BOOK CLUB: The Dark Wives (A Vera Stanhope Novel 11)

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The Dark Wives is the latest in Ann Cleeves’ long running series about DI Vera Stanhope. It’s a solid crime novel that should please continuing readers, but it’s also highly accessible to new readers.

I know this because I was, in fact, coming to this cold. I’d never read a Vera Stanhope novel, and I’ve never watched the TV show that it sparked, either. So believe me when I say you’ll enjoy this even if you’ve never picked up an Ann Cleeves novel.

There are some spaces where you can see that continuing readers would be getting a little bit more from their knowledge of characters or past events. But in all important elements, you don’t have to have read any earlier books to enjoy this one.

DI Vera Stanhope is called to investigate when the body of a young man is found near a care home for troubled teens. It’s easy enough to discover that he was one of the care workers, expected at work the previous evening. Beyond that, Vera struggles. Is his death related to his work? To the simultaneous disappearance of one of the teens? To something else altogether?

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The investigation quickly focuses on the missing teenager. Regardless of whether Chloe Spence is a victim, a witness, or a murderer, she needs to be found before Vera can fully disentangle what’s gone on.

This is very much a standard police procedural, with a lot of focus on the day to day actions of investigating, but without getting bogged down in too much detail. I found this to be realistic and well paced. It’s a tricky enough puzzle that many readers will be surprised by the resolution Vera and her team reach, but it’s believable.

I particularly enjoyed the empathetic characters. One of Vera’s defining characteristics is the empathy she brings to bear on those she encounters in her investigations. She views with compassion her victims, witnesses, and possibly even perpetrators. Her understanding that lives and actions are complex brings a great deal of depth to the investigation.

The other senior team members, Joe and Rosie, bring quite different perspectives to bear on the investigation. Those perspectives help to round out not just the investigation but also our pictures of the people involved.

I very much enjoyed this crime novel. It skillfully respects the tropes of the genre while adding elements that make this particular novel feel original. Strong characters and a complex plot were absorbing. It was an entertaining read.

A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club Members are reading The Dark Wives by Ann CleevesYou can read their comments below, or add your own review.

7 thoughts on “BOOK CLUB: The Dark Wives (A Vera Stanhope Novel 11)

  1. As this was my first encounter with Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope, I felt that I would be somewhat at a disadvantage, being unaware of her prior background. I was pleasantly surprised that no previous experience was necessary. This is a stand alone story that was enthralling until the end, as all good sleuthing needs to be.
    Vera and her colleagues, Rosie and Joe, do a more than adequate job of putting all of the pieces of the puzzle together beautifully. There are hints throughout the novel, of Vera’s past, eg former colleague Holly. Enough information, in fact, to encourage this reader to investigate more stories by Ann Cleeves and to delve deeper into the life of Vera Stanhope.
    The writing itself is descriptive and displays each character in adequate detail, allowing the reader to follow the story with interest and intrigue.
    I did find the title somewhat misleading, however. “The Dark Wives”, is in fact a landscape formation and did not fit the mental image I was expecting when I first picked up this book.
    Many thanks to the author and publishers for the opportunity to read this book. It has now encouraged me to find my way to locate more from the same author and definitely to become better acquainted with DI Vera Stanhope.

  2. Thankyou Beauty and Lace and Panmacmillan for the opportunity to review ‘The Dark Wives’ by Ann Cleeves.

    This is the latest book in the ‘Vera’ books and this is also a televised series.
    Vera Stanhope is a Detective Inspector, and together with her team members Joe and Rosie is investigating the murder of Josh Woodburn a staff member of ‘Rosebank’.
    ‘Rosebank’ is a care home for troubled youth and Chloe Spence is one of the residents. She has found a friend in Josh and her disappearance at the same time as his body is found is concerning.
    During the investigation another body is found, another ‘Rosebank’ resident, but Chloe is still missing and it is feared that she could be in danger.
    Vera is a delightful character, a real people person showing plenty of compassion and interest in others.
    Such an exciting book and although it is part of a series of books, it is a stand alone and so exciting. It left me guessing all the way through as to who could be responsible!

  3. In The Dark Wives, Ann Cleeves skilfully intertwines suspense and rich character development in a gripping narrative that captivates from the first page. Set against the backdrop of the rugged landscape of Northumberland, the novel follows the inimitable Detective Vera Stanhope as she navigates a complex web of family secrets, betrayal, and the haunting consequences of past actions.

    Cleeves’ prose is both evocative and precise, painting a vivid picture of the moody setting while exploring the intricate dynamics between the characters. Through the book, tension builds steadily toward the dramatic climax and .

    I really enjoyed Cleeves’ ability to delve into the psychological aspects of her characters, making them relatable and multifaceted. The themes of love, loss, and the struggles of motherhood resonate deeply, adding layers of emotional depth to the mystery.

    Overall, The Dark Wives is a compelling and worthy addition to Cleeves’ amazing body of work, showcasing her skill as a storyteller and her keen insight into human nature. Fans of crime fiction will find this novel hard to put down. This was my first Vera novel, but I already know it most definitely won’t be my last.

    Thanks to Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read and review Ann Cleeves’ The Dark Wives.

  4. The Dark Wives.

    Within the first chapters a body is found of an employee from a care home and a 14yo girl from the care home is missing.

    Vera Stanhope is first on the scene. The detective is in charge of investigating the death and finding the young girl, Chloe.
    Vera’s team consists of Joe and the newest member, Rosie.

    The challenge is trying to find Chloe whilst also trying to solve the murder. In the meantime another body is discovered also linked to the first death.

    The scenery described throughout is amazing. The characters strong and fitting to the story.
    Contains mystery, corruption and fraud.

    I would recommend this to any mystery reader as it was easy to read and kept you guessing until the end.

    Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Pan McMillan for my copy to read and review.

  5. I couldn’t help but absolutely love this story, as I am an avid fan of the TV series Vera.
    Vera can come across as tough as nails, but has a great team behind her in their station at Northumberland.
    As a lover of the series I was well familiar with the personalities of not only Vera with her hat and khaki jacket, but also offsider Detective Joe and new female Detective Rosie. Detective Inspector Vera Stanhopes beloved vehicle is always used, a 4WD very basic Landrover!
    The story revolves around a home for troubled teens.
    One is found murdered, and one has gone missing. Vera and her team fear for the safety of Chloe, the missing teen.
    Another murder, and still no Chloe.
    Vera can be brash and to the point with her staff, but always shows great empathy to the friends and families of thos involved in the investigations.
    Detectives Joe and Rosie are totally different, and at times a lot more black and white, whilst Vera sees everythng from all angles.
    The story has many twist and turns, as do all of the Vera stories, but Vera and the team, with their own unique perspectives, will solve the riddle to the murders, and the wherabouts of Chloe.
    If you love a good murder mystery, set in stunning local, but not too indepth or gory, easy to follow, and characters you will either love or loath, then this a book you will thoroughly enjoy.
    Thank you Beauty & Lace and Pan McMillan for the opportunity to read and review ‘The Dark Wives”, and to Anne Cleeves for another great story for one of my favourite TV characters.
    I highly recommend.

  6. Thank you for this book reading opportunity.

    The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves was easy to read and was interesting from the start. It was engaging and I kept reading to know more and to know what happened next.

    It is a murder mystery without being gory or graphic, instead it plays upon the depth of the characters, their circumstances and how they portray themselves when working together to solve the crime. The characters were multifaceted and it was interesting to find out how the murder mystery was unraveled.
    The book has an element of something is about to happen and we wait to see how it unfolds.

    It was a good and enjoyable read and would recommend.

  7. The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves is a mystery that delves deep into the intricacies of human relationships and the complexities of betrayal.

    The story is set in a tight-knit community, and Ann Cleeves has a wonderful knack for creating a suspenseful tale filled with dark secrets, atmosphere and interesting characters.

    I really enjoyed the character of Vera, I haven’t watched the TV show or read any books previously but I found the character quite witty, clever and no nonsense.

    The setting itself really creates atmosphere around the murders. The Dark Wives is a great read for fans of psychological thrillers or detective novels. It keeps you guessing but creates a bit of a slow burn for readers.

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