kellylayne's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
azwahine_reads's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
balthazarlawson's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Talk about confusion. Everyone seems to be connected to everyone and if there is a connection then they must be a victim, suspect or depressed. Working out how people are connected is a problem.
It all starts with the murder of a man after a party and ends with the discovery that the death of a teen was not what it seemed. In between there is a long slow police procedural story that didn't really grab me. It wasn't exciting, surprising or revealing. It was just another case that could have just as easy been solved by Vera or had occurred on the Shetlands. Nothing really mad this hugely unique.
It all starts with the murder of a man after a party and ends with the discovery that the death of a teen was not what it seemed. In between there is a long slow police procedural story that didn't really grab me. It wasn't exciting, surprising or revealing. It was just another case that could have just as easy been solved by Vera or had occurred on the Shetlands. Nothing really mad this hugely unique.
lindseyllado's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
dr_manuela_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Cleaver books. Main character is very likable as is his husband. I love seeing this relationship bloom.
whippycleric's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was my first Ann Cleeves novel and for the most part I enjoyed it. The writing is as good as any of the authors in this genre and like the vast majority of this genre I was ready to give 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the book, except for the last 2 chapters where the killer was revealed. The ending felt a little like the author wanted you to think it was someone else and then a twist. Whilst this was good the resulting culprit was very underwhelming and it could have been anyone. Given the ubiquitous nature of this genre in UK charity shops I probably won't buy another but if there's one by Cleeves in a house i'm visiting I'll pick it up knowing its safe bet for some light entertainment
ladyelderberry's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
frustratedlibrarian's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
criminally_yours's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
mad_about_books's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
North Devon is inundated with tourists enjoying the beach in a unseasonably sizzling summer. Detective Matthew Venn and his husband Jonathan Church once more find themselves embroiled in a too-close-to-home murder mystery.
Ann Cleeves' writing is cinematic; It is easy to visualize both characters and setting. The British television series "Vera" and "Shetland" are based on her books. Wild landscapes and enigmatic police detectives are her stock in trade.
I have always enjoyed books where, in my mind's eye, I can see characters chatting in a pub or driving down a country lane. The wilds and beaches of North Devon have become real places for me.
The Woodyard arts center, Matthew Venn's husband Jonathan's domain, is the center of this murder mystery. The tangled relationships of all associated with that sprawling set of aged buildings provides the strings that must be made into a neat ball of twine. Jonathan is part of this whether Matthew likes it or not.
I always suggest the reading of a series in the order in which it was published. However, the books in The Two Rivers series seem to be truly readable as standalones. There is, of course, the backstory to consider. We do learn more about Matthew and Jonathan, Jen Rafferty, and Ross May from one book to the next.
The books in The Two Rivers series are highly readable, very British, and cinematic. Great books for curling up with a glass of wine or a hot cuppa in your favorite reading nook.
Ann Cleeves' writing is cinematic; It is easy to visualize both characters and setting. The British television series "Vera" and "Shetland" are based on her books. Wild landscapes and enigmatic police detectives are her stock in trade.
I have always enjoyed books where, in my mind's eye, I can see characters chatting in a pub or driving down a country lane. The wilds and beaches of North Devon have become real places for me.
The Woodyard arts center, Matthew Venn's husband Jonathan's domain, is the center of this murder mystery. The tangled relationships of all associated with that sprawling set of aged buildings provides the strings that must be made into a neat ball of twine. Jonathan is part of this whether Matthew likes it or not.
I always suggest the reading of a series in the order in which it was published. However, the books in The Two Rivers series seem to be truly readable as standalones. There is, of course, the backstory to consider. We do learn more about Matthew and Jonathan, Jen Rafferty, and Ross May from one book to the next.
The books in The Two Rivers series are highly readable, very British, and cinematic. Great books for curling up with a glass of wine or a hot cuppa in your favorite reading nook.