4 Character-Driven Police Procedural/Mystery Stars!

This is a book that is just as much about the characters as the investigation. Detective Inspector Matthew Venn is in charge of the murder investigation. He is a local boy and a gay man who grew up as part of a strict evangelical church which he renounced. I loved the undercurrents here of the discord between his family, the church and his true self. Cleeves weaves in societal prejudices towards gays and disabled and mentally impaired people so well into this story.

The main mystery revolves around a murder connected to the Day Centre at The Woodyard - a center for disabled and impaired people that is managed by Jonathan, Mathhew's husband. Running alongside this investigation is the story of an elderly man who is living with his daughter with downs syndrome. The stories, are connected and Cleeves weaves them together effortlessly at the end.

My favorite character, by far, is Jen one of Matthew Venn’s DS’s. She has escaped an abusive husband and has such an interesting back story. She is also a perfect pair for him, balancing him in all the ways that count in an investigation. I hope we see more of her in this series.

If you enjoy character driven police procedurals this is definitely one to add to your list.

Thank you Minotaur Books for providing this arc for me to read & review!