Vera Stanhope is back for another investigation with a new member of the team, Rosie Bell. A different personality to Holly, it was nice to see Vera reflect on her actions and attempt to be more welcoming and include the team into her thoughts more.
The atmospheric landscape is as stunning on the page as on the TV series and it adds tension to the case as it revolves around the folklore of the stones The Dark Wives.
The broken care system is at the heart of the case and it shows how kids in care are treated and prejudiced against and the trauma they go through.
Well written, I was gripped throughout and was oblivious to who the murderer was or why until the revealing climax.

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.

This is another great, interesting and well written novel. Superb character descriptions and places to believe in. A story that keeps you guessing until the end where all the clues are pulled together masterfully.

Absolutely fascinating read and kudos to Ann Cleeves for another page turner. The book uses the core theme of a children's home without becoming too preachy. There's use of superstitions to add to the plot which makes it a thrill. Well written characters and the use of locations. Definitely recommend!

Thank you Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

Another very enjoyable book from Ann Cleeves. As the TV Vera is so very close to the book version, one cannot help but picture Brenda Blethyn whilst reading the book. The story revolves around the hunt for a schoolgirl Chloe who may or may not be involved in two murders. Cleeves introduces all the characters but does not give any clues as to the murderer - or maybe I missed them. It is only at the very end when the murderer is caught that all is explained. It is still a good read and I look forward to more in the series.

A good and gripping story, well-written. Ann Cleeves always knows how to write a good book. It is always a slight disappointment to reach the end, but hopefully there will be another book along soon.

This is only the second Vera book that I have read after becoming obsessed with the tv show, I must say it fell a little flat in the middle. It started off really well and was fast paced however it slowed down towards the middle of the book before picking up again in the last 15%. Vera as always is my favourite character but her two sidekicks, Joe and Rosie, just seemed whingey and annoying. With tbe majority of the story being focussed on finding the missing girl, I just feel like her character could have been developed more. I know she was missing, but she still features heavily in the story but I came across and very surface layer than really getting to know her, but then again I thought that about most of the side characters. A good little murder mystery but not as gripping as I’d have liked sadly.

This is book 11 in the DI Vera Stanhope series! I always know when I read a novel by Ann that it will be entertaining and unputdownable. This book kept me reading till I finished the book. DI Vera Stanhope, DS Joe Ashworth and the team are called in to investigate when the body of Josh Woodburn is found in the grounds of The Rosebank Home for Teenage kids. Vera is also told that a 14 year old girl, Chloe Spence, has disappeared. I loved how the characters were written especially, Chloe, and how much researched was done into the care system. The sub plots were tied up neatly with a dramatic conclusion. This was well written and very descriptive. I highly recommend this book.

A young worker, Josh, is found dead outside Rosebank, a care home for children.
One of the girls, Chloe, is missing from the home. Could she have something to do with it?
Then, another victim, also linked to the care home is found. How does it all tie up? They need to find Chloe to get some answers.
There is a new member to the team. Rosie Bell is not afraid to question Vera and seems to be a bit of a rebel. A great addition to the team.
The description of the care home is very disheartening, but having visited one myself, I know how depressing they are.
I love Vera. I can hear Brenda Blethyn in my head as I'm reading. Some of the places mentioned I have had the pleasure to visit. The Northumberland coastline is amazing, just a shame they don't really get the weather.
I found that in places this was a little bit too much show. I also didn't think there were many clues as to work out the identity of the suspect.
I certainly had no idea who was involved or why.
Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC in return for an honest review.

This is the latest in a long line of books in the Vera series.

I've watched the programme and can't help compared as the actress who plays Vera does so so well. Obviously the characters are all slightly different but overall I really enjoyed it.

A good read.

Thank you for the arc

I do love Vera. I want to sit with her in her cottage in front of a roaring fire with a glass of something ~ doesn’t need to be the posh stuff ~ and listen to her tell stories. This story has her at a children’s home after the brutal murder of Josh who worked there. It also becomes obvious that Chloe, a 14 year old resident is missing. But is she the killer? A witness? Does she know something? Is she another victim?

Vera Stanhope stands up for all victims even if they’re toerags or addicts. Vera repeats their names so they’re remembered. The case is complicated, there are people with agendas. There are parents and grandparents with guilt who tell lies. But who among them are the killer?

Vera also bonds with a senior social worker who she recognises as a kindred spirit. There are no spoilers here but this is a moving and complex addition to Ms Cleeves collection. It’s a shame that Brenda Blethyn has hung up her scabby Macintosh but as long as Ms Cleeves keeps writing, I’ll keep reading.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

I would like to thank Netgalley and Pan MacMillan for an advance copy of The Dark Wives, the eleventh novel to feature DI Vera Stanhope of Northumbria Police.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Dark Wives, which is a straightforward police procedural with plenty of twists and a most unexpected motive and solution, I certainly didn’t see them coming.

The novel is centred around the Rosebank Care home, the victim, Josh worked there and the missing Chloe is a resident (I’m resisting the urge to say inmate). This serves to highlight the appalling lack of support the children receive, mostly due to underfunding. It would make you weep.

I called the novel a straightforward police procedural and it is in its format. Vera and the team start with no idea of motive or where Chloe fits in - is she a victim or a killer? Patient investigation moves them forward, but it takes some lateral thinking from Vera to cross the line and make an arrest. I love a procedural, the format and what an author can do with it are both intriguing and immensely satisfying to me. This is a great example with the investigation going hither and thither as they try to make sense of their meagre information to find the missing Chloe. I was glued to the pages and it held my interest throughout.

The novel also takes a look at team dynamics by throwing in a new member. Rosie Bell is a young, ambitious detective with a vibrant social life and a brash personality. Joe Alwyn, Vera’s longstanding bagman, gets on with Rosie but feels a little jealousof her while Rosie feels left out by Vera and Joe at times. Meanwhile Vera sits at the centre weaving, what I’m not quite sure, but she is at the centre of everything.

The Dark Wives is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Come enter the world of Vera and be part of her police family with the known regulars and the addition of Rosie, lively and ambitious city girl. Will she fit in . The deaths are related to an incident at a Children’s home giving a bit of social comment there and also a nod to the academy status within education while trying to solve the murders .
Plenty red herrings and tensions to keep you reading while upping the pace. A welcome addition to the Vera series

Whilst The Dark Wives is the 11th book in the Vera Stanhope series set in Northumberland, this is my first read of the series. However, I am an avid fan of the series therefore the characters felt familiar. Despite being part of a series, The Dark Wives could be read as a standalone as the only references to previous books was the death of DC Holly Lawson with the author giving enough information around this to welcome new readers.

The Dark Wives opens with the murder of Josh, a volunteer at the Rosebank children’s home. Alongside Josh’s murder, one of the teenagers at Rosebank who he was seemingly close to has disappeared with very little trace. Vera isn’t convinced that Chloe has disappeared due to the guilt of murder and feels that it is linked therefore, Vera has a murder and a missing vulnerable teenager to investigate. Also in the mix is the introduction of DC Rosie Bell to the team, filling the void left behind by Holly….and who Vera is determined to do better by due to her grief and guilt associated with Holly’s death.

This is certainly a page turner, gripping from start to finish with a pleasantly unexpected turn of events and a satisfying ending – I had no idea whodunnit! Alongside the police procedural narrative, the author also explores the disparities in society and the impact of being in care on the children who find themselves there, reliant on the adults who are in a position of trust.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Dark Wives, and whilst I wanted to know what happened to Chloe and why Josh was murdered, I didn’t want the book to end!

The Dark Wives is, I believe the 11th in the Vera Stanhope series by Ann Cleeves.
I can highly recommend this series, particularly if you have only seen the TV series, which is excellent. For obvious reasons, the TV series has to simplify the books, meaning you do miss out on some of Ann Cleeves’ compelling writing.
Vera is assigned to Rosebank Children’s Home. Josh Woodburn, a volunteer at the home and university student has been brutally murdered on the grounds. At the same time, one of the home’s more troubled residents, Chloe Spencer has seemingly disappeared without trace. Is 14-year-old Chloe mixed up in the murder? Vera has her doubts. Then the plot thickens when it appears that Josh was keeping his volunteering at the home a secret. And why did Chloe and Josh have such a close bond? Then, things are complicated by another murder.

Back at base, Vera is still mourning for her team member, Holly. This relates to a previous book in the series. A new member has come in to replace her, DC Rosie Bell and Vera is torn between being prickly to her while admiring her efforts and tenacity.
The story has a great plot with plenty of twists and turns. What makes these novels is the characterisation. If you objectively consider Vera and her role in the police, it shouldn’t work at all, but Ann Cleeves has made her completely believable. It can be read as a standalone, but I recommend plunging in and reading the rest of the books in the series.
No hesitation in 5 stars for this one
My sincere thanks to NetGalley. Ann Cleeves and especially to Pan Macmillan for the much-appreciated ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

This is my first outing of the Vera series and after reading this I will go back and read the others. I have watched the TV series and whilst reading this I had the lovely Brenda Blethyn image in my head.
Vera is still getting over the death of one of the members on her team. The new member that has come to replace her Rosie Bell is full of energy and read to impress Vera in the new case that of a volunteer of privately run Rosebank Children’s home, Josh Woodburn’s body has been discovered and Chloe Spencer who is residing at the home until her mum gets out of hospital has gone missing. Chloe formed a bond with Josh while he was at the home. Vera doesn’t think she is the killer but, thinks she is in danger as she may know who killed him.
This is a gripping read from the author worth a well-executed plot. I really enjoyed this story which you can also read as a standalone. As I have not read the others. It was great getting to know that well loved characters in book form. As I only know them from the TV series. This is a fabulous read. 5 stars from me.

Ann Cleeves and Vera at their best, Vera as usual bossy, secretive and compassionate. Really clever storyline, that took the team out into the wilds of Northumberland as well as the coast. The story introduced Rosie to the team who proved that appearance can be deceptive, and had to contribute to the success of the enquiries. Quite gritty, based around a children’s home. As well as the inevitable murders there was also two missing vulnerable teenager to keep the team on their toes.

This is the latest in Ann Cleeves marvellous Northumberland based series featuring the doggedly determined detective, Vera Stanhope. Vera is still grieving and reflecting over the loss of Holly, and with the new incoming DC Rosie Bell, she wants do better, by being more open and make her feel more included. Initially questions are raised as to whether the ambitious Bell will fit in with her glamorous appearance and wild life style, but her effectiveness and keeness make an impact, soon clocked, although it does leave Joe pushed into upping his game. A young man, Josh, is found murdered outside the struggling dilapidated, private Rosebanks children's home for troubled teenagers. A 14 year old goth, Chloe Spence is missing, leaving the police wondering if she could possibly be a suspect, adding urgency in the hunt to find her.

There is a strong sense of atmosphere and melancholy, a bleak darkness, with a focus on crime, drugs, the poverty and scarred lives, shining a light on the area, starved of resources and services, when it comes to addressing the challenging mental health issues faced by the teens, while on the ground Rosebank employees do the best they can on a shoestring budget, where depressingly profits matter more. The remote parts of the region are explored, along with some regional folklore, like the legendary Dark Wives statues, depicting uppity women turned to stone by a giant for nagging their husbands, with a traditional annual local witch hunt organised that draws in big crowds and tourists. As Vera and her team investigate, there is another suspicious death, and Charlie plays a critical role, as the police find themselves conducting their own 'witch hunt'.

This is another brilliant read from Cleeves, it has an unabashed contemporary social and political commentary which I wholeheartedly agree with, and it was a delight to see Vera connect so closely with social worker, Kath Oliver, both sharing a common humane perspective. There are occasions Joe and Bell are not happy with Vera disclosing so little of her theories of what is really going on, but at the end, Bell is left in awe of Vera's intuitive abilities in this story of power, greed, corruption, and politics. A wonderful addition to the series, and I look forward with great anticipation to the next Vera outing! Many thanks to the publisher for a ARC.

The team may still be reeling from the loss of their colleague, Holly but the job must go on. Holly’s replacement is Rosie Bell, a Geordie as loquacious as her predecessor was silent but equally ambitious.

As with so many of the best crime novels, Cleeves is writing here about a social justice issue and you can feel her anger through the lens of her irascible but astute protagonist, Vera Stanhope. The team are called in to investigate the murder of a student, Josh Woodburn, who has been working at a children’s home. One of the children from the home, Chloe, is missing but whether victim or perpetrator is unclear.

By means of the investigation, the author takes us through the arguments for the urgent re-nationalisation of these institutions whilst maintaining pace and interest. Another great addition to an excellent series.

With thanks to NetGalley, Anne Cleeves and Pan MacMillan for an arc of this novel.

This it's my first Vera book. Very enjoyable read, the characters have been developed over time and are therefore well formed. The story it's about a girl who is missing from a children's home, and the murder of a young student working at the home.The story keep me guessing till the end and i didn't guess who the aggressors were.With thanks to Netgalley and the author for this advanced copy.

This book plodded along with the occasional burst of interest. I really didn't enjoy reading it and only finished it because I don't like leaving things unfinished and because I needed to leave a review.
I found all the characters to be a bit two dimensional and the main character, Vera, really annoying. The other officers seemed to think they were still in primary school and vying for the position of teacher's pet!
A thoroughly forgettable read.