First Line: Sitting at the bedroom window, Emma looks out at the night-time square.
It's been ten long years since Jeanie Long has been locked up for the murder of teenager Abigail Mantel. Ten long years, and now evidence has come forward that proves Jeanie's innocence. The villagers of Elvet on the East Yorkshire coast know this means Abigail's killer is still at large. Yorkshire police believe it best to bring in an investigative team from outside to re-open the case, and Northumbria's Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope finds herself amongst the "Yorkies" sifting through all the witnesses' stories to piece together the truth.
Stanhope finds many questions that need answers. Two of the leads on the original case left the force and are now living in the area. Both of them had seemed content with Jeanie Long's conviction. The murdered girl's father is a businessman and no better than he has to be. Even the victim's best friend seems wreathed in daydreams and unsure of what really went on ten years ago. Stanhope has her work cut out for her.
But if there's anyone with the patience to get to the bottom of this case, it's Vera Stanhope. A middle-aged, homely woman, she's used to being in the background and allowed to listen and observe. When she finds the loose thread of a clue, she worries and worries at it until it's pulled loose, and she follows wherever it leads. She is quite simply a joy to watch as the case unfolds.
Ann Cleeves is one of the most talented crime fiction writers today. Her atmospheric settings bring in the natural world and tease the imagination as her plots twist and turn-- and her characterizations are brilliant, never hitting a false note. If you've never tried a book written by Ann Cleeves, I strongly urge you to do so!
It's been ten long years since Jeanie Long has been locked up for the murder of teenager Abigail Mantel. Ten long years, and now evidence has come forward that proves Jeanie's innocence. The villagers of Elvet on the East Yorkshire coast know this means Abigail's killer is still at large. Yorkshire police believe it best to bring in an investigative team from outside to re-open the case, and Northumbria's Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope finds herself amongst the "Yorkies" sifting through all the witnesses' stories to piece together the truth.
Stanhope finds many questions that need answers. Two of the leads on the original case left the force and are now living in the area. Both of them had seemed content with Jeanie Long's conviction. The murdered girl's father is a businessman and no better than he has to be. Even the victim's best friend seems wreathed in daydreams and unsure of what really went on ten years ago. Stanhope has her work cut out for her.
But if there's anyone with the patience to get to the bottom of this case, it's Vera Stanhope. A middle-aged, homely woman, she's used to being in the background and allowed to listen and observe. When she finds the loose thread of a clue, she worries and worries at it until it's pulled loose, and she follows wherever it leads. She is quite simply a joy to watch as the case unfolds.
Ann Cleeves is one of the most talented crime fiction writers today. Her atmospheric settings bring in the natural world and tease the imagination as her plots twist and turn-- and her characterizations are brilliant, never hitting a false note. If you've never tried a book written by Ann Cleeves, I strongly urge you to do so!
Book Description
Ten years after Jeanie Long was charged with the murder of fifteen-year-old Abigail Mantel, disturbing new evidence proving her innocence emerges in the East Yorkshire village of Elvet. Abigail's killer is still at large.
For Emma Bennett, the revelation brings back haunting memories of her vibrant best friend and of the fearful winter's day when she had discovered her body lying cold in a ditch.
Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope makes fresh inquiries, and the villagers are hauled back to a time they would rather forget. Tensions begin to mount, but are people afraid of the killer, or of their own guilty pasts?
My Review
This was the 2nd installment in the Vera Stanhope series and I enjoy reading Ann Cleeves because I think she is very talented and keeps me guessing all the time. I loved the characters, the plot and the setting. It was a very exciting read. I like Vera and her partner Joe and I think they make a good team. Ann Cleeves is always ambiguous in regards to giving the reader any real clues. She only gives you all the details after the case is solved. I have learned to enjoy the ride and know that I probably will not solve the murder. The murderer always seems to be the least suspected. It's how Ann writes her books so we can have the surprise ending that is common to all her books. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and I recommend this series be read in order as each book builds on the last one.
Ten years after Jeanie Long was charged with the murder of fifteen-year-old Abigail Mantel, disturbing new evidence proving her innocence emerges in the East Yorkshire village of Elvet. Abigail's killer is still at large.
For Emma Bennett, the revelation brings back haunting memories of her vibrant best friend and of the fearful winter's day when she had discovered her body lying cold in a ditch.
Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope makes fresh inquiries, and the villagers are hauled back to a time they would rather forget. Tensions begin to mount, but are people afraid of the killer, or of their own guilty pasts?
My Review
This was the 2nd installment in the Vera Stanhope series and I enjoy reading Ann Cleeves because I think she is very talented and keeps me guessing all the time. I loved the characters, the plot and the setting. It was a very exciting read. I like Vera and her partner Joe and I think they make a good team. Ann Cleeves is always ambiguous in regards to giving the reader any real clues. She only gives you all the details after the case is solved. I have learned to enjoy the ride and know that I probably will not solve the murder. The murderer always seems to be the least suspected. It's how Ann writes her books so we can have the surprise ending that is common to all her books. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and I recommend this series be read in order as each book builds on the last one.
Something about Vera Stanhope stories that make them seem dark. This one is no different. The mystery is good. I could really feel the 'strangeness' of the characters. I really had no idea who the killer was. After I found out there had been some clues that could have led me to the correct solution. (The Vera Stanhope on the cover does not resemble the Vera in the book.) Recommend.
A good addition to the series. Not as strong as Crow Trap, but a good read.
