I’ve read a few of the DI Vera Stanhope series and watched the TV drama and so really enjoyed being back in the company of Vera and her team in The Dark Wives.
After a young man who is employed at a private children’s home on the North East coast is found murdered and a 14 year old resident of the home disappears Vera, Joe and new team member Rosie are on the case. Ann Cleeves writes so well and this is another cleverly plotted and well paced police procedural. I love the North East setting which is atmospheric and immersive and really adds to the narrative. Vera is such a strong character and I enjoyed getting to know Rosie, who isn’t afraid to challenge Vera and her way of working. The author makes some powerful points about the important and under publicised issue of the privatisation of children’s services.
A gripping and satisfying read that I’d recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

A young man is murdered outside a children's home and one of the young residents goes missing. Rosie Bell is the DC who has joined the team following Holly's tragic death and she is eager to make an impression on Vera. With no clear motive for Josh Woodburn's murder the team's main focus is on finding Chloe Spence. Then another resident from the children's home is found killed.

Another great read from the Vera Stanhope series - plenty of twists and turns in the story that kept me guessing right to the end.

Thanks to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and Ann Cleeves for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

A very impressive book about Vera Stanhope, a detective who is very much aware that we are all part of this world, telling herself not to label people as addicts or the likes, but as other human beings.

I am already looking forward to the next in this series.

I have read all the previous Vera novels and this one did not disappoint.

A hound man’s body is found near a children’s home where he worked and a young girl, 14 year old Chloe Spence, has gone missing from the home. Connected events? Vera does not want to believe there are connected but must keep an open mind.

A second body is found near the Three Wives monument - another troubled youngster from the home.

Vera’s team of Joe and new team member, Rosie Bell, must try to find Chloe alive to get to the truth of these murders - a truth concerning money and influence.

Fast paced, good characters and an ending - although implausible - was satisfying.

DI Vera Stanhope is like an old friend for many, whether you’ve watched her on TV or read any of Ann’s books. A friend who you wouldn’t want to cross, though. In her latest investigation – and after trying to get over what happened in the last book – she’s got a new recruit on the team and a tricky case to solve. A staff member from a care home for troubled teens is found on the common… and a teen is missing. It’s the only thing Vera has to go on to begin her investigation, and in doing so, she and her team are pulled into family situations, relationships hanging by a thread and the world of what to do with young people who don’t necessarily fit in. There are dark secrets at play, and when a second body is found, the pressure is on for Vera and Co to find the truth. It’s impossible not to love these books and Vera’s skills at deduction.

A very impressive dedication to start with of indeed another wonderful book about Vera Stanhope, the detective you want to have in your corner when things go pear-shaped. A detective who is very much aware that we are all part of this world, telling herself not to label people as addicts or the likes, but as other human beings.

I am already looking forward to the next in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

What a pleasure to meet Eva again! I enjoyed it a lot! The plot was not only interesting (though very sad), but also showed a lot of tension. The usual characters are all still relatable and the new one, Rosie, is very promising... Another great investigation!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.

In between reading the 'Vera' books, I enjoy watching the tv show ‘Vera’, with Brenda Blethyn bring the title character so brilliantly to life. She has the perfect attitude - bolshy, stubborn with a caring side. And it's always with a sense of wariness that I k=move between the "two Vera's" - will the tv show liveupto the beloved character from the books and will the Blethyn's characters represent all of the hidden quirks that readers know so well?
Thankfully, the answer in both cases is a resounding 'Yes'. And I joyfully dived into the opening chapters of The Dark Wives, the eleventh installment in the Vera series. Ann Cleeves knows her audience well but she also writes in a manner that welcomes both new and returning fans to the series. There is sufficient information provided about the characters to allow us to follow their stories at present but also enough to ensure that new readers will be curious about the past - what exactly happened with Holly? what happened with Hector, Vera's Dad?
This time around the team are investigating a murder at a care home for troubled teens, and the subsequent disappearance of a teenager from the home. It's not long before Vera realises that the home is not the safe refuge that it claims and then a second body is found. There is a race against time to find the missing teenager and to stop the killer. Meanwhile, the team are struggling to come to terms with the death of Holly and to accept new teammate Roise, who certainly makes her presence felt in the team.
The Dark Wives, is a fastpaced tale that mixes the wonder of folkfore and with the daily life in a small town as Vera's team race to stop a killer.

In my world, a new Vera is a cause for celebration! Even though it is her 11th outing, the story is tight, fresh, and full of well constructed characters along with a strong sense of the wilds of Northumberland. Vera is still consumed with guilt over Holly’s tragic death, so she is treading carefully with Rosie, Holly’s replacement. Fake tan, loads of makeup, hard partying Rosie is the polar opposite of Holly. Soon after she joins the team the body of a part time care worker is found outside a home for troubled teens. Upon investigation they discover a resident teen is missing. Only 14, Chloe, bright and articulate has had a traumatic upbringing. Winter is coming and the team are anxious to find her. Soon another body with links to the care home is discovered.
It is nice to see Charlie really shining in this investigation, and it’s interesting to observe the dynamics developing between Rosie and Joe. A real page turner, you won’t want to miss this fabulous read. Grateful thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the advance opportunity to read this book. Highly recommend.

Always in my happiest of places when there’s a new Ann Cleeves novel to read. As ever it didn’t disappoint. Characters that fool you, likely suspects that lead you down a false trail and in the centre of it Vera and her team, this time with a new member. Fabulous!

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc on exchange for an honest review

The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves sees the very welcome return of indomitable,and self-proclaimed "old bag", Vera Stanhope.

When the body of a young staff member is found not far from Rosebank,a Northumbrian care home for troubled teenagers, it coincides with the disappearance of resident 14 year-old Chloe. With no sign of the girl another body is found near the iconic Dark Wives group of standing stones. Vera is sure that Chloe has nothing to do with the deaths despite her links with the deceased and the areas they've been found in. She is however seemingly determined not to be found despite the best efforts of Vera and team members Joe and Rosie,a glamorous replacement for the late,lamented Holly.

The great thing about the Vera books is the characterisation,not just the main characters but most of the lesser ones are many-faceted and not always as they first appear. There's a lot of social comment on the privatisation of care homes,a subject Ann Cleeves obviously is passionate about, but it never becomes preachy, teenage friendship , a touch of folklore and an ancient tradition play a part as well.
A great series that goes from strength to strength,not least with The Dark Wives.

With the team still reeling after recent events, and with Vera still blaming herself, they all need something to get their teeth into.

At Rosebank, a care home for teenagers, staff member Josh is found dead, and 14 year old Chloe is missing.

But when another body is found near the Three Dark Wives stones, finding Chloe becomes top priority


Excellent

Ann Cleeves is a crime writing legend. Vera Stanhope is one of crime fiction's most-beloved characters. Her personality and style as unique as any of the great investigators who came before her; as enduring and appealing as Maigret, Marple and Morse.
The Dark Wives had me gripped from the very beginning and once one starts an Ann Cleeves novel it is virtually impossible to stop until the end is reached. The tension simmers as the complex plot unfolds. On the Northumberland Fells the denouement is atmospheric, sinister and hypnotic.
The author understands all the vagaries of human nature and through Vera and the other richly realised characters shines a light on our troubled and underfunded social care system.
As compelling and beautifully written as all the other novels in this outstanding series.

The Dark Wives is Ann Cleeves eleventh book featuring DI Vera Stanhope and it’s as fresh as ever.
Since the tragic death of team member Holly, for which Vera feels partly responsible, Vera has thrown herself into her work. So when she gets a call to say the body of a young man has been found outside a home for troubled teens that the victim was working at, also the discovery that a vulnerable 14 year old girl Chloe is missing from the same home, Vera’s team swing into action. It’s not long before another body with connections to the home is found near the ‘Three Dark Wives’ monument in the Northumberland countryside and Vera knows they must find Chloe quickly to have any hope of finding out who is responsible for the crimes.
Interwoven with the crime investigation are tales of local folklore, lots of colourful characters and what I particularly liked was the dynamics and interactions of Vera’s team, from Holly’s replacement Rosie, the life & soul of the party who’s keen to make a success of her posting. Joe’s worries about having to make decisions and being caught between the two strong women in his life, his wife Sal & his boss.
The quiet man of the team Charlie, who plays more of a role in this book and at the heart of it all is Vera, straight to the point, stirring the pot in her usual ham fisted way to keep her team on their toes, championing the underdog, caring deeply about the troubled teens and making a new friend.
Loved it!

Many thanks to the publisher Macmillan & NetGalley for an ARC