I love this series, both in book form and the TV adaptations. I am a big Vera fan! Anyway, in this, her 11th literary outing, she, and her team, are called on to investigate the death of a Josh, a volunteer at a home for troubled teens, after he is stabbed outside, just as he is about to start a night shift. It occurs on the same day as one of the aforementioned "troubled teens" 14yo Chloe goes missing. Coincidence, or was she involved? And if involved, is she a witness, perpetrator, victim, or just caught up in something else...? Now, if you have been following this series, you'll know that Vera's team is now down one after the tragedy of the previous book. So we have a new face to meet and get to know in Rosie Bell. She, along with Joe and Vera form the crux of the investigative team and what a task they have in front of them. But just as they start to look like they are making progress, there's another death, that of another "troubled teen" and this throws a great big spanner into the works... Apart from the compelling and interesting case that Vera and her team have on their plates in this book, I also loved the interactions between Joe and Rosie. But I will leave you to discover that at your leisure. It makes for a wee bit of respite in amongst all the heard hitting crime stuff. The social commentary regarding children's homes is also quite pertinent and topical at the moment. In fact, just as I started reading this book there was an article in the MSM regarding the how private (profit making) children homes are taking over council runs one. So yeah, interesting and important theme to tackle and indeed highlight. I especially loved Vera's connection with Kath the social worker. That aside the case was interesting and intriguing, keeping my attention, and keeping me guessing throughout. A cracking addition to an already well, and favourite series. Roll on next time.

I think my tittle is a give away of my thoughts. I hadn’t read a Vera book in a while and I was gifted this, so not to be churlish I started to read. I know I’ve missed the two books previous to this one where there’s been a cataclysmic knock to both Vera and her team. This has made Vera a bit more inclusive reason I will not share as that would be a spoiler for the previous book. However after a while she nearly resorts to her natural insular character. Hurray! Phew alls right in the world ish. The story is a dual murder and excellently written, I really enjoyed the story line and finished it far too quickly as I’m now without Vera again. The plot keeps you guessing right until the end and it was certainly a surprise. The story finishes on a high and I was completely caught out by the who, why and reasons. Highly recommended and I’m now compelled to read the previous two books I’ve neglected.

The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves is a Vera Stanhope murder mystery and revolves around a residential care home for teenagers in the coastal village of Longwater. It comes to the attention of Vera’s team when an agency worker is found dead within the grounds of Rosebank, the care home. At the same time a 14 year old teenage female,a resident of the home goes missing. Whist Vera, Joe and the new team member Rosie investigate the murder and look for the missing teenager, another resident of the home is found dead near The Dark Wives stone monument in the Northumberland countryside. On investigation Vera and her team realise that there are some common denominators that will help bring the case to a successful conclusion and move importantly bring Chloe back home, safe and sound. Highly recommended

Vera books are very dependable although I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as The Rising Tide - the last in the Vera Stanhope series I've read. This is the story of a 14 year old girl who goes missing from a children's home the same night as a volunteer worker is murdered. It seems too greater coincidence for the two not to be connected and as Vera and her team find bits of the girl's diary and notes to a friend it is obvious that something is amiss at the home. Ann Cleeves manages to string out the resolution well by having her lead detective, Vera Stanhope, keep all her cards close to her chest. I found this a bit annoying and extremely doubtful police practise and wished there had been another way to for the reveal to happen. I also wasn't entirely happy with the character of Chloe. I thought as a sparky teenager she'd have a bit more, well, spark, to her, but she comes across as very fearful of something unknown, and I found her writings rather childish. I did very much enjoy the settings in this book which almost became another character. The village where the Witch Hunt takes place with it iconic pub and tough landlady is great and other places around mentioned like Warkworth and Alnmouth are favourites of mine. And of course Vera is a very likeable character even at her most crusty and difficult. With thanks to Netgalley and PanMac Marketing for an early copy in return for an honest review.