Synopsis
A LOCAL MYTH. A DEADLY THREAT.
Vera Stanhope, star of ITV’s Vera, returns in the eleventh novel in Sunday Times No. 1 bestseller Ann Cleeves’ acclaimed series.
A body is found by an early morning dog walker on the common outside Rosebank, a care home for troubled teens. The victim is Josh, a staff member, who never showed up to work.
DI Vera Stanhope is called out to investigate. Her only clue is the disappearance of fourteen-year-old resident Chloe. 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 are soon embroiled in the case, but when a second body is found near the Three Dark Wives standing stones in the wilds of the Northumbrian countryside, folklore and fact begin to collide.
Vera knows she has to find Chloe to get to the truth, but it seems that the dark secrets in their community may be far more dangerous than she could ever have believed. . .
'This 11th novel is one of her best . . . and, as always, the stunning Northumbrian countryside plays a part in the search for a killer' - The Globe
Details
Reviews
“Like Rendell and James before her, like McDermid and Rankin today, Ann Cleeves is one of our secret chroniclers, charting – under cover of a series of expertly plotted and mesmerising crime novels – how we live now”Mick Herron
“In a world where celebrities debut on bestseller charts, Cleeves is an old-school crime writer in every sense, working her way up the list over years, building a readership while honing her craft”Brian McGilloway on The Rising Tide
“Cleeves is no ordinary author and this 11th novel is one of her best . . . Cleeves brings back Vera’s usual crew and introduces a newbie, Rosie, and, as always, the stunning Northumbrian countryside plays a part in the search for a killer. Again, I couldn’t stop reading to the last page”The Globe, The Globe
“Ann Cleeves has a special place in her heart for Stanhope, and the shortcomings of the care system engage the sympathies of the author in this heart-wrenching story”The Sunday Times, The Sunday Times
