Last year I reviewed a new book by Ann Cleeves I had read. I gave it a try as I liked the TV adaption of Shetland which was based on another series of her books. I liked it very much so when I saw another Ann Cleeves book on Netgalley, I jumped at the chance to read another.

The Darkest Evening is part of the Vera Stanhope series. I had heard of this series but had not read any or watched the TV adaption. I was very pleased with the book. Now I’ll have to give the TV show a try.

Vera is trying to get home in rural Northumberland as a blizzard and whiteout conditions make the trip a strange one. She misses her and ends up on an unfamiliar road and almost collides with another car that has slid off the road. She finds the driver’s door open, but no driver in sight. And then there is a toddler in the baby seat alone in the cold, abandoned car.

Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope is determined to return the child to safety. Who abandon this child? Did they go for help? Vera goes to the nearest house to see what she can learn to solve this missing person case and soon ends up in the middle to a murder?

To make it more complicated the nearest house turns out to be the Stanhope ancestral home which is still occupied by a branch of Vera’s family. The mystery deepens as many characters including relatives of Vera are introduced.

This was my first introduction in the “Vera series” so I can say with confidence that new readers will not be lost and I believe avid fans will enjoy this mystery.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Darkest Evening, thank NetGalley for the chance to read it, and highly recommend it.