Matthew Venn Books in Order

Below is the complete list of Matthew Venn books in order of publication, which is the recommended reading order for the series by Ann Cleeves....Show more

Read All the Matthew Venn Books in Order

Read Matthew Venn / Two Rivers Books in Publication Order

1. The Long Call (2019)
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2. The Heron’s Cry (2021)
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3. The Girls on the Shore (2022)
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4. The Raging Storm (2023)
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5. The Dying Light (2026)
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Matthew Venn Series by Ann Cleeves

The Matthew Venn series by Ann Cleeves is a modern crime fiction collection set along the dramatic coastline of North Devon in southwest England. The novels follow Detective Inspector Matthew Venn, a thoughtful and methodical investigator whose personal history and quiet determination shape the way he approaches complex murder cases. Through richly described landscapes and carefully layered mysteries, the series explores the hidden tensions within close-knit communities.

The series begins with The Long Call (2019), which introduces Matthew Venn shortly after he returns to the area where he grew up. The novel opens with a murder discovered near the tidal marshes along the North Devon coast, drawing Venn and his team into an investigation that reveals unexpected connections between local residents, past conflicts, and long-held secrets.

Matthew Venn is a distinctive detective within contemporary crime fiction. Raised in a strict religious community known as the Barum Brethren, he eventually left the group after coming to terms with his own identity and personal beliefs. This background continues to influence how he sees the world around him. Venn’s understanding of exclusion, loyalty, and belonging often gives him insight into the motivations of the people he encounters during investigations.

Reading the Matthew Venn books in publication order allows readers to follow both the progression of the cases and the development of Venn’s personal life. His marriage to Jonathan Church, a local artist, provides a steady emotional center within the stories. At the same time, Venn must confront the lingering effects of his complicated relationship with the religious community that shaped his early years.

The landscapes of North Devon play a central role in the tone of the series. Ann Cleeves describes coastal cliffs, estuaries, and small towns with a strong sense of atmosphere. The natural environment is not simply a backdrop—it often influences the pacing and mood of the investigations. Tidal movements, remote paths, and isolated villages create settings where mysteries can unfold in unexpected ways.

Venn works alongside a small investigative team whose personalities and skills complement one another. Detective Sergeant Jen Rafferty is practical and outspoken, often balancing Venn’s quieter, reflective nature. Another member of the team, Detective Constable Ross May, brings youthful energy and curiosity to the investigations. Together, they piece together clues that gradually reveal the deeper connections between suspects.

The crimes within the series often emerge from tensions within local communities. Ann Cleeves frequently explores how personal histories, family relationships, and social pressures can shape the motives behind criminal acts. Rather than presenting villains in simple terms, the stories reveal how complex emotional and social dynamics can lead to tragedy.

A strong sense of place remains one of the defining elements of the series. Much like the settings in Cleeves’ earlier works—including the Shetland and Vera Stanhope books—the landscape influences the rhythm of life and the nature of the crimes being investigated. The coastal environment and scattered villages create an atmosphere where secrets can linger quietly for years.

The popularity of the novels led to the television adaptation The Long Call, which introduced Matthew Venn and the North Devon setting to a wider audience. The series helped bring renewed attention to Ann Cleeves’ ability to craft character-driven mysteries rooted in distinctive regional settings.

Following the Matthew Venn books in publication order allows readers to watch the detective and his team grow while confronting increasingly complex cases. Through careful observation, empathy, and persistence, Matthew Venn uncovers truths that lie hidden within communities shaped by tradition, personal history, and the quiet power of place.