Telling Tales - Ann Cleeves

Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope's thrilling second case

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I'm back with the next instalment of Vera and I'm definitely being reminded of why I fell in love with these books originally! They are so addictive!

The suicide of Jeannie Long shocks the people of the small Yorkshire town of Elvet. Ten years ago she was found guilty of the murder of her boyfriend's teenage daughter but new evidence proves that she was wrongly convicted, and Abigail's murderer is still walking free. All of the key players in the original investigation still live locally and the reopened case dredges up long buried feelings and memories that some people would rather remain forgotten. The formidable Inspector Vera Stanhope is tasked with uncovering the truth, but when another death occurs in the quiet village the stakes are raised. In a town full secrets and lies who can you trust?

These books are definitely slow burners in the best possible way. Cleeves knows the importance of atmosphere and character in her novels, she takes great care in developing all of their backstories, personalities and emotions to create crimes and scenarios that are truly driven by her characters. This also means that she expertly delivers an array of believable suspects and motives that keep you guessing until the final pages. This is my second time reading this novel, and even though I knew from the beginning who the culprit was, the way the story unfolds and the clues are revealed meant that that didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book in any way.

In this second interaction with Inspector Stanhope Cleeves helps us get to know her a little better, opening new doors into her personality by delving into her childhood and the insecurities that stem from this. We also get a direct line into her thoughts and feelings through regular italicized breakaways which I really like. Being able to 'see through her eyes' in this way makes the character so much more human and engaging, We see her sense of humour, that she is far from infallible but behind the bravado she is honest and good hearted.

Bring on book number three! I'll read Ann Cleeves all day!

H x