The Dark Wives is another exceptional entry into the Vera Stanhope mystery novels. Ann Cleeves is a master writer, her plot, characters and timing are written at such a high level. I was in a dilemma reading this book. I raced ahead to see who the killer was but at the same time wanted to read slowly so the book would last. This eleventh book in the series is just as well written and absorbing as the first. Highly recommended.

The body of a man beaten to death outside a home for troubled children leads DI Vera Stanhope into a dark world of drugs, abuse and greed. The only suspect in the death of Josh Woodburn is fourteen year old Chloe Spence. Vera doesn’t believe that Chloe, who deserves better than the life she has been dealt, is guilty, Instead, she and her team believe the Chloe was either a witness to murder or knows why John was killed. The complicated investigation leads to a hidden den in an overgrown vacant lot, a farm managed by teenagers who consider themselves and their leader to be ecowarriers, drug dealing and reveals secrets long held and difficult to release.

Once again, Ann Cleeves’ careful plotting and realistic characterization have made The Dark Wives a must read. Rosie, new to Vera’s team and ambitious, struggles to find the right way to fit in. I look forward to seeing her again. However, the real stars of The Dark Wives are three teenage girls. They put friendship and loyalty above all unlike many of the other characters in this complex mystery. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Ann Cleaves for this ARC.

This is one of my favorite series. And this book continues how well the characters are written and how the plot develops. An interesting new detective is added. Highly recommend this book

The latest in the Vera Stanhope novels — sharply twisted and full of the intense ambiance of the Northumberland countryside. I’ve only read a few of the novels, having long ago been hooked by the ITV series. It’s fun to read these with such vivid character images already in mind. High marks for plot and the intricate network of episode specific characters and local customs. The one thing I didn’t enjoy was the fact that the clues which led Vera to solving the case were kept hidden from us so that we had no way of trying to figure out whodunnit. I still couldn’t put it down, but it was slightly irritating that I wasn’t given the info I needed to at least speculate on how everything happened.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

Josh, an agency worker at a care home, is found murdered, and Chloe, one of the teenagers living at the home, is missing. The first 75% of this was a page turner as Vera, Joe and new addition to the team Rosie follow various leads and look for Chloe. The storylines about how children come to be taken into care and the pressures on social workers were well done. But then there was a sort of thriller section where the characters knew the identities of 'the murderer' and 'the murderer's accomplice', but the reader did not, which annoyed me. Finally the solution to what went on made complete sense but seemed to me to have been only very lightly clued, so it wasn't as satisfactory as it might have been.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.
Vera is my favorite female character and I'm always so happy when a new book in the series comes out.
This time a young man is murdered outside a home for troubled minors and a young girl goes missing at the same time.
Vera, Joe and a new detective, Rosie, are desperate to find not only the murderer, but also Chloe. Did she do it or is she hiding, terrified?
As usual, I couldn't put the book down. The insight into the detectives mindsets is so good and the series (and Vera) so unique, I loved it, and as usual, I highly recommend it! Here's hoping we don't have to wait too long for the next book!

Always a pleasure to read Ann Cleeves, but this book was different somehow. It was a tighter storyline, very interesting more than murder…and definitely my kind of intrigue.

Take your time with her words, enjoy her characters and listen as the author changes her character , Vera, into a boss that becomes inclusive and interested in the politics of the job.

The man’s body is found in the early morning light by a local dog walker in the park outside Rosebank, a home for troubled teens in the coastal village of Longwater. The victim is Josh, a staff member, who was due to work the previous night but never showed up. DI Vera Stanhope is called out to investigate the death, with her only clue being the disappearance of one of the home’s residents, fourteen-year-old Chloe Spence. Vera can’t bring herself to believe that a teenager is responsible for the murder, but even she can’t dismiss the possibility. Vera, Joe and new team member Rosie Bell, are soon embroiled in the case,
Well I can't say too much about this book, it was fairly interesting but for some reason it didn't hold my attention! It had light suspense, murder, mystery, and some crazy twists and turns! It was a decent read but really not for me! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

“The Dark Wives” is another terrific entry in the Vera Stanhope mystery series by Ann Cleeves. A young man is murdered after starting work at a home for troubled children; Vera and her team must unravel complex motivations and connections to figure out who the culprit is and what caused them to take a life. At the same time, a 14-year-old girl goes missing from the home; is she another victim, an innocent witness, or something else? The suspense builds until a very satisfactory conclusion.

Vera is a well-written and complex character; over the many books in the series, we’ve come to know her well. The death (in an earlier book in the series) of a colleague has caused her to soften a bit in her dealings with the team. She’s still curmudgeonly and opinionated, but it’s interesting to read her evolution.

The plot centers on the mechanisms for caring for at-risk children in the UK. I am in the US and struggled at times to understand the acronyms and public vs. for-profit issues — but we have the same general problems in the US (and, I would assume, all over the world). Ms. Cleeves raises timely and urgent issues.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

DI Vera Stanhope is called out to investigate a young man's death in The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves. Her only clue has disappeared, fourteen-year-old Chloe Spence. Vera can’t bring herself to believe that a teenager is responsible for the murder, but even she can’t dismiss the possibility. Vera, Joe, and new team member Rosie Bell are soon embroiled in the case, and when a second connected body is found near the Three Dark Wives monument in the wilds of the Northumberland countryside, superstition and folklore begin to collide with fact. Vera knows she has to find Chloe to get to the truth.

Vera is a good character, strong and determined, no-nonsense. A good storyline.

I loved the character of Emily. I hope there is more of this character in future books.

The Dark Wives is a good addition to this series. I would recommend this book and this series.

#NetGalley @StMartinsPress

4.5 because I can always count on Ann Cleeves to deliver.

When a young man's body is found outside a care home, Vera is concerned not just with the murder, but with the disappearance of a fourteen-year-old girl at the same time. Reading from the girl's journal, Vera resists the opinion that the girl is responsible, but knows that finding Chloe Spence is of utmost importance whether or not Chloe is guilty. Then another death escalates the suspense and confusion.

The team is undergoing a transition (and some guilt) after Holly's death, and Rosie Bell, the new team member has to find a way in. Rosie has a surprising empathy with families of victims which gives her a contrast with Holly. Her determination is evident, and I like her addition to the team.

Vera is much less curmudgeonly than in earlier novels, but she continues holding on to her opinions before sharing with her team, which is not always in everyone's best interest.

As always, Ann Cleeves draws the reader in with both great plotting and character development. I also appreciated the focus on care homes for profit at the expense of the young people who need help, which is a matter of concern in both the UK and the US.

The conclusion was... broader than expected and evidence of the author's ability to throw in the unanticipated. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

Vera never disappoints!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to the publisher and Net galley for this ARC**

I loved this book. It was exciting and kept me wanting to keep seeing what was next. Vera is a great main character and I enjoyed following her as she investigated the murders.

Really good book. Felt like it was a bit longer then it should have been, but the story was engaging and I believe will be worth me of her most popular.