Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by angrygreycatreads
The Seagull by Ann Cleeves
5.0
I received a free ARC of this title from the publisher in exchange for a fair review.
DI Vera Stanhope visits a prison on the orders of her boss to give a talk to inmates. Once there she meets up with an old inmate, who strikes a deal with her for information on the location of a body. This jumps starts an investigation into a twenty year old murder..or two and sets off a chain of events in the current time. The plot line becomes heavily intermingled with Vera’s, or more correctly her father, Hector’s past. His “hobby” of bird and egg poaching and the men he associated with are enmeshed in this investigation causing Vera more than one episode of being haunted by her memories. This novel really shows Vera as a woman, a daughter, a friend, and an intelligent, critically thinking DI, an amazingly well drawn character.
The team of Charlie, Joe and Holly are really well done here, fully fleshed out characters, who are engaging in their own right, not just in the relation to Vera. I particularly enjoyed the development of Charlie’s character over the course of the series and love that it goes against the stereotype of the older, maudlin, divorced cop who sinks into a puddle of alcohol in despair. There are other characters outside of the team, who are just as well done, and demonstrate the effect of crimes on the families left behind.
The setting is just as well done, evocative and atmospheric. There is a highly developed sense of place, which I really love in a book. The setting is as important as the characters and the plot. I would highly recommend The Seagull to readers of mystery fiction, to readers who love strong female leads, (particularly ones that are not in their 20s and beautiful), or to readers who just love good books!
DI Vera Stanhope visits a prison on the orders of her boss to give a talk to inmates. Once there she meets up with an old inmate, who strikes a deal with her for information on the location of a body. This jumps starts an investigation into a twenty year old murder..or two and sets off a chain of events in the current time. The plot line becomes heavily intermingled with Vera’s, or more correctly her father, Hector’s past. His “hobby” of bird and egg poaching and the men he associated with are enmeshed in this investigation causing Vera more than one episode of being haunted by her memories. This novel really shows Vera as a woman, a daughter, a friend, and an intelligent, critically thinking DI, an amazingly well drawn character.
The team of Charlie, Joe and Holly are really well done here, fully fleshed out characters, who are engaging in their own right, not just in the relation to Vera. I particularly enjoyed the development of Charlie’s character over the course of the series and love that it goes against the stereotype of the older, maudlin, divorced cop who sinks into a puddle of alcohol in despair. There are other characters outside of the team, who are just as well done, and demonstrate the effect of crimes on the families left behind.
The setting is just as well done, evocative and atmospheric. There is a highly developed sense of place, which I really love in a book. The setting is as important as the characters and the plot. I would highly recommend The Seagull to readers of mystery fiction, to readers who love strong female leads, (particularly ones that are not in their 20s and beautiful), or to readers who just love good books!