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Vera Stanhope #6
Harbour Street
Harbour Street is the sixth book in Ann Cleeves' crime novel series VERA - which is a major TV detective drama starring Brenda Blethyn on ITV.
As the snow falls thickly on Newcastle, the shouts and laughter of Christmas revellers break the muffled silence. Detective Joe Ashworth and his daughter Jessie are swept along in the jostling crowd onto the Metro.
But when the train is stopped due to the bad weather, and the other passengers fade into the swirling snow, Jessie notices that an old lady hasn't left the train: Margaret Krukowski has been fatally stabbed as she sat on the crowded train. Nobody, including the policeman himself, sees the stabbing take place. Margaret's murderer is seemingly invisible; her killing motiveless. Why would anyone want to harm this reserved, elegant lady?
Arriving at the scene, DI Vera Stanhope is relieved to have an excuse to escape the holiday festivities. As she's standing on the silent, snow-covered station platform, Vera feels a familiar buzz of anticipation, sensing that this will be a complex and unusual case. Soon Vera and Joe are on their way to the south Northumberland town of Mardle, where Margaret lived, to begin their inquiry.
Then, just days later, a second woman is murdered. Vera knows that to find the key to this new killing she needs to understand what had been troubling Margaret so deeply before she died - before another life is lost. She can feel in her bones that there's a link. Retracing Margaret's final steps, Vera finds herself searching deep into the hidden past of this seemingly innocent neighbourhood, led by clues that keep revolving around one street... Why are the residents of Harbour Street so reluctant to speak?
Told with piercing prose and a forensic eye, Ann Cleeves' gripping new novel explores what happens when a community closes ranks to protect their own - and at what point silent witnesses become complicit.
Also available in the Vera Stanhope series are The Crow Trap, Telling Tales, Hidden Depths, Silent Voices and The Glass Room. Ann Cleeves' Shetland series (BBC television drama SHETLAND) contains five titles, of which Dead Water is the most recent.
As the snow falls thickly on Newcastle, the shouts and laughter of Christmas revellers break the muffled silence. Detective Joe Ashworth and his daughter Jessie are swept along in the jostling crowd onto the Metro.
But when the train is stopped due to the bad weather, and the other passengers fade into the swirling snow, Jessie notices that an old lady hasn't left the train: Margaret Krukowski has been fatally stabbed as she sat on the crowded train. Nobody, including the policeman himself, sees the stabbing take place. Margaret's murderer is seemingly invisible; her killing motiveless. Why would anyone want to harm this reserved, elegant lady?
Arriving at the scene, DI Vera Stanhope is relieved to have an excuse to escape the holiday festivities. As she's standing on the silent, snow-covered station platform, Vera feels a familiar buzz of anticipation, sensing that this will be a complex and unusual case. Soon Vera and Joe are on their way to the south Northumberland town of Mardle, where Margaret lived, to begin their inquiry.
Then, just days later, a second woman is murdered. Vera knows that to find the key to this new killing she needs to understand what had been troubling Margaret so deeply before she died - before another life is lost. She can feel in her bones that there's a link. Retracing Margaret's final steps, Vera finds herself searching deep into the hidden past of this seemingly innocent neighbourhood, led by clues that keep revolving around one street... Why are the residents of Harbour Street so reluctant to speak?
Told with piercing prose and a forensic eye, Ann Cleeves' gripping new novel explores what happens when a community closes ranks to protect their own - and at what point silent witnesses become complicit.
Also available in the Vera Stanhope series are The Crow Trap, Telling Tales, Hidden Depths, Silent Voices and The Glass Room. Ann Cleeves' Shetland series (BBC television drama SHETLAND) contains five titles, of which Dead Water is the most recent.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 16, 2014
About the author
Ann Cleeves
110 books7,674 followersAnn 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 931 reviews
June 29, 2016
A First Rate Murder Mystery!
Harbour Street is an exceptional, entertaining murder mystery. The author weaves a fine tale around a Scottish fishing village where the victim is murdered while riding on a crowded train. Inspector Vera Stanhope is a feisty, independent, outspoken, no nonsense individual who works closely with her Sergeant and protégée Joe. There is much to like about Vera. While she is quite fond of the easy going Joe, the Inspector notes; ‘it’s easy to wind him up that really there was no sport in it’.
Vera’s astute mind is continuously processing facts on the case she’s involved with while reflecting on her life and the things that are sorely lacking. Ann Cleeves’ writes with enthusiasm about many wretched characters and their own sad existence, while presenting a quaint depiction of living in the countryside with pubs and chippy shops. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel; her first for me, and look forward to reading more from this accomplished author.
Harbour Street is an exceptional, entertaining murder mystery. The author weaves a fine tale around a Scottish fishing village where the victim is murdered while riding on a crowded train. Inspector Vera Stanhope is a feisty, independent, outspoken, no nonsense individual who works closely with her Sergeant and protégée Joe. There is much to like about Vera. While she is quite fond of the easy going Joe, the Inspector notes; ‘it’s easy to wind him up that really there was no sport in it’.
Vera’s astute mind is continuously processing facts on the case she’s involved with while reflecting on her life and the things that are sorely lacking. Ann Cleeves’ writes with enthusiasm about many wretched characters and their own sad existence, while presenting a quaint depiction of living in the countryside with pubs and chippy shops. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel; her first for me, and look forward to reading more from this accomplished author.
March 11, 2023
This is the sixth book in the Vera Stanhope series and it opens on a snowy day in Northumberland, just before Christmas.
Detective Joe Ashworth is travelling home on the train with his daughter when it is stopped due to the weather. Everyone disembarks except one elderly lady who appears to be asleep. Closer inspection finds she is dead. Christmas is looming and Vera and her team have a murder to solve. This is quickly followed by the death of another woman and it seems very likely the two are connected.
The investigation becomes a complicated affair with local people who have lived there a long time and who withhold information as they try to protect the dead. Vera in her usual manner is relentless in her pursuit of the murderer and she keeps her team working hard to solve the crime.
This was a really good read, well paced and with a lot of interesting police work. Having read the series so far from book one I also enjoyed the relationships between the main characters. Vera is an amazing person and I have always liked Joe. Even Holly is coming good now that Vera lets her do more.
And I have at least four more books before I catch up! Excellent.
Detective Joe Ashworth is travelling home on the train with his daughter when it is stopped due to the weather. Everyone disembarks except one elderly lady who appears to be asleep. Closer inspection finds she is dead. Christmas is looming and Vera and her team have a murder to solve. This is quickly followed by the death of another woman and it seems very likely the two are connected.
The investigation becomes a complicated affair with local people who have lived there a long time and who withhold information as they try to protect the dead. Vera in her usual manner is relentless in her pursuit of the murderer and she keeps her team working hard to solve the crime.
This was a really good read, well paced and with a lot of interesting police work. Having read the series so far from book one I also enjoyed the relationships between the main characters. Vera is an amazing person and I have always liked Joe. Even Holly is coming good now that Vera lets her do more.
And I have at least four more books before I catch up! Excellent.
January 8, 2024
Pretty good way to end another year of reading— a mystery involving the past as much as the present.
Seemingly salt-of-the-earth elderly woman is found dead on the train. Oddly, the body is found by Joe Ashworth’s young teen daughter. Weird coincidence that later leads to the case’s denouement.
Vera and company turn over all the stones of a small Harbour town. Lots of witnesses and few motives.
Lost loves. Several generations living in what remains of a dying seaside town. In some ways, everyone is just utterly normal— until secrets start revealing themselves.
Despite her eccentric ways, Vera Stanhope is a lonely woman who has an uncanny knack of seeing what’s really happening. She (and her creator author) has my undying respect.
May the new year be filled with a few more cases solved by Vera and company.
(Reviewed 12/31/22)
Seemingly salt-of-the-earth elderly woman is found dead on the train. Oddly, the body is found by Joe Ashworth’s young teen daughter. Weird coincidence that later leads to the case’s denouement.
Vera and company turn over all the stones of a small Harbour town. Lots of witnesses and few motives.
Lost loves. Several generations living in what remains of a dying seaside town. In some ways, everyone is just utterly normal— until secrets start revealing themselves.
Despite her eccentric ways, Vera Stanhope is a lonely woman who has an uncanny knack of seeing what’s really happening. She (and her creator author) has my undying respect.
May the new year be filled with a few more cases solved by Vera and company.
(Reviewed 12/31/22)
April 11, 2020
This was a comfort read for me. The story gradually unfolded as Vera and her crew worked doggedly through the investigation. The author does a wonderful job of bringing each character to life and revealing their thought lives. I appreciated the familiarity of the characters and while this was a change of narrator, I enjoyed hearing another authentic Northumberland accent. Indeed, Janine Birkett's voice was enjoyable and soothing to listen to.
December 12, 2015
This is the first Vera Stanhope novel I've read - it will not be the last - and I have not watched the PBS TV show Vera. But, I decided to try this Ann Cleeves series and am so happy I did. A very enjoyable mystery and I love the fact that Vera is not the perfect detective. That's not due to any dark secret but rather that Vera is older, overweight, out of shape, bold, and not always patient. My kind of female lead! I have found a new series to read and for me, that's a good thing!
February 9, 2014
NO SPOILER
A good solid Vera book. I love that she is ugly, fat, getting on a bit and brilliant. Makes a nice change from everyone being young, slim, beautiful and brilliant.
Cracking story, I don't think the best of the Vera range but certainly a great read.
I read a lot of murder/crime books and I enjoyed this one. I look forward to the next in the series.
A good solid Vera book. I love that she is ugly, fat, getting on a bit and brilliant. Makes a nice change from everyone being young, slim, beautiful and brilliant.
Cracking story, I don't think the best of the Vera range but certainly a great read.
I read a lot of murder/crime books and I enjoyed this one. I look forward to the next in the series.
June 24, 2024
I am always baffled when a tv series or movie changes things around even though it's based on a book that people have presumably read before the show or movie comes out. I have to say in this case, I liked the book much better than the television show. I always thought the episode this book was based on felt really off, and now I know why. I thought the writing and flow of this one was much better than prior books and I loved the insights into Vera made by not only her team, but by suspects in this case.
We get another great look at Vera and her team (Joe, Holly, and Charlie) as they investigate the murder of a woman on one of the train cars that Joe and his daughter Jessie were riding. The case takes them to Harbour Street, a location/area where things are sliding right along to total disrepair and ruin.
I have to say that Vera Stanhope remains an intriguing character. The character is very good at drawing people out and digging in, but one wonders is it because she's a good DI or is it because she's just nosy. We have Vera realizing she needs to be better with her team. Not only because she does care about them (though she hate to admit it) but she realizes her behavior is going to drive them away. The Harbour Street investigation also has ties to her childhood and her father Hector and his birdwatching and egg stealing.
I though the setting of this place at times seemed magical, but also very desolate and alone.
The ending I thought was great, but sad, because when the mask comes off of the guilty party, you end up feeling horrified.
We get another great look at Vera and her team (Joe, Holly, and Charlie) as they investigate the murder of a woman on one of the train cars that Joe and his daughter Jessie were riding. The case takes them to Harbour Street, a location/area where things are sliding right along to total disrepair and ruin.
I have to say that Vera Stanhope remains an intriguing character. The character is very good at drawing people out and digging in, but one wonders is it because she's a good DI or is it because she's just nosy. We have Vera realizing she needs to be better with her team. Not only because she does care about them (though she hate to admit it) but she realizes her behavior is going to drive them away. The Harbour Street investigation also has ties to her childhood and her father Hector and his birdwatching and egg stealing.
I though the setting of this place at times seemed magical, but also very desolate and alone.
The ending I thought was great, but sad, because when the mask comes off of the guilty party, you end up feeling horrified.
March 4, 2020
As usual, this will satisfy any yearning for a true mystery book. This is set in Northern England with the title providing the setting and backdrop for a mystery starting with a stabbing on a train, near Christmas, where Joe and his daughter are in the same train car. Joe's daughter finds the victim and thus begins the investigation into the victim's life and attempts to unearth the many secrets she held. As with the other's Holly and Charlie are also part of the team to solve what becomes multiple murders.
January 25, 2021
My favorite of the series so far!
September 2, 2015
Three and a half stars. This was my first read by this author so I knew nothing about D.I. Vera Stanhope before coming to this novel. It didn't matter. What I needed to know was revealed in the story. I liked Vera and I liked her offsider Detective Joe Ashworth. Actually, he would make an interesting character for his own series.
The scene is just before Christmas on crowded train when Margaret Krukowski, an elderly elegantly dressed woman, is stabbed to death. Yet, it seems no-one saw the murderer, even though Joe and his daughter Jessie were there on the train at the time.
As Vera and Joe work on the case they find the murdered woman was not quite what she seemed. A second murder a few days later, sends them back to investigate Margaret’s past and the Northumberland town of Mardle, and in particular Harbour Street. But is seems no-one in Harbour Street is too keen about revealing information. I enjoyed this murder mystery, the characters and the setting. For once didn’t pick the murderer which is a bonus as far as I am concerned. I would probably read another by this author with these characters.
The scene is just before Christmas on crowded train when Margaret Krukowski, an elderly elegantly dressed woman, is stabbed to death. Yet, it seems no-one saw the murderer, even though Joe and his daughter Jessie were there on the train at the time.
As Vera and Joe work on the case they find the murdered woman was not quite what she seemed. A second murder a few days later, sends them back to investigate Margaret’s past and the Northumberland town of Mardle, and in particular Harbour Street. But is seems no-one in Harbour Street is too keen about revealing information. I enjoyed this murder mystery, the characters and the setting. For once didn’t pick the murderer which is a bonus as far as I am concerned. I would probably read another by this author with these characters.
October 30, 2017
Seventy-year-old Margaret Krukowski is murdered on the Metro, shortly before the Christmas holiday. Detective Joe Ashworth and his daughter Jessie are on their way home in the same Metro car when the murder occurs. Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope welcomes the murder investigation since she’s not at all looking forward to the Christmas festivities. But when town prostitute Dee is also murdered, Dee’s ties to Harbour Street tells Vera that there’s much more going on than meets the eye. Will feisty Vera get the townspeople to reveal what they know about the murdered women?
I enjoy the PBS Vera series so when I saw several of the author’s books on the library shelf I decided to go with a story I hadn’t already seen. First off, I found that the books are different from the television series in that Vera isn’t exactly the sweet and loveable character in the books as she is on television. I HATED the way the author made so much about Vera’s weight. There was absolutely no reason to hammer the fact home that Vera is overweight. I could have counted the number of times the author used the word ‘fat’ to describe Vera and a few of the other characters. I found this extremely off-putting.
The story definitely dragged on and on. I grew bored several times and almost gave up, but I wanted to find out who the murderer was and why he or she killed the women. I honestly can’t say that the story was compelling, nor were any of the characters particularly likeable. In short, by the end of the book I just didn’t care that much.
I guess this is a case where the television series is much better than the books. Actress Brenda Blethyn really brings so much to Vera’s character. And, I honestly don’t remember anyone mentioning Vera’s so-called weight issue in the TV show. From now on, I think I’ll just stick with watching Vera on PBS.
2 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton, https://ebookreviewgal.com
I enjoy the PBS Vera series so when I saw several of the author’s books on the library shelf I decided to go with a story I hadn’t already seen. First off, I found that the books are different from the television series in that Vera isn’t exactly the sweet and loveable character in the books as she is on television. I HATED the way the author made so much about Vera’s weight. There was absolutely no reason to hammer the fact home that Vera is overweight. I could have counted the number of times the author used the word ‘fat’ to describe Vera and a few of the other characters. I found this extremely off-putting.
The story definitely dragged on and on. I grew bored several times and almost gave up, but I wanted to find out who the murderer was and why he or she killed the women. I honestly can’t say that the story was compelling, nor were any of the characters particularly likeable. In short, by the end of the book I just didn’t care that much.
I guess this is a case where the television series is much better than the books. Actress Brenda Blethyn really brings so much to Vera’s character. And, I honestly don’t remember anyone mentioning Vera’s so-called weight issue in the TV show. From now on, I think I’ll just stick with watching Vera on PBS.
2 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton, https://ebookreviewgal.com
December 28, 2019
Another complex murder mystery for Inspector Vera Stanhope, one of my favourite police officers ever!
I waited to read this one at Christmas time as that's when it's set...but you could read it any time and you don't really need to read these in order either (although I do).
This is one of my favourite crime series and I really enjoyed this 6th book in the series.... more please!
I waited to read this one at Christmas time as that's when it's set...but you could read it any time and you don't really need to read these in order either (although I do).
This is one of my favourite crime series and I really enjoyed this 6th book in the series.... more please!
May 30, 2021
First Sentence: Joe pushed through the crowd.
The last thing Detective Joe Ashworth expects when taking his daughter Jessie Christmas shopping, is that she will find a dead body on the Metro. Margaret Krukowsky had been a long-term resident at Harbour House, but even those who spent time with her, know almost nothing about her. Only when a second woman dies, do the facts start to come forward, and put Jessie in danger.
How nice to have a story opening at the beginning of the actually story; no prologue. Not only is the setting established, but we also have a sense of the character for one of the protagonists, Joe. And Vera; how can one not like Vera and her no-nonsense style, her self-awareness—“She didn’t take notes at this point. Notes stopped her concentrating.”--and her awareness of, and relationship to, others: “On the platform in the distance she saw Joe Ashworth. Her sergeant and her surrogate son, her protégé. And her conscience.”
One sign of a really good author is when one wants to share passages and dialogue from the book with others. With Cleeves, it’s hard to know where to stop, short of the entire book. It is also very clever of Cleeves to allow us into Vera’s internal narrative, as well as see her from the perspective of others—“…Holly wondered if she’d get a bollocking again for complaining. She felt every contact with Vera Stanhope was like an approach to a large and unpredictable dog. You never knew whether it would lick you to death or take a chunk out of your leg.”
Although Vera is certainly the central character, this is an ensemble cast with each member of her team being significant. It is also nice to learn about the other members of her team, as well as about Vera growing up. All of it combines to provide dimension to the characters. But Cleeves also gives one insight into the other characters, as well. It is nice when a case is solved by footwork, and by following the clues.
“Harbour Street” is another wonderful book by Ann Cleeves, with a complex, twisty plot, including one major twist at the end. If you’ve not read her before, it’s not too late to start.
HARBOUR STREET: A Vera Stanhope Mystery (Pol Proc-Vera Stanhope-England-Contemp) – VG+
Cleeves, Ann – 6th in series
Minotaur Books – Dec 2015
The last thing Detective Joe Ashworth expects when taking his daughter Jessie Christmas shopping, is that she will find a dead body on the Metro. Margaret Krukowsky had been a long-term resident at Harbour House, but even those who spent time with her, know almost nothing about her. Only when a second woman dies, do the facts start to come forward, and put Jessie in danger.
How nice to have a story opening at the beginning of the actually story; no prologue. Not only is the setting established, but we also have a sense of the character for one of the protagonists, Joe. And Vera; how can one not like Vera and her no-nonsense style, her self-awareness—“She didn’t take notes at this point. Notes stopped her concentrating.”--and her awareness of, and relationship to, others: “On the platform in the distance she saw Joe Ashworth. Her sergeant and her surrogate son, her protégé. And her conscience.”
One sign of a really good author is when one wants to share passages and dialogue from the book with others. With Cleeves, it’s hard to know where to stop, short of the entire book. It is also very clever of Cleeves to allow us into Vera’s internal narrative, as well as see her from the perspective of others—“…Holly wondered if she’d get a bollocking again for complaining. She felt every contact with Vera Stanhope was like an approach to a large and unpredictable dog. You never knew whether it would lick you to death or take a chunk out of your leg.”
Although Vera is certainly the central character, this is an ensemble cast with each member of her team being significant. It is also nice to learn about the other members of her team, as well as about Vera growing up. All of it combines to provide dimension to the characters. But Cleeves also gives one insight into the other characters, as well. It is nice when a case is solved by footwork, and by following the clues.
“Harbour Street” is another wonderful book by Ann Cleeves, with a complex, twisty plot, including one major twist at the end. If you’ve not read her before, it’s not too late to start.
HARBOUR STREET: A Vera Stanhope Mystery (Pol Proc-Vera Stanhope-England-Contemp) – VG+
Cleeves, Ann – 6th in series
Minotaur Books – Dec 2015
March 12, 2023
Nu mi-a placut deloc. A fost plictisitor in cea mai mare parte, urmand ca spre sfarsit sa fie ceva mai alert, dar deja imi pierdusem orice interes. In plus, parca special sa ma enerveze pe mine, autoarea a apelat la un truc foarte ieftin pentru a mari suspansul si factorul socant de la sfarsit (care, apropos, mi s-a parut oribil): mai tot romanul ne-a bombardat cu tot felul de nume ale diverselor persoane cu mai multa sau mai putina legatura cu actiunea, multe amanunte despre toti si toate, repetitii in ceea ce priveste ancheta detectivilor, pentru ca la sfarsit sa ascunda voit informatii si numele implicate care duceau la concluzia finala (uneori trecand brusc in mijlocul dialogului la vorbirea indirecta de genul "si ii spuse numele si motivul").
Poate ecranizarile au avut mai mult succes, dar pe mine romanul nu m-a convins (1.5/5)
Poate ecranizarile au avut mai mult succes, dar pe mine romanul nu m-a convins (1.5/5)
February 7, 2021
This was one of my favorites of this series. Vera at her finest...a little mad but sharp as a tack. I truly had no idea who the killer was but the ending was certainly plausible. Ann Cleeves’ books are like that one friend you have that you can always depend on. Not the flashiest or most entertaining, but comfortable and never disappointing.
March 21, 2021
Slowly making my way through this series, I see again that Cleeves doesn’t stumble with this series. This mystery is complex but not unnecessarily so, the solution credible, not obvious, and ringed by continued insight into the inner workings of the two detectives. It’s satisfying story and an immersive visit to Northumberland. I really need to watch the series so I can see the place.
February 19, 2017
I enjoyed this series when I first encountered it. Vera Stanhope was untypical for a detective inspector - round and large in body-shape, sharp in mind and tongue. In this book she seems to have mellowed and I didn't find that positive. The members of her team, Joe the family father and Holly the careerist, seem like caricatures. The murder mystery itself is mind-numbingly boring.
A woman is found murdered in the same subway car Joe and his daughter was in. It turns out she is called Margeret and lives in a bed-and-breakfast establishment on Harbour Street run by her friend Kate. Kate has two teenaged children, aloof and difficult, but for whom Margaret was important. Of course Maragaret must have secrets and had I had any inclination of what they were, I would not have picked this book up.
I recently bought "Cold Earth", Ann Cleeves' Shetland series. If that is not of a higher calibre, I will be done with this author. I have truly enjoyed some of her books, but she is too unreliable for my liking.
A woman is found murdered in the same subway car Joe and his daughter was in. It turns out she is called Margeret and lives in a bed-and-breakfast establishment on Harbour Street run by her friend Kate. Kate has two teenaged children, aloof and difficult, but for whom Margaret was important. Of course Maragaret must have secrets and had I had any inclination of what they were, I would not have picked this book up.
I recently bought "Cold Earth", Ann Cleeves' Shetland series. If that is not of a higher calibre, I will be done with this author. I have truly enjoyed some of her books, but she is too unreliable for my liking.
August 30, 2019
Even though I started with the sixth installment of the series it was a nice read! I wish I knew the main characters better but that wasn't a great obstacle in my enjoying the story!
I the future I might try to read the first installment!
I the future I might try to read the first installment!
August 12, 2020
Maybe I've read too many in a row, but this one felt slow and the person who-dunnit didn't seem especially well set up...
March 12, 2023
Eu zic că e ceva în neregulă cu o carte polițistă, cu două crime, care ți se pare relaxantă... Asta s-a întâmplat: des plictisitoare, monotonă, personaje care se vor pitorești dar sunt mai mult penibile.
E adevărat că nici traducerea n-a fost chiar de nota 10, dar nu știu dacă ar fi avut șanse s-o salveze.
E adevărat că nici traducerea n-a fost chiar de nota 10, dar nu știu dacă ar fi avut șanse s-o salveze.
April 24, 2021
Slowly catching up with missed Vera books, this one from 2014 where the action takes place around the Christmas holiday. Joe and his daughter are headed home on the train after a very satisfying holiday concert when his daughter notices that the pretty lady who had gotten the last available seat was now dead. A good many people are sussed out by Vera and her team and the secret life of the woman slowly uncovered in bits and pieces. I was surprised when the truth was revealed.
August 9, 2020
An older woman is murdered, and Vera Stanhope and her team are called to investigate. Why would anyone want to stab this kind churchgoer on the metro? Once again, it is the secrets that are the key to solve the crime,but when there is another murder and an abduction, time seems to be running out. Another great police procedural by Ann Cleeves, ably narrated by Janine Birkett.
March 2, 2023
Another great book based on Vera Stanhope series.
July 20, 2020
3.5*
An ok distraction, didn't feel as involved as some of Cleeves's other books. Vera's team where a cut and paste characters rather than developed in this book. And Joe's priorities confused me It has a slow pace and no sense of urgency.
Many aspects of the mystery were predictable and not very gripping, it's ok as part of the series but doesn't stand out in it's own right. I found the villian of the piece blatently obvious from early on so no great suprise at the big reveal. The reasoning isn't shown until the end and I think Cleeves likes bucking the cosy trend - Vera delves into everyones lives but clues are ultimately worth little, the reason appears petty and needless. But keeping vital info from the reader does become tiresome.
This book more so than the others felt like a lot of visiting the same group of people for food and gossip, while the settings are well drawn, there seemed less direction to much of it. No one really stood out. Forensics as usual just a footnote and evidence non-existant.
I am so sick of Vera being called fat. I get she's overweight and that's demonstrated, but it seems every character refers to her as 'the fat detective' it's heartening to see a female lead character that challenges societal standards. Overweight, un-glamourous, very intelligent and aware of the fact, no shrinking violet. But instead of embracing the fact she's human it feels the whole series is deridding her as an object of disgust. I like Vera, I keep wishing Cleeves would stop picking on her!
Not the best of the series.
An ok distraction, didn't feel as involved as some of Cleeves's other books. Vera's team where a cut and paste characters rather than developed in this book. And Joe's priorities confused me It has a slow pace and no sense of urgency.
Many aspects of the mystery were predictable and not very gripping, it's ok as part of the series but doesn't stand out in it's own right. I found the villian of the piece blatently obvious from early on so no great suprise at the big reveal. The reasoning isn't shown until the end and I think Cleeves likes bucking the cosy trend - Vera delves into everyones lives but clues are ultimately worth little, the reason appears petty and needless. But keeping vital info from the reader does become tiresome.
This book more so than the others felt like a lot of visiting the same group of people for food and gossip, while the settings are well drawn, there seemed less direction to much of it. No one really stood out. Forensics as usual just a footnote and evidence non-existant.
I am so sick of Vera being called fat. I get she's overweight and that's demonstrated, but it seems every character refers to her as 'the fat detective' it's heartening to see a female lead character that challenges societal standards. Overweight, un-glamourous, very intelligent and aware of the fact, no shrinking violet. But instead of embracing the fact she's human it feels the whole series is deridding her as an object of disgust. I like Vera, I keep wishing Cleeves would stop picking on her!
Not the best of the series.
September 22, 2014
Description: As the snow falls thickly on Newcastle, the shouts and laughter of Christmas revellers break the muffled silence. Detective Joe Ashworth and his daughter Jessie are swept along in the jostling crowd onto the Metro. But when the train is stopped due to the bad weather, and the other passengers fade into the swirling snow, Jessie notices that an old lady hasn't left the train: Margaret Krukowski has been fatally stabbed as she sat on the crowded train. Nobody, including the policeman himself, sees the stabbing take place. Margaret's murderer is seemingly invisible; her killing motiveless. Why would anyone want to harm this reserved, elegant lady? Arriving at the scene, DI Vera Stanhope is relieved to have an excuse to escape the holiday festivities. As she standing on the silent, snow-covered station platform, Vera feels a familiar buzz of anticipation, sensing that this will be a complex and unusual case. Soon Vera and Joe are on their way to the south Northumberland town of Mardle, where Margaret lived, to begin their inquiry. Then, just days later, a second woman is murdered. Vera knows that to find the key to this new killing she needs to understand what had been troubling Margaret so deeply before she died - before another life is lost. She can feel in her bones that there's a link. Retracing Margaret's final steps, Vera finds herself searching deep into the hidden past of this seemingly innocent neighbourhood, led by clues that keep revolving around one street...Why are the residents of Harbour Street so reluctant to speak?
November 16, 2016
Detective Joe Ashworth is on his way home after picking up his daughter when, due to excessive snowfall, the Metro they are on stops suddenly at Mardle, outside of Newcastle. They are asked to leave and catch a bus, but Jess is worried when she sees an elderly woman who has fallen asleep. She goes back to wake her up. It looks like she has been stabbed, despite being surrounded by the passengers, as well as Joe. After sending Jess home, he waits for Vera to arrive. They discover the victim was living and working at a small hotel in Harbour Street.
Vera and Joe are puzzled as to why the woman, identified as Margaret Krukowski, has been killed. She was a quiet but elegant woman who appears to have fallen on hard times. She was a volunteer at a local shelter that helped disadvantaged women. When another woman is found murdered, it becomes obvious to Vera and Joe that there are secrets in Harbour Street that no one wants revealed.
I really enjoyed this story. I think Ann Cleeves always gives the reader a great story populated by characters who are all totally believable, including the minor characters. She did an exceptional job of creating an atmospheric feel for the seaside town in winter. The plot is fast moving with plenty of suspects to choose from. This is a good story that can be read by both fans and new readers of the series.
Vera and Joe are puzzled as to why the woman, identified as Margaret Krukowski, has been killed. She was a quiet but elegant woman who appears to have fallen on hard times. She was a volunteer at a local shelter that helped disadvantaged women. When another woman is found murdered, it becomes obvious to Vera and Joe that there are secrets in Harbour Street that no one wants revealed.
I really enjoyed this story. I think Ann Cleeves always gives the reader a great story populated by characters who are all totally believable, including the minor characters. She did an exceptional job of creating an atmospheric feel for the seaside town in winter. The plot is fast moving with plenty of suspects to choose from. This is a good story that can be read by both fans and new readers of the series.
August 24, 2016
Really enjoyed this whodunnit of Ann Cleeves.
I had no clue who the killer was till they were caught and after the how and why was explained at the end all the little hints came to mind.
The book mostly revolves around unreliable witnesses spinning lies or not seeing the whole picture clearly.
All in all the story was brilliant and I can't wait to read more of Cleeve's books
I had no clue who the killer was till they were caught and after the how and why was explained at the end all the little hints came to mind.
The book mostly revolves around unreliable witnesses spinning lies or not seeing the whole picture clearly.
All in all the story was brilliant and I can't wait to read more of Cleeve's books
February 8, 2024
Another in the Vera Stanhope series, which I admit I'm reading out of sequence and find that I'm familiar enough with the Vera character that it doesn't really make a difference. Ann Cleeves is such a deft writer and storyteller that the reader's interest is held from the first page straight through all the twists to the very end.
February 3, 2020
Absolutely solid entry in the Vera Stanhope series, with flawed but dogged characters, an intriguing setting, and a twisty mystery.
June 11, 2021
Another fantastic book in the Vera Stanhope series! I have been working my way through this wonderful series. I have really liked them all, but I loved this story. There is a lot of sadness in the case, but the investigation held my interest from beginning to end. Vera isn't perfect, but I love her as a main character. Smart, tough on the outside, but vulnerable on the inside. The television series is excellent, but the books have so much more details about the characters. I highly recommend the book as well as the entire series.
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