Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
3.5 stars. Always a pleasure to spend time with Vera and her team. I especially liked that Holly had a larger role to play in this one...a bit of character development for her and for Vera. I wish Charlie got the same love...maybe next time. I’d figured out who I thought was the killer and was happy to be right
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I almost held on to this book until closer to winter, but my guilt for reading my advance copies on time won out. Thankfully, the dark, wintry setting this novel paints is realistic enough to provide the reader with ample room for the imagination to run wild.
I don't read many mysteries, but something about the synopsis for The Darkest Evening spoke to me, and I couldn't resist requesting it on Netgalley. I'm happy I tried something new because I discovered I'm a fan. Despite The Darkest Evening being the ninth book in the Vera Stanhope series, (I did my research prior to requesting and made sure it could be read as a standalone) I never felt confused or lost about the characters. While I could tell there were other stories that had been told, the characters still stood on their own. And in fact, the hints at those other stories just made me want to pick them up.
I didn't know when I started it how I would feel about the story being told from so many points of view, but it was easy to follow, and I quickly realized it's necessary to the mystery being told.
I can see why this series has lasted so long, and why there's a television adaptation based on the books. Vera is a great character. She's surly, smart, and unmoved by what others think of her. It's also refreshing to see an older woman portrayed with such honesty. She's independent, and while she doesn't like to admit she needs help, she will ask for it. She's not perfect, and that's what makes her so likable. The secondary characters are great, too. Joe, Vera's right-hand-man, is stable and kind of the 'everyman' that most readers will identify with. Holly seems to be the newest and youngest addition to the team, and I enjoyed watching the character's confidence grow along with Vera's confidence in her.
The story kept me guessing until the end, which is always a nice surprise.
It's also set right before Christmas, so this would also make a perfect read over the holidays. And if you're lucky enough to read this one when it's cold and snow is on the ground, build that fire up, grab your favorite blanket and cup of tea, and get ready to wander the Northumberland woods!
Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for an advanced reader's copy!
Full review available at abookwanderer.com
#popsugarreadingchallenge2020 (prompt #12)
I don't read many mysteries, but something about the synopsis for The Darkest Evening spoke to me, and I couldn't resist requesting it on Netgalley. I'm happy I tried something new because I discovered I'm a fan. Despite The Darkest Evening being the ninth book in the Vera Stanhope series, (I did my research prior to requesting and made sure it could be read as a standalone) I never felt confused or lost about the characters. While I could tell there were other stories that had been told, the characters still stood on their own. And in fact, the hints at those other stories just made me want to pick them up.
I didn't know when I started it how I would feel about the story being told from so many points of view, but it was easy to follow, and I quickly realized it's necessary to the mystery being told.
I can see why this series has lasted so long, and why there's a television adaptation based on the books. Vera is a great character. She's surly, smart, and unmoved by what others think of her. It's also refreshing to see an older woman portrayed with such honesty. She's independent, and while she doesn't like to admit she needs help, she will ask for it. She's not perfect, and that's what makes her so likable. The secondary characters are great, too. Joe, Vera's right-hand-man, is stable and kind of the 'everyman' that most readers will identify with. Holly seems to be the newest and youngest addition to the team, and I enjoyed watching the character's confidence grow along with Vera's confidence in her.
The story kept me guessing until the end, which is always a nice surprise.
It's also set right before Christmas, so this would also make a perfect read over the holidays. And if you're lucky enough to read this one when it's cold and snow is on the ground, build that fire up, grab your favorite blanket and cup of tea, and get ready to wander the Northumberland woods!
Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for an advanced reader's copy!
Full review available at abookwanderer.com
#popsugarreadingchallenge2020 (prompt #12)
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Audio
This was probably my favorite Vera book so far. It had an interesting story PLUS there were fewer references to her body shape and age. I didn't guess whodunnit and the setting (cold, snow, Christmas) was perfect for this season. It's been a bit since I've listened to one of her books and I'd forgotten how well written they are. Good way to start off December while waiting for Covid results. (No chance I have it but had to test before returning to work..yay me?)
This was probably my favorite Vera book so far. It had an interesting story PLUS there were fewer references to her body shape and age. I didn't guess whodunnit and the setting (cold, snow, Christmas) was perfect for this season. It's been a bit since I've listened to one of her books and I'd forgotten how well written they are. Good way to start off December while waiting for Covid results. (No chance I have it but had to test before returning to work..yay me?)
mysterious
medium-paced
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am biased because I already know that I enjoy Ann Cleeves' mystery novels. I've read all of the Shetland books and I read her first in the new series - The Long Call.
I have probably read half of the Vera Stanhope novels. This is number 9 and the most recent. I couldn't get into a different book so I started this one and it was a fast and compulsive read.
Having the backstory on Vera is nice when reading this one. It involves estranged family of hers and some history with her father. She is her usual self - obsessed with work, lonely, cantankerous, brash, etc. She has grown on me as a character for sure. The mystery is really good, as usual. Multiple suspects, multiple red herrings, and though I did guess the murderer at about 65% through - I didn't guess all the reasons why they did it.
The setting is excellent as usual too. Northumberland on an estate (the Stanhope estate!) during a snowstorm before Christmas. One thing that bugs me about the Vera novels is that Vera always figures out the killer by herself, then she keeps the reader and her employees (Joe, Holly, and the other detectives) in the dark about it until she is absolutely sure - which of course at times leads to dangerous situations. And the reader potentially doing a little eye roll when Vera does the big reveal. But, if you can move past that, these are solid mystery novels with lots of memorable characters and stories.
I am biased because I already know that I enjoy Ann Cleeves' mystery novels. I've read all of the Shetland books and I read her first in the new series - The Long Call.
I have probably read half of the Vera Stanhope novels. This is number 9 and the most recent. I couldn't get into a different book so I started this one and it was a fast and compulsive read.
Having the backstory on Vera is nice when reading this one. It involves estranged family of hers and some history with her father. She is her usual self - obsessed with work, lonely, cantankerous, brash, etc. She has grown on me as a character for sure. The mystery is really good, as usual. Multiple suspects, multiple red herrings, and though I did guess the murderer at about 65% through - I didn't guess all the reasons why they did it.
The setting is excellent as usual too. Northumberland on an estate (the Stanhope estate!) during a snowstorm before Christmas. One thing that bugs me about the Vera novels is that Vera always figures out the killer by herself, then she keeps the reader and her employees (Joe, Holly, and the other detectives) in the dark about it until she is absolutely sure - which of course at times leads to dangerous situations. And the reader potentially doing a little eye roll when Vera does the big reveal. But, if you can move past that, these are solid mystery novels with lots of memorable characters and stories.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Another great Vera Stanhope mystery
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes