The deadliest truths are those in the shadows . . .
Detective Matthew Venn is called in to investigate a puzzling death. The body of a young woman has been found in the swimming pool of Tide House, a luxurious holiday home in North Devon, and her best friend is missing. The property belongs to rising political star Paul Armstrong and the case quickly draws intense media scrutiny.
As a scorching heat wave rages and further tragedy strikes, Venn and his team begin questioning a community brimming with secrets. The dead woman and her friend had been spotted at a nearby music festival the day before, an event which brought locals and outsiders together - some of whom may have been more connected with the Armstrongs than first thought.
Caught between a powerful family’s secrets and a powder keg of local tensions, Venn must navigate a treacherous path. Knowing that the real answers lie not in what people say, but in the silence that they keep . . .
Praise for Ann Cleeves:
'Everything Ann Cleeves writes is incredible' Richard Osman, author of The Thursday Murder Club
'Ann Cleeves is a stone-cold genius' Marian Keyes, author of My Favourite Mistake
'The Queen of the detective novel, thrilling millions of readers' Daily Express
The series
Nestled between the rolling hills and rugged coastline of North Devon, Two Rivers introduces readers to a world where the tides of the sea mirror the tangled webs of human emotions and dark secrets. The series follows Detective Matthew Venn, a man whose return to his coastal hometown for his estranged father's funeral sets in motion a series of investigations that will force him to confront not only the mysteries of his cases but also the ghosts of his past.
Read full series description
From the very first page of The Long Call, Cleeves draws readers into a community bound by quiet histories and unspoken tensions. Venn, marked by a difficult past and personal struggles, is an unusual but compelling protagonist. His investigations are as much about unraveling the complexities of human nature as they are about solving crimes. His approach to justice—methodical, introspective, and shaped by his own journey of self-discovery—creates a poignant and deeply human thread that runs through the series.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Devon’s wild beauty, Two Rivers offers more than just crime-solving. It immerses readers in a world of complicated relationships, tangled loyalties, and emotional reckoning. Each book, from The Long Call to The Heron's Cry and The Raging Storm, peels back the layers of its characters, revealing hidden desires, buried regrets, and unexpected truths. The stories explore not only the investigation of crime but also the price of keeping secrets in a small town where everyone is connected in some way.
In the Two Rivers series, the line between right and wrong is often blurred, and the atmosphere is thick with suspense and emotional resonance. The settings, whether the tranquil beauty of the rivers or the stormy, windswept coastline, are more than just locations—they are characters in themselves, reflecting the emotional turmoil and the secrets lurking within.
For those who crave more than just a thrilling whodunit, Two Rivers delivers a deeply engaging exploration of identity, belonging, and redemption. With its richly woven plotlines, vivid sense of place, and a protagonist who feels as real and flawed as the world around him, this series is a journey worth taking—one that will linger long after the last page is turned.
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