This is the first book that I have read in the Detective Vera Stanhope series written by Ann Cleeves - and it has made me a fan and added books to my list that I now have to read! The dark, wintry night already gives the reader the vibe of mystery as Detective Vera comes upon a wrecked vehicle with no driver - but also a car seat with a toddler in it. Where has the driver gone? For help? Detective Vera continues, with child, on to her family home and party that is going on - but knows there is a mystery to be solved. The author has given us very good descriptions of the characters in the book, and the guessing begins as to who-knows-what. Twists and turns keep us guessing as we follow the mystery towards its finale. A well-written mystery that fans and newbies alike will enjoy reading. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press-Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #TheDarkestEvening

Cleeves excels at creating believable and flawed characters, including the fierce but brilliant Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope and her investigative team. The novel takes place in rural Northumberland, England, during a snowy winter, adding isolation and suspense to the story.
Cleeves' writing is clear, concise, and full of psychological insights, making reading pleasurable. This novel is the ninth book in the series, so some predictability is expected. However, it is the character interaction that drives this story. As the backstory unfolds, it ignites suspicion, propels the investigation forward, and keeps readers guessing until the end.

What a fun, mysterious whodunit. It was so Well-written, I could almost feel the cold Winter night! Love this series!!
Thank you Ann Cleeves, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

his is another book that has been on my TBR list for a long time. I really like Ann Cleeves’ writing, having read her Two Rivers series. The Darkest Evening is number nine of ten in the Vera Stanhope series (there are also some short stories). Some of you may recognize the name Vera Stanhope from the very successful TV series based on these stories starring Blenda Blethlyn and available on a number of streaming platforms.

Vera is a bit overweight and unkempt, very forthright, and no fashion plate. She, however, is a stellar detective. While traveling home during a snowstorm in Northumberland, Vera comes upon a car on the side of the road. The car door is open and there is a toddler seemingly abandoned and strapped into a carseat. Taking him to the nearest residence to call for help is a bit uncomfortable for Vera as it is the residence of her snooty, upperclass relatives from whom she has been estranged. When the body of the child’s mother is discovered on the property, Vera and her team investigate, revealing much family intrigue among both her family and the families of their tenants.

This worked well as a stand alone and as my first introduction to Vera. Cleeves is an excellent writer. All of her books that I have read have been engrossing, well plotted, with good character development. Her atmospheric, descriptive, detailed language draws the reader into the scenes. I literally did not put this book down until I was finished.

Ann Cleeves is highly recommended for fans of British police procedurals and other mystery lovers.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

This is absolutely one of my favorite series, and this installment didn't disappoint. If you are new to the series, the books don't necessarily need to be read in order, but I think the characters develop throughout the series, so it probably is preferable to start at the beginning. I love Vera Stanhope, her little cast of characters, and the dreary setting. Highly recommend anything by this author!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press and Anne Cleeves for this awesome book! I am a huge fan of the show Vera. I'm always sad when a season ends so this gives me a chance to dive deep and to extend my enjoyment of this character even more. If you're a fan of Vera and some of the other British mysteries you'll definitely like this book. It's not a period drama it's done in present time. What's great about this character is that it's an older woman and she's only character and you just fall in love with her. She could be grumpy and cremention but she can also be kind and thoughtful and a great detective! I love all the characters around her as well.

What a perfect cold weather mystery. Vera is a well fleshed out character, who is a police officer in a small town in the UK. She finds an abandoned car during a snowstorm and we are taken down to the mystery of the person who left it there. So many twists and turns and I could not guess who did it. Can't wait to read more of this author. Recommend for those who enjoy Agatha Christie and Louise Penny series.

Thank you to NetGalley for my gifted copy.

I have begun to read the “Vera” mystery book series by Ann Cleeves. Two confessions as follows: I am a big (big) fan of all things written by Ann Cleeves; and (2) I am a big (bigger) fan of the British telly series “Vera.” So I will let you ( the reader of this amateur’s review) guess if I enjoyed reading “The Darkest Evening.” Early plot points: Vera finds a seemingly abandoned automobile on the side of the road during a snowstorm; Vera finds a baby in said automobile.; Soon the baby Momma is found dead. And thus begins another excellent Vera story.
I always enjoy the mysteries Ms. Cleeves sets up for us. But I have always enjoyed the personal, and interpersonal, stories about Vera’s life. And this book is as entertaining as always.

Thanks to NetGalley I have become a huge fan of Ann Cleeves. Love her books and the tv shows that have been made from them. The Stanhope Series is stellar ! So full of mystery and suspense, I can honestly say 9 times out of 10 I can't figure out to the end of the book who did it. These books make you think. Excellent read.

This one is full of twists and turns and you are never sure which way it is going to go. Vera Stanhope is on her way home on a cold evening in a snow storm when she comes across a car in a snow drift with its door open. When she investigates she finds a small child in the car but no driver. Taking the child she travels to the next house and soon discovers a dead body outside and presumably it is the mother. This starts this mystery. Hang on because this will weave its way around through many assumptions and when you think you have it figured out, think again.

Ann Cleeves is quite simply, a brilliant and engaging writer. All of her mystery books meet exceptionally high standards, and one of her best and most endearing characters is the quixotic Vera Stanhope, who is somehow able to solve any complicated mystery that comes along. Cleeves creates characters who meld seamlessly in each of her books to create clever and complicated plots.

In The Darkest Evening, Vera finds herself, as she is on her way home to her country cottage, passing by her old, stately family home. She sees an automobile off the road, a door open, and a baby strapped inside. Soon, nearby, there is the discovery of a young woman's body, clearly the victim of a homicide.

Like all of Cleeve's books, this one is imminently readable and fascinating. Cleeve's character descriptions are clear, and her books are difficult to put down. Cleeve's depictions are realistic and engaging, and her writing, unlike that of the majority of writers these days, is without errors and a pleasure to read. Cleeve's humor also adds to the depth of her characters. Cleeves is a master storyteller.

I love all of Ann Cleeves’s fictional detectives, but my favorite is DI Vera Stanhope, the lead investigator in The Darkest Evening. Vera is a single woman of a certain age, whose weight is often noted by those around her, but she brims with confidence that she is the best at what she does and she’s respected and even feared by some. She doesn’t mope about her figure; she asks witnesses if they’re going to finish their cake before taking it. Joe Ashworth, Holly, the other detectives on her team, want to please her and impress her, and it’s fun reading about their infighting and jockeying for position.
Cleeves is the best at showing rather than telling readers about her characters. Vera’s reasoning as she decides which task to assign to which detective tells us about both the other characters and the progress of the case. She assigns Holly to question a wealthy man because her no-nonsense manner means she won’t take any crap from him. She tells Joe to interview a skittish young girl because as a gentle father of young children, his manner will soothe and inspire confidences.
In The Darkest Evening, Vera finds a toddler abandoned in a car during a snowstorm and the nearest house, really a decaying mansion, is hosting a lavish weekend party. A dead body is discovered at the house, and Vera the team must find the killer and track down the toddler’s family. The wealthy setting prompts a good bit of reflection from Vera about her own modest background, and there’s a lot of subtle class warfare underpinning the investigation.
Another rare and excellent aspect of Cleeves’ Vera series is that you can drop in at any point without having to worry about spoiling the other books. Cleeves is deft at developing characters without wasting paragraphs of description that longtime fans wouldn’t need, and she also doesn’t make constant references to earlier successful investigations that would ruin those books. Whether you’re a devoted Cleeves reader or new to her books, I strongly recommend The Darkest Evening if you’re looking for a character-driven police procedural with both plot and pace. 5 stars

There is nothing cliché about Ann Cleeves main character – Vera Stanhope. Vera flies in the face of all the norms about women as heroes. The Darkest Hour is about secrets and lies. It’s about what can tear a family apart. Cleeves digs deep into her characters.

It’s always more challenging to read a book belonging to a series when you haven’t read the books preceding it. I went ahead and requested this one anyway because Ann Cleeves is such a phenomenal author. The Darkest Evening reads as a stand alone novel. The characters are well-developed, the plot is interesting, and the mystery is solid. I intend to go back to the beginning of the series and get caught up and then re-read The Darkest Evening for an even richer appreciation of the book, but that’s my personal preference and involves my appreciation for the author more than it is a necessity. I enjoyed The Darkest Evening and I recommend it to those who appreciate a good mystery.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

For a long time, I couldn't read Vera books. They were just too much for me. Sometime, however, in the last year or two that has changed and I find myself seeking them out. When I saw this was offered on Netgalley I definitely had to request it. I'm glad I did - - I always enjoy tales that take place in the winter (I'm NOT fond of ones that take place in hot steamy places, lol) so it already had that going for it. In addition, in this story we get to feel a little closer to Vera then we often do. Anyone who's ever watched the TV show knows how prickly she can be but here we see a bit of her other side and get to meet her extended family. I admit that I find Holly's constant effort to gain approval annoying but I suppose that's just how she is. And Joe...I do worry about his marriage... So, I guess you can see that this story drew me in.

I know people always wonder with series books whether you have to have read the earlier books or not. In this case I suspect not - - I think enough background is given that you can follow the story with no problem however it might be good if you read the first couple of books or watch some of the episodes on TV. I'd give this 4 and 1/2 stars if I could but since I can't, I'm giving it four. I don't really like giving anything a five. I definitely recommend it if you are a Vera fan and to those like myself, who enjoy winter stories.

My thanks to Ann Cleeves, the author, Netgalley and the publisher for making this advanced copy available to me.

The Darkest Evening is a very atmospheric read with twists and turns that will keep you guessing to the final chapter.

This is one of my favourite Vera Stanhope Books.

I felt the cold of the winter ( it was a scorching 38C at my place) and could hear the wind howling.

Vera, Jack and Holly are doing the best to find out who murdered Lorna in the midst of a paralyzing winter storm

I followed the clues, cleverly I thought but was wrong.

Love this series and will get a hard copy of the book for my shelves.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press , Minotaur Books for a chilling read.

Detective Vera Stanhope is driving home through a blizzard when she comes upon a car with its driver door open. When she stops to see if someone needs help, she discovers a toddler strapped into a car seat, She Takes the child and continues to drive to find someone when she arrives at Brockburn, a grand but shabby house. Brockburn just happens to be the home where her father grew up. Shortly after entering the house, a man comes to the door, saying that he has found a young woman, dead in the snow.

This book grabbed my attention from the beginning and it was a quick read to discover what was going on. Part police procedural, part gothic mystery, the characters were engaging, the story was well-written and the ending was unexpected. The author did a great job with creating a wonderful atmosphere and if felt like I was right there with the characters. Vera was an especially enjoyable character complete with a humorous comment and uncanny ability to see through the mystery. I would definitely read more books in this series and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys British police procedurals.

While The Darkest Evening was first published in 2020, now is a good time to revisit it (or read for the first time!) while waiting for the next season of the television show Vera, which is based on The Vera Stanhope Series by Ann Cleeves. You really can't go wrong with an Ann Cleeves novel, and it doesn't matter which order you read (or watch!) them. No matter how many books or shows you've watched, there's always another case for Septuagenarian detective Vera Stanhope. On a snowy night Vera comes across a baby alone in a car with the door wide open despite the weather. The question of who the child is turns into a murder mystery with the discovery of the child's mother on the grounds of Brockburn, the grand home owned by members of the Stanhope family. The story is engaging and keeps you interested from beginning to (almost) the end. The revelation of who killed Lorna (and Lorna's friend Connie) seems to come out of left field-perhaps not for Vera, but certainly for the reader. The ending feels rushed (although The Darkest Evening is not a short read), which is the only drawback. The backstory of the title is poignant, and how it unfolds is the best part of the story. The Darkest Evening is moody and mysterious, as is befitting the title.

The darkest evening is a Vera Stanhope mystery. It starts off with detective Vera Stanhope driving home during a blizzard. The snow is blinding and she turns down the wrong road and come to pawn a car with the door open and upon investigating she finds a baby strapped in his car seat. She leaved her info to let the possible mom know she has her baby and drives onward incomes upon a familiar place it’s her father‘s ancestral home and because he was the black sheep she’s had little contact with them, but due to the weather she knocks on the door and asked to use their phone. While she is in the kitchen doing exactly that a man comes in the back door looking frantic and says he needs the phone to call the police he just found a dead body. This is when the mystery begins and although all of the suspects live on one property the reasons their suspects differ Viera is determined to solve the case and when the murder suspects best friend is also murdered the drive intensifies. I have never read a Vera Stanhope mystery before but I will definitely read more in the future. I was totally blown away by who the killer was and although he was mentioned enough in the book I still had no clue he was the one who did it. I have even read that these books are going to be a show on Netflix so you know they’re good and this one is great! I loved it and although it was long I really didn’t wanna put it down when I had to. I received this book from net Gally hey in the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.