Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Another captivating mystery from Ann Cleve's, Inspector Mathew Venn is an excellent addition, love the fact that he is a gay man, it is about time mainstream stories become more inclusive!

Looking forward to more from this series.

“OMG, you guys, this book is intense! It’s about this detective, Vera Stanhope, trying to solve a murder during this crazy storm that’s like, wreaking havoc everywhere. I mean, the way Ann Cleeves describes the weather is like, whoa, you feel like you’re right there, getting soaked and blown away!

Anyway, Vera is super smart and stuff, but also super messed up, you know? She’s got her own issues, but she’s still all about justice and stuff. So, she’s investigating this dead guy, and it turns out he was kind of a sketchy dude, but also kind of a hero? It’s all, like, complicated, you know?

The characters are so real!!! They’ve all got secrets and stuff, and Vera is trying to figure it all out. It’s like, a big puzzle, and you’re like, totally trying to piece it together with her. And the ending is , whoa, I didn’t see it coming!

Anyway, if you like, mystery and suspense and stuff, you should totes check this out. It’s totally engrossing, and you’ll be like, on the edge of your seat, wondering what happens next. For real, it’s an amazing read!”

I really liked this book, it was different than anything else I've read which was a breath of fresh air. I will be recommending this to my friends, and auto buy this author!

3.5-4 stars
Ann Cleeves writes excellent police procedurals and is outstanding at evoking a sense of place. This one wasn't my favorite as it is somewhat slow-moving and a bit overcomplicated. Also, the villain's motives didn't feel 100% plausible to me. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, however!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free digital ARC of this book.

This police procedural was set in Greystone, with the investigative team of Matthew Venn, Jen Rafferty and Ross May. The team was engaged in the mysterious disappearance of a celebrity adventurer, Jem Rosco, who was raised in the town. When Jem returned for a visit to meet up with someone, he disappeared after a few days, and his body turned up in a dingy anchored off the shore of Scully Cove (a mysterious place with local superstitions).
I found the pacing of this book incredibly slow and kept looking for the end of each chapter. There were a lot of characters, and a lot of extraneous characters who added absolutely nothing to the story or the investigation.
The 3 investigators backstories were touched upon, but I couldn't see how their personal lives impacted the mystery. Jonathan, Venn's husband seemed distant, and completely extraneous to the story.
Venn was originally from this town, as well as the victim, but evidently had issues with the Brethren - an ultra religious group-which he belonged to as a child, but didn't like. Again. this was something mentioned in the book quite a few times, but didn't seem to have an impact on the murders, or the townspeople.
The plot was complex, and it felt like the twist was put into the book to surprise the reader as it didn't seem convincing to me. Finally the rushed ending identified the mastermind but I was not convinced that the person really could have put the conspiracy together so expertly, or had the motivation to do so.
I received an advance ARC from NetGalley and the publisher and the opinions expressed are my own.

Great mystery with twists. I didn’t read the first two so it was a little confusing with all the characters but it can be read as a stand alone. Love the character development, setting and twists.
Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. Thoughts are my own.

This was not my favorite in this series. I thought Ann took some risks in her storytelling her and many of her fans will find much to enjoy. In many ways it felt more like a thriller than a mystery, which is not what I expect from the author--which might have had a lot to do with my reaction. Could also have been a case of bad timing, however, I have recommended this book to several readers who are boating enthusiasts and they reported enjoying it.

I didn't like this book and I struggled to finish it. I did enjoy very atmospheric setting around the storms that constantly threaten the coastal town but I didn’t think the killer, nor their motive, was believable.. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Ann Cleeves writes a readable murder mystery with an assortment of engaging characters. I found The Raging Storm to be a somewhat engaging read albeit a wee bit predicable. A good read if you're looking for a "whodunnit" set in an atmospheric setting and characters with interesting backstories and motivations.

This was a well written mystery novel! While I have not read the previous two books in the series, I felt like I still got to understand the main detective characters fairly well. I appreciated how they worked together as well as how they tackled tasks individually. While this book focused on a small community (Greystone), the question really becomes how much can the individuals in the community be trusted? Are they telling the truth or are they that loyal to their community, or even the religious group in the community?

Thanks to NetGalley for the book!

A small English town is rocked by murder. Detective Inspector Venn and his colleagues are called to Greystone to investigate after a body is found in a rowboat during a wild storm. The victim was Jem Rosco, an adventurer and sailing legend who had been in Greystone for just a few weeks. Someone in Greystone is a murderer, and it's up to Venn and his team to find the truth... if they don't fall victim themselves first.

This was an enjoyable police procedural mystery. I love the stormy coastal setting, and the mysterious Scully Cove. Very atmospheric. I enjoyed each of the three detectives and found the mystery engaging. This is apparently the third book in the series, but works fine enough as a standalone. I didn't have any trouble following, though I'm sure the other two books would have given more background on the main characters. Would recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Let me first say that I did not realize that this was the third book of the series before I started. With that being said, I was still able to thoroughly enjoy the book with nothing lost in translation.
A good mystery centered around a boating town with a mysterious murder…..or two. The book went at an appropriate pace and I felt like I could really get to n ow the characters.

I've been a fan of Ann Cleeves for years now, and I'm really enjoying this series. This book is a character-driven police procedural. The atmosphere was intense, and was almost a character in its own way. I'm looking forward to more by Cleeves.

I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

I love Ann Cleeves. If there is no more Shetland series this is the next best thing! Her characters ring true and her settings transport- there is something about the moody, rainy British setting that makes for a cozy read (even with dead bodies).

This is the 3rd book in the Two Rivers series and I really enjoyed it. I read both the e-book and listened to the audiobook as I drove while going to Vegas. DI Matthew, DS Jen, and DC Ross as well as Jonathan, Matthew's hubby are all on the team and I loved seeing them all work on this one. Plus, there was a VICKI character (my name and spelling) so that was fun to see.

This investigation is of Jem Rosco, a celebrity who comes back to meet up with someone after not being home for awhile. His visit was short-lived when he ended up dead. The question is how? Was he murdered and by who? Matthew has to go back to an area in which he grew up with "The Brethren" and he had memories to deal with and they're not so good.

I must say that as I tried to figure out the whodoneit, I was totally clueless but so were the investigative team. lol There ends up being more than one murder, but how did they fit together? Were they connected or simply coincidence? I have to admit that I was totally taken by surprise when I found out the who, what, when, why and how. I never figured any of it out. lol Loved that!

Detective Inspector Matthew Venn and his team investigate the murder of a sailing adventurer, his body discovered on a dinghy anchored in an infamous cove in Greystone. The past figures heavily into solving the case and the team interview many of the locals trying to figure out who would want Jem Roscoe dead. Venn has some history with Greystone as a lot from the strict religious organization he was raised in resides there.

I liked Venn and his thought processes, as well as Jen, one of his investigators, who had a knack for getting information out of people. Wasn’t a big fan of Ross, who seemed selfish and immature, always in competition with Jen instead of focusing on the investigation.

The Raging Storm was an entertaining police/crime procedural, but the pacing was a bit slow. Even so it held my attention enough to want to find out who did it and finish the story. The author excelled at bringing the stark, cold setting of Greystone to life. Very atmospheric.

I didn’t read the previous books, but I didn’t feel like I missed anything crucial, and this was a stand-alone mystery solved in this installment by the end.

I alternated between an audio copy and e-copy. Jack Holden’s narration was excellent. I enjoyed his voice/accent and his performance enhanced my enjoyment. I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Along the north Devon coast, the roiling waves and the fierce storms send out a lifeboat to rescue a stranded sailor. It is too late for him but the sailor is not just anyone. He is a poor boy who made good with his many sea adventures that brought him fortune and fame. He had returned recently under mysterious circumstances but when Matthew and his team arrive, they soon realize that it is not just the sea that is churned up.
There are many webs of deceit and jealousy and high emotions. It is up to the police to try and sort through it all.

As so often happens, what seems to be apparent is an illusion and people can flummox even a seasoned copper. There are so many twists and turns including another murder and attempted murder before the things finally unravel. It is a merry journey for Matthew and the reader as the masks come off and the true faces are revealed.

Five purrs and two paws up.

The Raging Storm is the third in Ann Cleeves' Detective Matthew Venn series. Once again, Cleeves has provided us with a psychological mystery set within the confines of a coastal village, made even more constrained by the raging storm that has isolated the witnesses, suspects, investigators, and innocents alike. Venn himself is a self-contained and conflicted protagonist, still dealing with the effects of having been raised in an extreme religious community, one that is still flourishing in the village of Greystone where the murder occurs. Highly recommended.

This is the 3rd in the Detective Matthew Venn series - also known as Two Rivers. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, for any one interested in following a series, it may be better to consider reading the first books,

This story is based in Greystone, an imaginary town on the Devon coast. Citizens are excited when Jem Rosco, a hometown hero returns, who is somewhat of a celebrity. Each night he stops by the pub, visits and jokes with the locals, and talks about waiting to meet with a mysterious person. This goes on for about 2 weeks.

And then…One night he doesn’t show up.

Greystone resident Mary Ford, the lead team member of the lifeboat crew is awakened early to investigate a body found in a floating dingy.

Guess who? Yep…Enter Matthew Venn whose team is here to investigate Rosco’s death.

This is difficult for Venn to return to this town, because this is where he grew up, and in adulthood, he left the Brethen (a confining cult-like religion which is quite popular here) and was disowned by his parents for doing so.

“Since losing his faith, and marrying Jonathan, he hadn’t been back.”

Of course, during this whole time that Venn arrives there is a…

Raging storm! (Hence the book title!)

The story plays out in interesting ways…

The mystery of Rosco’s death and how his friendships and loves from decades earlier play out in the present; Matthew’s personal life – his comforting and dynamic relationship with his husband as well as his knowledge of a community deeply impacted by an unyielding religion; and, the setting, not just the sea, but the isolation of this seaside village that doesn’t attract tourists or work-from-home folks.

Of course…There are many people not willing to help Venn get to the truth in the investigation which slows things up.

And…It doesn’t help when Venn and one of his officers are put in danger.

But…Eventually it all comes together, like an Agatha Christie outing where explanations are rendered towards the end.

This is an easy-to-read, slow-moving mystery. Inspector Venn is a meticulous, unemotional, but thorough character in his approach. He cares about his team, and is not easily detoured from his mission.

For those who like police procedurals, and cozy mysteries, this one will be a well-organized read.

But...If I am being completely honest, this will probably be my last Venn book. I find myself not quite attracted to how Cleeves writes her character/story. Yes, I gave it 4 stars, but, it still didn't create a connection for me.

For fans of Cleeves, Britbox has filmed The Long Call, but I have since learned that the series has been cancelled. Cleeves is also the author of the widely popular Shetland and Vera series, also on the television screens. I personally am more attracted to the television series than I am to her books. For whatever reason, she isn't a

Sometimes I wonder if I am smart enough to read an Ann Cleeves novel since I seem to be the last to the party.

It could be that because I am rewatching the Vera television series, but part of this book seemed familiar but also different at the same time. Matthew Venn is not Vera Stanhope, but they both approach the “dead body in the boat” the same way, and as their investigations broaden, other secrets come to life.

There is no way that I would have been able to guess the ultimate person responsible for the murder of the local celebrity, but I’m not sure that is what Ann Cleeves wanted. By the time I finished, I thought Greystone was the main character in the book and the body was secondary. The dark, gloomy, superstitious town of rumors and side-eye is what carried the novel through.

Of course, I will continue with Matthew Venn since his story is still coming to light, and one day, I hope to, not exactly be a step ahead, but at least not a football field behind.