The second in Ann Cleeves' The Two Rivers series. As with all of her series, it isn't surprising that this has been snapped up for television. One of the most enjoyable things about the Heron's Cry, is the development of the characters we were introduced to in The Long Call. Ross May in particular, is padded out more, as we are given an insight into his relationship with Mel. A favourite of the Chief Superintendent, he was quite an unlikable character in the first book, but the more you learn about him the more you can understand him. The most revealing relationship is the one between Matthew Venn, the logical, rather remote policeman and his outgoing, colourful husband Jonathon, opposites clearly attract. The book opens with Jen drunk, in an off duty moment, and the missed opportunity to save a life. The book weaves it's way through the interconnections of the characters in this, relatively small, community, where everyone knows each other; or so it would seem, until murder happens. The book is very character based, but it is also rooted in the Devon location, that shapes the happenings, and the characters. Not as rugged as the Shetland and Northumberland settings of her other series, it imparts a much more subdued, genteel, feel to the writing. It is quite a slow paced read, but not in a bad way. The location, the heat, the community of artists, are gently presented in contrast to the bloodthirsty crimes, which magnifies the horror of them. The elements of mental health and suicide are sensitively handled. The far reaching cast of characters, mirroring today's society. There were many clues, twists and turns, that left me wondering until almost the last minute.There are not many books these days that you can honestly say you didn't see it coming. This skill of hiding the clues in plain sight works so well in this book. Another success from the author of Shetland and Vera. Ann Cleeves is truly in a class of her own.
One of the most enjoyable things about the Heron's Cry, is the development of the characters we were introduced to in The Long Call. Ross May in particular, is padded out more, as we are given an insight into his relationship with Mel. A favourite of the Chief Superintendent, he was quite an unlikable character in the first book, but the more you learn about him the more you can understand him. The most revealing relationship is the one between Matthew Venn, the logical, rather remote policeman and his outgoing, colourful husband Jonathon, opposites clearly attract.
The book opens with Jen drunk, in an off duty moment, and the missed opportunity to save a life. The book weaves it's way through the interconnections of the characters in this, relatively small, community, where everyone knows each other; or so it would seem, until murder happens.
The book is very character based, but it is also rooted in the Devon location, that shapes the happenings, and the characters. Not as rugged as the Shetland and Northumberland settings of her other series, it imparts a much more subdued, genteel, feel to the writing.
It is quite a slow paced read, but not in a bad way. The location, the heat, the community of artists, are gently presented in contrast to the bloodthirsty crimes, which magnifies the horror of them.
The elements of mental health and suicide are sensitively handled. The far reaching cast of characters, mirroring today's society.
There were many clues, twists and turns, that left me wondering until almost the last minute.There are not many books these days that you can honestly say you didn't see it coming. This skill of hiding the clues in plain sight works so well in this book.
Another success from the author of Shetland and Vera. Ann Cleeves is truly in a class of her own.