Dark Wives

A local myth. A deadly threat. Vera Stanhope, star of ITV's Vera, returns for her most shocking case so far . . .

'A series of expertly plotted and mesmerizing crime novels' – Mick Herron, bestselling author of Slow Horses

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 . . .

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.

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.

But it seems that there are dark secrets in their community - secrets that may be far more dangerous than she could ever have believed . . .

The Dark Wives is the next thrilling mystery in the Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling series from Ann Cleeves.

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'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

'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

'A thoroughly engrossing thriller' - The Mail on Sunday

'One of Britain's best crime writers' - Daily Express

'A story that keeps you guessing until the end where all the clues are pulled together masterfully' - Reader review

'As stunning on the page as on TV' - Reader review

'The storyline, the characters and the atmosphere of North East England all fit together beautifully' - Reader review

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 Northumberland where the Vera books are set.