The Raging Storm is the 3rd book in the Two Rivers series by Ann Cleeves, but the first one that I have read. Inspector Matthew Venn is called out after celebrity Jeremy Rosco is found dead in a dinghy in the town of Greystone. Jeremy came to the town supposedly to meet a “special person” and would drink a pint or two at the Maiden’s Prayer pub. He also used to grow up in the neighborhood before his around-the-world sailing trip that made his celebrity. It becomes clear that Jeremy’s history has more going on than what anyone actually knows.
I enjoyed this novel, and despite this being my first novel by Ann Cleeves, there was something familiar about it. Like visiting with an old friend. I will admit that I have watched the television show named Vera based on another of Ann’s novel series, but I have not watched Shetland.
The mystery was great. Tons of suspects with motives, and plenty of history. The atmosphere pulls the reader into this dark world, small and keeps to itself, which ties in with the victim. The fact that this community stands slightly against outsiders also makes everything more suspicious and supplies more possibilities.
Matthew Venn is my ideal detective. He’s smart, logical, but acutely aware of his faults. I like that he is gay because it also shows that he is open-minded to the world around him, even though he doesn’t think he is. Jen Rafferty is a strong woman who fits well with Venn. She thinks along his path with parts that Venn might not. I’m not so sure of Ross May. He rubbed me wrong from the beginning. Too young and too cocky, but he did seem smart. Maybe he just needs growth.
Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.
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