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  • The Darkest Evening

  • Written by: Ann Cleeves
  • Narrated by: Janine Birkett
  • Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (95 ratings)

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The Darkest Evening cover art

The Darkest Evening

Written by: Ann Cleeves
Narrated by: Janine Birkett
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Publisher's Summary

Christmas is coming – and death is at the door. DCI Vera Stanhope returns in The Darkest Evening, the ninth novel in number one Sunday Times bestseller Ann Cleeves’s phenomenally popular crime series.

The darkest nights can hide the deadliest secrets . . .

Driving home during a swirling blizzard, Vera Stanhope’s only thought is to get there quickly.

But with the snow driving down heavily, she becomes disorientated and loses her way, eventually stumbling on another car abandoned on the road. With the driver’s door open, Vera assumes the driver has sought shelter but is shocked to find a young toddler strapped in the back seat.

Afraid they will freeze, Vera takes the child and drives on, arriving at Brockburn, a run-down stately home she immediately recognizes as the house her father Hector grew up in.

Inside Brockburn a party is in full swing, with music and laughter to herald the coming Christmas. But outside in the snow, a young woman lies dead and Vera has a new case. Could she be the child’s mother and, if she is, what happened to her?

©2020 Ann Cleeves (P)2020 Macmillan Publishers International Ltd

What the critics say

Superb . . . This page-turner is must reading for fans as well as newcomers (Publishers Weekly)

A touch of the Agatha Christie house-party murder (Book of the Week, Country Life)

A thoroughly engrossing thriller (Mail on Sunday)

What listeners say about The Darkest Evening

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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The Darkest Evening..

Really enjoyed this story. I'm sorry I Have to wait so long for the next Vera book. Interesting characters. Kept me guessing till the very end. Was surprised when the killer was revealed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Vera at her best

If you are a fan of Vera you will like this book-very satisfying Vera adventure-she seems a little softer, a little older but still clearly her rather arrogant pomposity is alive and well.Would recommend.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed the series;Darkest Evening my favourite

The Vera series is good. The Darkest Evening is great! I enjoyed the characters especially Vera.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Atmospheric Mystery

Always love Vera mysteries, but this is especially intriguing with the personal history and local colour. The Frost poem, art angle and Holly’s developing character kept me pinned to my seat. Highly recommended. Great vocals for the locals!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

I loved this story.
The narrator did a fantastic job. So
many interesting people and to hear more about Vera's family was a bonus. if your a Vera fan you will enjoy this book.
Another great story from Ann Cleaves thank you.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Vera at her best.

had life not her interruptions, I would have finished in one go. I Highly recommend it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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BuildUp

Mystery & suspense from the get-go. Characters detailed at entry, build upon who-done-it theories of the reader. Totally engaged. Was this to be Vera's exit or not? Satisfaction guaranteed.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Could be half as long, too much useless detail.

Dislikes - Scenes are far too descriptive for my tastes. For example - By the time the author finishes describing the intricate details of a suspects front entrance, I forgot why the police were at this location and who they were seeking to interview. This intricate detail was very distracting and was unfortunately rampant throughout the book. My family had the same perspective. I might have enjoyed the book if it was 6-7 hours long. The story was good, just too much noise to enjoy it.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Entertaining, but....

I stayed with this through to the end, but I found there were too many thin places in the story and many places where I thought, "That's unlikely." For example (spoiler alert) Vera is running for her life through the woods at night being pursued by someone with a shotgun who has already tried to shoot her, and she sits down and has a nap.

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