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  • The Darkest Evening

  • By: Ann Cleeves
  • Narrated by: Janine Birkett
  • Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (202 ratings)

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The Darkest Evening

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

Critic Reviews

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

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A more mellow Vera?

Classic Vera. Wonderfully written with in a delightful rural setting. Good to sell Holly moving towards the centre of the action.

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An excellent book

I just loved this book, the narrator was perfect. The plot had me guessing till the end. Well read, great to listen to.

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Top novel!

It totally holds your attention, the story and reading just wonderful. Well done to the author and the reading.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Another thrilling ride with Vera and her team.

Ann Cleaved never disappoints. couldn't stop listening. Thrilling with so many twists. can't wait for the next one.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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One of her best ever

I really enjoyed this..
I love all her books but this one was Ace!
Looking forward to more.

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Loved this story

I am slowly going through all the Vera Stanhope series. I particularly loved this one because it drew in her family links

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Vera at her very best!

Five star entertainment from this wonderful detective series. Vera is one of the great detective characters for the modern age.

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Vera

A good Vera. If you are a Vera fan you will not want to miss this book. Thoroughly enjoyed.

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3 people found this helpful

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Vintage Vera

Loved it. Great exploration of an aging Vera and male Middle age. Vera was as tenacious and pugnacious as ever!

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Loved it

Loved this book my first of the Vera books the narrator was great to listen to

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.