The Darkest Evening: A Vera Stanhope Novel

Written by Ann Cleeves

Narrated by Janine Birkett

From Ann Cleeves—New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of the Vera and Shetland series, both of which are hit TV shows—comes the stunning new Vera Stanhope novel, The Darkest Evening.

"Ann Cleeves is one of my favorite mystery writers."—Louise Penny

"As a huge fan of both the Shetland and Vera series of books, I had high expectations for Cleeves’ latest. . . . A stunning debut for Cleeves’ latest crimefighter."—David Baldacci on The Long Call

On the first snowy night of winter, Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope sets off for her home in the hills. Though the road is familiar, she misses a turning and soon becomes lost and disorientated. A car has skidded off the narrow road in front of her, its door left open, and she stops to help. There is no driver to be seen, so Vera assumes that the owner has gone to find help. But a cry calls her back: a toddler is strapped in the back seat.

Vera takes the child and, driving on, she arrives at a place she knows well. Brockburn is a large, grand house in the wilds of Northumberland, now a little shabby and run down. It’s also where her father, Hector, grew up. Inside, there’s a party in full swing: music, Christmas lights and laughter. Outside, unbeknownst to the revelers, a woman lies dead in the snow.

As the blizzard traps the group deep in the freezing Northumberland countryside, Brockburn begins to give up its secrets, and as Vera digs deeper into her investigation, she also begins to uncover her family’s complicated past.

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Sep 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781250771469

Ann Cleeves

Ann Cleeves is the author of more than thirty-five critically acclaimed novels, and in 2017 was awarded the highest accolade in crime writing, the CWA Diamond Dagger. She is the creator of popular detectives Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez and Matthew Venn, who can be found on television in ITV’s Vera, BBC One’s Shetland and ITV's The Long Call respectively. The TV series and the books they are based on have become international sensations, capturing the minds of millions worldwide. Ann worked as a probation officer, bird observatory cook and auxiliary coastguard before she started writing. She is a member of ‘Murder Squad’, working with other British northern writers to promote crime fiction. Ann also spends her time advocating for reading to improve health and wellbeing and supporting access to books. In 2021 her Reading for Wellbeing project launched with local authorities across the North East. She lives in North Tyneside where the Vera books are set.

Reviews for The Darkest Evening

[ijacobson3677 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Great book. Terrible recording. Skipped parts and the ending. Please post entire book.

[Ivy Zenna Labrant · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great narrator, fine range and the men's voices are convincing. The sense nd character of the place and the season rang true and the voice of each character was distinct and consistent. The mystery was well hidden, but the clues were there. Cleeves is a master at hiding elements in plain sight. Every Vera mystery I read, I come away liking Vera more. She ranks for me along with Poirot.

[Mary Anne Zimmerman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Hearing Vera on this Audible recording was a pleasure. The audio performer nailed it! She sounded just like I’d expect (including consideration of the books turned into shows for television). Her additional voices for the other characters were varied and on target also.
So many times I’ve been disappointed in recorded books, not by the material but by a lukewarm reader, or an unbearable lack of expression or incorrect accent. I’ve come to appreciate someone so credible as Ms Birkett.
As for the book, the author manages to keep her characters interesting as they grow older. The plot of this book was classic but I was completely engaged after the first several chapters. I did not guess - or even have a clue - as to the murderer’s identity until it was revealed.

[Laurel Girard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s sad if this book is correct and people really don’t understand th3 basic facts of anorexia in this day and age.