Description
From Ann Cleeves—New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of the Vera and Shetland series, both of which are hit TV shows—comes the stunning tenth Vera Stanhope novel, The Rising Tide, a powerful novel about guilt, betrayal, and the longheld secrets people keep.
For fifty years a group of friends have been meeting regularly for reunions on Holy Island, celebrating the school trip where they met, and the friend that they lost to the rising causeway tide five years later. Now, when one of them is found hanged, Vera is called in. Learning that the dead man had recently been fired after misconduct allegations, Vera knows she must discover what the friends are hiding, and whether the events of many years before could have led to murder then, and now . . .
But with the tide rising, secrets long-hidden are finding their way to the surface, and Vera and the team may find themselves in more danger than they could have believed possible . . .
My Thoughts
Ann Cleeves just keeps getting better. This newest in the Vera Stanhope series is one of the best mysteries I’ve read this year. Vera is as prickly as ever, although Cleeves throws in several instances of introspection for Vera and her team.
The story takes place on Holy Island, a location in England that has fascinated me since reading LJ Ross’ Holy Island book. Here, in Cleeves’ hands, the island becomes at turns breathtakingly beautiful then creepy and sinister. The characters reminded me of an Agatha Christie cast – they are all likable and detestable at the same time.
But it is the ending that will take your breath away. My knuckles were white, nails dug into my palms as I read, then just when I thought ti was all over…BAM. A totally unexpected ending. It’s what puts Cleeves in a league of her own among crime writers.
Highly recommended.
Publication Date: September 6, 2022
Published By: St. Martin’s Press; Minotaur Books
Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy
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