The Big Read 2023

As part of Harrogate’s 20th anniversary they are undertaking the Big Read project now that libraries are open again. If they did it last year, I missed it, so I’m glad to get back to this part of my Harrogate build up routine. The Big Read is designed so that readers can read an iconic crime title from a big name within the genre.



This year it is Ann Cleeves who has been chosen and the first in her new series from 2019, The Long Call, involving detective Matthew Venn. Ann now has three separate series highlighting important locations in her life. The first of these was Vera and then Shetland. The locations are a distinct part of the characterisation of her books, so when she decided to start a new series, it was important to get another location that was distinct from her other books, so Devon seems perfect for this. Particularly given where the body which starts off this book is found, on a Devon beach.



As part of a small religious community who excommunicated him, Matthew Venn is a uniquely complex character with a relationship now becoming more and more common in fiction. The complexities of his background, plus the use of a community centre means that the number of characters in this book made for a really intriguing story with an interesting writing structure, as Ann has split the story between Matthew and his colleague. This allows for a more rounded viewing of the case.



Ann also wrote the chapters as sections of the day, meaning that at times the chapters were a bit long to follow on audio, meaning that I was unable to read it in bed, as I do normally, in case I was to fall asleep and lose my place. Because of the the chapter length it is difficult to find where you were, if I did so. However, this was the only niggle with the book and I can understand why it was structured this way.



I look forward to attending the Big Read in Sheffield with Luca Veste next week and finding out when Ann may be writing a new Matthew Venn, as she is appearing at this years’ Harrogate, too.



I’ve now read both the books in this series and really enjoyed the Devon flavour.












https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Long-Call-Audiobook/1529082994?ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_1529082994_2&pf_rd_p=7e7340a8-8768-4798-a0ce-83f879c09110&pf_rd_r=NBVRCMEQA11VFRM398R8&pageLoadId=bHZ2bxZ6jjSai95P&creativeId=14d6a1c2-a3f8-499b-900a-1ae788c317b1