The Dying Light

 

The Dying Light by Ann Cleeves
9/29/26; 384 pages
St. Martin's
Two Rivers series/Detective Matthew Venn #4 

The Dying Light by Ann Cleeves is a recommended police procedural. This is the fourth book in the Two Rivers series featuring Detective Inspector Matthew Venn. It can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.

Friends Hannah Armstrong and Lottie Cauldwell, both 17, have finished their A levels and immediately drive to the Devon vacation home of Hannah's family, Tide House, near the small town of Millscombe. They'll spend a few days there during Millsfest, a music festival, before the family arrives. When Hannah's father MP Paul Armstrong along with her mother Cath and two little brothers arrive, Lottie is found dead in the pool and Hannah is missing. DS Jen Rafferty calls DI Matthew Venn and the search is on for Hannah as they start questioning locals. When Hannah's body is found, clearly murdered, the investigation expands.

The tension with some of the locals opens up the inquiry, especially when Lottie's social media videos mocking them as parochial slowly comes to light. There is also a previous event a couple years earlier with another student, Elizabeth, whose parents just happen to be in the area, evading questioning, while disappearing and reappearing frequently. There are several red herrings along the way and the final denouement is surprising, but a logical conclusion to the investigation. 

While well-written, the pacing is glacially slow at times in this investigation. I appreciate detailed investigations where clues are logically followed up on, and that is present, however, the pacing of the investigation was so slow and repetitive, tedious, and overly descriptive. Adding into the mix is Matthews relationship with husband Jonathan. Everything is fine, but there is focus this time on a personal issue that Jonathan is going through, which, while very surprising, detracts from the investigation, increases Matthew's anxiety, and is totally an unnecessary distraction. I'm an outlier on this one as other's enjoyed it much more. I just wish the main focus was the investigation and the pace picked up.

The Dying Light is a good choice for those already following the series. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.