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Vera Stanhope #11
The Dark Wives
The man’s body is found in the early morning light by a local dog walker in the park outside Rosebank, a care home for troubled teens in the coastal village of Longwater. The victim is Josh, a staff member, who was due to work the previous night but never showed up.
DI Vera Stanhope is called out to investigate the death, with her only clue being the disappearance of one of the home's residents, fourteen year old Chloe Spence. Vera can’t bring herself to believe that a teenager is responsible for the murder, but even she can’t dismiss the possibility.
Vera, Joe and new team member Rosie Bell, are soon embroiled in the case, and when a second connected body is found near the Three Dark Wives monument in the wilds of the Northumberland countryside, superstition and folklore begin to collide with fact. Vera knows she has to find Chloe to get to the truth, and the dark secrets in their community that may be far more dangerous than she could have ever believed possible.
DI Vera Stanhope is called out to investigate the death, with her only clue being the disappearance of one of the home's residents, fourteen year old Chloe Spence. Vera can’t bring herself to believe that a teenager is responsible for the murder, but even she can’t dismiss the possibility.
Vera, Joe and new team member Rosie Bell, are soon embroiled in the case, and when a second connected body is found near the Three Dark Wives monument in the wilds of the Northumberland countryside, superstition and folklore begin to collide with fact. Vera knows she has to find Chloe to get to the truth, and the dark secrets in their community that may be far more dangerous than she could have ever believed possible.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2024
2312 people are currently reading
13021 people want to read
About the author
Ann Cleeves
132 books8,829 followersAnn is the author of the books behind ITV's VERA, now in it's third series, and the BBC's SHETLAND, which will be aired in December 2012. Ann's DI Vera Stanhope series of books is set in Northumberland and features the well loved detective along with her partner Joe Ashworth. Ann's Shetland series bring us DI Jimmy Perez, investigating in the mysterious, dark, and beautiful Shetland Islands...
Ann grew up in the country, first in Herefordshire, then in North Devon. Her father was a village school teacher. After dropping out of university she took a number of temporary jobs - child care officer, women's refuge leader, bird observatory cook, auxiliary coastguard - before going back to college and training to be a probation officer.
While she was cooking in the Bird Observatory on Fair Isle, she met her husband Tim, a visiting ornithologist. She was attracted less by the ornithology than the bottle of malt whisky she saw in his rucksack when she showed him his room. Soon after they married, Tim was appointed as warden of Hilbre, a tiny tidal island nature reserve in the Dee Estuary. They were the only residents, there was no mains electricity or water and access to the mainland was at low tide across the shore. If a person's not heavily into birds - and Ann isn't - there's not much to do on Hilbre and that was when she started writing. Her first series of crime novels features the elderly naturalist, George Palmer-Jones. A couple of these books are seriously dreadful.
In 1987 Tim, Ann and their two daughters moved to Northumberland and the north east provides the inspiration for many of her subsequent titles. The girls have both taken up with Geordie lads. In the autumn of 2006, Ann and Tim finally achieved their ambition of moving back to the North East.
For the National Year of Reading, Ann was made reader-in-residence for three library authorities. It came as a revelation that it was possible to get paid for talking to readers about books! She went on to set up reading groups in prisons as part of the Inside Books project, became Cheltenham Literature Festival's first reader-in-residence and still enjoys working with libraries.
Ann Cleeves on stage at the Duncan Lawrie Dagger awards ceremony
Ann's short film for Border TV, Catching Birds, won a Royal Television Society Award. She has twice been short listed for a CWA Dagger Award - once for her short story The Plater, and the following year for the Dagger in the Library award.
In 2006 Ann Cleeves was the first winner of the prestigious Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award of the Crime Writers' Association for Raven Black, the first volume of her Shetland Quartet. The Duncan Lawrie Dagger replaces the CWA's Gold Dagger award, and the winner receives £20,000, making it the world's largest award for crime fiction.
Ann's success was announced at the 2006 Dagger Awards ceremony at the Waldorf Hilton, in London's Aldwych, on Thursday 29 June 2006. She said: "I have never won anything before in my life, so it was a complete shock - but lovely of course.. The evening was relatively relaxing because I'd lost my voice and knew that even if the unexpected happened there was physically no way I could utter a word. So I wouldn't have to give a speech. My editor was deputed to do it!"
The judging panel consisted of Geoff Bradley (non-voting Chair), Lyn Brown MP (a committee member on the London Libraries service), Frances Gray (an academic who writes about and teaches courses on modern crime fiction), Heather O'Donoghue (academic, linguist, crime fiction reviewer for The Times Literary Supplement, and keen reader of all crime fiction) and Barry Forshaw (reviewer and editor of Crime Time magazine).
Ann's books have been translated into sixteen languages. She's a bestseller in Scandinavia and Germany. Her novels sell widely and to critical acclaim in the United States. Raven Black was shortlisted for the Martin Beck award for best translated crime novel in Sweden in 200
Ann grew up in the country, first in Herefordshire, then in North Devon. Her father was a village school teacher. After dropping out of university she took a number of temporary jobs - child care officer, women's refuge leader, bird observatory cook, auxiliary coastguard - before going back to college and training to be a probation officer.
While she was cooking in the Bird Observatory on Fair Isle, she met her husband Tim, a visiting ornithologist. She was attracted less by the ornithology than the bottle of malt whisky she saw in his rucksack when she showed him his room. Soon after they married, Tim was appointed as warden of Hilbre, a tiny tidal island nature reserve in the Dee Estuary. They were the only residents, there was no mains electricity or water and access to the mainland was at low tide across the shore. If a person's not heavily into birds - and Ann isn't - there's not much to do on Hilbre and that was when she started writing. Her first series of crime novels features the elderly naturalist, George Palmer-Jones. A couple of these books are seriously dreadful.
In 1987 Tim, Ann and their two daughters moved to Northumberland and the north east provides the inspiration for many of her subsequent titles. The girls have both taken up with Geordie lads. In the autumn of 2006, Ann and Tim finally achieved their ambition of moving back to the North East.
For the National Year of Reading, Ann was made reader-in-residence for three library authorities. It came as a revelation that it was possible to get paid for talking to readers about books! She went on to set up reading groups in prisons as part of the Inside Books project, became Cheltenham Literature Festival's first reader-in-residence and still enjoys working with libraries.
Ann Cleeves on stage at the Duncan Lawrie Dagger awards ceremony
Ann's short film for Border TV, Catching Birds, won a Royal Television Society Award. She has twice been short listed for a CWA Dagger Award - once for her short story The Plater, and the following year for the Dagger in the Library award.
In 2006 Ann Cleeves was the first winner of the prestigious Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award of the Crime Writers' Association for Raven Black, the first volume of her Shetland Quartet. The Duncan Lawrie Dagger replaces the CWA's Gold Dagger award, and the winner receives £20,000, making it the world's largest award for crime fiction.
Ann's success was announced at the 2006 Dagger Awards ceremony at the Waldorf Hilton, in London's Aldwych, on Thursday 29 June 2006. She said: "I have never won anything before in my life, so it was a complete shock - but lovely of course.. The evening was relatively relaxing because I'd lost my voice and knew that even if the unexpected happened there was physically no way I could utter a word. So I wouldn't have to give a speech. My editor was deputed to do it!"
The judging panel consisted of Geoff Bradley (non-voting Chair), Lyn Brown MP (a committee member on the London Libraries service), Frances Gray (an academic who writes about and teaches courses on modern crime fiction), Heather O'Donoghue (academic, linguist, crime fiction reviewer for The Times Literary Supplement, and keen reader of all crime fiction) and Barry Forshaw (reviewer and editor of Crime Time magazine).
Ann's books have been translated into sixteen languages. She's a bestseller in Scandinavia and Germany. Her novels sell widely and to critical acclaim in the United States. Raven Black was shortlisted for the Martin Beck award for best translated crime novel in Sweden in 200
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,448 reviews
August 31, 2024
EXCERPT: 'Was there anywhere special the two of you liked to visit? Where she'd been happy? Somewhere she might go back to?'
There was a long pause while the woman seemed to be thinking. Vera thought there'd be no answer, but at last Rebecca spoke. 'She loved it up at Gillstead.'
Vera knew Gillstead. It was a hamlet on the other side of the valley from Vera's house. Nothing there but a few farms, a street of cottages, which had once belonged to the big house. On the fell, three standing stones - the Three Dark Wives - that pulled in the occasional history buff. She'd always loved the legend of the Dark Wives. The story was that three crones had been turned to stone by a giant who thought they talked too much. There were times when Vera thought of herself as a crone, and she hoped something horrible had happened to the giant. At least the crones were remembered, and he'd disappeared from the story.
ABOUT 'THE DARK WIVES': A body is found by an early morning dog walker on the common outside Rosebank, a care home for troubled teens. The victim is Josh, a staff member, who never showed up to work.
DI Vera Stanhope is called out to investigate. Her only clue is the disappearance of fourteen-year-old resident Chloe. Vera can’t bring herself to believe that a teenager is responsible for the murder, but even she can’t dismiss the possibility.
Vera, Joe and new team member Rosie are soon embroiled in the case, but when a second body is found near the Three Dark Wives standing stones in the wilds of the Northumbrian countryside, folklore and fact begin to collide.
Vera knows she has to find Chloe to get to the truth, but it seems that the dark secrets in their community may be far more dangerous than she could ever have believed. . .
MY THOUGHTS: Any excuse to catch up with Vera and her team is a welcome one for me. I have no idea how Vera's mind works and that may well be a blessing. I just love her character. She's definitely not tactful but has a surprisingly soft heart - even if her team don't see evidence of it often. She can be quite secretive and, despite her best intentions to share more with her team, is still inclined to keep things close to her chest. Joe is quite used to Vera's way of working, but Rosie, the new team member, finds it quite irksome. Her habit of keeping things close to the chest also makes it difficult for the reader - I have never yet managed to solve the mystery ahead of Vera.
I loved the way Ann Cleeves has described Vera's first encounter with Rosie, but that's a pleasure I will leave for you to discover by yourself. It will be interesting to see just how well Rosie fits into the team in future books; she is very ambitious.
The Dark Wives incorporates local folklore with the mystery of a missing girl, two bodies and is centred on a home for disadvantaged children. There were a couple of twists that simply took my breath away, revealed as the mystery unfolded; things I would never have imagined happening in a million years. But, as the saying goes, 'there's nowt so queer as folk'. And there's something else at the end that took me by surprise, but that I'll also leave for you to discover.
The tension is incredible as the search for Chloe continues with little success. I feared for her safety even more following the discovery of the second body.
The atmosphere of the setting is just as palpable as that of the tension and suspense, and Cleeves has skilfully fined-tuned both, producing a tightly plotted mystery that kept me glued to the (virtual) pages. I lose myself in Ann Cleeve's books often rereading the older books as I wait for the next installment. Already I'm anxiously awaiting #12.
Dark Wives is able to be read as a standalone, but you will miss out on the building of relationships which occurs in the earlier books. It really doesn't seem that long ago that Joe and his wife were expecting their first child, and now she's a teen!
A highly recommended book and series.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheDarkWives #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Ann grew up in the country, first in Herefordshire, then in North Devon. Her father was a village school teacher. After dropping out of university she took a number of temporary jobs - child care officer, women's refuge leader, bird observatory cook, auxiliary coastguard - before going back to college and training to be a probation officer.
While she was cooking in the Bird Observatory on Fair Isle, she met her husband Tim, a visiting ornithologist. She was attracted less by the ornithology than the bottle of malt whisky she saw in his rucksack when she showed him his room. Soon after they married.
In 1987 Tim, Ann and their two daughters moved to Northumberland and the northeast provides the inspiration for many of her subsequent titles. The girls have both taken up with Geordie lads. In the autumn of 2006, Ann and Tim finally achieved their ambition of moving back to the North East.
DISCLSOURE: Thank you to Pan Macmillan via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
There was a long pause while the woman seemed to be thinking. Vera thought there'd be no answer, but at last Rebecca spoke. 'She loved it up at Gillstead.'
Vera knew Gillstead. It was a hamlet on the other side of the valley from Vera's house. Nothing there but a few farms, a street of cottages, which had once belonged to the big house. On the fell, three standing stones - the Three Dark Wives - that pulled in the occasional history buff. She'd always loved the legend of the Dark Wives. The story was that three crones had been turned to stone by a giant who thought they talked too much. There were times when Vera thought of herself as a crone, and she hoped something horrible had happened to the giant. At least the crones were remembered, and he'd disappeared from the story.
ABOUT 'THE DARK WIVES': A body is found by an early morning dog walker on the common outside Rosebank, a care home for troubled teens. The victim is Josh, a staff member, who never showed up to work.
DI Vera Stanhope is called out to investigate. Her only clue is the disappearance of fourteen-year-old resident Chloe. Vera can’t bring herself to believe that a teenager is responsible for the murder, but even she can’t dismiss the possibility.
Vera, Joe and new team member Rosie are soon embroiled in the case, but when a second body is found near the Three Dark Wives standing stones in the wilds of the Northumbrian countryside, folklore and fact begin to collide.
Vera knows she has to find Chloe to get to the truth, but it seems that the dark secrets in their community may be far more dangerous than she could ever have believed. . .
MY THOUGHTS: Any excuse to catch up with Vera and her team is a welcome one for me. I have no idea how Vera's mind works and that may well be a blessing. I just love her character. She's definitely not tactful but has a surprisingly soft heart - even if her team don't see evidence of it often. She can be quite secretive and, despite her best intentions to share more with her team, is still inclined to keep things close to her chest. Joe is quite used to Vera's way of working, but Rosie, the new team member, finds it quite irksome. Her habit of keeping things close to the chest also makes it difficult for the reader - I have never yet managed to solve the mystery ahead of Vera.
I loved the way Ann Cleeves has described Vera's first encounter with Rosie, but that's a pleasure I will leave for you to discover by yourself. It will be interesting to see just how well Rosie fits into the team in future books; she is very ambitious.
The Dark Wives incorporates local folklore with the mystery of a missing girl, two bodies and is centred on a home for disadvantaged children. There were a couple of twists that simply took my breath away, revealed as the mystery unfolded; things I would never have imagined happening in a million years. But, as the saying goes, 'there's nowt so queer as folk'. And there's something else at the end that took me by surprise, but that I'll also leave for you to discover.
The tension is incredible as the search for Chloe continues with little success. I feared for her safety even more following the discovery of the second body.
The atmosphere of the setting is just as palpable as that of the tension and suspense, and Cleeves has skilfully fined-tuned both, producing a tightly plotted mystery that kept me glued to the (virtual) pages. I lose myself in Ann Cleeve's books often rereading the older books as I wait for the next installment. Already I'm anxiously awaiting #12.
Dark Wives is able to be read as a standalone, but you will miss out on the building of relationships which occurs in the earlier books. It really doesn't seem that long ago that Joe and his wife were expecting their first child, and now she's a teen!
A highly recommended book and series.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheDarkWives #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Ann grew up in the country, first in Herefordshire, then in North Devon. Her father was a village school teacher. After dropping out of university she took a number of temporary jobs - child care officer, women's refuge leader, bird observatory cook, auxiliary coastguard - before going back to college and training to be a probation officer.
While she was cooking in the Bird Observatory on Fair Isle, she met her husband Tim, a visiting ornithologist. She was attracted less by the ornithology than the bottle of malt whisky she saw in his rucksack when she showed him his room. Soon after they married.
In 1987 Tim, Ann and their two daughters moved to Northumberland and the northeast provides the inspiration for many of her subsequent titles. The girls have both taken up with Geordie lads. In the autumn of 2006, Ann and Tim finally achieved their ambition of moving back to the North East.
DISCLSOURE: Thank you to Pan Macmillan via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
August 31, 2024
A slow start, but since it is Cleeves writing her latest in her Vera Stanhope series, long time readers know it’s going to get much better. And of course, it did. A missing child from a home for the most recalcitrant of children, a dead volunteer from the same house and Vera and her team take charge of the case. First priority though, is to find the child. Is she victim or killer.
A new addition to the team, Rosie, a younger go getter, tries to find her place in the long running team of Joe and Vera. So far, so good, but later episodes will tell.
Although the narrators voice was pleasant enough, it was hard, at times to know who was talking. Reading the book is the way to go, imho, with this one.
A new addition to the team, Rosie, a younger go getter, tries to find her place in the long running team of Joe and Vera. So far, so good, but later episodes will tell.
Although the narrators voice was pleasant enough, it was hard, at times to know who was talking. Reading the book is the way to go, imho, with this one.
May 3, 2024
Vera Stanhope #11
Vera is called to Rosebank children’s home to investigate the murder of Josh Woodburn, a university student and volunteer at the home. In addition, one of the residents 14 year old Chloe Spencer has disappeared which clearly seems suspicious but Vera finds it hard to believe this particular teenager could be responsible. In the search for Chloe in a remote area that she loves, another death, that of a male teenager also from Rosebank, is discovered near the three ancient standing stones known as the Three Wives close to the village of Gillstead. The plot definitely thickens and dangerously so. Does it link to the children’s home as it seems it might and, how is Chloe involved?
I continue to marvel at the ability of writers like Ann Cleeves who have been producing best sellers for years, and who can still churn out novels that make for such compelling reading. It’s fair to say that Vera and DS Joe Ashworth feel like old friends now. I love Vera who tells it how it is ‘pet’ and how intuitively smart she is. She’s a one off that’s for sure. I like her closeness to Joe who unlike his boss, does like to stick to the rules and also quiet member of the team in Charlie plays a crucial role this time. There’s a new member of the squad replacing Holly ( Previous novel) in the ambitious DC Rosie Bell and it’s a case of not judging a book by its cover. As the novel progresses I grow to like her, she’s very good with those she questions and she too has plenty of smarts. Will the team feel the same??
The cases is a perplexing one and I like that it shines a spotlight in the children’s home sector, especially those that are privately run and some of those children in Rosebank have some very sad back stories. Vera is just the right person to handle this and she seems to have made a new friend through the investigation.
As the enquiry moves further north into the area around Gillstead and the Dark Wives, the setting is fantastic, it’s full of atmosphere and is very well described. I love the inclusion of local traditions, one of which provides a tremendous backdrop to the conclusion of the addictive novel. These are some of the most vivid scenes in the book and they really stand out.
The plot is told at a to brisk pace, it builds well with plenty of tension and many a twist. Throughout there’s terrific (canny) dialogue so I can ‘hear’ the local dialect and some great words. Champion. The ending is typical Vera. She’s figured it all out before her team, but I have to say I’m a tad disappointed that there aren’t too many clues for readers to pick up but so definitely fits with Vera‘s personality.
Overall, that aside, it’s a compulsive and engrossing read and I’m engaged from start to finish. I like the social commentary angle I’ve not only the children’s homes but also of some education academies. I find myself nodding in agreement with ‘Vera’.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pan Macmillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Vera is called to Rosebank children’s home to investigate the murder of Josh Woodburn, a university student and volunteer at the home. In addition, one of the residents 14 year old Chloe Spencer has disappeared which clearly seems suspicious but Vera finds it hard to believe this particular teenager could be responsible. In the search for Chloe in a remote area that she loves, another death, that of a male teenager also from Rosebank, is discovered near the three ancient standing stones known as the Three Wives close to the village of Gillstead. The plot definitely thickens and dangerously so. Does it link to the children’s home as it seems it might and, how is Chloe involved?
I continue to marvel at the ability of writers like Ann Cleeves who have been producing best sellers for years, and who can still churn out novels that make for such compelling reading. It’s fair to say that Vera and DS Joe Ashworth feel like old friends now. I love Vera who tells it how it is ‘pet’ and how intuitively smart she is. She’s a one off that’s for sure. I like her closeness to Joe who unlike his boss, does like to stick to the rules and also quiet member of the team in Charlie plays a crucial role this time. There’s a new member of the squad replacing Holly ( Previous novel) in the ambitious DC Rosie Bell and it’s a case of not judging a book by its cover. As the novel progresses I grow to like her, she’s very good with those she questions and she too has plenty of smarts. Will the team feel the same??
The cases is a perplexing one and I like that it shines a spotlight in the children’s home sector, especially those that are privately run and some of those children in Rosebank have some very sad back stories. Vera is just the right person to handle this and she seems to have made a new friend through the investigation.
As the enquiry moves further north into the area around Gillstead and the Dark Wives, the setting is fantastic, it’s full of atmosphere and is very well described. I love the inclusion of local traditions, one of which provides a tremendous backdrop to the conclusion of the addictive novel. These are some of the most vivid scenes in the book and they really stand out.
The plot is told at a to brisk pace, it builds well with plenty of tension and many a twist. Throughout there’s terrific (canny) dialogue so I can ‘hear’ the local dialect and some great words. Champion. The ending is typical Vera. She’s figured it all out before her team, but I have to say I’m a tad disappointed that there aren’t too many clues for readers to pick up but so definitely fits with Vera‘s personality.
Overall, that aside, it’s a compulsive and engrossing read and I’m engaged from start to finish. I like the social commentary angle I’ve not only the children’s homes but also of some education academies. I find myself nodding in agreement with ‘Vera’.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Pan Macmillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
February 2, 2025
The eleventh book in the Vera Stanhope series. These have always been good books and have become even more noticed since the arrival of the TV series.
The action in The Dark Wives begins at Rosebank, a home for troubled teenagers, when a staff member is found murdered and a resident is missing. The story is the search for the missing girl - is she the murderer or a victim? Vera has a new team member called Rosie Bell who is equal parts entertaining and irritating but Vera seems to like her. Joe discovers he has competition for Vera's attention.
I enjoyed everything about this book especially the characters most of whom are like old friends. The mystery is not so involved that I got lost but certainly tricky enough that I did not solve it. The author's writing style is excellent and she is very good at creating an atmospheric setting. I am going to give it five stars.
The action in The Dark Wives begins at Rosebank, a home for troubled teenagers, when a staff member is found murdered and a resident is missing. The story is the search for the missing girl - is she the murderer or a victim? Vera has a new team member called Rosie Bell who is equal parts entertaining and irritating but Vera seems to like her. Joe discovers he has competition for Vera's attention.
I enjoyed everything about this book especially the characters most of whom are like old friends. The mystery is not so involved that I got lost but certainly tricky enough that I did not solve it. The author's writing style is excellent and she is very good at creating an atmospheric setting. I am going to give it five stars.
August 24, 2024
Seen a few episodes of the series VERA, so dived into the book and i must say a very solid police procedural set in the UK. Not only do we follow along with the case, we also get a glipse into the personal lives of the team
A 14 year old girl goes missing from a care home for troubled teens in the wake of a murder of one of its caretakers. We learn more about both pasts of the missing and the dead and discover a connection
Vera now has to find this missing teen before she winds up dead!
Solid 4 stars!
Thanks NetGalley and MacMillian Audio for this ARC! Beyond humbled! 🙏🏾
The Dark Wives out Aug 27th 2024
A 14 year old girl goes missing from a care home for troubled teens in the wake of a murder of one of its caretakers. We learn more about both pasts of the missing and the dead and discover a connection
Vera now has to find this missing teen before she winds up dead!
Solid 4 stars!
Thanks NetGalley and MacMillian Audio for this ARC! Beyond humbled! 🙏🏾
The Dark Wives out Aug 27th 2024
October 21, 2024
3.5 stars
In this 11th book in the 'Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope' series, the Northumberland sleuth investigates the murder of a university student, and the disappearance of a teenager. The book works fine as a standalone.
*****
Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope was raised by a difficult bullying father, and now has a soft spot for struggling adolescents.
So Vera is especially concerned when a midnight 999 call summons her to Rosebank Home, a foster care facility for 'teens that no one wants.'
At Rosebank Home, Vera learns that the body of Josh Woodburn, a university student employed at Rosebank part-time, was found outside the facility.
In addition, a fourteen-year-old girl called Chloe Spence, who's a resident of Rosebank Home, is missing.
Vera observes that Josh's head was caved in with a hammer, and Chloe's diary reveals the teen liked hanging out with Josh and had a crush on him. Vera thinks, "Oh Chloe. What have you done? And where are you now" And if this wasn't you - and really there's nothing in your diary to suggest that it was - are you still alive?"
In Vera's mind there are three possibilities: Chloe killed Josh and ran away; or Chloe saw who killed Josh and is hiding from the murderer; or Chloe was abducted by the killer. All this makes Vera anxious to find Chloe, hopefully alive and well.
Vera gathers her detective squad to investigate. This includes Vera's longtime partner, Detective Sergeant Joe Ashworth....
.....and a new member of the team, Detective Constable Rosie Bell.
The investigators' first interest is Rosebank Home, a dilapidated facility with peeling floors and mismatched furnishings. The facility can accommodate four teenagers, and Chloe's co-residents, two boys and a girl, claim to know nothing about Josh's death or Chloe's whereabouts. The youngsters all acknowledge, though, that Chloe kept to herself and read a lot of books.
A visit to Chloe's school, Salvation Academy, provides little additional information. The administrators and teachers say Chloe was a good student who did well until her father ran off and her mother had a psychotic break. This landed Chloe in Rosebank Home, presumably until her mother recovers.
The inquiry into Josh's homicide also yields few clues. Josh's parents, former girlfriend, and acquaintances all say Josh was a genial young man, with no enemies who would want to kill him.
A new avenue for the investigation opens up when Vera discovers that Chloe's deceased grandpa had a cottage in Gillstead, where Chloe sometimes visited. Gillstead is known for a rock formation called the 'Three Dark Wives', which attracts tourists and historians. Legend says three crones were turned to stone by a giant who thought they talked too much. Gillstead has an annual activity called the 'Witch Hunt', where people run around at night trying to catch a witch.
Vera thinks Chloe might be hiding in her grandpa's old cottage, and goes to Gillstead to investigate. Instead of Chloe, Vera finds the body of a teenage boy from Rosebank Home, dead from a drug overdose.
The case gets darker and more obscure until Vera and her team make some breakthroughs. This leads to the novel's exciting, action packed climax. The resolution of Josh's murder and Chloe's disappearance is quite clever, and will tax the deductive ability of even the most dedicated armchair sleuth.
A fun aspect of the book is the rivalry between DS Joe Ashworth and DC Rosie Bell, who compete to find clues, and try to best each with their investigative skills.
Rosie, who's the new person on the team, wants to prove herself to Vera, and Joe doesn't want to be shown up. It all turns out well in the end, though, and the trio make a fine team.
Like all the Vera Stanhope books, this is a good thriller, recommended to fans of the genre.
Thanks to Netgalley, Anne Cleeves, and Minotaur Books for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
September 19, 2024
DI Vera Stanhope and her team are called out to investigate the death of a staff member outside Rosebank, a home for troubled teens. Added to that, one of the residents, fourteen-year-old Chloe Spence, has disappeared.
When I first started reading The Dark Wives I absolutely LOVED it! It's the first book I've read in the Vera Stanhope series and I kept asking myself how on earth I had previously missed this series.
I loved how the book got its name: The story was that three uppity crones who talked too much had been turned into stone by a giant who'd thought they'd also nagged their husbands too much! They're actually three large stones that resemble Stonehenge and overlook a small town in the Northumberland countryside and are known as the Three Dark Wives Monument. (Now I want to go and see them in real life, naturally.)
The more I read, the more I loved the book and I smiled every time Vera called someone pet! My enchantment lasted right up until the last few pages...
Two things happened in the last few pages that nearly ruined the book for me:
It makes me sad to rate The Dark Wives only three stars when I was initially so wild about it. That ending, though...
My thanks to both #MinotaurBooks and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Dark Wives. This book is #11 in the series with an expected publication date of August 27, 2024.
When I first started reading The Dark Wives I absolutely LOVED it! It's the first book I've read in the Vera Stanhope series and I kept asking myself how on earth I had previously missed this series.
I loved how the book got its name: The story was that three uppity crones who talked too much had been turned into stone by a giant who'd thought they'd also nagged their husbands too much! They're actually three large stones that resemble Stonehenge and overlook a small town in the Northumberland countryside and are known as the Three Dark Wives Monument. (Now I want to go and see them in real life, naturally.)
The more I read, the more I loved the book and I smiled every time Vera called someone pet! My enchantment lasted right up until the last few pages...
Two things happened in the last few pages that nearly ruined the book for me:
It makes me sad to rate The Dark Wives only three stars when I was initially so wild about it. That ending, though...
My thanks to both #MinotaurBooks and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Dark Wives. This book is #11 in the series with an expected publication date of August 27, 2024.
April 7, 2024
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.
"The Dark Wives" takes place a few weeks (I think, don't want to go back and look) after the murder/death of Holly. Vera is determined to be a better boss and when she gets assigned a new woman named Rosie. Rosie is unlike Holly, but Vera and even Joe are unsure if she has enough to stick with the team. A murder takes place and a young girl flees and Vera and her team are unsure if the young girl is the killer or if she is hiding from someone else.
This was very uneven. I don't know if it was the new character of Rosie or what. But nothing really fit well as I was reading through the pages. I thought that the murder of Josh was initially okay, but then it felt like the book is floundering. And I have to say, that I was beyond annoyed that apparently Vera realizes who did it and there's zero clue to this and we just get an exposition dump in the end. I think Cleeves's wanted to say something about children's homes in England (good) but the the storytelling wasn't top notch and honestly wasn't believable. And I didn't really like Vera or Joe much in this one. And Rosie was a little too all over the place for me.
"The Dark Wives" takes place a few weeks (I think, don't want to go back and look) after the murder/death of Holly. Vera is determined to be a better boss and when she gets assigned a new woman named Rosie. Rosie is unlike Holly, but Vera and even Joe are unsure if she has enough to stick with the team. A murder takes place and a young girl flees and Vera and her team are unsure if the young girl is the killer or if she is hiding from someone else.
This was very uneven. I don't know if it was the new character of Rosie or what. But nothing really fit well as I was reading through the pages. I thought that the murder of Josh was initially okay, but then it felt like the book is floundering. And I have to say, that I was beyond annoyed that apparently Vera realizes who did it and there's zero clue to this and we just get an exposition dump in the end. I think Cleeves's wanted to say something about children's homes in England (good) but the the storytelling wasn't top notch and honestly wasn't believable. And I didn't really like Vera or Joe much in this one. And Rosie was a little too all over the place for me.
July 14, 2024
Well the wonderful Brenda Blethyn may be hanging up her Vera hat but thank goodness Ann Cleeves is still writing. Of course the on screen Vera and book Vera diverged a long time ago as often happens. Here in book world Vera, still grieving, has a new DC to break in. Rosie Bell is full of energy, a city girl at heart and very keen to impress the legendary Vera. She'll get her chance with a new case.
Josh Woodburn's body has been discovered outside Rosebank children's home - a privately run home for troubled teens. A resident teenager, Chloe Spence, is missing having disappeared on the same night.
Vera and her team have to dig into the family circumstances of Josh and Rosie as well as the history of the home and the school where Rosie attended. When further tragedy - another body - is discovered near the standing stones, The Dark Wives, where Chloe's family have their roots, the coincidences become too overwhelming to be ignored.
Vera has to get to the bottom of the mystery of the bodies and the missing teen before another child is lost.
What can you say about Ann Cleeves work that hasn't been said before. So I'll stick with the usual - this is a well plotted, not too complicated (but obviously enough for me to have zero clue whodunnit). The well established characters are always a joy to meet again- they feel like old friends and Rosie, despite being a bit brash, is so in awe of Vera that she'll fit right in plus Joe might have to up his game to shine.
I would definitely highly recommend this latest addition to Vera's story. Thankyou Ann Cleeves for making her such an irascible but loveable detective.
Thankyou so much to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the advance review copy. Most appreciated.
Josh Woodburn's body has been discovered outside Rosebank children's home - a privately run home for troubled teens. A resident teenager, Chloe Spence, is missing having disappeared on the same night.
Vera and her team have to dig into the family circumstances of Josh and Rosie as well as the history of the home and the school where Rosie attended. When further tragedy - another body - is discovered near the standing stones, The Dark Wives, where Chloe's family have their roots, the coincidences become too overwhelming to be ignored.
Vera has to get to the bottom of the mystery of the bodies and the missing teen before another child is lost.
What can you say about Ann Cleeves work that hasn't been said before. So I'll stick with the usual - this is a well plotted, not too complicated (but obviously enough for me to have zero clue whodunnit). The well established characters are always a joy to meet again- they feel like old friends and Rosie, despite being a bit brash, is so in awe of Vera that she'll fit right in plus Joe might have to up his game to shine.
I would definitely highly recommend this latest addition to Vera's story. Thankyou Ann Cleeves for making her such an irascible but loveable detective.
Thankyou so much to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the advance review copy. Most appreciated.
August 29, 2024
This new-to-me author surprised me with her taut police procedural. I wondered about coming into the series at #11, but I didn’t feel that I was missing too much. A friend filled me in after the fact about an important piece of information from #10 that helped. So, yes, this can be read as a standalone. I loved that I got to meet DC Rosie Bell at the same time as longtime readers of this series. I’m sure everyone else noticed that DC Bell was eager to please and it’ll be interesting to see how she fits in with this established team.
I felt the tension in the scramble to find the missing teen and unravel the motive and means alongside the web of secrets before it was too late. The setting made this the perfect backdrop to highlight witchcraft. The Northumberland countryside is atmospheric! I’ll admit Googling the three standing stones, Northumberland’s own Stonehenge and getting caught up in the folklore attached to the title.
I’m looking forward to meeting this author at the book festival this Fall.
I was gifted this copy by Minotaur Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I felt the tension in the scramble to find the missing teen and unravel the motive and means alongside the web of secrets before it was too late. The setting made this the perfect backdrop to highlight witchcraft. The Northumberland countryside is atmospheric! I’ll admit Googling the three standing stones, Northumberland’s own Stonehenge and getting caught up in the folklore attached to the title.
I’m looking forward to meeting this author at the book festival this Fall.
I was gifted this copy by Minotaur Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
September 5, 2024
Like many others I am a huge fan of Ann Cleeves and Vera, but this book really disappointed me. I felt there was far too much unnecessary detail in describing characters, places etc. To not give us any clues at all as to who is the murderer is made for boring reading. I felt there were situations which were far fetched and improbable, then to just expose the whole thing in the last 30 odd pages was very disappointing.
August 11, 2024
I just love Ann Cleeves, and Vera Stanhope is one of my favorite characters. Her no nonsense way of getting to the bottom of a case makes me respect her as a detective and overall great human being! She comes off rough and intimidating but she’s a teddy bear underneath.
The Dark Wives had me stumped. A death of a councilor outside a home for troubled youth and a missing teen. At first I thought I knew the outcome but I was surprised when I read the ending!!
Vera and Joe are on the case with their new coworker Rosie. Rosie is Holly’s replacement and comes with her own baggage and is trying to find out if she fits with the team or not. She worships Vera and is eagerly trying to please her but is confused with how Vera works the case. They all have different ideas as to who the murderer is and sometime get on each other’s nerves.
All in all, I really liked the new 11th book. Especially the name, The Dark Wives, that ties into and makes the case harder to solve. So exciting!
Jane Birkett does a wonderful job as narrator!
Many thanks to Ann Cleeves and Macmillan Audio for the ARC via NetGalley!
The Dark Wives had me stumped. A death of a councilor outside a home for troubled youth and a missing teen. At first I thought I knew the outcome but I was surprised when I read the ending!!
Vera and Joe are on the case with their new coworker Rosie. Rosie is Holly’s replacement and comes with her own baggage and is trying to find out if she fits with the team or not. She worships Vera and is eagerly trying to please her but is confused with how Vera works the case. They all have different ideas as to who the murderer is and sometime get on each other’s nerves.
All in all, I really liked the new 11th book. Especially the name, The Dark Wives, that ties into and makes the case harder to solve. So exciting!
Jane Birkett does a wonderful job as narrator!
Many thanks to Ann Cleeves and Macmillan Audio for the ARC via NetGalley!
August 29, 2024
This Vera Stanhope series caught my attention and I've read quite a few of the books. Ann Cleeves has been able to keep my interest with each one.
Description:
The man’s body is found in the early morning light by a local dog walker in the park outside Rosebank, a care home for troubled teens in the coastal village of Longwater. The victim is Josh, a staff member, who was due to work the previous night but never showed up.
DI Vera Stanhope is called out to investigate the death, with her only clue being the disappearance of one of the home's residents, fourteen year old Chloe Spence. Vera can’t bring herself to believe that a teenager is responsible for the murder, but even she can’t dismiss the possibility.
Vera, Joe and new team member Rosie Bell, are soon embroiled in the case, and when a second connected body is found near the Three Dark Wives monument in the wilds of the Northumberland countryside, superstition and folklore begin to collide with fact. Vera knows she has to find Chloe to get to the truth, and the dark secrets in their community that may be far more dangerous than she could have ever believed possible.
My Thoughts:
Vera Stanhope is an interesting character. She is rough around the edges and brusque with her interactions. Tact is not her strong suit to put it mildly. Yet her instincts are good and have served her well as a detective. She is well respected in her community. This murder investigation unfolds slowly as clues are followed and a search for a missing child who might know something about the murder proceeds. There is a new member of the team, Rosie, who is a good character and seems to fit well with the team. There are some surprise twists and turns as the investigation unfolds. Any mystery lover would enjoy this book as well as the entire series.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
The man’s body is found in the early morning light by a local dog walker in the park outside Rosebank, a care home for troubled teens in the coastal village of Longwater. The victim is Josh, a staff member, who was due to work the previous night but never showed up.
DI Vera Stanhope is called out to investigate the death, with her only clue being the disappearance of one of the home's residents, fourteen year old Chloe Spence. Vera can’t bring herself to believe that a teenager is responsible for the murder, but even she can’t dismiss the possibility.
Vera, Joe and new team member Rosie Bell, are soon embroiled in the case, and when a second connected body is found near the Three Dark Wives monument in the wilds of the Northumberland countryside, superstition and folklore begin to collide with fact. Vera knows she has to find Chloe to get to the truth, and the dark secrets in their community that may be far more dangerous than she could have ever believed possible.
My Thoughts:
Vera Stanhope is an interesting character. She is rough around the edges and brusque with her interactions. Tact is not her strong suit to put it mildly. Yet her instincts are good and have served her well as a detective. She is well respected in her community. This murder investigation unfolds slowly as clues are followed and a search for a missing child who might know something about the murder proceeds. There is a new member of the team, Rosie, who is a good character and seems to fit well with the team. There are some surprise twists and turns as the investigation unfolds. Any mystery lover would enjoy this book as well as the entire series.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
October 5, 2024
This was my second book by this author and it is another slow burn, but, like in “The Moth Catcher” (the first one I read), I did enjoy the writing.
The storytelling was not, in my opinion, gripping or exciting, but the plot is interesting and got me curious, hence my ratings.
The writing is full of details or descriptions, so that’s why it was not so enthralling.
I liked that in this book there were no derogatory remarks about Vera’s obesity or appearance.
Anyways, regardless of being slow, the story does hold very well.
I read the first 35% using a hardcover copy, then I switched to ebook format because it seems that I read faster (plus it is easier to hold the device while riding the public transportation or while walking).
I also added the audiobook, which I listened simultaneously, and I did have more pleasure listening to it, so I do recommend the audiobook.
ebook (Kobo): 326 pages (default), 101k words
Audiobook narrated by Janine Birkett: 11.8 hours (unabridged)
The storytelling was not, in my opinion, gripping or exciting, but the plot is interesting and got me curious, hence my ratings.
The writing is full of details or descriptions, so that’s why it was not so enthralling.
I liked that in this book there were no derogatory remarks about Vera’s obesity or appearance.
Anyways, regardless of being slow, the story does hold very well.
I read the first 35% using a hardcover copy, then I switched to ebook format because it seems that I read faster (plus it is easier to hold the device while riding the public transportation or while walking).
I also added the audiobook, which I listened simultaneously, and I did have more pleasure listening to it, so I do recommend the audiobook.
ebook (Kobo): 326 pages (default), 101k words
Audiobook narrated by Janine Birkett: 11.8 hours (unabridged)
May 2, 2024
Vera has a new young and ambitious member of her team, Rosie. They are called to a home for troubled teens about a murder, and a girl, Chloe, who is missing. Could she have killed Josh? After another murder, the team is interviewing people in the nearby town. A local witch festival brings in many tourists, which may complicate the search; Rosie, Joe, and Vera are on site, while Charlie is working behind the scenes, following the money to find out who is behind everything. Ann Cleeves has written another page turner. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
September 14, 2024
His face was turned towards Vera, but she could see the back of his head, the large round hole in the skull where he’d been hit, the blood that clotted and matted in the pale hay-coloured hair.
Oh Chloe, Vera thought. What have you done? And where are you now? And if this wasn’t you — and really there’s nothing in your diary to suggest that it was — are you still alive?
Because Chloe Spence had disappeared.
THE DARK WIVES is #11 in the Vera Stanhope series, and it is an outstanding mystery, with only one misstep—near the ending—that marred its excellence. A four-star novel that was a strong five-star one until the 75% point.
Josh Woodburn, a university student who has become a volunteer worker at a private care home for troubled teenagers, is murdered, bludgeoned to death by a hammer. Chloe Spencer, a 14-year-old who lived in the house with three other “challenged” teenagers, has disappeared. Those three other residents have an alibi for the time of the murder, unfortunate for Vera’s investigation, because the resident most likely to have committed Josh’s murder was 17-year-old Brad Russell, a petty drug dealer given to violent outbursts. But soon, Brad’s body is discovered in a desolate rural hideaway—one well known to Chloe. Brad is the apparent victim of yet another murder.
Vera and her team trace down clues designed to locate Chloe, who Vera is sure was a witness to the first murder and now running for her life. Vera feels that once they locate Chloe, they will be able to identify the murderer. Vera’s team consists of Joe, Charlie, and Rosie. Rosie is a new addition, a replacement for Holly who was killed at the end of book #10.
Everything moves at a quick pace, as the detectives, particularly Joe and Rosie, collect information that tells us more about Chloe and where she might be hiding. Then, around the 75% point, Vera has a hunch. Up to this stage, we, the readers have been privy to the main characters’ thoughts—sometimes following Joe’s POV, sometimes following Rosie’s POV, and sometimes following Vera’s POV. But Vera’s hunch isn’t shared with readers. So the denouement comes out of the blue. And this is the misstep that occurs near the ending. In an attempt to conceal the true murderer, the author hid important information from readers—changed the trajectory we were following—to bring the story to a quick close.
So from perfect story, to somewhat less than perfect, in order to pull off a surprise ending. Still it was a great read, a book I couldn’t put down, even though I felt a bit cheated by the sudden shift in direction near the end.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My review for an earlier book in this series:
The Rising Tide (Vera Stanhope, #10)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an electronic copy of this book via NetGallry. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.
Oh Chloe, Vera thought. What have you done? And where are you now? And if this wasn’t you — and really there’s nothing in your diary to suggest that it was — are you still alive?
Because Chloe Spence had disappeared.
THE DARK WIVES is #11 in the Vera Stanhope series, and it is an outstanding mystery, with only one misstep—near the ending—that marred its excellence. A four-star novel that was a strong five-star one until the 75% point.
Josh Woodburn, a university student who has become a volunteer worker at a private care home for troubled teenagers, is murdered, bludgeoned to death by a hammer. Chloe Spencer, a 14-year-old who lived in the house with three other “challenged” teenagers, has disappeared. Those three other residents have an alibi for the time of the murder, unfortunate for Vera’s investigation, because the resident most likely to have committed Josh’s murder was 17-year-old Brad Russell, a petty drug dealer given to violent outbursts. But soon, Brad’s body is discovered in a desolate rural hideaway—one well known to Chloe. Brad is the apparent victim of yet another murder.
Vera and her team trace down clues designed to locate Chloe, who Vera is sure was a witness to the first murder and now running for her life. Vera feels that once they locate Chloe, they will be able to identify the murderer. Vera’s team consists of Joe, Charlie, and Rosie. Rosie is a new addition, a replacement for Holly who was killed at the end of book #10.
Everything moves at a quick pace, as the detectives, particularly Joe and Rosie, collect information that tells us more about Chloe and where she might be hiding. Then, around the 75% point, Vera has a hunch. Up to this stage, we, the readers have been privy to the main characters’ thoughts—sometimes following Joe’s POV, sometimes following Rosie’s POV, and sometimes following Vera’s POV. But Vera’s hunch isn’t shared with readers. So the denouement comes out of the blue. And this is the misstep that occurs near the ending. In an attempt to conceal the true murderer, the author hid important information from readers—changed the trajectory we were following—to bring the story to a quick close.
So from perfect story, to somewhat less than perfect, in order to pull off a surprise ending. Still it was a great read, a book I couldn’t put down, even though I felt a bit cheated by the sudden shift in direction near the end.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My review for an earlier book in this series:
The Rising Tide (Vera Stanhope, #10)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an electronic copy of this book via NetGallry. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.
August 26, 2024
I have been a fan of Vera Stanhope for years, and will continue to be one, but this, unforetunately, is not one of the stronger entries in the series. A young counselor at a home for troubled youth is found murdered, and one of the residents has gone missing, leading to suspicion falling on her. Other crimes follow, yet most of the time is spent getting to know Rosie, newest member of Vera's murder squad. I suspect Cleeves put the focus on her as she didn't seem to be able to come up with a way to drop clues, or even red herrings, for the reader to follow. In the end, she commits what I consider to be the worst offense of a mystery writer: having the detective learn things and develop theories which are not shared with the reader and cannot be deduced by what has been read. Even once "all is revealed", I was left feeling dissatisfied with the explanation (which I couldn't quite buy). Not that it will stop me from buying the next entry because I do enjoy my time spent with Vera.
September 1, 2024
DI Vera Stanhope and team are called to Rosebank, a care home for troubled teens, in the coastal English village of Longwater. Josh Woodburn, a staff member, has been found dead in the park nearby with his head caved in and one of the home's residents, a 14-year-old girl named Chloe Spence, has gone missing. Could she be the killer? Or is she herself in danger?
The care home is privately owned and has room for just four teens and staff. The lack of money spent on their care and upkeep of the home is obvious and Vera leaves Rosebank with a sense of relief and a touch of guilt: 'We shut these kids away so we can't see them and don't have to deal with them.'
When another of the teens is found dead in the wilds of the Northumberland countryside, an area with ties to Chloe's family, the search for her becomes more desperate.
The Northumberland setting is quite atmospheric. The area is famous for the Three Dark Wives monument, Northumberland's answer to Stonehenge. Legend has it that three uppity crones had been turned to stone by a giant who'd thought they talked too much, to stop them from nagging their husbands. Every year at this time, the village holds a Witch Hunt. The annual festivities held in the dark offer the perfect cover for a killer to attack once again and escape unless our intrepid team can prevent it.
Quite an interesting story. Detectives Vera and Joe welcome a new member to the team, young Rosie Bell. We'll have to see if she works out. Vera is a little frustrating to both her team and this reader because she works things out but keeps her ideas to herself. I had no clue who the killer was until Vera revealed all.
Lovely interview with Ann about her new book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdRsb...
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new Vera Stanhope thriller. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
The care home is privately owned and has room for just four teens and staff. The lack of money spent on their care and upkeep of the home is obvious and Vera leaves Rosebank with a sense of relief and a touch of guilt: 'We shut these kids away so we can't see them and don't have to deal with them.'
When another of the teens is found dead in the wilds of the Northumberland countryside, an area with ties to Chloe's family, the search for her becomes more desperate.
The Northumberland setting is quite atmospheric. The area is famous for the Three Dark Wives monument, Northumberland's answer to Stonehenge. Legend has it that three uppity crones had been turned to stone by a giant who'd thought they talked too much, to stop them from nagging their husbands. Every year at this time, the village holds a Witch Hunt. The annual festivities held in the dark offer the perfect cover for a killer to attack once again and escape unless our intrepid team can prevent it.
Quite an interesting story. Detectives Vera and Joe welcome a new member to the team, young Rosie Bell. We'll have to see if she works out. Vera is a little frustrating to both her team and this reader because she works things out but keeps her ideas to herself. I had no clue who the killer was until Vera revealed all.
Lovely interview with Ann about her new book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdRsb...
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new Vera Stanhope thriller. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
November 16, 2024
I know…I know…
I’m in the minority here.
Sorry to say that this was almost a DNF for me.
I had a really hard time finishing this one…even when I was at the end. Guess I should’ve stopped early on…
Starts off strong with a dead body found near the premises of a home for hard to manage kids.
As the death is investigated, he is found to be someone who is known and loved from that home…and, one of the kids is missing!
That was the highlight!
From there I felt like this book went on F O R E V E R.
Way too many characters to follow. Lots of fluff (that I felt did not add to the storyline at all)
Sorry, I’m not usually this critical, but this one just didn’t do anything for me.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. (Unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me.)
The book releases in a few days, for those who love this series! (8/27/24)
The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves. Narrated by Janine Birkett.
2 ⭐️⭐️ for me.
And, since I didn’t care for it, I’m going to leave my review here only…
Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads,
Insta @ #BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, and click ‘LIKE’ below!! 📚⭐️
I’m in the minority here.
Sorry to say that this was almost a DNF for me.
I had a really hard time finishing this one…even when I was at the end. Guess I should’ve stopped early on…
Starts off strong with a dead body found near the premises of a home for hard to manage kids.
As the death is investigated, he is found to be someone who is known and loved from that home…and, one of the kids is missing!
That was the highlight!
From there I felt like this book went on F O R E V E R.
Way too many characters to follow. Lots of fluff (that I felt did not add to the storyline at all)
Sorry, I’m not usually this critical, but this one just didn’t do anything for me.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. (Unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me.)
The book releases in a few days, for those who love this series! (8/27/24)
The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves. Narrated by Janine Birkett.
2 ⭐️⭐️ for me.
And, since I didn’t care for it, I’m going to leave my review here only…
Feel free to like, follow and friend me on: Goodreads,
Insta @ #BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine.
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, and click ‘LIKE’ below!! 📚⭐️
September 26, 2024
Seriously considered giving this book 1 star. It started out ok, but as it continued I felt so bored reading all of the superfluous information that did absolutely nothing to add depth to the characters, give hints as to whodunnit, or advance the plot. The book seemed to be more about finding Chloe than finding the killer, to the point where I almost forgot there was a killer to figure out. There is very little given to the reader to help figure things out or even lead us down the wrong path. Vera keeps everything in her own head and doesn’t share her suspicions with anyone - not Rosie, not Joe, or the reader. The only person who has a clue what she is thinking is Charlie, but the rest of us are shut out until the reveal at the very end. The result is a very dull and frustrating book that did not keep me guessing or wanting more, but instead caused me to skim the extraneous nonsense to get to something worth reading.
August 19, 2024
This is the eleventh book in the Vera Stanhope series. Each mystery is stand alone; however, the recurring characters’ relationships and backgrounds are explored over the course of the series. The books are told in third person and follow multiple characters including Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope and her team. This is one of my favorite mystery series, and Vera is by far my favorite female detective both eccentric and savvy.
This mystery finds Vera and her crew investigating the death of Josh, a staff member at a home for troubled teens. There’s also a missing fourteen-year-old from the home that Vera suspects may have witnessed the murder and hopes did not commit it. There’s a plethora of domestic issues between the family of the murder victim, the family of the missing girl and several others involved. At one point, I had to start making notes to keep all the characters straight. Per usual with these mysteries, Vera pieces it all together while I was still floundering.
In addition to the case, the team is adjusting to a new member in Rosie. Vera is rather disconcerted about how to treat the new team member given her mixed feelings and guilt over Holly, sometimes overcompensating, while Joe is clearly disgruntled by the tension in Vera’s treatment of the newcomer. There’s also a birdwatcher involved in the case with a connection to Vera’s father Hector.
Recommended to mystery enthusiasts.
Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for a copy provided for an honest review.
This mystery finds Vera and her crew investigating the death of Josh, a staff member at a home for troubled teens. There’s also a missing fourteen-year-old from the home that Vera suspects may have witnessed the murder and hopes did not commit it. There’s a plethora of domestic issues between the family of the murder victim, the family of the missing girl and several others involved. At one point, I had to start making notes to keep all the characters straight. Per usual with these mysteries, Vera pieces it all together while I was still floundering.
In addition to the case, the team is adjusting to a new member in Rosie. Vera is rather disconcerted about how to treat the new team member given her mixed feelings and guilt over Holly, sometimes overcompensating, while Joe is clearly disgruntled by the tension in Vera’s treatment of the newcomer. There’s also a birdwatcher involved in the case with a connection to Vera’s father Hector.
Recommended to mystery enthusiasts.
Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for a copy provided for an honest review.
January 8, 2025
What a wonderful addition to Ann Cleeves' Vera series.
Of course, I'm a huge fan of Ann Cleeves and particularly of this series. I got into it via the British television series--especially loving the actress, Brenda Blethyn, who plays Vera (Cleeves says that when she writes Vera now, she hears Blethyn's voice!).
As usual when I watch adaptations, I went to read the books they're based on. And these do not disappoint. If anything, they're even better than the tv versions. A little harder-hitting, a little darker.
The title of the book, The Dark Wives, refers to three huge stones, reminiscent of Stonehenge, ancient and foreboding, which overlook a small town in rural England--Northumberland, a very northern region, near the border of Scotland. The towns are quite urban, surrounded by farms and then wilder territory.
Cleeves takes us to a child care facility housing traumatized teens who have, one way or another, lost their families, even if only temporarily. One of the workers is found brutally murdered and one of the residents, a young girl, is missing. Vera doesn't know if the girl is a suspect or possible victim.
I loved the characters and the plot moved along at a good, even pace. The book did not drag (I often find that mysteries, even ones I like, slow down somewhere around the middle and then pick up again toward the end. This one does not. And the ending was a complete surprise (which happens less frequently as I age and the number of mysteries I read adds up!).
Although I did like the ending, I found it pushed the bounds of probability. Cleeves makes it work and ultimately I was satisfied but it took a bit of effort and suspension of disbelief on my part.
As always with this series, Cleeves' writing is crisp and her characters vivid. Dialogue is lively and reinforces the setting and the characters' personalities.
The book can be read as a stand-alone but I think familiarity with the rest of the series, especially the beginning ones which establish some of the major characters and the most recent ones which makes at least one of the events much more meaningful, is definitely helpful.
Altogether a highly enjoyable read. One of those books I wish I could read again for the first time.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur books for providing me with an advance copy.
Of course, I'm a huge fan of Ann Cleeves and particularly of this series. I got into it via the British television series--especially loving the actress, Brenda Blethyn, who plays Vera (Cleeves says that when she writes Vera now, she hears Blethyn's voice!).
As usual when I watch adaptations, I went to read the books they're based on. And these do not disappoint. If anything, they're even better than the tv versions. A little harder-hitting, a little darker.
The title of the book, The Dark Wives, refers to three huge stones, reminiscent of Stonehenge, ancient and foreboding, which overlook a small town in rural England--Northumberland, a very northern region, near the border of Scotland. The towns are quite urban, surrounded by farms and then wilder territory.
Cleeves takes us to a child care facility housing traumatized teens who have, one way or another, lost their families, even if only temporarily. One of the workers is found brutally murdered and one of the residents, a young girl, is missing. Vera doesn't know if the girl is a suspect or possible victim.
I loved the characters and the plot moved along at a good, even pace. The book did not drag (I often find that mysteries, even ones I like, slow down somewhere around the middle and then pick up again toward the end. This one does not. And the ending was a complete surprise (which happens less frequently as I age and the number of mysteries I read adds up!).
Although I did like the ending, I found it pushed the bounds of probability. Cleeves makes it work and ultimately I was satisfied but it took a bit of effort and suspension of disbelief on my part.
As always with this series, Cleeves' writing is crisp and her characters vivid. Dialogue is lively and reinforces the setting and the characters' personalities.
The book can be read as a stand-alone but I think familiarity with the rest of the series, especially the beginning ones which establish some of the major characters and the most recent ones which makes at least one of the events much more meaningful, is definitely helpful.
Altogether a highly enjoyable read. One of those books I wish I could read again for the first time.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur books for providing me with an advance copy.
October 28, 2024
On the front cover of this book, there’s a quote attributed to Val McDermid that reads ‘Nobody does unsettling undercurrents better than Ann Cleeves’.
I couldn’t have put it any better myself…. Spot on Val!
I couldn’t have put it any better myself…. Spot on Val!
January 25, 2025
20 Jan 2025 - Simon and I are excited to begin listening to the current Vera mystery together!
25 Jan 2025 - We just finished listening and agreed to a 4-star rating.
Quote:
"The library manager was still talking, "This is a safe space, if our readers come in just to use the bathrooms to freshen up that's their business. We make no judgement here."" - Yes! The library is a safe space for everyone.
25 Jan 2025 - We just finished listening and agreed to a 4-star rating.
Quote:
"The library manager was still talking, "This is a safe space, if our readers come in just to use the bathrooms to freshen up that's their business. We make no judgement here."" - Yes! The library is a safe space for everyone.
October 6, 2024
DI Vera Stanhope returns with her usual crew of Charlie and Joe, minus Holly who was tragically killed in an earlier novel. They all carry the guilt and grief of her death, but are soon meeting their new associate, Rosie. She is quite different from Holly and adds a new dynamic to the team. An employee of a home for troubled children/teens is found dead by a local dog walker. One of the teens, who was close to this employee, 14-year-old Chloe, is missing. Vera feels very sorry for this teen and in addition to solving the murder, they spend the rest of their time trying to track this troubled girl who they realize knows something that could put her life in danger.
June 27, 2024
When a staff member at a home for troubled teens is found murdered and a fourteen year old female resident of the home disappears, Vera and her team are drawn to the countryside of Northumberland to investigate.
I really enjoy Ann Cleeves’ writing, having read her Two Rivers series. This book is the eleventh of the Vera Stanhope series (there are also some short stories); it is the second I have read. Some may recognize the name Vera Stanhope from the very successful TV series based on these stories starring Blenda Blethyn and available on a number of streaming platforms.
Vera is a bit overweight and unkempt, very forthright, and no fashion plate. She isn’t always a team player. She is, however, a stellar detective.
Cleeves is an excellent writer. All of her books that I have read have been engrossing, well plotted, with good character development. Her atmospheric, descriptive, detailed language draws the reader into the scenes.
I did like the new addition to the team, Rosie Bell. She is also quite the character! Although the main players’ stories progress with successive books, each one can be read as a stand alone.
Ann Cleeves is recommended for fans of British police procedurals and other mystery lovers.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress #Minotaur for the DRC.
I really enjoy Ann Cleeves’ writing, having read her Two Rivers series. This book is the eleventh of the Vera Stanhope series (there are also some short stories); it is the second I have read. Some may recognize the name Vera Stanhope from the very successful TV series based on these stories starring Blenda Blethyn and available on a number of streaming platforms.
Vera is a bit overweight and unkempt, very forthright, and no fashion plate. She isn’t always a team player. She is, however, a stellar detective.
Cleeves is an excellent writer. All of her books that I have read have been engrossing, well plotted, with good character development. Her atmospheric, descriptive, detailed language draws the reader into the scenes.
I did like the new addition to the team, Rosie Bell. She is also quite the character! Although the main players’ stories progress with successive books, each one can be read as a stand alone.
Ann Cleeves is recommended for fans of British police procedurals and other mystery lovers.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress #Minotaur for the DRC.
October 29, 2024
Interesting premise of murder involving troubled teens and the staff that care for them. Rosie is the new girl, trying to prove herself worthy to the investigative team, she should be one to watch in future books, especially paired up with Joe. Can’t go wrong with a “Vera” murder mystery- love this series!
August 31, 2024
This latest episode in the Vera Stanhope series introduces a new team member to replace the lost Holly and a seemingly more introspective Vera, adjusting to that loss, her role as Holly’s boss, and thoughts about her own vulnerabilities. It’s impossible not to see and hear Brenda Blethyn throughout my reading.
The case is sad and topical: Josh, a young college student, working part time at a home for troubled teens, is murdered. One of the teens, 14 year old Chloe Spence, also goes missing the same night. Is she a witness, a victim, an innocent, an at risk runaway?
Vera, Joe Ashworth, and Rosie Bell, new team member, begin the hard task of interviewing everyone who knew Josh and Chloe, learning about the privately run care home that appears so run down and sad to the police as outsiders, and learning more about the community into which Chloe seems to have disappeared.
I found this an excellent outing in a loved series. Cleeves introduced a more thoughtful Vera who recognizes her affect on the officers who she leads—though she doesn’t necessarily change her methods. Her self awareness is more obvious as is her knowledge that she will someday no longer be part of the police family after she retires. As always, I do recommend reading Cleeves books. It might be nice to read one or two others in this series before The Dark Wives to enjoy the subtleties of the team relationships.
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.
The case is sad and topical: Josh, a young college student, working part time at a home for troubled teens, is murdered. One of the teens, 14 year old Chloe Spence, also goes missing the same night. Is she a witness, a victim, an innocent, an at risk runaway?
Vera, Joe Ashworth, and Rosie Bell, new team member, begin the hard task of interviewing everyone who knew Josh and Chloe, learning about the privately run care home that appears so run down and sad to the police as outsiders, and learning more about the community into which Chloe seems to have disappeared.
I found this an excellent outing in a loved series. Cleeves introduced a more thoughtful Vera who recognizes her affect on the officers who she leads—though she doesn’t necessarily change her methods. Her self awareness is more obvious as is her knowledge that she will someday no longer be part of the police family after she retires. As always, I do recommend reading Cleeves books. It might be nice to read one or two others in this series before The Dark Wives to enjoy the subtleties of the team relationships.
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.
July 5, 2024
Ann Cleeves is one of those writers I drop everything to pick up. She is managing to create two series each intriguing in its own way in its approach to the crimes perpetuated, the investigators cracking the code, and, most importantly, the role the UK landscape plays in the proceedings. We are back in Northumberland with Vera Stanhope, familiar to those addicted to the BBC series starring Brenda Blethyn who embodies her to perfection, her no nonsense style, filthy Land Rover, piercing intelligence. Cleeves makes use of news sources for inspiration, in this case the treatment of unwanted kids in a halfway house and the complications of their care.
August 29, 2024
DNF @ 32%
The premise of this novel really intrigued me. I had not ever read a book by Cleeves, despite knowing she is a very popular author. I was excited to give this one a go.
The book started strong, diving immediately into the mystery, however, I read till 32% and there had been no real developments with the case in that time. It felt like a long time to not have any significant updates with the missing girl and the murder and it lost my interest.
Having not read any of her other books, I did feel I was missing a lot of the back story of the main characters, though that is of no fault to Cleeves. This lack of connection was another reason I decided to put the book down.
Overall, an interesting premise but a very slow burn that didn't hold my attention. I do think that I will try reading one of the first novels though.
The premise of this novel really intrigued me. I had not ever read a book by Cleeves, despite knowing she is a very popular author. I was excited to give this one a go.
The book started strong, diving immediately into the mystery, however, I read till 32% and there had been no real developments with the case in that time. It felt like a long time to not have any significant updates with the missing girl and the murder and it lost my interest.
Having not read any of her other books, I did feel I was missing a lot of the back story of the main characters, though that is of no fault to Cleeves. This lack of connection was another reason I decided to put the book down.
Overall, an interesting premise but a very slow burn that didn't hold my attention. I do think that I will try reading one of the first novels though.
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