Silent Voices (Vera Stanhope)

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I hadn't read any of the Vera Stanhope books before and so had not realised that SILENT VOICES would be quite such a "traditional" English detective story in its construction: a small community, a crime to be solved through evidence gathering by the police, the comparison of witness statements, and so on. I have to admit that this is not always my favourite kind of crime story. But, and it is a big "but" - I enjoyed this book far more than I expected.

Vera investigates the case of a murdered social worker found in a spa. Find this one in series two, episode two. The Glass Room Overall, the weakest episode so far. It had its moments, but there were too many cliches and military stereotypes. And what could possibly be more cynical than the final scene - a gang of boys playing with toy guns? Is murder ever as much fun as when DI Vera Stanhope and her creator, Ann Cleeves, allow readers to ride side-saddle? Incomparable and uncompromising, devoid of airs and graces and forthright to the point of being blunt, Vera is overweight and unattractive by her own admission and radiates a "like it or lump it" robustness. Maybe that is part of her success as her whole embodiment catches people off guard for the very fact that she is contrary to what you expect a senior detective to be - basically, a well-presented man. Inspector, Vera had wanted to say. Inspector Stanhope. Knowing that actually this child would be unimpressed by the rank. Vera investigates the death of a 22-year-old man who was involved in a hit-and-run in the remote Northumberland Valley. This novel lends its plot to series six, episode three. The SeagullHolly has now departed, to be replaced by Bethany Whelan. Jury’s still out, but I think she’ll work. Kenny and Billy are at their best here, and it’ll be interesting to see how she fits into the established cast.

I adore Joe, but he does have some serious competition here on looks. There’s quiet, comforting Simon and a cute manipulative osteopath, Michael Morgan, who sounds just like Paul Bettany. But for those who reach the end of the show’s feature-length episodes and wish that they would just continue for a little longer, the original source material may go some way to filling that void. Author Ann Cleeves has put pen to paper for 10 books starring our favourite North East detective. Plain descriptions vividly evoke the modest region and its inhabitants, and Cleeves's economical style freshens even well-worn scenes such as police briefings and interrogations. Plot twists are few and satisfying."

T]his welcome addition to the Vera Stanhope series is a showcase for the strengths of the author in getting under the skin of apparently ordinary people, and conveying the intense passions that have simmered for years beneath an apparently normal surface."

Cleeves's narrative is pacy and energetic and DI Vera Stanhope is the only character to be relied upon in a novel where nothing is as it seems..." You do realize you’re killing yourself?’ She’d leaned forward across the desk so that Vera could see that the perfect skin was uncovered by make-up, smell a discreet grown-up perfume. SILENT VOICES is Ann Cleeves' fourth novel in her series featuring police detective Vera Stanhope, portrayed by actress Brenda Blethyn in the recent major ITV crime drama series Vera. It is set in Cleeves' own Northumbria and the police hunt spreads across rural villages, the slightly down at heel Willows Hotel and the seaside town of Tynemouth as their communities are examined for clues to the identity and whereabouts of Jenny Lister's killer. The overweight and out-of-shape Vera who likes her drink maybe just a little too much has recently had her annual physical and the "child doctor" told her she needed to make some lifestyle changes. That couldn't have been much of a surprise, but what kind of changes can Vera tolerate? She tried yoga but found that her mind wandered and she couldn't concentrate on the downward-facing-dog. She settled on swimming. It was something that she sort of enjoyed and she could fit it in before work every day. Or as often as she chose. She joined a local health club at an out-of-the-way hotel where she wouldn't run into any colleagues and committed to doing ten laps - well, more nearly eight - in their pool each day. Then, a few minutes in their steam room and a latte and she was good to go. But then one morning she found another woman seated in the steam room. When she looked more closely, she realized her companion was dead. When a social worker connected to a high-profile case is found drowned by being held under water, Vera and Joe (Brenda Blethyn and Joe (David Leon) embark on an investigation, in "Silent Voices." Social worker Jenny Lister was part of the Mattie Jones case two years earlier. Mattie had drowned her son Elias while she was the client of Connie Masters, whom Jenny supervised. Jenny was found innocent of any wrongdoing, but Connie Masters, overloaded with cases, was blamed. Masters now lives quietly under another name.Ann Cleeves said in an interview with The Scotsman: "If I'm feeling miserable or ill, I'll go to a Dorothy Sayers or a PD James because there's something reassuring about that resolution at the end". I certainly agree about the comfort of a crime resolved for the troubled soul. For fans of the English detective story I have no hesitation in recommending that you put your feet up, take some time out, join Vera in a glass of beer and enjoy SILENT VOICES. To date, The Glass Room, where one of Vera’s neighbours vanishes mysteriously, is only one of two novels that have not yet been adapted for the TV series. Harbour Street The novel is a sensible, straightforward, satisfying police procedural, supplying a fair variety of plausible suspects, motives and clues, in a recognisable middle England." I’m the police,’ Vera said. ‘Detective Inspector Stanhope. Stand there. Don’t go in and don’t let anyone else in.’ Still no response. Lisa continued to stare. ‘Did you hear me?’