Chapter summaries The Raging Storm: a Detective Matthew Venn Novel Ann Cleeves

The Raging Storm Chapter 40: Philip Vickery’s Confession and a New Disappearance

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Matthew Venn visits Matilda Vickery’s parents, Philip and Susan, who live near his mother in the Brethren community. Philip reveals that he briefly worked for Bartholomew Lawson’s father, Henry, and left after discovering that Henry was fraudulently hiding gambling losses. Despite knowing about the fraud, Philip never reported it. He later confronted Henry at the marina, giving him until the end of the month to confess to the authorities. Henry soon jumped from the cliffs at Scully Cove, a place he loved and considered his own private domain.

The Vickerys also discuss Jeremy Rosco, whom they tried to mentor after perceiving him as a “rackety” liar. Susan recalls that twenty pounds went missing from her purse when Jeremy was alone, though she never accused him. They suspect Jeremy befriended elderly Grace Fanshaw in hope of inheritance.

After leaving, Venn briefly visits his mother Dorothy, who shows him a childhood photograph from a picnic at Greystone. Back at the station, Ross receives a call from family liaison officer Roxy: Eleanor Lawson is missing from her home, and there is blood in the bath, similar to the scene where Jeremy Rosco’s body was found.

Key Events

  • Venn interviews Philip and Susan Vickery in their home; they are formal and guarded, aware of his family’s reputation in the Brethren.
  • Philip admits he worked for Henry Lawson and discovered the senior Lawson was falsifying accounts to hide gambling debts.
  • Philip confronted Henry about the fraud and urged him to come clean; shortly after, Henry killed himself at Scully Cove.
  • The Vickerys describe Jeremy Rosco as a charming but untrustworthy young man who stole money from Susan’s purse.
  • They reveal that Jeremy brought Eleanor to their home once; Susan had the impression Eleanor was in control of the relationship.
  • Venn visits his mother Dorothy, who shows him a photo from a Greystone picnic; she seems more welcoming than in the past.
  • Ross receives news that Eleanor Lawson is missing and that blood has been found in her bathtub, echoing the earlier discovery of Jeremy Rosco’s body.

Character Development

Matthew Venn – He experiences a rare moment of domestic peace with Jonathan, feeling that whatever troubled Jonathan has been resolved. Venn also shows vulnerability by visiting his mother, despite the tension. He remains a patient but persistent interviewer, pushing the Vickerys to reveal uncomfortable truths. The chapter deepens his connection to the case through his personal history with the Brethren and Greystone.

Philip and Susan Vickery – They embody the strict, self-righteous morality of the Brethren. Philip’s conscience drove him to confront Henry Lawson, yet he withheld the full story for decades. Susan’s sharp judgments of Jeremy and her control over the conversation reveal a woman who sees the world in black-and-white terms.

Dorothy Venn – She appears briefly but significantly, softening toward Matthew. Her warmth and the preserved photograph suggest a longing for reconciliation, complicating the portrait of a woman who once had her son unfellowshipped.

Eleanor Lawson – Though not present, her disappearance and the blood in her bath elevate her from a witness or suspect to a possible victim, raising the stakes.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Secrecy and Moral Responsibility – Philip Vickery knew about the financial crimes and said nothing, then later pressured Henry to confess. His silence allowed the fraud to continue, but his moral pressure ultimately drove Henry to suicide. The theme questions whether passive complicity is as damaging as active wrongdoing.

Scully Cove as a Site of Death and Memory – The cove is repeatedly haunted by suicide: first Henry Lawson, then Bartholomew, and now possibly connected to Eleanor’s disappearance. It symbolises both a place of private peace for the Lawson family and a stage for their tragic endings.

Surveillance and Guilt – At the chapter’s end, Philip and Susan watch Venn from their window, anxious and afraid. Their behaviour mirrors the watchfulness of a community that values appearances and hidden judgment.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter provides the missing link between the Lawson family’s past and the present murders. Philip Vickery’s confession establishes a plausible motive for Bartholomew Lawson’s death: revenge for his father’s suicide, possibly by someone connected to the Vickerys or to Jeremy Rosco. The blood in Eleanor’s bath confirms that the killer has struck again, escalating the investigation. Venn’s visit to his mother adds emotional depth and foreshadows a possible personal resolution.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Philip Vickery feel responsible for Henry Lawson’s suicide?
Philip confronted Henry about the fraud and gave him an ultimatum to come clean. He later learned that Henry jumped from Scully Cove. While he does not explicitly say he caused it, the sequence of events and his unease during the interview suggest he carries guilt.

2. How does the Vickerys’ description of Jeremy Rosco cast doubt on his innocence?
They portray him as a charming liar who stole from them, and they imply he befriended Grace Fanshaw only for her money. This pattern of manipulation makes him a plausible suspect in the initial murders and undermines the idea that his own death was unrelated.

3. What does the blood in Eleanor’s bath imply about the killer’s methods?
The blood mirrors the scene where Jeremy Rosco’s body was found. It suggests the same killer is at work, possibly using the same location (a bath) to stage or dispose of victims. It also indicates Eleanor may be dead rather than simply missing.

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