Intro
British mystery novelist Ann Cleeves is set to release her fourth Matthew Venn thriller, The Dying Light, on Sept. 29. The new book plunges the series’ detective into a scorching summer heatwave in Devon, where a teenage girl’s death and a missing friend spark a web of political intrigue and family secrets. Fans of Cleeves’ atmospheric mysteries and her TV adaptations are already buzzing with anticipation.
At a Glance
- Ann Cleeves releases The Dying Light on Sept. 29.
- The story follows Detective Inspector Venn amid a heatwave, a mysterious death, and a missing friend.
- The novel has earned praise from fellow mystery writer Richard Osman.
The Book and Its Author
The Dying Light is the latest installment in Cleeves’ celebrated Matthew Venn detective series. The series is known for its atmospheric mystery cases set in English towns with rich histories. Cleeves says this fourth book may be her best one yet, adding, “I think this is my favorite Venn book.” She highlighted the evolving relationship between Venn and his husband Jonathan, noting that Jonathan has traditionally been the rock, but now Venn is the supporter, becoming stronger and more confident.
Cleeves’ work has inspired three hit television series-Shetland, Vera, and The Long Call-each starring well-known actors. Her storytelling prowess has drawn praise from peers, including Richard Osman of The Thursday Murder Club, who remarked, “Everything Ann Cleeves writes is incredible.”
Plot Overview
The novel is set during a scorching summer heatwave in Devon. Detective Inspector Venn is called to investigate the death of Lottie, a young woman visiting town to celebrate finishing her school exams. Her body is discovered in the swimming pool of a luxurious holiday home.
Complicating matters, Lottie’s best friend Hannah-whose family owns the house-is reported missing. Venn learns the two teens had caused a stir during their brief stay, disrupting a local folk music festival and posting incendiary videos on social media mocking what Hannah considered a parochial community.
Hannah’s father, Paul Armstrong, is a rising political star, which draws intense media scrutiny. The case places Venn and his team in a community rife with secrets, where the real answers lie not in what people say but in the silence they keep.
Cleeves drew inspiration from a single image: a white house near a North Devon beach and a teenage girl floating in a bright blue pool. She said, “I started this book with one image- a white house close to a North Devon beach and the body of a teenage girl floating in a bright blue pool,” and that the story evolved into one about wealth, privilege, politics, and the corrosive influence of entitlement and power.
Critical Reception
Minotaur Books, the publisher, described the novel as “brimming with energy and is taut with claustrophobic tension.” The description echoes the series’ reputation for taut, atmospheric storytelling. The book has already received high praise from fellow mystery writers.
Richard Osman, known for his own mystery series and recent Netflix adaptation, expressed enthusiasm: “Everything Ann Cleeves writes is incredible,” he said in a statement shared with News Of Los Angeles.
Release Details
The Dying Light is available for preorder now wherever books are sold. Fans can look forward to its release on Sept. 29. News Of Los Angeles has shared an exclusive first look at the cover, adding to the anticipation surrounding the book.
Key Takeaways
- The Dying Light, the fourth Matthew Venn novel, drops on Sept. 29.
- The story intertwines a teenage death, a missing friend, and political intrigue amid a Devon heatwave.
- Praise from Richard Osman and a strong publisher endorsement signal the novel’s quality.
- Preorders are open, and the cover preview has been released by News Of Los Angeles.
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Categories: [World News, Business News, Breaking News]
