I was absolutely gripped by this book. Sometimes in series fiction a character can become a little stale or start acting out of character for the sake of the plot but the opposite is the case here, this is one of the freshest and most original Veras I've read. Great plot with a really well rounded cast of characters and a fresh twist on the country house mystery. Highly recommened

Love the characters they work well together. An interesting and intriguing story full of secrets and lies. Not a lot of clues but Vera works hard to solve the murders.

I have never read a Vera Stanhope book before but as soon as I had finished this one I went straight to Amazon and bought the first in the series. Loved Vera as eccentric who knows her good and bad points.

Another fabulous book from Ann Cleeves Vera is such a superb character and i have loved reading about her way of solving crimes.Excellent book 5*

This was another good read from the Vera series. With a number of twists and turns and an insight to the feelings of Vera the book is highly recommended. Thank you for the chance to read and review it.

This is another investigation by Vera and it’s as good as all her previous investigations. It started well, through the heavy snow, visibility poor, an abandoned car, a forgotten baby and a murderer young woman, and the suspense continued throughout. The pace was solid, stead, it didn’t wane. I read eagerly right up until the very end and didn’t guess at all how the investigation would unfold. The writing was good, it flowed and kept me hooked throughout. Ann Cleeves books are always good and this one was no different. I enjoyed it right from the start. I’m looking forward already to her next instalment.

The ninth novel in the Vera series (such a good TV production too) sees Vera come face to face with some members of the family. A social outcast from a young age, thanks to her father, Vera arrives in Brockburn, the family pile, on a snowy evening, with a young child in tow. She found an abandoned car with the little fellah inside, but no driver. It’s almost Christmas and the inhabitants of Brockburn are entertaining, they’re probably not prepared for Vera, her charge and the drama that is unveiled. It rings true of a big house drama with plenty of red herrings and you almost solve the crime, but there’s something that just pulls the rug out from underneath you. Vera must lead her team of mainly ambitious officers but the confusion that the family brings to her could upset proceedings. I haven’t read all the Vera books but this one alone would encourage me to do so.

I’ve read a few of the Vera books now and have really enjoyed them. I knew I had to read this because I loved the title and the image on the cover of a car going through a snowy wood shining headlights. The poem Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost is referenced many times in the book, especially the last two lines, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep. This poem is a good fit for the setting of the book, especially the first chapter when Vera discovers a baby in an abandoned vehicle in the snow and later a woman is found dead on the grounds of a grand estate. This book contains more of Vera’s background than other books when you learn the grand estate belongs to the Stanhope family and is the house where her father grew up before he was disowned by the family, a place Vera visited as a child. Vera, as ever, is top of her game, doing her thing, asking questions, probing and poking until the pieces start to fit together. I was engrossed throughout. I didn’t know who the killer was until this is revealed a couple of chapters from the end.

Another fantastic title in the Vera series.

This book had me gripped from the very start, with its nod to reclassify murder mystery setting, yet with a unique twist. The strangeness of the events draw the reader deeper and deeper into the tale, and the scenes flow excellently.

Veras character is an incredibly unique surrendering protagonist, adding additional flair to the tale, as well as the other books in this series. The other characters stratospheric written, with well defined interests and motives irrespective of how big or small a part they play in the story.

The story itself, is complex and intricately weaver through the connections inherent in th small town/countryside setting chosen. The true story of The murder integrated suddenly, and is unpredictable, yet realistic, with subtle signs woven throughout.

Overally, this was a fantastic and engaging read.

Vera is back! Yeah! This time a young mother is murdered and Vera finds her bairn abandoned in the car. No one knows who the father is but Vera is on the case. A compelling, descriptive and engrossing read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

A dreadful December night in Northumberland. With the snow closing in, Vera misses a turning on her way home, and discovers an abandoned car. With a toddler inside. No sign of the driver.

Vera takes the child to the nearest house - which turns out to be the Stanhope family home, and her estranged cousin.

Then the body of the child's mother is discovered in the snow. It won't be the only death.

It is always a joy and a privilege to spend time in Vera's company. From the very first book, she has always been so uncompromisingly herself, a real person who jumps off the page to walk with you. as ever, the plot is first rate, and all characters so credible that the ending takes you by surprise.

Fantastic

The Darkest Evening is the latest in Ann Cleeves' incredibly popular Vera Stanhope series. and it doesn't disappoint. Lost in a snowstorm Vera stumbles across an abandoned car with the door left open despite the freezing conditions and a young child in the back. With no mobile signal Vera grabs the child and wals towards the nearest building,which turns out to be the home of affluent,on the surface at least,relatives.
That sets the scene for a tale of murder, family feuds, illicit affairs and more red herrings than a Russian fishing fleet. Ms Cleeves is an excellent story-teller and manages to reveal the inner characters of quite a large cast without confusing the reader ,diverting from the narrative or padding the story with extraneous detail. It's often said that Vera is a modern day Miss Marple,and while I suspect Agatha Christie's elderly detective never swore like Vera the comparison is a valid ,especially in this book which is part "Country House Mystery" and I suspect an homage to Christie.
Given that Vera is also a popular tv series this book has "Christmas Special" written all over it,not only is it set in the lead up to the festive season but there are a couple of scenes that leave a warm glow inside and the crusty "Old Bag",as she describes herself,thawing a bit .
A great read and yet another hit for Ann Cleeves .

Thanks to Ann Cleaves, Pan MacMillan and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

classic vera ! we meet vera*s well to do relations in this one ,a womans body is discovered murdered on a bleak path .this book draws you right in as we meet all the old gang again .love it

The 8th novel in the Vera Stanhope series, The Darkest Evening is a thrilling, fast paced story filled with twists and turns.

As always, Vera is a strong, well-written yet flawed protagonist. Cleeves has an excellent knack for writing vivid descriptive scenes, both of location and character which really adds to the richness of the story. Add in a solid Agatha Christie style plot and you have a contender for one of the best thrillers of the year.

A highly enjoyable read - recommended.

Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC.

Although I’ve watched several episodes of the tv show ‘Vera’ this was my first time to read one of the books on which the show is based. As a result, it was with a slight sense of trepidation that I opened the first page – would the ‘book version’ Vera resemble that bolshy, strong and loveable character so ably brought to life by Brenda Blethyn or would she be a completely different detective?
Thankfully, my fears were put aside within the opening paragraphs and it instantly became clear that the Vera of our tv screens, is very much based on the original book character and several of the same police officers also appear, so it was no stretch of the imagination to see her in the books and I instantly felt at home. (A quick FYI for fans - On 14 January 2020, it was confirmed that the show had been renewed for an eleventh series, which will air in 2021.)
‘The Darkest Evening’ is book number eight by Anne Cleeves in the Vera series and like any experienced author, Cleeves writes in a manner that welcomes both new and returning fans to the series. There is sufficient information provided about the characters to allow us to follow their stories at present but also enough to ensure that I am curious about their pasts and want to know more so I’m sure that I’ll be reading the previous books. For example, I’m curious about Holly who is a newer member of the team and her slightly fractious relationship with Vera so in order to learn a little more ….. 😉
Anyway, onto ‘The Darkest Evening’, midwinter is rapidly approaching in Northcumberland and there are several snow storms occurring. While driving home in one such Vera, Vera encounters an abandoned car with a young baby inside. The nearest neighbours are actually some distant relatives of Vera’s and she approaches them for assistance. Only for the missing mother to be found dead in their garden. As it turns out, they are the local gentry and live in the “big house”.
The storyline moves at a rapid pace over the next week as Vera and her team attempt to solve the case of the murdered woman and determine why an evil presence seems to lurk in the village. Set against the wild and beautiful background of the Northcumberland countryside, the tale has a slight Agatha Christie feel as the gossip rages and the villagers and those living in “big house” are set against each other.

I am grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the latest Vera novel. I have read the entire series (not in order) and each can stand alone.
On her way home from work in a raging snowstorm, Vera takes a wrong turn and almost crashes into a stalled car. The driver’s side door is open, so Vera gets out to offer aid and discovers a baby in the back seat. Where is the mother? Vera sees no tracks in the blowing snow, and she needs reinforcements to find the mother, and get this baby off her hands. Vera has no cell phone connection so she needs a landline. The nearest house is a grand country estate and the owners are in the midst of a lavish dinner party. Vera knows this house, and she knows the hosts, her father grew up in this house. She knows she won’t be welcome.
A few bodies are discovered leading Vera on a journey reconnecting with family, and trying to find her way through the deceit and gossip surrounding the victims.
As always, the Northumberland landscape is a formidable part of the story. Well drawn characters and a twisty plot make this a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend.

Thank you to netgalley and Pan Macmillan in the arc of this book.


This is a dark story in which we follow Vera, whom starts off home after working in a snowstorm and comes upon a car which has been abandoned by the road.... The driver’s door has been left open which inside is a young baby. she tries to find and look for the child’s parent, but no sign until she soon finds across a dead body.... could this be the child parent/s.

This is my first Vera novel and Ann Cleves novel this is 8th in the series, but it was a great read, many twists turns and mysteries..

4 stars

I've been waiting for ages for the new Vera novel and I was not disappointed! It's all a bit Broadchurch and Agatha Christie too with a large mansion in the middle of the Northumberland countryside. There's a party going on and it's a dark evening with snow muffling the sounds of anything that cries out....

Vera comes across a car with the doors open and a child strapped to the seat inside. No adults around. She ends up at the country house and the guests at first are bothered about the interruption. Vera's no nonsense attitude doesn't give them time to object though before the investigation begins into why the car was there, where the adult in the car is and who is the baby?

A classic feel to this which I really liked. Vera has all the wit and pizzazz we've all grown to love and this case allows us to find out more about her private life and inner thoughts which I loved. Plenty of Northumberland's wild moors and secretive villages to enjoy. You'll be rubbing your hands with glee.

Vera how I have missed you. Welcome back!