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Silent Voices: A Vera Stanhope Mystery (Vera Stanhope, 4) Paperback – August 20, 2019

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 15,010 ratings

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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 Silent Voices.

“Ann Cleeves is one of my favorite mystery writers.”―Louise Penny

When Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope finds the body of a woman in the steam room of her local gym, she wonders briefly if, for once, it’s a death from natural causes. But closer inspection reveals bruises around the victim’s throat....As she leads her team, Vera relishes the thrill she gets from running an investigation. Death has never made her feel so alive. But soon, the victim’s past reveals a shocking secret at the heart of Vera’s community, as she tries to stop a killer who wants deadly secrets kept silent.

Singular, complex, and fiercely loyal, Vera has quickly become an iconic British detective loved by millions both on the page and on-screen, and
Silent Voices showcases Ann Cleeves as a writer at the peak of her powers.

*BONUS CONTENT: This edition of Silent Voices includes a new introduction from the author and a discussion guide

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From the Publisher

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“I do love Vera!” ―Val McDermid

“Excellent . . . Intricate plotting makes for a compulsive read.” ―
The Independent (UK)

“Detective Vera Stanhope is a remarkable creation.” ―
Bookseller (UK)

“One of the most appealing fictional detectives to emerge since Andy Dalziel got into his stride.” ―
Martin Edwards, Spintingler Magazine (UK)

“Watch out for Ann Cleeves . . . Snapped up by ITV, her creation, Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope, is the new Frost, played by Brenda Blethyn.” ―
Red magazine (UK)

“Cleeves has hit the big time . . . This is going to be a winner!” ―
BBC Front Row (UK)

“An absorbingly cunning mystery.” ―
Daily Mail (UK)

About the Author

ANN CLEEVES is the multi-million copy bestselling author behind three hit television series―Shetland, starring Douglas Henshall, Vera, starring Academy Award Nominee Brenda Blethyn, and The Long Call, starring Ben Aldridge―all of which are watched and loved in the United States. All three are available on BritBox.

The first Shetland novel,
Raven Black, won the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger for best crime novel, and Ann was awarded the CWA Diamond Dagger in 2017. She was awarded the OBE in 2022 for services to reading and libraries. Ann lives in the United Kingdom.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Minotaur Books; Media tie-in edition (August 20, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250219825
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250219824
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.4 x 0.85 x 8.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 15,010 ratings

About the author

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Ann Cleeves
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Ann is the author of the books behind ITV's VERA, now in it's third series, and the BBC's SHETLAND, which will be aired in December 2012. Ann's DI Vera Stanhope series of books is set in Northumberland and features the well loved detective along with her partner Joe Ashworth. Ann's Shetland series bring us DI Jimmy Perez, investigating in the mysterious, dark, and beautiful Shetland Islands...

Ann grew up in the country, first in Herefordshire, then in North Devon. Her father was a village school teacher. After dropping out of university she took a number of temporary jobs - child care officer, women's refuge leader, bird observatory cook, auxiliary coastguard - before going back to college and training to be a probation officer.

While she was cooking in the Bird Observatory on Fair Isle, she met her husband Tim, a visiting ornithologist. She was attracted less by the ornithology than the bottle of malt whisky she saw in his rucksack when she showed him his room. Soon after they married, Tim was appointed as warden of Hilbre, a tiny tidal island nature reserve in the Dee Estuary. They were the only residents, there was no mains electricity or water and access to the mainland was at low tide across the shore. If a person's not heavily into birds - and Ann isn't - there's not much to do on Hilbre and that was when she started writing. Her first series of crime novels features the elderly naturalist, George Palmer-Jones. A couple of these books are seriously dreadful.

In 1987 Tim, Ann and their two daughters moved to Northumberland and the north east provides the inspiration for many of her subsequent titles. The girls have both taken up with Geordie lads. In the autumn of 2006, Ann and Tim finally achieved their ambition of moving back to the North East.

For the National Year of Reading, Ann was made reader-in-residence for three library authorities. It came as a revelation that it was possible to get paid for talking to readers about books! She went on to set up reading groups in prisons as part of the Inside Books project, became Cheltenham Literature Festival's first reader-in-residence and still enjoys working with libraries.

Ann Cleeves on stage at the Duncan Lawrie Dagger awards ceremony

Ann's short film for Border TV, Catching Birds, won a Royal Television Society Award. She has twice been short listed for a CWA Dagger Award - once for her short story The Plater, and the following year for the Dagger in the Library award.

In 2006 Ann Cleeves was the first winner of the prestigious Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award of the Crime Writers' Association for Raven Black, the first volume of her Shetland Quartet. The Duncan Lawrie Dagger replaces the CWA's Gold Dagger award, and the winner receives £20,000, making it the world's largest award for crime fiction.

Ann's success was announced at the 2006 Dagger Awards ceremony at the Waldorf Hilton, in London's Aldwych, on Thursday 29 June 2006. She said: "I have never won anything before in my life, so it was a complete shock - but lovely of course.. The evening was relatively relaxing because I'd lost my voice and knew that even if the unexpected happened there was physically no way I could utter a word. So I wouldn't have to give a speech. My editor was deputed to do it!"

The judging panel consisted of Geoff Bradley (non-voting Chair), Lyn Brown MP (a committee member on the London Libraries service), Frances Gray (an academic who writes about and teaches courses on modern crime fiction), Heather O'Donoghue (academic, linguist, crime fiction reviewer for The Times Literary Supplement, and keen reader of all crime fiction) and Barry Forshaw (reviewer and editor of Crime Time magazine).

Ann's books have been translated into sixteen languages. She's a bestseller in Scandinavia and Germany. Her novels sell widely and to critical acclaim in the United States. Raven Black was shortlisted for the Martin Beck award for best translated crime novel in Sweden in 200.

Bio and photo from Goodreads.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
15,010 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and interesting. They praise the plot as well-crafted and logical. The characters are described as wonderful, complex, and fascinating. Readers praise the writing quality as excellent and deftly written. They appreciate the author's ability to portray human complexities in an engaging way. Overall, the book is described as fast-paced and well-written, making it feel like you are there with the characters.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

123 customers mention "Readability"123 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it interesting and enjoyable, with believable characters. The twists and turns keep them wanting to read more.

"...That's the only complaint I have. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I also love the TV series." Read more

"Entertaining, good tea and snacks references, interesting reflections of Vera and her impression on others." Read more

"In the VERA tradition, this was great! Keeps you wondering and entertained! You will love it ! I highly recommend it!" Read more

"...This a good read with only the occasional red herring/false note to annoy fans of the genre...." Read more

109 customers mention "Plot"96 positive13 negative

Customers enjoy the well-written mystery story with a compelling plot and suspense. They find the characters engaging and the twists and turns keep them guessing until the end. The book is described as well-crafted and a good introduction to Vera.

"...Although the story is character driven, it certainly doesn’t lack for plot or suspense...." Read more

"...She loves a drink or five, but she is no alcoholic. This story was interesting. Revolves around the murder of a social worker...." Read more

"...No sex , profanity, or graphic violence needed; just solid storytelling. I do wish the author would inject some happiness into Vera's life...." Read more

"...Keeps you guessing." Read more

89 customers mention "Character development"82 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the character development. They find the story engaging and hard to put down. The characters' personalities are complex, but understandable. The alternating between characters and scenes format is appreciated. The detective is considered one of the best fictional detectives ever written.

"...fair to her team, knows what motivates each of them, and is a very good leader; even though she drives them hard...." Read more

"...Vera is an interesting character, based on experience, skill & very human feelings that are a great change from so many detectives who are gorgeous..." Read more

"This is a beautifully written book. The character development is excellent, the puzzles intriguing...." Read more

"...The complexity around their personalities is unusual and understandable, but maybe not be acceptable by all social standards...." Read more

58 customers mention "Writing quality"53 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They say it's a great mystery that keeps you guessing until the end. The book is described as well-written and hard to put down. Readers praise the author as an excellent novelist and talented writer.

"...Cleeves is a wonderful author who should be much better known to American readers. SILENT VOICES..." Read more

"Ann Cleeves is fast becoming one of my favorite authors in the mystery genre...." Read more

"This is a beautifully written book. The character development is excellent, the puzzles intriguing...." Read more

"...The complexity around their personalities is unusual and understandable, but maybe not be acceptable by all social standards...." Read more

42 customers mention "Characterization"42 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's characterization fascinating and brilliant. They appreciate the detailed descriptions of nature without being too showy. The books provide insight into Vera that aren't evident in the TV series. Readers enjoy the more in-depth information provided, as well as the private musings that make the cases seem true to life.

"...It is dialog driven, though it moves quickly. Great descriptions of nature without being too showy...." Read more

"...Vera is an interesting character, based on experience, skill & very human feelings that are a great change from so many detectives who are gorgeous..." Read more

"...these police officers solve cases by interrogation and deductive reasoning, not shootouts. You can't go wrong reading a Cleeves book...." Read more

"Entertaining, good tea and snacks references, interesting reflections of Vera and her impression on others." Read more

22 customers mention "Pacing"19 positive3 negative

Customers find the mystery well-paced and engaging. They appreciate the author's skill in drawing realistic characters and setting the scenes effectively. Readers enjoy the sharp-witted, middle-aged protagonist.

"...It is dialog driven, though it moves quickly. Great descriptions of nature without being too showy...." Read more

"...She is brilliant, of course, but her brilliance sometimes gets in her way. Other times her very human flaws trip her up as well...." Read more

"...As for the mystery itself - fast paced, well thought out, hard to figure out -- no figuring out the ending in the middle of this book - and has a..." Read more

"...She is, to my mind, one of the top writers of today and I love her books. You just can't go wrong reading one of her books...." Read more

8 customers mention "Color"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book has an interesting style and regional settings. They enjoy the well-developed characters and red herrings that keep them guessing. Readers appreciate the author's skill in creating distinctive yet believable characters. The stories remind them of England's countryside, which provides a different perspective.

"...We’re given plenty of characters with motives, nice red herrings and plot twists...." Read more

"...What can you say about Vera Stanhope? Ann Cleeves has a talent for creating distinctive, but believable characters...." Read more

"...Local color is interesting, but it's Vera who carries the day. I like her better than Jimmy Perez of the Shetland Island mysteries...." Read more

"...Makes for a different POV and the character is well drawn...." Read more

11 customers mention "Humor"7 positive4 negative

Customers find the book humorous with its quirky and interesting main character. However, others find the main character annoying, grumpy, and overbearing.

"...very first paragraph, one is caught up in the author’s voice; her dry humor and the character...." Read more

"...Ahhh, Vera. What to say - she is cranky, grumpy, rude, bossy, over-bearing and quite grubby in appearance...." Read more

"...and characters are better developed in the book and it had surprising bits of humor...." Read more

"...-witted middle-aged woman who's not gorgeous or graceful, but is very funny...." Read more

Utterly Fabulous!
5 out of 5 stars
Utterly Fabulous!
Wow, I haven’t felt this way about a book in a long time. Silent Voices is the 4th Vera novel but it was my first. Now I will go back from the beginning but you don’t need to read the first three to be entranced by this one. Ann Cleeves is a master story teller and it shows. It reads as though a reader wrote it, there were thrills in all the right places. I was never once bored and thoughts of moving to this part of England floated through my mind. It reminds me of the best parts of Agatha Christie. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy for yourself!!!!!!!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2014
    First Sentence: Vera swam slowly.

    It’s not every day a police inspector finds a dead body sharing a sauna with her in a hotel health club, especially when that body is of a murder victim. Vera and her team work to find a killer in a village filled with people, and their secrets.

    From the very first paragraph, one is caught up in the author’s voice; her dry humor and the character. By the end of the first chapter, on is also caught up in the story.

    There is so much one could say about the characters, particularly Vera. How nice it is to have a female protagonist such as Vera. She’s a mature woman, overweight and unconcerned about her appearance—except, not totally unconcerned. She does care about being fair to her team, knows what motivates each of them, and is a very good leader; even though she drives them hard. She’s respected by her colleagues, even when they frustrate her. The relationship she has with Joe, her sergeant, is an interesting one…”Sometimes Vera though he represented her feminine side. He had the empathy, she had the muscle. Well, the bulk.” Even with the suspects, she doesn’t just investigate clues, but motivations; what makes people do what they do, what drives them.

    Cleeves has a very interesting style. Although the story is told in 3rd person, when she focuses on Vera, it switches somewhat to first person as we gain insight on her life and character through an internal monologue and her observations…”These days, people expected senior female officers to walk straight out of “Prime Suspect.”

    There is a very strong sense of place and wonderful descriptions. Particularly appealing is the contrast between the town and the desolation of Vera’s home. It’s very much part of her character.

    Although the story is character driven, it certainly doesn’t lack for plot or suspense. We’re given plenty of characters with motives, nice red herrings and plot twists. “Vera” is currently a television series done by British ITV, and very well done it is. The only way I knew the villain in the book was having seen the episode. Otherwise, it really wasn’t obvious.

    “Silent Voices” is a thoroughly engrossing read. It’s not a book you’ll put down and come back to later. Cleeves is a wonderful author who should be much better known to American readers.

    SILENT VOICES (Pol. Proc-Det. Insp. Vera Stanhope-England-Contemp) – VG+
    Cleeves, Ann – 1st in series
    A Thomas Dunne Book for Minotaur Books, 2011
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2021
    Vera is grumpy and frumpy. She does not suffer fools gladly, and I love her! If you like a lot of physical action in a book, you probably won't like this book. It is dialog driven, though it moves quickly. Great descriptions of nature without being too showy. Describes Vera's unusual and sad childhood without being sappy. Vera does not feel sorry for herself. One commenter described her as an alcoholic. She loves a drink or five, but she is no alcoholic. This story was interesting. Revolves around the murder of a social worker. People complain there are too many characters to keep tract of, and there are. I like to write down the names and jot notes to help me think things through, a mini whiteboard. There are two coincidences in the book that are hard to swallow. One is adequately explained, but the other beggars belief. That's the only complaint I have. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I also love the TV series.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024
    Ann Cleeves is fast becoming one of my favorite authors in the mystery genre. Vera is an interesting character, based on experience, skill & very human feelings that are a great change from so many detectives who are gorgeous superhero types. Well worth the time.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2022
    This is a beautifully written book. The character development is excellent, the puzzles intriguing. Led by the ungainly DI Vera Stanhope, these police officers solve cases by interrogation and deductive reasoning, not shootouts. You can't go wrong reading a Cleeves book. No sex , profanity, or graphic violence needed; just solid storytelling. I do wish the author would inject some happiness into Vera's life. Just a bit ?
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2024
    Entertaining, good tea and snacks references, interesting reflections of Vera and her impression on others.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2024
    As a retired, Master's level, certified, clinical social worker with experience in Child Protective Services, I was disappointed in the way the profession was depicted. I was also disappointed in the way a supposedly experienced social worker would cross all professional ethics and boundaries to engage in an affair that directly impacted her own daughter.
    In the past, almost anyone with a liberal arts degree could call themselves a social worker, but times have changed with educational requirements, licensure requirements and professional title protection. The days of a journalist being allowed to work with cases of child abuse and neglect are over.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2024
    In the VERA tradition, this was great! Keeps you wondering and entertained! You will love it ! I highly recommend it!

Top reviews from other countries

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  • higins
    5.0 out of 5 stars Idee pour un cadeau!
    Reviewed in France on October 13, 2024
    Ce livre est destinée pour une personne qui passionnée par cet auteur
  • Mr M Tissington
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2024
    This book had me hooked almost from the first page, actually scratch almost! The characters emerge subtly, but they’re very believable and develop beautifully through the story. the structure of the story is perfect and holds the reader to the very end. Brilliant!
  • Franziska Schmidt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Macht Lust auf weitere Krimis von Ann Cleeves
    Reviewed in Germany on July 9, 2020
    Zum ersten Mal lese ich einen Ann Cleeves Krimi. Gefällt mir sehr gut, spannender Plot, realistische Figuren. Das English ist leicht zu lesen.
  • Daniela Leonardini
    5.0 out of 5 stars Silent voices un romanzo per tutti
    Reviewed in Italy on November 24, 2018
    Silent Voices è il romanzo della serie di Vera che mi è piaciuto di più, è molto coinvolgente e ti tiene col fiato sospeso dalla prima all’ultima parola
  • Dan0345
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a bucket of worms.
    Reviewed in Australia on April 29, 2024
    Don't read this with a glass of good wine. The twists will do your head in. A terrific read. Enjoy.