Book of the Week July 30, 2026
As with all of Cleeve’s novels, this one centers on a violent act that summons a whole community, from the police to a rising politician and from a small group of teens to the media eager to expose the familes. At the center of the novel is DI Matthew Venn, whose gentle demeanor and persistent inquiry move the storyline ahead, peeling the novel like the proverbial onion. The tale takes place in the UK in the midst of a scorching summer, when Venn has been called in to investigate the death of a young woman found floating face-up in a pool. But it’s not just any pool—the luxurious location is owned by the girl’s friend, Hannah, who is also missing. Social media, secrets, and unrest all go far to crack this mystery, exposing what is left unsaid. A sophisticated, fast-moving novel that many readers will relish.—Brian Kenney
