Set across the atmospheric landscapes and communities of Northumberland and the North East of England, the series follows the unconventional and fiercely intelligent Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope as she investigates complex crimes and suspicious deaths. With her sharp instincts and talent for uncovering what people would rather keep hidden, Vera delves beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives to reveal secrets, strained relationships, and long-held grudges. Character-driven and richly atmospheric, these five novels introduce one of British crime fiction’s most distinctive detectives and her compelling approach to solving mysteries.