The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves: A review

So, I had my reading list all set, and then I heard that there was a new Vera Stanhope mystery out. Reading list tossed aside, I jumped right into that new book. I regret nothing. I will always drop everything for a new Vera mystery for she is probably my favorite of all the fictional detectives of my acquaintance. I strongly identify with the middle-aged, frumpy, overweight Vera. (I wonder why that is?)

The Dark Wives of the title refers to a stone monument in the Northumberland countryside. But the story itself revolves around Rosebank, a care home for troubled teens in the coastal village of Longwater. 

The mystery begins when a dog walker discovers a man's murdered body outside Rosebank one early morning. The victim turns out to be a Rosebank staff member named Josh. He had been scheduled to work the previous night but he never showed up. 

At the same time, one of the home's residents, fourteen-year-old Chloe Spence has disappeared. Is it possible that this child committed the murder? Or perhaps that she saw something that caused her to run away?

DI Vera Stanhope and her team are called in to investigate. Her team now consists of the stalwart DS Joe Ashworth and a new member DC Rosie Bell, replacing DC Holly Clarke who died in the previous book in the series, The Rising Tide.

The team has hardly begun the investigation when a second murder occurs. This time the body is discovered near the Dark Wives monument. Vera believes that the key to solving the mysteries will be finding Chloe because she is sure that she must know something that relates to the killings.

Watching Vera work is an unadulterated pleasure. What she lacks in tact she makes up for in an unerring instinct for ferreting out the truth and recognizing it when she finds it. That instinct and her no-nonsense pursuit of the truth have served her well and have earned her the respect of her community.  She is a brilliant investigator.

And now I am left to wonder if we will ever get another television adaptation of the books in the series. I don't know if Brenda Blethyn who played the character of Vera so well is still available to play her again. It would be a shame if she isn't. Still, no doubt there is another actress out there somewhere who would be a good fit. Make it so, television producers! 

 


Comments

  1. Phillip OliverSeptember 11, 2024 at 10:58 PM

    "Vera" is one of our favorite shows. I've only read one of the books (actually, it was an audiobook).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersSeptember 12, 2024 at 1:51 PM

      "Vera" is a great show. If it doesn't continue, I may just go back and watch it all from the beginning!

      Delete
  2. CathySeptember 12, 2024 at 2:29 AM

    Brenda Blethyn is 78 and has retired. Although I can certainly understand her wish to retire, I wish she could go on forever because I can't think of another actor who could come close to replacing her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dorothy BordersSeptember 12, 2024 at 1:52 PM

      Agreed. I really can't imagine anyone else in the part. She's a hard act to follow.

      Delete
  3. jabblogSeptember 12, 2024 at 4:34 AM

    I like Ann Cleeves' writing.
    It's a pity that 'Vera' has to come to an end. I suppose it's possible someone else could play the part, but Brenda Blethyn is so closely associate with the character that it would be difficult for a successor.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Deb Nance at ReaderbuzzSeptember 12, 2024 at 4:34 PM

    My husband loves mystery series, and this is a series we have not seen. I should look for this series for him. I think I might have seen it on PBS.

    I'm glad you enjoyed this book so much. I definitely drop everything else when a beloved author brings out a new book.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lark September 13, 2024 at 10:46 AM

    I always drop everything for a new book from a favorite author, too! :D

    ReplyDelete
  6. thecuecardSeptember 14, 2024 at 4:27 PM

    I think I'd like to watch the PBS series. She seems like a great character and the actress seems perfect in the role. I'm glad you dropped your reading list ... to get to the latest Vera book.

    ReplyDelete

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