The Girls on the Shore: An enticing short story from the author and creator of Vera, Shetland and The Long Call

by Ann Cleeves

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Book cover for The Girls on the Shore

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A New Short Story from Award-Winning Author Ann Cleeves

Ann Cleeves, the Sunday Times No #1 bestselling and award-winning author of the Vera, Shetland and Two Rivers series, returns with a darkly delicious short story featuring DI Matthew Venn, as featured on ITV's The Long Call. This enthralling tale also features an exclusive extract from the tenth Vera Stanhope novel The Rising Tide publishing later this year.

It was winter. Cold and clear, a different sort of day for this coast where the westerly winds usually blew rain and cloud.


Detective Inspector Matthew Venn is standing by his kitchen window when he first spots them. Two young girls, facing away from him, seemingly staring towards something in the distance. They are holding hands, and they are alone.

Though not a natural with children, Matthew knows he must find out why the girls are here, on a school day, unsupervised. And so he meets Olivia and Imogen, a pair of sisters whose secrets Matthew must uncover if he hopes to get them home.

The Long Call and The Heron's Cry, the first two novels in the Two Rivers series, featuring Matthew Venn, are available now.

  • ISBN10 1529097711
  • ISBN13 9781529097719
  • Publish Date 11 January 2022
  • Publish Status Active
  • Publish Country GB
  • Publisher Pan Macmillan
  • Imprint Macmillan
  • Edition Digital original
  • Format eBook (EPUB)
  • Pages 96
  • Language English