The Darkest Evening: A Vera Stanhope Novel
Sep 2020 · Vera Stanhope Book 9 · Sold by Minotaur Books
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“Everything Ann Cleeves writes is incredible.”—Richard Osman
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
From Ann Cleeves—New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of the Vera and Shetland series, both of which are hit TV shows—comes the stunning new Vera Stanhope novel, The Darkest Evening.
"Ann Cleeves is one of my favorite mystery writers."—Louise Penny
"As a huge fan of both the Shetland and Vera series of books, I had high expectations for Cleeves’ latest. . . . A stunning debut for Cleeves’ latest crimefighter."—David Baldacci on The Long Call
On the first snowy night of winter, Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope sets off for her home in the hills. Though the road is familiar, she misses a turning and soon becomes lost and disorientated. A car has skidded off the narrow road in front of her, its door left open, and she stops to help. There is no driver to be seen, so Vera assumes that the owner has gone to find help. But a cry calls her back: a toddler is strapped in the back seat.
Vera takes the child and, driving on, she arrives at a place she knows well. Brockburn is a large, grand house in the wilds of Northumberland, now a little shabby and run down. It’s also where her father, Hector, grew up. Inside, there’s a party in full swing: music, Christmas lights and laughter. Outside, unbeknownst to the revelers, a woman lies dead in the snow.
As the blizzard traps the group deep in the freezing Northumberland countryside, Brockburn begins to give up its secrets, and as Vera digs deeper into her investigation, she also begins to uncover her family’s complicated past.
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
From Ann Cleeves—New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of the Vera and Shetland series, both of which are hit TV shows—comes the stunning new Vera Stanhope novel, The Darkest Evening.
"Ann Cleeves is one of my favorite mystery writers."—Louise Penny
"As a huge fan of both the Shetland and Vera series of books, I had high expectations for Cleeves’ latest. . . . A stunning debut for Cleeves’ latest crimefighter."—David Baldacci on The Long Call
On the first snowy night of winter, Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope sets off for her home in the hills. Though the road is familiar, she misses a turning and soon becomes lost and disorientated. A car has skidded off the narrow road in front of her, its door left open, and she stops to help. There is no driver to be seen, so Vera assumes that the owner has gone to find help. But a cry calls her back: a toddler is strapped in the back seat.
Vera takes the child and, driving on, she arrives at a place she knows well. Brockburn is a large, grand house in the wilds of Northumberland, now a little shabby and run down. It’s also where her father, Hector, grew up. Inside, there’s a party in full swing: music, Christmas lights and laughter. Outside, unbeknownst to the revelers, a woman lies dead in the snow.
As the blizzard traps the group deep in the freezing Northumberland countryside, Brockburn begins to give up its secrets, and as Vera digs deeper into her investigation, she also begins to uncover her family’s complicated past.
“Everything Ann Cleeves writes is incredible.”—Richard Osman
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
From Ann Cleeves—New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of the Vera and Shetland series, both of which are hit TV shows—comes the stunning new Vera Stanhope novel, The Darkest Evenin...
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Ratings and reviews
9 reviews
brf1948
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September 8, 2020
I received a free electronic copy of the ARC of this British police procedural from Netgalley, Ann Cleeves, and St. Marin's Press - Minotaur. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. The ninth novel featuring Vera Stanhope in this mystery series, The Darkest Evening stands alone and is a concise, quick read, and entertaining. You can't go wrong with Ann Cleeves. The majority of the action in this very active novel takes place in rural Northumberland, and we have the perspective of several first-person characters. Though the action is fast, the plot flows nicely and it's fairly easy to keep up. Vera is a character easy to appreciate and Ann Cleeves is an author I follow.
1 person found this review helpful
Jennifer Velasquez
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September 21, 2020
I think this was the best Vera yet.The Long Call had an LGBTQ character, while the first victim in this book had struggled with an E.D. Thank you for creating a sympathetic character in an adult novel with this issue. Part cozy, part thriller, I couldn't put it down.I can't wait to see this on TV. And if this is the last Vera it is truly sad.
Linda Dossett
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June 8, 2020
My first encounter with the canny Vera Stanhope and I hope to have time to visit with her in previous episodes. This down to earth, plain, smart, middle aged inspector is a great character and I enjoyed this story immensely. You meet Vera and her team, with insights into their working relationships. If you enjoy a good murder mystery grab this one.
5 people found this review helpful
About the author
ANN CLEEVES is the multi-million copy bestselling author behind three hit television series—Shetland, starring Douglas Henshall, Vera, starring Academy Award Nominee Brenda Blethyn, and The Long Call, starring Ben Aldridge—all of which are watched and loved in the United States. All three are available on BritBox.
The first Shetland novel, Raven Black, won the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger for best crime novel, and Ann was awarded the CWA Diamond Dagger in 2017. She was awarded the OBE in 2022 for services to reading and libraries. Ann lives in the United Kingdom.
ANN CLEEVES is the multi-million copy bestselling author behind three hit television series—Shetland, starring Douglas Henshall, Vera, starring Academy Award Nominee Brenda Blethyn, and The Long Call, starring Ben Aldridge—all of which are watched and loved in the United States. All three are ava...
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