'Cleeves' acclaimed Shetland series may be history, but her newest detective-buttoned-up, gay, married, ex-evangelical Matthew Venn-is a righteous successor.'- People 'Cleeves's true strength lies in her descriptions of the natural world, gorgeously captured.'- New York Times Book Review Winner of the Agatha Award for Best Contemporary NovelĪ St. A powerful cast of secondary characters are treated with the same compassionate insight.”-Shelf Awareness The multi-dimensional lead characters have edges and scars-they're not always likable but are ultimately intriguing. “The vivid setting in The Heron's Cry casts the terrifying specter of violent death against the backdrop of carefree summer sunshine with maximum effect. 'A wonderfully engrossing, by-the-book police procedural lush with Agatha Christie-esque atmosphere and intrigue.' -Booklist new and existing fans will be pleased.' -Publishers Weekly intricate plotting, complex characters, and rich atmosphere. This character-driven exploration of people’s darkest flaws is a sterling example of Cleeves’ formidable talents.' -Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) 'In her follow-up to The Long Call (2019), Cleeves provides a complex mystery full of surprises. “ well-plotted novel of unremitting suspense.” -Wall Street Journal One of AARP's '26 Works of Fiction to Read this Season' 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.ĭI 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.

Then another body is found-killed in a similar way. Matthew is unnerved, though, to find that she is a close friend of Jonathan, his husband. He's a good man, a public servant, beloved by his daughter. 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.ĭr. Detective Matthew Venn is called out to a rural crime scene at the home of a group of artists. North Devon is enjoying a rare hot summer with tourists flocking to its coastline. this character-driven exploration of people's darkest flaws is a sterling example of Cleeves' formidable talents.' - Kirkus Reviews “In Matthew Venn, Ann has created a complex, daring, subtle character.” -Louise Penny 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.

The heron's cry book