The Darkest Evening

A thoroughly engrossing thriller * Mail on Sunday * Cleeves's Northumberland novels are strong on atmosphere, combining old-fashioned detective work with a modern take on class * Sunday Times * Who doesn't love "large and shabby" Vera Stanhope, the blunt detective in Ann Cleeves's Northumberland police procedurals? She is already one of the genre immortals. Cleeves delivers some choice Vera moments in THE DARKEST EVENING * New York Times * Brilliantly written, with more twists and turns you can shake one of Vera's hats at * Heat * A gripping read * Sun * Ann Cleeves is one of my favorite mystery writers! -- Louise Penny Fans will enjoy matching wits with Cleeves' eccentric sleuth right up to the dangerous surprise in her denouement * Kirkus Reviews * Cleeves has a fine time constructing a clockwork murder plot * Booklist * Superb . . . This page-turner is must reading for fans as well as newcomers -- <i>Publishers Weekly</i> (starred review) This ninth instalment will keep you guessing until the end * My Weekly * Nobody does unsettling undercurrents better than Ann Cleeves -- Val McDermid One of Britain's best crime writers * Daily Express *

Ann Cleeves is the author of over thirty 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 and Jimmy Perez who can now be found on television in ITV's Vera and BBC One's Shetland. 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 is also a passionate champion for libraries and was a National Libraries Day Ambassador in 2016. Ann lives in North Tyneside near where the Vera books are set.