Ann Cleeves prolific writing and lengthy series often meant that I have been unable to keep up with her, but for three books on the trot with Matthew Venn she has been nominated for the longlist at minimum.
With Devon as a distinct location very different from the Scilly Isle’s and Northumberland with Vera, the plot lines have definitely been unique with the use of coast guards and boating in this one, coupled with a storm and isolated location. This created a totally new tale I had not seen before.
With a small police team Ann is able to take the stories to multiple locations at the same time with the chapters differentiating each other. Instead of forensic evidence and cctv (the stalwarts of the genre) Ann uses dialogue between the police and the suspect pool to give the readers their evidence.
Ann’s clues are distinctly subtle especially her one liner in this which a lot of crime fans will spot, I won’t say what this is as it will give the game away. But, throughout the last few years thanks to Theakston’s I have really been able to enjoy this series as it develops like an ordinary reader.
Good luck to everyone on the list.
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