The Dark Wives: A Vera Stanhope Novel #11 [B1163]

2024 HCDJ. As NYT bestseller Ann Cleeves's beloved British Vera series explodes in popularity in print and on TV, this stunning eleventh book explores the web of secrets surrounding a young man's death. 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, 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, and the dark secrets in their community that may be far more dangerous than she could have ever believed possible.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "This is a great book. Firstly, the setting is wonderfully described - Northumberland is an area I'm quite familiar with and Ann Cleeves really made me feel like I was back there. But perhaps, more importantly, the plot was really good - a proper crime thriller that was gripping throughout and came to a great conclusion. And the political issue - privately run care homes for vulnerable and troubled kids - was definitely thought provoking."; "After watching the show on Brit Box, I decided to read the books and this was the first one I read. I love Vera, her quirky, controlling personality but always working brain, working through the enigma, until the cogs on the wheel fit into place. The writing is superb and the recent introduction of a new team member adds to the conflict with the adjustment period for the team, specially Joe. Love Charlie! This one will have you looking at everyone, even as you figure out the probabilities."; "A gripping mystery which has you guessing to the end. A good theme behind the mystery exposing corruption in the child care system."