Raging storm, raging disquiet

The Raging Storm (Matthew Venn #3) by Ann Cleeves   

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Matthew Venn is called out to a strange find in a fishing village, Greystone an hour from Barnstaple.

A naked body has been found tethered in a small dinghy with rough seas running, in a dangerous cove, off Scully Point. The fishermen don’t like this area. The body is that of Jem Rosco, adventurer, sailor, national treasure who’d just reappeared in the village. A woman had been seen walking towards his house late at night.

What begins as a troubling investigation becomes even more so as the undercurrents of the village match or surpass the dangerous sea. I must admit to feeling the darkness of the storm brewing outside and inside. I felt the lash of wind and rain. Turbulence of the elements seems to reflect the turmoil Jem’s return has engendered within the village.

Matthew is taken back to his childhood, his parents stance on things given their religious background. The group is active in this village and it’s not comforting to Matthew.

The story has some almost outlandish twists until it all finally comes together, although not peacefully. 

I feel Matthew is somewhat adrift despite his positive relations with his husband Jonathan. Something’s brewing here, an feeling of quiet distance. I hope not.

Another superb episode of the in the Mathew Venn, Two Rivers series.

A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.