A review by poliver
The Darkest Evening by Ann Cleeves

5.0

This is the first time I've read a Vera Stanhope novel although I've been a long admirer of the series that stars Brenda Belthyn. I enjoyed it very much. After seeing the series, the reader will most likely envision Blethyn as they are reading. In "The Darkest Evening", Stanhope takes a wrong turn in a snowstorm and comes across a car accident in which a young woman is found murdered. The victim's child, a baby, is alive and still in the vehicle. Nearby, a party is going on in a manor home that belongs to one of Vera's distant relatives. An investigation follows which focuses on two close-knit families and the small community where the girl lived. Vera is aided by Holly and Joe, both as interesting characters as Vera herself. Nicely paced with tight chapters and well developed characters. I will definitely seek out more of Ann Cleeves books.