This is the first time I've read a Vera Stanhope novel although I've been a long admirer of the series that stars Brenda Belthyn. I enjoyed it very much. After seeing the series, the reader will most likely envision Blethyn as they are reading. In "The Darkest Evening", Stanhope takes a wrong turn in a snowstorm and comes across a car accident in which a young woman is found murdered. The victim's child, a baby, is alive and still in the vehicle. Nearby, a party is going on in a manor home that belongs to one of Vera's distant relatives. An investigation follows which focuses on two close-knit families and the small community where the girl lived. Vera is aided by Holly and Joe, both as interesting characters as Vera herself. Nicely paced with tight chapters and well developed characters. I will definitely seek out more of Ann Cleeves books.

If you are looking for a book to curl up with while sitting by a fire, maybe drinking some sherry or tea then this might be the perfect book for you. Like most UK mystery writers you will get that pleasant home town, warm feeling while sitting down to enjoy this book. Let me first say that I'm not a big reader of English mystery writers, although there are a few that I really like. This book was an enjoyable read and I think for those that love this genre then they will definitely enjoy this book. I have never read any books by Ann Cleeves or her Vera series, even though I have seen an episode or two, but this book can be read without having read any of the previous books in the series. Cleeves provides good descriptions and characters that make this story enjoyable. 3.5 stars

An engrossing mystery, every bit as good as the author's previous Vera Stanhope and Shetland books. Although many other crime and mystery novels are populated with middle-aged, flawed men, it's rare to find one in which the protagonist is a flawed, middle aged woman. How refreshing to follow the realistic, relatable Vera - a dedicated, intelligent detective who isn't an unrealistic female character.

When Vera finds a car that has slid off the road as she herself struggles to drive home in a blizzard, she checks to see if the driver is ok. What she finds is the car door open, the driver missing, and a toddler in a car seat the back.
So starts another great addition to the Vera Stanhope series. I really enjoyed this one as we learned a lot more about Vera’s upbringing, and saw a bit softer side of her, especially when it came to Thomas (the toddler she rescued from the storm), Juliet, and even her team at times.
The descriptions in the book can be very atmospheric...the crumbling manor house, Vera’s own old home, and the surrounding forest are all vividly depicted. With a number of possible suspects I never saw the ending coming. I think this is the best of the Vera series to date. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The snowstorm is worse than Vera expected, and she finds herself lost on the road home. She comes across a stranded vehicle and discovers its only occupant is a small child. She buckles the child into her Land Rover and drives to Brockburn, a manor house belonging to the Stanhope family. Inside, a party is in progress. Outside, the child's mother lies dead. This 9th entry in the Vera Stanhope series will hit the spot for fans. Brooding, atmospheric, and satisfying.

‘The Darkest Evening’ is another addition to Anne Cleeves’s popular ‘Vera’ series. It has an interesting plot, but was a bit encumbered with filler content in some places. Though it’s technically part of a series, ‘The Darkest Evening’ can be read as a standalone.

One snowy evening, Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope comes upon an abandoned car with a child inside. She grabs the child and seeks shelter at the nearest estate, Brockburn, which also happens to house her not-so-distant relatives. The search for the baby’s caretaker is on, despite the weather. But after the baby’s mother is found dead on Brockburn’s grounds, the mystery thickens, and Vera is on the case.

This is my first Anne Cleeves novel, and I was impressed by her ability to weave an intricate plot without being obvious to its trajectory. The first half of the novel dragged a bit, which is why this wasn’t a four star read for me. However, I do think that the resolution to the novel is satisfying, and that fans of this series will be pleased.

An ARC was generously provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first Vera Stanhope book I've read, but I didn't feel I needed to have read the rest of the series to enjoy it. It's wonderful as a stand alone mystery. I could barely put it down.
So, of course, now I want to read more in the series. I'm hooked.

Say the name “Vera” to anyone who reads and watches police procedurals, and you’ll probably see a grin as they say “I love Vera!” After 8+ books and 40 filmed episodes, Ann Cleeves’
Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope is an iconic figure.
In The Darkest Evening, all of Cleeves’ mastery of setting, interior and exterior, of the Northumberland UK landscape of village and countryside, and its inhabitants’ lives and secrets, are at play.
The descriptive passages of the severe winter weather enhance the plot that begins with Vera plowing off the road to find a toddler alone in a car with an open door. The plot comes to a lingering simmer with the relationships of all the protagonists from landed gentry trying to regain its glory to who is the mother, daughter, father, son, friend, faithful spouse or philanderer, and of course Who Did It.
Ageism takes a bow in Vera’s team and she stands up to it with her usual reluctant praise and occasional kindnesses, hidden by a facade of a little sarcasm and peremptory directives.
What makes Vera work is that her disregard for protocol, personal appearance and sociability is made up for by her persistent search for closure for the victims, their loved ones, her team, and justice.
A great read that will challenge your choice of Who Did It.

Anne Cleeves is one of the current British authors of fine mysteries who owe thanks to Dame Agatha. But despite being pointed out by Vera Stanhope, her own frowsy Miss Marple counterpart, that her cases "....won't be all country houses, vicars, butler and wills...", this one does have all those element modernized almost as an homage or a wry caricature. This is my second Cleeves novel but my first in the Stanhope series, and it won't be the last. Well done.

As a big fan of British Police Mysteries I was not disappointed in this offering by the author. It builds from the onset untill the finish. You are able to visualize yourself in a small English village and watch, as an informed bystander, the drama unfold before you. You are shown the class snobbery and petty malicious gossip that swirls just beneath the seemingly calm waters. The big question is will the heroine (DI Vera Standhope), with the assistance of her team, be able to see justice done for the victim who was murdered so brutally on a cold and snowy night.

This character is also, aptly portrayed, in the excellent British television mystery series Vera.

I have rated this book 4.5 stars

l received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I've read Ann Cleeves before, but not one of her Vera novels, it won't be the last. Vera is coming up to retirement age but not ready to, she's independent and a little stubborn, which leads her to the start of the story. Determined to get home in a bad snow storm, Vera misses her turn off and ends up finding a car on the side of the road with the driver door open and a young child alone. She doesn't have cell reception here and she can't leave this child alone, so she bundles him into her car and drives to the closet lights which as she gets closer realizes this is the manor her father grew up in, and bitterly left behind. Thus begins the adventure and mystery. We find many aspects of Vera' s childhood coming into play in this small village with everyone knowing, or thinking they know everyone else's business. Murders happen, lots of family secrets exposed, with a good solving of the cases by Vera and her team. Appreciation to NetGalley and the publishers for the ability to read for a honest opinion.

This is all about family dynamics and secrets. It has in-depth descriptions of the relationships between sisters and brothers, husband and wife and their less than discreet affairs. During one of these affairs three murders take place. At some point the story becomes focused on finding the killer.

Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope is trying to get home through a blizzard when she comes upon a disabled car with a door wide open and a toddler inside. The driver is nowhere in sight. That's the intriguing beginning of Ann Cleeves' newest crime novel. Vera's attempt to find shelter for the child while she hunts for the driver leads her to nearby Brockburn, the estate of the Stanhope family from whom her father, Hector, had long been estranged.

The case opens up longings that Vera didn't know she had for family, after all these years on her own. Ms. Cleeves explores the many ways that men and women reconcile their dreams of family life with the reality of it. The bitter cold of a Northumberland winter makes the warmth of a family hearth that much more enticing. This is my favorite book in the series, so far.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press, in return for an honest review. While a continuation of a long-running series, this book is easily read as a standalone. Ms. Cleeves has done it again with another strong and engrossing book about DCI Vera Stanhope, a Northumbria, England, police officer. This time, Vera finds a small child in an abandoned car during a wicked winter snowstorm. Realizing that she’d made a wrong turn in attempting to get home herself, Vera discovers she’s in-route to her deceased father’s ancestral home. Now inhabited by his niece-in-law, her daughter and son-in-law, Vera confronts old familial ghosts while searching for the child’s family. The discovery of the first dead body brings Vera’s team to the home and surrounding communities as they seek to discover the murderer and why the death took place. Ms. Cleeves continues her exceptional writing of this challenging character, the distinct personalities of both the police team members and the variety of people who are under suspicion for the crimes committed. Each person is a clear and distinct presence on the page. If you like the long-running television adaptation of Vera, you’ll enjoy this latest story. If this is your first time reading about Vera, you have something to look forward to discovering.

Fabulous! Ann Cleeves - Vera Stanhope - at her very best. There is the tiniest bit of ‘faffing about’ at the beginning of the second chapter, but the the story plunged ahead from there and is a non-stop, twisty, turny ride all the way to the very end.

Reveals some new, interesting tidbits about each of the recurring characters and quite a lot about Vera’s own background, and roots, in the process. I couldn’t put it down and stayed up too late and left too much else undone to read - I think I finished the book in a day and a half - and now am let down that it’s over and that I probably have to wait who knows how long to read the next one...

There were moments of real heart-pounding jeopardy; I - three times - was pretty sure I knew who the killer was; and an ending that was terrifying, tragic, and hopeful in turns. Wonderful writing, wonderful characters, a better sense of place than I’ve found in most of her other books, and a mystery that continued to develop, change, and confuse. One of the author’s very best. I’m sorry I’ve finished it and happy for any fan who still has this to look forward to.

I had never read Ann Cleeves' books before and was delighted to discover she is the author that the Vera PBS series is based on. The characters were developed so that I felt I knew them personally.

Another winner from NetGalley and, again, I have to say where have I been when it comes to this mystery series. I enjoyed this book, the Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope from Northumberland, and all the well developed characters in this book. Starting home after work in a blinding snowstorm that soon becomes a blizzard, DI Stanhope takes a wrong turn and comes upon a car stranded in the snow. The driver’s side door is left open and there is a baby alone in the backseat. As she looks around for the driver, she stumbles upon a dead body and the mystery begins. In this small northeastern community on the Scottish/English border everyone knows everyone else and soon the secrets come spilling out as DI Stanhope digs for answers. This will not be the last DI Stanhope adventure I read.

A Lonely Snowy Road, An Abandoned Car, A Baby Left Inside

That’s what Detective Vera Stanhope finds when she misses her regular turn on the way home on a windy, snowy night. The nearest house is the one where her father grew up, now occupied by relatives she barely knows. A lively Christmas party is underway when she arrives with the baby. No one is aware the baby’s mother lies dead outside the back door. Vera finds herself deep in her family’s roots as she interacts with each of the people, finding no real answers but lots of trails to follow. There are dozens of people to be interviewed, so a good deal of the story is Vera and her two assistants questioning each of the people at the party, the parents of the woman killed, and people living in the surrounding area.

This is my first venture into the Vera Stanhope series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Some of the English wording was new to me, most were easily interpreted but some required a quick peek at my reference source to get the true meaning. By the time I finished the story I felt that I was acquainted with many of the characters as they came to life on the pages. A wonderfully written murder mystery with an added twist. Who is the baby’s father?

Thank you Ann Cleeves, St. Martin’s Press, and Net Galley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Although this is certainly not the first book in the Vera Stanhope series, it should be! Along with a mystery you get to learn so much about Vera and her background and after all these years I really enjoyed that. I loved everything about this book and even if you aren't familiar with the character you will enjoy this as a standalone. Well plotted with all the word pictures only Ann Cleeves can paint. I cannot recommend this book enough along with the rest in the series. Eagerly awaiting more! Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

Ann Cleeves is one of my favorite authors and her new book in the Vera series is a must read for me. I just love her” don’t stand in my way and no need to explain attitude way of life”. This approach to solving police cases makes it difficult for her subordinate officers to react to her orders with some questioning her methods.

The Darkest Evening delves deeper into the main characters of Vera and family sometimes making the novel seem like a romantic Gothic tale. The wintry scenes, the unknown lost baby, and the references to “the darkest Evening” adds to this genre even though it is a police procedure book.

I found this book to be unique to her other books since it shows some of Vera’s hidden feelings. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing the ARC of The Darkest Evening.