The Long Call by Ann Cleeves offers a compelling and atmospheric mystery set in North Devon. Critics praise its well-developed characters, especially the protagonist Detective Matthew Venn, and the intricate plot. However, some note a slow pace. Overall, it's a satisfying start to a new series that balances traditional and modern detective fiction elements.

Fans of Ann Cleeves' distinctive style will enjoy The Long Call, a gripping murder mystery with rich character development and atmospheric settings. Readers who appreciate the complexity found in Louise Penny's Still Life or Tana French's In the Woods will find this book similarly compelling and immersive.

Written by Ann Cleeves and published in 2019, The Long Call is the first novel in the Two Rivers series and follows Matthew Venn, a detective who is investigating the murder of a man found stabbed to death on the beach. As Matthew begins to investigate, the clues lead him ever closer to the heart of this rural, religious community—and to the local arts center, which happens to be run by his husband. The novel’s narrative structure features the perspectives of multiple characters to highlight the consequences of guilt, the role of faith in shaping community mindsets, and the complex intersection of religion and patriarchy. Like many of Cleeves’s previous novels, The Long Call has been adapted into a television series and first aired on ITV in 2021. This guide refers to the 2019 hardcover edition published in the US by Minotaur Books. This novel contains descriptions of rape, abduction, domestic violence, anti-gay bias, ableist language and attitudes, sexism, death by suicide, and alcohol use disorder.

Mysterious / Unnerving / Suspenseful / Melancholic

- The Long Call by Ann Cleeves introduces a new detective, Detective Matthew Venn, and is set in North Devon, a first for Cleeves, who is known for her settings in Shetland and Northumberland in previous series.
- Ann Cleeves wrote The Long Call as the first novel featuring Detective Matthew Venn to start the Two Rivers series, named after the rivers Taw and Torridge, which are an essential part of the setting.
- The novel inspired the British television series "The Long Call," which aired its first season in 2021, bringing Cleeves' characters and storytelling to the screen.

**Matthew Venn**  
A Detective Inspector in the Devon police force, who was raised in a religious community but became estranged due to differing beliefs. He is married to Jonathan and grapples with his emotions and past throughout the story.

**Jen Rafferty**  
Matthew's sergeant, a single mother with red hair who has left an abusive marriage. She is known for her hard-partying ways and struggles with her judgments while working to find both personal and professional balance.

**Jonathan Church**  
Matthew's husband and the founder of the Woodyard Centre, known for his empathetic nature and ability to connect with community groups. He supports Matthew emotionally, especially as they navigate the challenges posed by the case.

**Simon Walden**  
The murder victim whose death drives the investigation. He is remembered variously as a talented baker and a man whose past guilt deeply affected his life and relationships.

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