Ann Cleeves--author of the Vera Stanhope (The Rising Tide) and Shetland Island mystery series, both of which are also television shows--explores the hidden facets of both the detectives and the suspects in her nuanced and analytical novels, perfect for fans of Louise Penny or Donna Leon.
The Raging Storm is her third novel (The Heron's Cry; The Long Call) to feature detective inspector Matthew Venn. Venn was raised among Devon's puritanical Barum Brethren and has returned to his childhood roots by moving back to the area with his husband, Jonathan. The body of Jem Rosco is found just outside the gloomy village of Greystone--a working-class town full of rigid Barum Brethren, unlike the rest of the popular Devon coast--during a massive storm. Rosco was an adventurer, TV personality, and sailor. Why did he choose a short-term rental here, of all places? Venn and his team delve into Rosco's past, discovering his youthful ties to Greystone, and learn that there are actually several residents who might have reason to resent his swashbuckling style. As violent autumnal storms continue to pound the coast, the detectives must struggle against both the weather and the reticent locals in order to find the truth.
Subtly atmospheric, The Raging Storm explores the adventurous life of Jem Rosco and the people he hurt, as well as Matthew Venn's complicated feelings about his conservative upbringing. Cleeves brings all of her characters to vivid life and will keep readers guessing until the very end. --Jessica Howard, freelance book reviewer