So that was a disappointment. I have read other short stories by Cleeves before and this one was just kind of set before you with I thought way too many adults ignoring the situation that is revealed to us.
No spoilers but I really wanted to go so are you an officer or not to DI Matthew Venn and then later to his colleague Jen that shows up.
I will say that the first part of the book with Venn spying two girls walking along the beach hand in hand was very atmospheric. But when you read on and find out what was going on the whole thing felt malevolent. Most of the book was just previews for the next Vera novel. At least this only cost 99 cents.