Northumberland, England - Present Day

Rosebank, a home for troubled teenagers, houses four young people, and has a tiny staff of three, two of whom rotate shifts, and the third staying some nights. The employees struggle to maintain some semblance of home, but are constantly short of funds. And now, one of the staff has been found dead outside the home, quite obviously murdered.

Assigned the investigation, Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope only knows that a murder has been committed, and that one of the teens at the house, fourteen-year-old Chloe, has disappeared. She had been close to the dead man, Josh, and Vera wants to find out if she saw anything, or worse, did she kill him? Gathering her team, Joe Ashworth, and new member, Rosie Bell, Vera begins to work through what few clues they have.

Vera and her team are soon involved in a growing mystery when another body is found in the vast countryside of Northumberland in a place called The Three Dark Wives. It's a wild area where superstition is rampant, and it's easy to find hiding places. Did Chloe retreat there? Does she know of the second murder? Is she still alive? Or is she in danger?

Book #11 of the Vera Stanhope series sure doesn't disappoint! There are plenty of suspects, and Vera and her team are finding brick walls thrown up before them as they sieve through what few facts they can find.
If readers can figure this out before Vera and crew do, good luck! Do not miss this latest intriguing novel from Ann Cleeves.

Jani Brooks

A very atmospheric police procedural that introduces the readers to homes for troubled teens. Without getting preachy, this topic is handled beautifully.

My first in the Vera Stanhope series I didn’t feel lost but I am curious enough that I want to go back and read the series from the start.

The characters were very realistic and I liked how there were team meetings that brought the readers up to date on the leads being followed. The one drawback for me was the resolution of the mystery happened off page and we were just told about it. While probably very realistic it seemed rushed and unsatisfying.

This is an interesting police procedural, a little too detailed/descriptive at times. I think my students would enjoy the search for a missing girl, is she in danger, is she a murderer, or a witness to a killing outside a care home.

Anne Cleeves has written another out of the ball park novel. It is part of the series that she has written in the DI Vera Stanhope books.

This time a man who worked at a local school for troubled children is found murdered. Missing from the school is a 14 year old girl, Chloe.
When a second man is found murdered all kinds of superstition seems involved and the town is revealed to have some very deep dark secrets.

Vera works with a group of two others - and the way they all work together is wonderful. Cleeves invests so much into her characters that it thoroughly engrosses the reader.

A highly recommended book from an author that is always fresh and wonderful

I must start by thanking both NetGalley as well as the publisher for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Strong characters and good mystery, what more does Ann Cleeves need to continue to produce wonderful novels? Hertalent shows in each of her books. This one defiantly has a background in a desire to reform state child care? A definite go to author!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books, for letting me read and review an advanced copy of this book, ‘The Dark Wives’ by
Ann Cleeves.

DI Vera Stanhope is back in the eleventh book in the series, trying to solve a case. This time, a worker in a group home for troubled teens is found murdered, and Chloe, a teen from the home, is missing. Knowing that the two events are connected in some way, Vera and her team, Joe and new member, Rosie, are put to a test. As they search for clues and information about the victim and missing girl, they find out that the group home does not always have the best interests of the teens in mind.

After watching the Vera TV series, it is easy to envision Vera and her team, even though some of the characters are different. Vera, moody and brooding over the death of a team member, keeps her theories to herself, frustrating her team. Eventually, the case is solved, but only after extreme effort, and even some danger encountered.

This is my first novel by Cleeves though it is the 11th book in the VERA series — I didn’t have any trouble following the characters or story as I have been an avid VERA tv series over the years which made the story plot easy to follow. The book was compelling read and thoroughly enjoyable. I loved the focus on the dark wives folklore and the festival surrounding it — this made me feel like I was experiencing a unique event. The female roles were strong and the story is very focused on the social aspect of British police procedural. A fast-paced read that builds tension at a good rate with plenty of twists and turns. The story doesn’t reveal any clues to the reader so you are learning information as they detectives do — I was engaged with the story throughout and will definitely read more of this series in the future .

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this ARC. This is my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

The previous book in the series broke me. I am so happy that I didn't have to wait long for this one so I could see the fall out from the previous book's events. This book introduces us to new characters but still includes some of our favourites from the series. I really appreciate the mystery in this one and the political commentary on private for-profit care homes. A fantastic read.

Vera Stanhope is on the case, investigating the murder of a children's home staff member plus the disappearance of Chloe, one of the children from the home on the same winter evening. Ann Cleeves brings alive the rural UK setting while bringing back Vera's colleagues Joe, David and a new investigator Rosie. The team roam the countryside, and the children's home itself, interviewing staff, family, friends and towns people. Vera masterfully works out the twisted conspiracy behind the murders which happened in the shadow of The Dark Wives, three huge monoliths. A wonderful read!

I didn't know I was an Ann Cleeves fan! But, wow, am I ever! A huge fan!

I recently discovered the SHETLAND TV series which I LOVED and when I saw this book on NetGalley, I quickly sent in the request to read!

Wow!!

Loved this book. I want to read all the others in this series and watch the VERA show!

This book has it all, great characters, fast- pace plot, and fantastic writing!

If you love crime/detective series, you are going to want to read this!!!

I do plan on going back and reading all the others, plus the Shetland series.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Chloe is having a hard time at home. She is forcedto go to a home for kids. When she disappears no one knows what happened. I enjoyed this book.

Another fine title from Ann Cleeves. It took a bit for the title to engage me however once different parts became clear I enjoyed the complexity of the plot and the story.

There is no question that Ann Cleeves is becoming one of my favorite writers. In the Dark Wives she continues her journey with Vera and her compatriots without let up.  In typical Vera form, I knew from page one, it would be a dark and mysterious journey. Northumberland is indeed a captivating place, with its rugged landscapes, ancient ruins, and rich history. It provides the perfect backdrop for a mystery like this one. As Vera delves deeper into the case, she uncovers layers of secrets hidden within the community and its surroundings. The juxtaposition of the picturesque scenery and the unsettling events adds to the intrigue.

From the beginning, Chloe's disappearance adds a sense of urgency to the investigation, especially with the discovery of the second body. Vera's determination to find her, coupled with Joe's steadfast support and Rosie's fresh perspective, creates a dynamic team ready to tackle whatever challenges come their way. Although I think Rosie will take some getting use to for Cleeves' loyal readers.

The intertwining of superstition and folklore with the investigation also promised to add an extra layer of complexity. Vera, known for her pragmatic approach, navigates through these elements to uncover the truth.

The investigation continues a thorough and compelling trip, leading to a resolution that sheds light on the darkest corners of the community. And through it all, the rugged beauty of Northumberland will stand as a silent witness to the unfolding drama.

Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves

291 Pages
Publisher: St Martin’s Press, Minotaur Press
Release Date: August 27, 2024

Fiction, British, Police Procedural

Chloe Spence is 14 years old and living in a care home. Her mother is hospitalized with mental health issues and her father moved to Dubai. Other than two school friends, she only has Josh, a care home worker, to confide in. When Josh is murdered and Chloe is missing, no one knows if she is a victim or the perpetrator. Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope and her team are investigating the death and Chloe’s disappearance. They begin interviewing people associated with the care home along with Josh and Chloe’s friends and relatives. The Dark Wives are the stone features in the rugged landscape of North Umberland. They stand like silent sentinels as the actions unfold.

The story is fast paced. The author has a descriptive writing style so the reader can feel the weather and the stark surroundings. The characters are developed, and it is written in the third person point of view. As always, the author does not disappoint with the characters or the storyline. This is the eleventh book in the DCI Vera Stanhope series. If you enjoy watching the series on the television, the books are even better.

One of Ann Cleeves best entries into the Vera Stanhope series, I think. The usual complex mystery with a new character on the team and fabulous character development. Ms. Cleeves continues to amaze me that she can come up with such original plot lines for this series while creating characters that you can love and hate while keeping all of them quite human. Highly recommend this book for any mystery fan, Ann Cleeves fan, and anyone who just loves a well written plot. Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Although I have seen the Vera television series this was my first novel by Ann Cleeves and it did not disappoint. I enjoyed the character development as well as the visuals evoked by description of the setting. The plot picked up pace and the ending was both satisfying and surprising.

Vera and her crew solves it again, along with Rosie, her newest teammate. There is much happening here, all under the guise of “high moral ground”, however the compass is skewed in so many directions. Grab this newest whodunnit in the Vera Stanhope series, an excellent read.

The latest in the Vera Stanhope series is a good one, involving a girl missing from a group home for troubled kids. The team is joined by a new detective, brash and eager to prove herself, a very different kind of cop than the detective whose shoes she's filling after the tragic events of the previous book in the series. Their investigation takes them to a village where an eerie tradition involves a witch chasing children among the "Dark Wives", large standing stones, but clues also lead to the private company that has taken over management of group homes, a development that Vera strongly opposes.

I did have a bit of trouble with the motivation of one of the characters but overall the plotting and pacing are excellent, along with the character development. An enjoyable entry in a solid series.

This series is so entertaining with a likable main character. In this one, Vera and her crew are investigating the murder of a young man who works at a home for children and the disappearance of one of the residents. It's fast-paced and exciting. I enjoy following the procedure and methods of Vera and Co. and see how their methods come to a conclusion.

Next one please!

Vera Stanhope is back in action after losing a beloved member of her team in the last novel, The Rising Tide. Vera and her team of detectives are still grieving their loss and welcoming a new member, Rosie, is very difficult. Rosie is brash and confident a bit like Vera but a looker, as Vera would say.

When a young college student is found dead outside a care home for teenagers and one of the teenagers has gone missing it is hard not to jump to conclusions. Vera keeps an open mind. She doesn't believe the young 14 year old girl is capable of beating a man to death. Vera believes the girl witnessed something and is on the run from the killer. Can the team find Chloe before the killer does?

Cleeves fills her books with the flavor of the area. Full of local vernacular, stories and traditions, like the Witch Hunt and the Dark Wives. If you have never read a Vera Stanhop mystery you don't know what you are missing. She is one of the greats like Hercule Poirot!