by Ann Cleeves
Part of Two Rivers
First published 2022
Detective Inspector Matthew Venn stands at his kitchen window on an unusually clear winter morning. The westerly winds that normally bring rain and clouds to this coast have stilled. Outside, two young girls face away from him, holding hands as they stare into the distance. They stand alone on what should be a school day. Matthew knows he cannot ignore what he sees. Though children make him uncomfortable, he must discover why Olivia and Imogen have come here without supervision. The sisters carry secrets that Matthew needs to unlock before he can safely return them home. This winter day will test his ability to connect with the two girls and uncover the truth that brought them to the shore. Ann Cleeves crafts a story about an awkward detective who must navigate the delicate world of childhood mysteries to protect two vulnerable sisters.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, mystery, contemporary, thriller, detective
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, intimate, introspective, suspenseful
Tropes: mystery-unraveling, protective-instinct, reluctant-hero
Setting: the shore, coastal setting
Period: winter, contemporary
36 pages · Kindle Edition · Minotaur Books
Content warnings: child-abuse