The Heron’s Cry by Ann Cleeves

The Heron’s Cry by Ann Cleeves is the 2nd book in her Two Rivers series featuring Detective Matthew Venn.

This time the crime is the death of Dr. Nigel Yeo who has been murdered in the glassblowing workshop of his daughter, Eve. No one can imagine why he has been killed, much less who killed him. As the detective investigates, we learn more and more about the victim’s circle of friends, and the work in which he was involved. This is a perplexing investigation, as another, and then another murder occurs. Woven into this story line are the suicides of two young men who may have been encouraged to take their own lives. The characters introduced in the first book in the series, The Long Call, are now more fully developed and we discover much more about their past and present lives.

We read about Matthew Venn’s life both at work and at home, with his husband, Jonathan. They each have unique personalities and approach problems in very different ways, sometimes resulting in conflict, though they love each other and are committed to making their relationship work. Both Matthew and Jonathan find peace and solace in the beauty of the North Devon coastline – where Ann Cleeves herself now lives.

And, we can all look forward to another television series based on an Ann Cleeves novel, as there is a new four-part television series being filmed, based on The Long Call, the first in the Two Rivers series.

Ann Cleeves has worked hard over many decades and found success with her mystery novels, featuring Vera Stanhope and Jimmy Perez, and now Matthew Venn. She has also found comfort in reading and writing throughout her life, especially during the years of her late husband’s illness, and after his death. Ann is helping to fund a project to actively promote the importance of reading on health and wellbeing.

Ann’s project is supported by many Health Authorities in Great Britain with social workers and doctors referring patients, “who may be struggling with chronic pain, anxiety, stress, depression or loneliness to reading workers, who will provide friendship and a listening ear, as well as access to books, enthusiastic librarians and other readers. Working in areas of high social deprivation, the workers will take a holistic and personalised approach to support, empower and motivate individuals to take proactive steps to improve their health and wellbeing by providing practical help though access to books and spaces/places for reading, and emotional support through improved confidence in reading and relationship building.” This is a year long pilot project with trained “reading workers” involved along with health care professionals.

I am quite sure all readers have found that while being so socially isolated for so many months, disappearing into a book and leaving the world behind has been both an escape and a pleasure.