The Dark Wives

The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves
8/27/24; 384 pages
St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books
Vera Stanhope Series #11

The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves is a very highly recommended mystery/procedural which explores the web of secrets surrounding a young man's death. This is the eleventh book in the Vera Stanhope series however it can also be read as a standalone mystery.

Early in the morning Josh Woodburn, a staff member at the Rosebank Home for troubled teen, is found murdered outside the home in the village of Longwater. DI Vera Stanhope, and her Northumbria Police team, DS Joe Ashworth and the new DC Rosie Bell, are called out to investigate. The only clue is the disappearance of one of the home’s residents, fourteen-year-old Chloe Spence, on the same night Josh was killed. 

In the process of the investigation the team is lead north to the wilds of the Northumberland countryside near the Three Dark Wives monument and the village of Gillstead where the body of another resident of the home, and older teenager, is found. Now Vera is sure Chloe is running scared and hiding from someone. She is determined to find Chloe before the killer does but must untangle the web of secrets involving the murders and the Rosebank Home.

This is a well-written, complex, very satisfying procedural/mystery that moves at a quick pace as the dark secrets behind the murders are revealed with each new piece of evidence. Readers can follow along as the team investigates, but Vera keeps her thoughts private. Closely follow what Vera is looking into for clues where her thoughts are going. The plot is intelligently written and clues are followed logically in this compelling and entertaining narrative.

As a character-driven procedural, The Dark Wives includes skillfully written characters. They are all portrayed as fully realized individuals. Naturally those who have been following the series will know many of the reoccurring characters but this outing introduces Rosie Bell (after the death of Holly in a previous book, The Rising Tide) who is a pleasing addition to the team.

The Dark Wives is an exceptional mystery/procedural that also points out the pitfalls of a for-profit approach to child welfare. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.