Silent Voices

A Vera Stanhope Mystery

By: Ann Cleeves

Narrated by: Charlie Hardwick

Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

When Inspector Vera Stanhope finds the body of a woman in the sauna room of her local gym, she wonders briefly if, for once in her life, she's uncovered a simple death from natural causes. But a closer inspection reveals bruises around the victim's throat, and Vera quickly realizes she has a murder on her hands.

Silent Voices will thrill fans of Ann Cleeves's best-selling Shetland Island mysteries as well as traditional mystery lovers looking for a new smart police procedural with emotional heft.

©2011 Ann Cleeves (P)2011 Soundings

Wonderful

Excellent story, perfect narration. You envision the characters from the TV series, but it does not get in the way of the story. More please.

Vera is My New Hero! Loved This One!

I totally agree with another reviewer who shouted, "Long Live Vera!!" Vera Stanhope, an overweight, middle-aged, somewhat unpolished Scottish chief detective has won my heart with her intellect and savvy. This police procedural is just about perfect in every way -- great characters, an amazing plot filled with numerous twists and turns, and terrific narration. I would buy the entire series if Audible carried it -- but it appears they only have a few of Ann Cleeves great "Vera Stanhope" books. A really great listen!

More Vera and Charlie Hardwick, please!

I came to this after enjoying the Shetland books, and it's even better! Vera is an engaging character, as are her colleagues, and Harkdwick's interpretation is spot on. I hope Audible will add more if this series to its list, and I wish the books were more available in the U.S.

Looking for more of this series

This was a solid whodunnit from a writer I've enjoyed for her Shetland series. Vera Stanhope is an engaging character with a totally believable persona. Her aging overweight physical limitations are well compensated by her quick wit and analytical genius. I thought the plot got overly twisted with too many semi-plausible villains, but, in the end, there was a satisfying wrap to a good 10 hour read. I'll look for more in this series before I download the available Book 6.

The narrator was spot on for the characters he portrayed. He did a nice job with both male and female characters...young and mature.

Amazing Reader

Whoever this is amazing. She acted out each part. This was far more than reading. It was a performance indeed.
Also it’s nice to hear a story that is not full of vulgarity or profanity.

Another good one

No one is as good as PD James! But Anne Cleeves runs a very fast second. I love these mysteries and this one is as complex psychologically as it gets. Very interesting, full of twists and turns, great characters, wonderful insights into parents and children when things don’t go well. Certainly read this! The performance is excellent too and the characters come alive.

Excellent twists

Even though I guessed the guilty party just before it was revealed, it was near the end and I didn't get all of it. The construction is really well crafted, all the characters believable.

Wonderful!! Even though I'd seen the episode!

If you could sum up Silent Voices in three words, what would they be?

absolutely wonderful listening!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Vera of course. The characters are so well drawn and just fascinating. There is no judgment about the author's characterizations - they are what they are, and it just works so well. I guess they are like real people -not superheroes or models - just believable.

What does Charlie Hardwick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voices were terrific and easily distinguishable. She was a terrific narrator.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

A long car ride - but then I kept listening when I got to my hotel!!

Any additional comments?

I've seen this episode on Acorn, but the book is so much more detailed and interesting. I remembered who the killer was and why, but listening to this was a wonderful experience. Obviously, an 8 hour book has room for a lot more detail than a 90 minute show. I truly enjoyed the characters, the narrator , the twists and turns. I had to immediately get another for the long ride home!!!

Engaging story with endearing characters!

Got lost in the story. The characters won me over. I love it when the narrators is so convincing I begin to think I am watching a show.

Well crafted story wonderfully narrated

Satisfying listening. Charlie Hardwick has the perfect voice for Northumberland. There is no jarring difference between the area, characters and the narrators accent which mars ones enjoyment of other Vera Stanhope mysteries