Cleeves, Ann: The Dark Wives

A local myth. A deadly threat. Vera Stanhope, star of ITV's Vera, returns for her most shocking case so far . . .<BR><BR>'A series of expertly plotted and mesmerizing crime novels' - Mick Herron, bestselling author of Slow Horses<BR><BR>I can't see anything. It's as if this house is on its own in the world, as if I'm on my own in the world and nobody would care if I died . . .<BR><BR>When a body is found on the common outside Rosebank, an isolated care home for troubled teens, DI Vera Stanhope is called out to investigate. The victim is Josh, a staff member, who never showed up to work, and her only clue is the disappearance of fourteen-year-old resident Chloe. Vera can't bring herself to believe that a teenager is responsible for the murder, but even she can't dismiss the possibility.<BR><BR>Then, in the isolated wilds of the Northumbrian countryside, near the Three Dark Wives standing stones which have triggered legends across the centuries, a second body is found. As folklore and fact begin to collide, Vera knows she has to find Chloe to get to the truth.<BR><BR>But it seems that there are dark secrets in their community - secrets that may be far more dangerous than she could ever have believed . . .<BR><BR>The Dark Wives is the next thrilling mystery in the Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling series from Ann Cleeves.<BR><BR>****<BR><BR>'Like Rendell and James before her, like McDermid and Rankin today, Ann Cleeves is one of our secret chroniclers, charting - under cover of a series of expertly plotted and mesmerising crime novels - how we live now' - Mick Herron, author of Slow Horses<BR><BR>'Ann Cleeves has a special place in her heart for Stanhope, and the shortcomings of the care system engage the sympathies of the author in this heart-wrenching story' - The Sunday Times<BR><BR>'A thoroughly engrossing thriller' - The Mail on Sunday<BR><BR>'One of Britain's best crime writers' - Daily Express<BR><BR>'A story that keeps you guessing until the end where all the clues are pulled together masterfully' - Reader review<BR><BR>'As stunning on the page as on TV' - Reader review<BR><BR>'The storyline, the characters and the atmosphere of North East England all fit together beautifully' - Reader review