Sadly this didn’t hit the mark for me. I didn’t care for the characters, particularly the lead detective, Matthew Venn who didn’t seem to possess any personality whatsoever and the plot was, at best, convoluted.

Too much religious stuff was the final nail in the coffin and had me rolling my eyes on many occasion at the ridiculousness of the plot.

The narration was ok, but with Jen, Jem and Venn sounding so similar in an already confusing storyline, I struggled to keep track of what was going on and with who.

2 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed the TV adaptations of Ann Cleeves’ Shetland and Vera books but this is the first time I’ve read (listened in this case) to one of her books.

While the plot itself is cleverly put together, I was not keen on her writing style which I found stiff and stilted, although that may have been down to the narration. Matthew Venn, the protagonist in this series, is a detached, unlikable character, unlike Perez and Vera, both of whom I like very much as characters but, as I have only seen them on the television adaptations, I don’t know how they come across in her books. I can’t say any of the recurring characters in the Two Rivers series come across as either interesting or likeable, which makes it harder to maintain interest in the book.

Although Ann Cleeves gives some information about the RNLI, (who, incidentally, although they are volunteers, are paid for each shout they go on – my husband is ex crew), I don’t think she gives a good account of the realities of being on a lifeboat crew, it all seems very tame.
Sadly the book was a bit of a plodder rather than a page turner for me. 3*

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook in return for an honest review.

I've been undecided about Matthew Venn's addition to the stable of Ms Cleeves undoubtedly wonderful detectives. But then I love Vera and Jimmy Perez so it's a lot to live up to. The good news is he's starting to become a much more three dimensional character. He always seemed so dull before but he's growing on me. And for me it's only the main characters I need to be concerned about because I know Ann Cleeves is going to a deliver a beautifully but not insanely complex plot.

This time I was absolutely positive I'd worked out whodunit. The story begins with the death of Jem Rosco, a once famous round the world sailor. This brings Matthew Venn and his trusty team to Greystone where he encounters the Barham Brethren - a religious group he knows well. Misdirection and noncooperation follow as Venn tries to discover what has happened.

As I said, this time I knew I had the answer. I'd even thought about contacting Ms Cleeves to tell her that I finally had her stories sorted. Obviously I didn't. Not only did I have it wrong but it was totally wrong. So well done again for fooling me completely.

On the subject of the characters - Jen just becomes more likeable although even she is prone to petty jealousy at times but Ross takes the biscuit. I await the time he is consumed by his own pettiness that he either gets himself killed or lets a murderer go.

Either way I don't care, I'm just delighted that Venn has wormed his way into my affection and I'm also delighted that Ann Cleeves continues to produce such excellent detective stories. Always a joy to read.

I was lucky enough to listen to the audio version which was beautifully read by Jack Holden.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan for the advance review copy.

The Raging Storm was my first Detective Venn book and dare I say it, my first Ann Cleeves book. Despite having not read the earlier books in the Venn series, I wasn’t disadvantaged.

I found Venn an incredibly interesting character, at eighteen years of age he denounced his religious upbringing in a brethren community, and left all he knew. Now, a police officer in North Devon, his ‘patch’ intersects with the brethren community he left.

In The Raging Storm, Venn and his team investigate the murder of a local celebrity Rosco. There are twists and turns and I was gripped throughout. The narrator, Jack Holden, brought the book to life with the all the different accents and voices.

I will definitely go back and read the earlier Venn books.

Huge thanks to the publishers, Macmillan UK Audio, and NetGalley for making this audio-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is my first book by Anne Cleeves I am not sure why after this


The setting was so well described and such an important part of the plot it was like a character in itself just soaked it up.

The plot itself was very complex with so many twists, thoroughly enjoyed it.The ending was sublime.

The narration really worked so many different characters


I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own

Absolutely loved this! I had never read an Ann Cleeves novel before but I have been missing out. This is a great example of how cosy police/crime novels can be done perfectly. Fantastic characterisation, atmosphere was top notch and it was paced perfectly. We are following the police as they try to find a killer in a sleepy north Devon town . Now I need to read all the rest of her books!

An emotional read. The characters were well developed, so much so, you feel like you’re watching a soap tv show. Very dramatic and fast moving story. The focus on the seaside, cliff tops and lifeboats is a new topic for me. I enjoyed learning more about this sort of community.