The heron's cry

Book Cover
Average Rating
Series
Two rivers volume 2
Publisher
Varies, see individual formats and editions
Publication Date
2021.
Language
English

Description

Ann Cleeves—New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of the Vera and Shetland series, both of which are hit TV shows—returns with The Heron's Cry, the mesmerizing second book in the Matthew Venn series.AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!“In Matthew Venn, Ann has created a complex, daring, subtle character.” —Louise Penny"A complex mystery full of surprises . . . this character-driven exploration of people's darkest flaws is a sterling example of Cleeves' formidable talents." Kirkus ReviewsNorth Devon is enjoying a rare hot summer with tourists flocking to its coastline. Detective Matthew Venn is called out to a rural crime scene at the home of a group of artists. What he finds is an elaborately staged murder--Dr Nigel Yeo has been fatally stabbed with a shard of one of his glassblower daughter's broken vases.Dr. Yeo seems an unlikely murder victim. He's a good man, a public servant, beloved by his daughter. Matthew is unnerved, though, to find that she is a close friend of Jonathan, his husband.Then another body is found--killed in a similar way. Matthew soon finds himself treading carefully through the lies that fester at the heart of his community and a case that is dangerously close to home.DI Matthew Venn returns in The Heron's Cry, in Ann Cleeves powerful next novel, proving once again that she is a master of her craft.

More Details

Contributors
Cleeves, Ann Author
Holden, Jack Narrator
ISBN
9781250204479
9781432890544
125020447
9781250818140
9781250204493

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Also in this Series

  • The long call (Two rivers Volume 1) Cover
  • The heron's cry (Two rivers Volume 2) Cover
  • The raging storm (Two rivers Volume 3) Cover

Author Notes

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Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Both intricately plotted and engaging mystery series feature gay English detectives who solve murder cases while burdened with personal and familial issues. The mystery is amplified by tension among a diverse cast of characters. -- Andrienne Cruz
Readers looking for mysteries with LGBTQIA sleuths will appreciate these atmospheric, intricately plotted series about gay detectives who solve a series of murders in Minnesota (Ben Packard) or North Devon (Two Rivers). -- CJ Connor
These atmospheric mystery series both follow complex English detectives who must deal with their own traumatic pasts as they try to solve a variety of difficult and dangerous cases. -- Stephen Ashley
Multifaceted leads populate both of these character-driven series, appealing to readers who like to indulge in mysteries with protagonists who are just as complex as the criminal cases at hand. -- Basia Wilson
These intricately plotted mysteries tackle criminal cases that uncover an intriguing tapestry of backstories and personal issues among flawed characters in small communities in England (Two Rivers) and Ireland (Cormac Reilly). Both are atmospheric with plenty of human interest drama. -- Andrienne Cruz
Complex detectives still reeling from traumatic events in their pasts find themselves investigating crimes in small towns in these atmospheric mystery series. Jesse Stone is a bit faster paced than the more character-driven Two Rivers. -- Stephen Ashley
The personal lives of detectives in England (Two Rivers) and Scotland (Lewis Trilogy) drive these atmospheric and character-driven mystery series. Both feature intricate plotting where secrets coupled with a tightly-wound protagonist, add depth to the investigations. -- Andrienne Cruz
Though Ruth Galloway's cases tend to be a bit more disturbing than Matthew Venn's (Two Rivers), these England-set mysteries will appeal to readers who appreciate a balance of twisty cases and atmospheric, richly detailed prose. -- Stephen Ashley
These series have the appeal factors atmospheric, richly detailed, and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "mysteries"; the subjects "detectives," "murder investigation," and "secrets"; and characters that are "flawed characters" and "complex characters."

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These books have the subjects "murder," "murder suspects," and "english history."
These books have the appeal factors intricately plotted and first person narratives, and they have the theme "coming of age"; the genre "mysteries"; the subjects "murderers" and "secrets"; and characters that are "flawed characters" and "complex characters."
These books have the subjects "men-men relations," "gay men," and "closeted gay men"; include the identities "gay" and "lgbtqia+"; and characters that are "flawed characters," "complex characters," and "sympathetic characters."
NoveList recommends "Detective Sergeant Adam Tyler" for fans of "Two rivers". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Cormoran Strike novels" for fans of "Two rivers". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Cormac Reilly novels" for fans of "Two rivers". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Jesse Stone mysteries" for fans of "Two rivers". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Lewis trilogy" for fans of "Two rivers". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Ben Packard mysteries" for fans of "Two rivers". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Thomas Lynley mysteries" for fans of "Two rivers". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Ruth Galloway mysteries" for fans of "Two rivers". Check out the first book in the series.
These books have the appeal factors richly detailed, atmospheric, and intricately plotted, and they have the subjects "murder" and "secrets"; and characters that are "flawed characters" and "well-developed characters."

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Ann Cleeves and Quintin Jardine write British police procedurals set in Scotland. These dark stories show the seamy underside of society. They feature empathetic policemen who buck the system to solve crimes. Intricate plotting, strong characterization, and brooding atmosphere make these suspenseful stories a non-stop read. -- Merle Jacob
These authors' works have the appeal factors evocative and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "mysteries"; the subjects "detectives," "small towns," and "former detectives"; and characters that are "flawed characters" and "complex characters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors intricately plotted, and they have the genres "mysteries" and "police procedurals"; the subjects "murder investigation," "detectives," and "women detectives"; and characters that are "flawed characters" and "complex characters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors menacing and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "police procedurals"; the subjects "murder investigation," "detectives," and "women detectives"; and characters that are "flawed characters" and "complex characters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors menacing and atmospheric, and they have the genre "police procedurals"; the subjects "murder investigation," "detectives," and "women detectives"; and characters that are "flawed characters" and "complex characters."
These authors' works have the genre "police procedurals"; the subjects "murder investigation," "detectives," and "women detectives"; and characters that are "flawed characters," "complex characters," and "introspective characters."
These authors' works have the genre "police procedurals"; and the subjects "murder investigation," "detectives," and "women detectives."
These authors' works have the appeal factors strong sense of place and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "police procedurals"; the subjects "murder investigation," "detectives," and "women detectives"; and characters that are "flawed characters," "complex characters," and "well-developed characters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors atmospheric, evocative, and leisurely paced, and they have the genre "mysteries"; the subjects "murder investigation," "secrets," and "murder"; and characters that are "flawed characters" and "complex characters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors evocative, leisurely paced, and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "police procedurals"; the subjects "murder investigation," "detectives," and "women detectives"; and characters that are "flawed characters" and "complex characters."
These authors' works have the genres "mysteries" and "police procedurals"; and the subjects "detectives," "women detectives," and "secrets."
These authors' works have the appeal factors atmospheric and intricately plotted, and they have the subjects "murder investigation," "secrets," and "murder"; and characters that are "flawed characters," "complex characters," and "well-developed characters."

Published Reviews

Booklist Review

In the second installment of Cleeves' Two Rivers series, following The Long Call (2019), Detective Matthew Venn, recently estranged from his religious community and family, is just settling into North Devon with his husband, Jonathan, when a string of deaths rattles his newfound tranquility. The body of respected physician Dr. Nigel Yeo is found in his daughter Eve's glassblowing studio, a shard of one of her art-glass vases protruding from his neck. The same scenario plays out soon after when Eve's studio partner, aging hippie sculptor Wesley, is killed with another piece of Eve's work. Both murders take place on the arts-retreat estate of philanthropist Frank Ley, who is soon found dead of an apparent suicide. The same occurs with two beloved area teenage boys, and suddenly the possibility that all five deaths are unrelated becomes less and less likely. Venn and his fellow inspectors interview virtually every member of this insular, bucolic community in search of the killer in a wonderfully engrossing, by-the-book police procedural lush with Agatha Christie-esque atmosphere and intrigue.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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Publisher's Weekly Review

In Agatha Award winner Cleeves's well-crafted sequel to 2019's The Long Call, Det. Matthew Venn investigates the murder of retired physician Nigel Yeo, who was found by his glassblower daughter, Eve Yeo, in her Devon, England, studio with a shard from one of her handmade vases in his neck. As director of a patient advocacy group, Nigel was probing the death of a paranoid patient who killed himself after being released from a psychiatric hospital. The CEO of the health trust in charge of the hospital, who met with Nigel the morning before the murder, can't afford to have his reputation sullied by blame for the suicide. But when a second victim is found murdered by glass from one of Eve's vases, Matthew reconsiders her involvement. Conflict erupts at home, as Eve's a friend of Matthew's husband, Jonathan, who thinks Matthew's suspicion of Eve is misguided. Jonathan also dislikes Matthew drawing rigid lines between his personal and professional life. Though Matthew's inflexible personality mutes the narrative at times, the intricate plotting, complex characters, and rich atmosphere more than compensate. Both new and existing fans will be pleased. Agent: Sarah Menguc, Sarah Menguc Literary (U.K.). (Sept.)

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Library Journal Review

Devon police detective Matthew Venn and his team are called to an artists' compound where Dr. Nigel Yeo has been found in his daughter's glassblowing studio, having been stabbed to death with a piece of her glass. Sergeant Jen Rafferty now regrets that she had too much to drink at a party the night before and missed the chance to talk to Dr. Yeo; he had wanted to discuss a suicide he was investigating for his mental health services watchdog group. When another artist is killed, again stabbed with a shard of glass, the police's focus turns to the artists' commune and the glassblower Eve Yeo. Matthew's husband Jonathan is a friend of Eve's and is protective of her, and Matthew becomes upset with Jonathan's interference in his case. Manipulation and murder only increase the pain for the involved families and the local community. The unsettling investigation finds Matthew's team examining their own family relationships as they unravel a story of suicide and depression and the inadequacy of a rural English town's mental health services. VERDICT Matthew Venn, introduced in The Long Call, is the primary detective in this installment, but Cleeves uses multiple voices, including those of Matthew's team members, to show the personal effects of this troubling case. Fans of Cleeves's "Vera Stanhope" and "Shetland" mysteries will be eager for her latest novel, where a police team struggles to cope with professional and personal lives.--Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

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Kirkus Book Review

In her follow-up to The Long Call (2019), Cleeves provides a complex mystery full of surprises. Detective Matthew Venn's North Devon team is stretched to the limit by a series of homicides. An aborted conversation between police officer Jen Rafferty and Nigel Yeo, who wants to discuss a problem at a party thrown by a mutual friend, is the first hint of trouble. The next morning, Jen is called to a murder scene at an artist's workshop on the grounds of wealthy Francis Ley's home. The dead man is Nigel, who was killed by a spear from one of his glass blower daughter Eve's pieces. The investigation is complicated by several preexisting relationships. Jen had a one-night stand with Wes Curnow, the other artist in residence at Ley's, who also has studio space at an art center run by Venn's artistic, upbeat husband, Jonathan. The murdered man worked for a watchdog organization that's investigating the National Health Service after several families complained that their depressed youngsters got little help and committed suicide, including the son of a local family that could be seeking revenge. The homicide team, which in addition to Jen includes an ambitious detective named Ross, work in their own intuitive ways alongside Venn, a clever, soft-spoken, deeply conflicted man--he's still working on his fraught relationship with his mother after having been brought up in a cultlike religious group that doesn't welcome gay people. A second murder with another shard of Eve's glass widens the possible range of suspects, making it more difficult for the sleuths to ignore their personal feelings. This character-driven exploration of people's darkest flaws is a sterling example of Cleeves' formidable talents. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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Booklist Reviews

In the second installment of Cleeves' Two Rivers series, following The Long Call (2019), Detective Matthew Venn, recently estranged from his religious community and family, is just settling into North Devon with his husband, Jonathan, when a string of deaths rattles his newfound tranquility. The body of respected physician Dr. Nigel Yeo is found in his daughter Eve's glassblowing studio, a shard of one of her art-glass vases protruding from his neck. The same scenario plays out soon after when Eve's studio partner, aging hippie sculptor Wesley, is killed with another piece of Eve's work. Both murders take place on the arts-retreat estate of philanthropist Frank Ley, who is soon found dead of an apparent suicide. The same occurs with two beloved area teenage boys, and suddenly the possibility that all five deaths are unrelated becomes less and less likely. Venn and his fellow inspectors interview virtually every member of this insular, bucolic community in search of the killer in a wonderfully engrossing, by-the-book police procedural lush with Agatha Christie-esque atmosphere and intrigue. Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.
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Library Journal Reviews

In this third in the "Two Rivers" series from CWA Diamond Dagger winner Cleeves, Dr. Nigel Yeo has been found slashed to death with one of his daughter's delicate blown-glass vases. Det. Matthew Venn learns that the doctor had been probing the suicide of the depressed young Mack, who was lured into a dangerous online community, and soon another murder-by-vase troubles Venn's North Devon community, smoldering in the summer heat. With a 150,000-copy first printing.

Copyright 2021 Library Journal.

Copyright 2021 Library Journal.
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Library Journal Reviews

Devon police detective Matthew Venn and his team are called to an artists' compound where Dr. Nigel Yeo has been found in his daughter's glassblowing studio, having been stabbed to death with a piece of her glass. Sergeant Jen Rafferty now regrets that she had too much to drink at a party the night before and missed the chance to talk to Dr. Yeo; he had wanted to discuss a suicide he was investigating for his mental health services watchdog group. When another artist is killed, again stabbed with a shard of glass, the police's focus turns to the artists' commune and the glassblower Eve Yeo. Matthew's husband Jonathan is a friend of Eve's and is protective of her, and Matthew becomes upset with Jonathan's interference in his case. Manipulation and murder only increase the pain for the involved families and the local community. The unsettling investigation finds Matthew's team examining their own family relationships as they unravel a story of suicide and depression and the inadequacy of a rural English town's mental health services. VERDICT Matthew Venn, introduced in The Long Call, is the primary detective in this installment, but Cleeves uses multiple voices, including those of Matthew's team members, to show the personal effects of this troubling case. Fans of Cleeves's "Vera Stanhope" and "Shetland" mysteries will be eager for her latest novel, where a police team struggles to cope with professional and personal lives.—Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

Copyright 2021 Library Journal.

Copyright 2021 Library Journal.
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Publishers Weekly Reviews

In Agatha Award winner Cleeves's well-crafted sequel to 2019's The Long Call, Det. Matthew Venn investigates the murder of retired physician Nigel Yeo, who was found by his glassblower daughter, Eve Yeo, in her Devon, England, studio with a shard from one of her handmade vases in his neck. As director of a patient advocacy group, Nigel was probing the death of a paranoid patient who killed himself after being released from a psychiatric hospital. The CEO of the health trust in charge of the hospital, who met with Nigel the morning before the murder, can't afford to have his reputation sullied by blame for the suicide. But when a second victim is found murdered by glass from one of Eve's vases, Matthew reconsiders her involvement. Conflict erupts at home, as Eve's a friend of Matthew's husband, Jonathan, who thinks Matthew's suspicion of Eve is misguided. Jonathan also dislikes Matthew drawing rigid lines between his personal and professional life. Though Matthew's inflexible personality mutes the narrative at times, the intricate plotting, complex characters, and rich atmosphere more than compensate. Both new and existing fans will be pleased. Agent: Sarah Menguc, Sarah Menguc Literary (U.K.). (Sept.)

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Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly.
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