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The Dying Light

Two Rivers #4 / 4
by Ann Cleeves
The Dying Light (Two Rivers #4) by Ann Cleeves
⧗ 7.00 / 2
1234516718910

The deadliest truths are those in the shadows . . .

Detective Matthew Venn is called in to investigate a puzzling death. The body of a young woman has been found in the swimming pool of Tide House, a luxurious holiday home in North Devon, and her best friend is missing. The property belongs to rising political star Paul Armstrong and the case quickly draws intense media scrutiny.

As a scorching heat wave rages and further tragedy strikes, Venn and his team begin questioning a community brimming with secrets. The dead woman and her friend had been spotted at a nearby music festival the day before, an event which brought locals and outsiders together - some of whom may have been more connected with the Armstrongs than first thought.

Caught between a powerful family’s secrets and a powder keg of local tensions, Venn must navigate a treacherous path. Knowing that the real answers lie not in what people say, but in the silence that they keep . . .

Praise for Ann Cleeves:
'Everything Ann Cleeves writes is incredible' Richard Osman, author of The Thursday Murder Club
'Ann Cleeves is a stone-cold genius' Marian Keyes, author of My Favourite Mistake
'The Queen of the detective novel, thrilling millions of readers' Daily Express

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ThrillerMysteryCrime Fiction
Release date: October 8, 2026

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Ann Cleeves

Ann Cleeves

Ann Cleeves is a name synonymous with atmospheric crime fiction, known for creating intricately woven tales set against the stark, often harsh landscapes of Northern England and beyond. Born in Herefordshire in 1954, Cleeves' upbringing in the countryside planted the seeds for her later work, where setting and place are as integral as the characters themselves. Her early career was far from typical for a writer—before becoming an author, Cleeves held various jobs, from child care officer to bird observatory cook, before eventually training as a probation officer. These experiences, combined with a deep connection to nature and remote places, would later shape the worlds and characters she brought to life in her books.

Read more ...

Cleeves' breakthrough came with Raven Black, the first in the Shetland Islands series featuring the brooding DI Jimmy Perez. It was this novel, which garnered the Duncan Lawrie Dagger in 2006, that established Cleeves as a formidable force in crime writing. Her ability to blend suspense with vivid descriptions of the isolated Shetland landscape captivated readers, creating a setting where the land itself became as much of a character as the people within it. Her Shetland series, later adapted into a hit TV series, would grow into a multi-book saga, each one exploring deeper mysteries within the dark corners of the islands' communities.

In addition to the Shetland series, Cleeves’ Vera Stanhope books have found a similar success, with the gruff, no-nonsense detective becoming an iconic figure in British crime fiction. The Vera series, set in Northumberland, was also adapted for television, with Brenda Blethyn’s portrayal of the sharp-witted detective resonating with audiences. These books, like Cleeves’ others, stand out for their richly developed characters, meticulous plotting, and an uncanny ability to capture the essence of place, be it the bleakness of the Shetland Isles or the rugged beauty of Northumberland.

In recognition of her exceptional contribution to the genre, Cleeves was awarded the prestigious CWA Diamond Dagger in 2017, cementing her status as one of the leading voices in British crime writing. Her books, often dealing with themes of isolation, human frailty, and the dark secrets that small communities hide, continue to be beloved by readers worldwide. Whether through her complex characters or her evocative storytelling, Ann Cleeves has carved a niche as a writer who can blend mystery with deep emotional resonance, making her works not just thrilling, but thought-provoking.

With each new novel, Cleeves invites her readers to step into mysterious worlds where the boundaries between light and dark, justice and vengeance, are never quite as clear as they seem.

Two Rivers

Nestled between the rolling hills and rugged coastline of North Devon, Two Rivers introduces readers to a world where the tides of the sea mirror the tangled webs of human emotions and dark secrets. The series follows Detective Matthew Venn, a man whose return to his coastal hometown for his estranged father's funeral sets in motion a series of investigations that will force him to confront not only the mysteries of his cases but also the ghosts of his past.

Read more ...

From the very first page of The Long Call, Cleeves draws readers into a community bound by quiet histories and unspoken tensions. Venn, marked by a difficult past and personal struggles, is an unusual but compelling protagonist. His investigations are as much about unraveling the complexities of human nature as they are about solving crimes. His approach to justice—methodical, introspective, and shaped by his own journey of self-discovery—creates a poignant and deeply human thread that runs through the series.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Devon’s wild beauty, Two Rivers offers more than just crime-solving. It immerses readers in a world of complicated relationships, tangled loyalties, and emotional reckoning. Each book, from The Long Call to The Heron's Cry and The Raging Storm, peels back the layers of its characters, revealing hidden desires, buried regrets, and unexpected truths. The stories explore not only the investigation of crime but also the price of keeping secrets in a small town where everyone is connected in some way.

In the Two Rivers series, the line between right and wrong is often blurred, and the atmosphere is thick with suspense and emotional resonance. The settings, whether the tranquil beauty of the rivers or the stormy, windswept coastline, are more than just locations—they are characters in themselves, reflecting the emotional turmoil and the secrets lurking within.

For those who crave more than just a thrilling whodunit, Two Rivers delivers a deeply engaging exploration of identity, belonging, and redemption. With its richly woven plotlines, vivid sense of place, and a protagonist who feels as real and flawed as the world around him, this series is a journey worth taking—one that will linger long after the last page is turned.


Two Rivers consists of three primary books, and includes one additional book that complement the series but is not considered mandatory reads and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

The Long Call (Two Rivers #1)
Unrated
The Heron's Cry (Two Rivers #2)
Unrated
The Girls on the Shore (Two Rivers #2.5)
Unrated
The Raging Storm (Two Rivers #3)
⧗ 8.00 / 1
The Dying Light (Two Rivers #4)
⧗ 7.00 / 2


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