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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5/5 - Masterful. One of Cleeves’ strongest Vera offerings yet.
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed seeing some positive changes in Vera even after so many books - less fat/ugly-shaming and more personal growth in how she interacts with her counterparts. And, I liked the story.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves is the eleventh in the riveting Vera Stanhope series. DI Vera is called to investigate the murder of a young man, Josh, in atmospheric Northumberland where folklore is part of the cultural tapestry. Josh had connections to a home for troubled teens, as does Chloe who has gone missing. Vera feels Chloe is the key to the mystery and finding her will unravel the layers. But is she even alive? A second body turns up, intensifying the tension and suspense.
Detective Rosie is thrown into the thick of things on her first day at her new job. She is vastly different from Vera but the two are complementary, ultimately making a great team. I appreciate their humanness and individual interviewing and deducting techniques as they encounter the Dark Wives.
The setting is what appeals to me most about this particular installment. I adore Northumberland and Cleeves whisked me away instantly. She also deftly and sensitively writes about mental health issues, especially in teens. Her dark story bits are just unsettling enough without being horrifying or gory and her writing is gorgeously rich.
My husband thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this engrossing novel.
Detective Rosie is thrown into the thick of things on her first day at her new job. She is vastly different from Vera but the two are complementary, ultimately making a great team. I appreciate their humanness and individual interviewing and deducting techniques as they encounter the Dark Wives.
The setting is what appeals to me most about this particular installment. I adore Northumberland and Cleeves whisked me away instantly. She also deftly and sensitively writes about mental health issues, especially in teens. Her dark story bits are just unsettling enough without being horrifying or gory and her writing is gorgeously rich.
My husband thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this engrossing novel.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read several of the Vera books before watching ALL the episodes of the show on TV. I fell in love with Vera Stanhope, a soft hearted person under a very crusty skin. I don’t feel like this book developed the characters very much, other than the new person on the team, and perhaps that’s because, if you are a regular reader, you already know Vera’s background and her sometimes prickly relationship with her co workers. Glossing over all that is great for some of us but would deprive new readers of the depth of the character Cleeves has created over time. The plot was pretty clever in the end, but it was the time I got to spend with Vera that was the real treat here.
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Another episode in the life of DCI Vera Stanhope. A case that starts with the murder of a young student working at a privately run children’s home. From there Vera and her team set to work to solve it. A police procedural that is an enjoyable read, with well known characters, although Chloe joins the team to replace Holly.
It touches on the political viewpoint of privately run children’s homes, called facilities by management of the company. Plenty of local colour, I think this series is my favourite of all the authors work.
It touches on the political viewpoint of privately run children’s homes, called facilities by management of the company. Plenty of local colour, I think this series is my favourite of all the authors work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
For a reader, few things compare to the anticipation felt when opening a new book and falling into the familiar world of a favorite character. So it is for me with Vera. This latest journey into Northumberland is a very satisfying follow-up to The Rising Tide. Vera must find her way through regrets, guilt, and loss, while, of course, solving new murders and preventing harm to others. In addition, she takes on a new team member who may change the dynamic of her relationship with Joe. Another great read from Ann Cleeves, The Dark Wives is a favorite which leaves me longing for more Vera!