The Darkest Evening
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The Darkest Evening
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See moreThe ninth novel in the Vera Stanhope series, from the No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller Ann Cleeves, sees Vera having to solve a classic country house mystery with a contemporary twist.
DCI Vera Stanhope returns in The Darkest Evening, the ninth novel in Sunday Times bestseller Ann Cleeves' enduringly popular series.
DCI Vera Stanhope returns in The Darkest Evening, the ninth novel in Sunday Times bestseller Ann Cleeves' enduringly popular series.
Driving home during a swirling blizzard, Vera Stanhope's only thought is to get there quickly. But the snow is so heavy, she becomes disoriented and loses her way. Ploughing on, she sees a car slewed off the road ahead of her. With the driver's door open, Vera assumes the driver has sought shelter, but when she inspects the car, she is shocked to find a young toddler strapped in the back seat.
Afraid they will freeze, Vera takes the child and drives on, arriving at Brockburn, a run-down stately home she immediately recognises as the house her father Hector grew up in.
Inside Brockburn, a party is in full swing, with music and laughter to herald the coming Christmas. But outside in the snow, a young woman lies dead and Vera knows immediately she has a new case. Could this woman be the child's mother, and if so, what happened to her?
A classic country house mystery with a contemporary twist, Ann Cleeves returns with a brilliant Vera novel to savour.
Series: Vera Stanhope
View allBook Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Critics praise the book for its strong atmosphere and clever plotting. The Mail on Sunday calls it a "thoroughly engrossing thriller," while the Sunday Times highlights Cleeves' combination of old-fashioned detective work with contemporary social insights. Reviews from Heat and Sun commend the twists and gripping nature of the story. Publishers Weekly gives it a starred review, describing it as a "must reading" page-turner, and Country Life likens it to a touch of Agatha Christieโs classic house-party murder. Overall, it is well-paced, atmospheric, and compelling for both new readers and fans of the series.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781509889556
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 18 February 2021
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Pan Books
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 28.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 197.0mm
Weight: 298g
Pages: 416
About the Author
Ann Cleeves is the author of over thirty critically acclaimed novels, and in 2017 was awarded the highest accolade in crime writing, the CWA Diamond Dagger. She is the creator of popular detectives Vera Stanhope and Jimmy Perez who can now be found on television in ITV's Vera and BBC One's Shetland. The TV series and the books they are based on have become international sensations, capturing the minds of millions worldwide. Ann worked as a probation officer, bird observatory cook, and auxiliary coastguard before she started writing. She is a member of 'Murder Squad', working with other British northern writers to promote crime fiction. Ann is also a passionate champion for libraries and was a National Libraries Day Ambassador in 2016. Ann lives in North Tyneside near where the Vera books are set.
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