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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope finds herself at the grand home of a relative, first seeking aid after finding a toddler alone in a car, then while investigating a body found on the estate grounds. Not only is there the intricate web of suspects to parse through, there is the threat that the lens will circle back to a relative, an undesirable outcome in the best of relationships, muddied when the connections are already strained.
Ann Cleeves creates flawed characters and works in details on their situations and histories. There is depth to everyone, and in spite of -- or perhaps because of -- their flawed natures, they are relatable and you can develop fondness for them and wish them well.
This is the ninth installment of the Vera Stanhope series, none of which I'd read previously, and I didn't suffer for it. I could have believed it to have been a standalone; there was reference to renovating after a fire that in hindsight must be in reference to a past title, but I wasn't concerned at the lack of detail and context for the series.
I've now read two titles by Cleeves; I don't know that I will work my way through her back catalog (a quick glance shows that there are nearly 40 titles to her name now), but she's established herself as a writer who creates thoughtful mysteries that I could see myself making room to read newer titles if they cross my path.
(I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)
Ann Cleeves creates flawed characters and works in details on their situations and histories. There is depth to everyone, and in spite of -- or perhaps because of -- their flawed natures, they are relatable and you can develop fondness for them and wish them well.
This is the ninth installment of the Vera Stanhope series, none of which I'd read previously, and I didn't suffer for it. I could have believed it to have been a standalone; there was reference to renovating after a fire that in hindsight must be in reference to a past title, but I wasn't concerned at the lack of detail and context for the series.
I've now read two titles by Cleeves; I don't know that I will work my way through her back catalog (a quick glance shows that there are nearly 40 titles to her name now), but she's established herself as a writer who creates thoughtful mysteries that I could see myself making room to read newer titles if they cross my path.
(I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
I received an advanced reader copy of The Darkest Evening from Minotaur Books via NetGalley, in return for my honest opinion.
The Darkest Evening by Ann Cleeves is a story about forgiveness, trust and family. On her way home, during a snow storm, Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope discovers an abandoned car with a toddler inside. The cell reception is very spotty, so Vera brings the child to the closest home – Brockburn, a large estate where her father grew up.
Vera hasn’t been to Brockburn since she was a child but knows that her father’s family still lives there. As Vera tries to find the child’s parents, long buried Stanhope family secrets begin to reveal themselves.
This was a fast, easy read, that I did not love- I didn’t like most of the characters which made it hard to see this book thru to the end. The Darkest Evenings is available today, Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
Goodreads Rating: 2/5 stars
#anncleeves #thedarkestevening #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #mystery #mysterybooks #readin2020 #minotaurbooks #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic
For more of my reviews visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhattheBook/ or http://whatthebook-reviews.tumblr.com/ or follow me on Instagram @whatthebook__.
The Darkest Evening by Ann Cleeves is a story about forgiveness, trust and family. On her way home, during a snow storm, Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope discovers an abandoned car with a toddler inside. The cell reception is very spotty, so Vera brings the child to the closest home – Brockburn, a large estate where her father grew up.
Vera hasn’t been to Brockburn since she was a child but knows that her father’s family still lives there. As Vera tries to find the child’s parents, long buried Stanhope family secrets begin to reveal themselves.
This was a fast, easy read, that I did not love- I didn’t like most of the characters which made it hard to see this book thru to the end. The Darkest Evenings is available today, Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
Goodreads Rating: 2/5 stars
#anncleeves #thedarkestevening #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #mystery #mysterybooks #readin2020 #minotaurbooks #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic
For more of my reviews visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhattheBook/ or http://whatthebook-reviews.tumblr.com/ or follow me on Instagram @whatthebook__.
I loved the winter setting and the sense of darkness that threaded through this book. The mystery unfolded in a leisurely way until it was suddenly clipping along. There was less development here of the other characters, Joe & Holly in particular. I would also warn anyone sensitive to another example of violence against women.
Vera of this book and Vera of the tv series are all tangled in my mind so I noticed the ways the book diverges from the tv series now. I like that Ann Cleeves has kept with what is central for her with this series.
Vera of this book and Vera of the tv series are all tangled in my mind so I noticed the ways the book diverges from the tv series now. I like that Ann Cleeves has kept with what is central for her with this series.
3.5 stars. Quite enjoyed this really, haven't read any of the other Vera books but have caught the tv series and am pretty into Cleeves' Shetland series (I came for the knitwear, stayed for Douglas Henshall etc.). This was pretty readable and I liked the mystery and different points of view.
This was my second Ann Cleeves book, and first Vera Stanhope book. I have just gone back and marked all of the "Vera" series as "to read," so that should tell you something about how much I enjoyed this. It was well paced, the characters were interesting but not really monstrous psychopaths, there was a nice community, lots of tea and coffee, wanders through the woods ... This was a very "pleasant" murder mystery, and I can see why Cleeves and Louise Penny are friends! Can't wait to read more.
‘There’s a woman out there. A dead woman. I doubt what you have to say is more important than that’
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Having been a fan of the tv series when I saw this on netgalley I jumped at the chance of an early read, and I’m so happy I did! I’ve never read the Vera series before, but now wish I’d read the rest of the series and will definitely be going back to the others now!
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I don’t know if I put it down to the picture I have in my head of Vera, already biased by the tv show, but Ann Cleeves writes her in such a beautiful way that you can’t help but just adore this super strong warm hearted woman, and whenever she says ‘pet’ I can’t help but smile, I just adore her as a character!
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In this new book we follow her as she investigates the murder of a young girl outside a manor home whilst a party is ensuing inside. With all the makings of a modern day Agatha Christie country house mystery, Ann Cleeves bring the theme into the 21st century with a wonderful whodunnit/police procedural story. I spent most of the book changing my mind about who the murderer would be, and still got it wrong!
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A high point in the book for me is how Ann Cleeves describes each house, cottage and shop in such a beautiful way that you truly feel like you are there with them, feeling the warmth or the chill, smelling the hot coffee and homemade soup, she really is a skill at placing the reader in the story
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All in all a beautiful read set in the cold of winter. A perfect Christmas read for anybody wanting their fix of a juice murder mystery! Thank you Netgally and Pan Macmillan for the ARC!
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Having been a fan of the tv series when I saw this on netgalley I jumped at the chance of an early read, and I’m so happy I did! I’ve never read the Vera series before, but now wish I’d read the rest of the series and will definitely be going back to the others now!
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I don’t know if I put it down to the picture I have in my head of Vera, already biased by the tv show, but Ann Cleeves writes her in such a beautiful way that you can’t help but just adore this super strong warm hearted woman, and whenever she says ‘pet’ I can’t help but smile, I just adore her as a character!
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In this new book we follow her as she investigates the murder of a young girl outside a manor home whilst a party is ensuing inside. With all the makings of a modern day Agatha Christie country house mystery, Ann Cleeves bring the theme into the 21st century with a wonderful whodunnit/police procedural story. I spent most of the book changing my mind about who the murderer would be, and still got it wrong!
-
A high point in the book for me is how Ann Cleeves describes each house, cottage and shop in such a beautiful way that you truly feel like you are there with them, feeling the warmth or the chill, smelling the hot coffee and homemade soup, she really is a skill at placing the reader in the story
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All in all a beautiful read set in the cold of winter. A perfect Christmas read for anybody wanting their fix of a juice murder mystery! Thank you Netgally and Pan Macmillan for the ARC!
Typical Ann Cleeves, interesting characters and identifiable setting, with the mystery solved in the final few chapters.
Although I've watched and love the TV series "Vera" I found this most recent book brought a new dimension to understanding the main characters. I'm interested now in reading some of her earlier books in the series.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated