Vera where you least expect her
DI Vera Stanhope, the brilliant but erratic detective created by award-winning crime writer Ann Cleeves (and played on TV by Brenda Blethyn) ventured into new territory in January, when the eBook of Hidden Depths was offered as a free download by Starbucks, via their new Pick of the Week card. February takes Vera into the equally unlikely surroundings of a writers' retreat, with the publication of The Glass Room, the latest book in this hit series. Vera likes to keep her distance from the neighbours, but when one of the hippies next door goes missing, she can't resist investigating. In The Glass Room Vera finds herself caught up in a crime writing workshop where fictional murders lead on to real deaths!
Read more about The Glass Room.
"... the imposing figure of DI Vera Stanhope. This is policewoman as crumpled Valkyrie, at times almost an outcrop of the landscape, at times avenging goddess striding the Northern blasts... Cleeves is excellent not only on the main character but on the mixture of exasperation and respect that she provokes in others. Combined with the intricate plotting, this makes for a compulsive read."
Jane Jakeman, The Independent
Two new short stories published in the autumn reveal something more about Vera Stanhope, the woman she is now and the past that made her. The Habit of Silence appears in Best Eaten Cold, a new anthology of stories from Ann and her colleagues in the Murder Squad writers' group. It is published by The History Press and there is a nifty preview of the book on their website too. Another short story, Hector's Other Woman, is published in Guilty Consciences, the new anthology from the prestigious Crime Writers' Association. This too reveals something of Vera's past, through a visit to the very different setting of the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.
Read more about these and all Ann Cleeves's short stories.
Vera's future on television is assured, too, with a new series of VERA, starring Brenda Blethyn, in preparation. Enthusiasm for the unglamorous but brilliant DI Vera Stanhope is worldwide: the television drama has been sold in 21 territories across the world. And the DVD of Series 1, previously only available in Region 2 format, has now been released for Region 1, which means it can be enjoyed in the USA and Canada as well as in Europe: order the DVD from Amazon UK (region 2 format) or from Amazon.com (Region 1).
Read more about Vera, the television drama and all the Vera Stanhope books.
Praise for Ann Cleeves:
"Nobody does unsettling undercurrents better than Ann Cleeves."
"Ann Cleeves deserves a lot more attention than she gets. Her plots are beautifully crafted; her characters are intense and deeply drawn."
Toronto Globe and Mail
"Perceptive, convincing and quietly compelling."
Marcel Berlins, The Times
Ann Cleeves in Shetland
Photo © Malcom Younger, Millgaet Media
True North - the Shetland Story
With Blue Lightning, Ann Cleeves brought her first Shetland Quartet to a shattering conclusion; after this things can never be the same again. If you have already met Shetland detective Jimmy Perez, you'll be impatient to follow him back to his native Fair Isle in this story of autumn storms and deadly passions. If not, don't do what Antonia Fraser did: she reviewed Blue Lightning for The Lady, and she was hooked: but it was only when she went on to read the rest of the quartet that she realised she had started with the shock ending. So we recommend reading in chronological order, starting with Raven Black!
The good news for those who loved Ann's portrayal of life - and death! - in Shetland is that although the four seasons have come full circle, we haven't heard the last of Jimmy Perez: Ann is currently writing another Shetland novel. Blue Lightning brought great changes, and fans will be eager to know how Jimmy copes with them. It's going to be a while before we find out - Ann's new book will be a Vera Stanhope story, The Glass Room, but the end of the Quartet does not mean that we've heard the last of Jimmy Perez.
Read more about the Shetland Quartet; or watch two prize-winning videos for a glimpse of Shetland through the eyes of the young people who live there.
In true Agatha Christie style, Cleeves once again pulls the wool over our eyes with cunning and conviction
Colin Dexter
A most satisfying mystery set in an isolated and intriguing location
Peter Robinson
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Last update: 2nd February 2012.