is the third book in a series, but i didnt find that i was missing anything i needed to enjoy this story. The audio was great to listen to, and the author did a great job of setting the storm and allowing the reader to feel that tension. It is not a quick story, much more of a crime procedural where clues and identities have to be puzzled out. I would definitely continue this series, and read the previous two books in the series.


Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advance copy of this audiobook

The Raging Storm Audiobook by Ann Cleeves

Narrator: Jack Holden
Listening Time: 9 Hours, 47 Minutes, 32 Seconds
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Release Date: September 5, 2023

Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Police Procedural, Devon

Matthew Venn and his team are investigating a naked man, Jem Rosco, found anchored in a dinghy. He was a local man who has become somewhat of a celebrity sailor. The storm is now raging, and the team are trapped in the small town. A second death of a prominent man found at the bottom of a cliff is suspicious because it is near the area the dinghy was found.

The narrator gives a voice to Matthew. He is easy to listen to and has a steady voice. The book has a fast pace, the characters are developed, and it is written in the third person point of view. The images and feel of the storm make the story feel more mysterious. It makes you want to read faster to finish the book and find out what happens. I love how Ann created Matthew. He is so different from her other characters (Vera Stanhope and Jimmy Perez). I look forward to reading more of Matthew and his team. If you like British police procedurals, you will enjoy this one.

I really enjoyed the narrator's work and this new installment in Ann Cleeves' On Call series. An involving traditional mystery in a vividly drawn and atmospheric setting. When a famous sailor and explorer returns to his hometown to have a meeting with a special person from his past, it sets the whole town buzzing. But when he's killed and his naked body is placed in a dinghy that the lifeboat recovers, Matthew Venn and his team are called in. Venn is torn between the case and the strangeness of being in the town where his family worshipped when he was part of a religious community. The other detectives are often sent on their own interviews and make important discoveries, and even the arrogant younger male detective is mostly likable. But I could have done with less of the female detective's "broodiness" and wistfulness over no more children in her future. Some nice twists, but also some developments that seemed less shocking. Overall, very enjoyable. I also loved the choice to have the author read her own note at the end of the novel--it's lovely.

The Raging Storm is the third in the Matt Venn series by Ann Cleeves. It starts when Jem Rosco, a local boy made good as a sailing hero returns to his hometown of Greystone. But then, his dead body is found in a dinghy anchored in Scully Cove and Matt and his team are called in to investigate. It’s an uncomfortable situation for Matt as this town is the home of the conservative church that tossed him out.
This isn’t a fast paced story. It’s a cerebral police procedural, expecting the reader to pay attention. This is a character driven story. Both the suspects and the team are fully developed individuals. My favorite police procedurals balance the mix of mystery to the team’s personal issues and this manages that mix perfectly.
Cleeves just does a wonderful job of setting the scene and I appreciated the ability to easily envision how it all plays out. The ending to this was perfect (which to me means it makes sense and isn’t unbelievable).
Make sure to take the time to read the Author’s Note and Cleeves’ discussion on how Matt came to be.
I listened to this and I enjoyed Jack Holden’s narration.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy of this book

SUMMARY
Jem Roscoe is a renowned sailor and adventurer who returns to his hometown for a visit. He has rented a local cottage and is waiting for a visitor to meet him there. When Roscoe disappears again after several days, the town folks think nothing of it until someone spots a dingy anchored off the shore of Scully Cove with his body inside. Detective Investigator Matthew Venn and his team are called to investigate Roscoe’s death. As a child, Venn had also spent some time in the remote village and was not fond of the area. When a second body is discovered in Skully Cove, Venn’s investigation kicks into high gear just as another storm approaches, and the village is cut off from outside help. The lives of the investigative team are at stake as they get closer to identifying the murderer.

REVIEW
The Raging Storm is a multiple murder mystery in the quiet seaside town of Greystone Devon, that will have your head spinning with the vast number of interesting characters. The overall story is entertaining, and the writing is clever. Venn’s character was self-reflective, likable, and polite.

The seemingly unceasing cold, rain, and wind make the location of Greystone Devon dreary, while the cliffs and hillside vistas of the sea add drama making the location highly atmospheric. Author Ann Cleeves’ vivid descriptions evoke immense feelings that will make you shiver in anticipation.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. While listening, however, I had difficulty distinguishing between several characters’ names. Venn, Jen, and Jem sounded similar in the narration, making listening a little complicated. This confusion would not be a problem when reading the book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.


Publisher Macmillan Audio
Published September 5, 2023
Narrated Jack Holden
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

Thank you to #NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was a great addition to the Matthew Venn series. I love the story building and character development that has continued into this third novel. It was interesting to see more into Matthews childhood and learn more about his husband.

Ann Cleeves is a true master of the mystery genre. From her early series featuring Inspector Ramsay to her Birdwatcher series, and then on through the Vera and Jimmy Perez novels, she has entertained me for hours. Her latest protagonist is Matthew Venn; here we have the third in that series.

Matthew has a somewhat complex history. His parents were part of a (fringe) religious group that he felt he needed to leave. Matthew was not comfortable with the Brethren’s beliefs and knew that his partner Jonathan might never succeed in being fully accepted by them. Series readers have followed Matthew as he engages in his new life. That said, this book could be read as a standalone.

The Raging Storm is a complex mystery with many characters, relationships and plot threads. The story takes place in the small community where Matthew had grown up. Readers spend time with his team, a sometimes competitive group, and with Matthew and Jonathan. Jonathan, by the way, is a very loving and tolerant spouse.

There are also all of the people in the community and they make for a large group of suspects. The (first) victim was a well-known sailor and a second murder occurs (no spoilers so not naming this person) as well. In addition, there is a disappearance. There are many interrelationships here.

Settings in the book are well described. There are emergency workers on the lifeboat group heading out to sea, members of the yachting club, houses that are falling apart and more.

Why did the first victim, Jem, return to the community? Who did he plan to meet? Why did he choose to spend his time there in a broken down hut? Was there a special reason for the location of his body and the next one?

This book has a slow burn. It is long (400 Pages) and involving. I recommend The Raging Storm most highly (though my heart will always belong to Jimmy Perez of another series).

I toggled back and forth between the print and audio editions of this title, reading when I was home and listening while on the go. This worked perfectly for me. The narration of the audio book was crisp, clear and easy to follow.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for this title. All opinions are my own.

Ann Cleeves never writes a bad novel, and this is no exception.
Rich and nuanced, with complex characters and an intelligent storyline, this is classic Ann Cleeves. Her plots are smart without being overly complicated and contrived.
I'll read anything she writes. Always.

This thriller was interesting and had me guessing constantly. I found it a little hard to keep up with and think maybe I would have appreciated more if I had read the first book of this series.

Another well designed mystery about Matthew Venn, this one about a murdered celebrity who was in Devon under mysterious circumstances. Venn gets wrapped up in the secrets of the town, a place he visited as a child. It's up to Venn and his inspectors to figure out why everyone has secrets to hide and which ones are important to their case.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for an advanced copy of this book. This is the third Michael Venn book and Cleeves does it again. A man is found dead in a boat, naked on the coast of England. Venn and his team soon realized he was a famous explorer but who would want to kill him? Who was the special person that he was waiting for? Why did he settle here? The book builds on the two previous ones in that Michael’s former religious group, the Bretheren are here too. They say they don’t lie, but someone is not telling the truth. The characters are not too complicated and the story is fast paced. You don’t need to have read the previous two, but it would help. The characters are complicated and flawed and that makes this such a wonderful read. Enjoy

This book is perfect for those who enjoy a small town murder mystery. There's also LGBTQ+ representation, and it touches on the struggles of coming back to one's seemingly small minded hometown.

Although a little dry in some spots, I enjoyed The Raging Storm overall.

Thank you for the ALC.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the free audio book in exchange for an honest review. This is narrated by Jack Holden who does a great job as always!!

This is the third installment in the DI Matthew Venn series. It another well written mystery with adventure, suspense and police procedure for fellow crime drama readers! The story builds up with a lot of twists and turns to a surprising ending and climax. Enjoy!!

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy of The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves in exchange for an honest review. Ann Cleeves is one the few authors my mom and I both liked. We had very different tastes in books, but Cleeves appealed to us both. This book is another Matthew Venn story and I feel like I'm really getting to know and understand his character. This book was excellent and had a great story line.

The Raging Storm by Ann Cleaves, narrated by Jack Holden is the first book that I have read by this author. I have watched the both Vera and Shetland series on Amazon Prime and noticed in the credits that they were both based on books by Ann Cleaves. This is what sparked my interest in this author. So, when I saw the audiobook on Netgalley, I requested and was approved. This book is the third in the Matthew Venn series, but it does stand alone. I had no problem following the story without having read the first two books. The location is Devon and revolves around the murder of Jem Roscoe, a famous sailor from the area that returns for a mysterious rendezvous with someone, and was found dead, in a dinghy anchored in Scully Cove, a legendary place in the area. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Jack Holden who very expertly acts out all the characters. The reader is introduced to the main three detectives and gets glimpses into their personal lives and their background and history as the story unfolds. Cleeves is an expert storyteller, as I expected, and this was a very challenging case. The reader also gets to know the key players in the tale, and the villagers that the detectives come across. and a very clear picture of life in the Greystone town in Devon. There's a focus on religious beliefs and how the villagers, and Matthew Venn, the Detective Inspector, who grew up there was affected by these beliefs. As an afterward, Ms. Cleeves gives the reader a little glimpse on how she came about writing this book, and the Matthew Venn series, which is always a plus. I enjoyed this book, and would highly recommend it to both Cleeves fans as well as those of us who haven't had the pleasure of reading her books. Thank you Netgalley and McMillan audio for giving me the opportunity to preview this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have read all of Ann Cleeves’ series, including the first two Matthew Venn books. Until The Raging Storm I thought the Venn series to be the weakest of the three. But Cleeves is once again at the top of her game. And the the series is now in equal company with Vera and Shetland. As we listen to this story unfold, we are struck by the strength of Cleeves’ characters, her story, and perhaps most of all, her descriptions of the setting, which in this case is the beautiful and rugged Devon coast. The location and the people who populate it are beset by a physical raging storm and, more importantly, by the raging storms of revenge and power. Cleeves offers a clever story, although to the careful reader/listener who can sort through the red herrings and pick up on the clues that are left cleverly along the way will be able to anticipate the ending, at least in part. Narrator Jack Holden does an excellent job. I especially appreciate that he does not try to change his voice to match each character; the listener has no trouble understanding just who.is speaking when. Adding Cleeves reading the afterword is a nice touch. The Raging Storm redeems the Matthew Venn series and, more importantly, offers an excellent read for Cleeves’ fans and noobies alike.

Name of Book: The Raging Storm
Series: Two Rivers -Detective Mathew Venn Novel #3
Author: Ann Cleaves
Narrator; Jack Holden
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Publisher: Macmillan Audio – Minotaur Books
Pub Date: September 5, 2023
My Rating: 3.6 rounded up
Pages: 400

This is my ninth : Ann Cleaves. ‘The ‘Detective Vera Stanhope’ series has been my favorite.
This is Book #3 in the ‘Two Rivers’ series. I read the other two stories and like Detective Venn and was looking forward to his next adventure. In Book #1 we were introduced to North Devon, where there are two rivers that converge before entering sea. Story started with Matthew Venn standing outside the strict evangelical church in which he grew-up with love but left the strict evangelical community and lost connection with his family. He found a family connection with when he joined the police force but It wasn’t until he found Jonathan that his life finally had a purpose.

This story starts with the arrival of legendary sailor and TV personality, Jeremy (Jem) Rosco; who hasn’t been seen in ages. When he arrives at Greystone, North Devon he immediately went to the local pub; most recognize him. He continued to visit the pub at the same time every evening. The regular were curious why Rosco was here ~ he likes to be mysterious – wants to keep folks wondering. He finally tells them he was waiting for someone – someone special.
When he doesn’t appear at the pub everyone is guessing that someone special showed up!
Only he is found dead in a dinghy that was let loose on purpose; Detective Matthew Venn is sure it is murder and starts Investigating Rosco's past.
Ad we read on we find out more about Rosco’s ‘someone special’.

When there is a second murder that happened at Scully Cove’s storm, Venn knows there are more dark secrets.
Story was a bit slow but all the characters kept me curious.
I knew that due to Venn’s experience with a strict childhood he would be suspicious of the Barun Brethren religious group.
Venn is a good detective and his sergeant, Jen Rafferty is a nice balance to Venn’s serious personality as well is his now husband, the easy-going Jonathan.
Whodunit wasn’t a big shock but the details were!

I laughed at Jen’s comment ~ None are pleasant individuals.
True her comment does sound nicer than my ‘unlikeable nasty characters’.

I always enjoy the Acknowledgments and in this case we hear in this audiobook Ann Cleaves herself
telling us her reasons for writing this story, she also mentioned that when she started writing the first in
this series she had no idea that Matthew was gay.

Want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio/Minotaur Books for this early audiobooks.
Publishing Release Day scheduled for September 5, 2023.

I just finished my first Ann Cleeves, The Raging Storm on audio. It is the third in the Matthew Venn Series. Jem Roscoe, a celebrity comes to Greystone to meet up with someone and his first stop is the local pub, The Maidens. He turns up dead and he won’t be the only one dead before the mystery is solved. Who was he coming to meet? Were they the killer and why? A storm rages as Matthew Venn, the detective investigates what happened on the desolate, gloomy island of Greystone that he used to visit as a child. I really loved how the author made the eery, gloomy landscape of Greystone come alive in the book. The storm and the setting were major characters in the story. I listened to it on audio and I enjoyed the pacing, accents and voice work and would recommend. It gave me Agatha Christie/ Jane Harper’s The Survivors vibes. Check it out if you like a “cozy” mystery that’s not quite as cozy as it is ominous and atmospheric.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to an ARC of this book.
Ann Cleeves, in case you have had your head in the sand, is the author of the popular Vera books and wonderful TV series. As well as the short-lived, in my opinion, Shetland series. Also a wonderful TV production.
The Raging Storm is the third book in her Matthew Venn series. At the end of the audiobook, Ms Cleeves, herself speaks and tells the reader why she came up with this venue, why Matthew is gay, and some other interesting facts that become part of the story.
The narration by Jack Holden was good. He was easy to understand and told a story rather than produce a drama. My one complaint was not his fault. One sentence would say 'Matthew' and by the end, say 'Venn' or start the next sentence with 'Venn'. I found it irritating and distracting. I wish she had just used his first or last name throughout.
The story itself is clever. It takes place in Scully Cove, about 20-30 miles from where Matthew lives with his husband, Jonathan. It is close to where he was raised in a cult and brings back unpleasant memories.
A man, not seen around there in many years, returns, now a famous celebrity sailor. After a couple of weeks, he disappears and is found, lifeless, in a boat off Scully Cove. Matthew and his team have to figure out why and who did it. The whole area where Matthew lives, Greystone, and Scully Cove seem dark in my mind, the reader's mind. It lends itself to mystery and secrets hidden over time. The backstory of the cult that Matthew grew up in and left making his mother very displeased all lend to the weird atmosphere.
This is a very enjoyable book.

This was my first book by Ann Cleeves, although this was part of a series of her books I feel as though it was fine as a standalone. I do feel as though it was not easy to follow along with the characters if you did not pay close attention.
Situated in Greystone an old quarry town that has been shut down, unless you grew up there or came for the Quarry jobs when in working condition you wouldn't come at all. (was the impression I got) An older town feel of close families that everyone knows everyone and old wise tails and superstition get passed down from generations.
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When Rosco returns to his old home town a world renowned adventurer people are surprised to see him and wonder what he is doing back. While waiting on someone (so he says) he is shortly thereafter found naked, dead in a small dingy after a distress call comes in. It does not appear he died in the dingy but someone put him there but why?
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I felt as thought the narration worked well with the story. Thank you @Netgallety and @Macmillianaudio for the ALC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.