The Seagull

A Vera Stanhope Mystery, Book 8

By: Ann Cleeves

Narrated by: Janine Birkett

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

"Janine Birkett's marvelous narration enhances this riveting mystery, part of the Vera Stanhope series, set on the majestic northeast coast of England...Listeners will appreciate Birkett's handling of the dry humor, particularly Stanhope's" — AudioFile Magazine

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 Seagull.

A visit to her local prison brings DI Vera Stanhope face to face with an old enemy: former detective superintendent, and now inmate, John Brace. Brace was convicted of corruption and involvement in the death of a gamekeeper—and Vera played a key part in his downfall.

Now, Brace promises Vera information about the disappearance of Robbie Marshall, a notorious wheeler-dealer who disappeared in the mid-nineties, if she will look out for his daughter and grandchildren. He tells her that Marshall is dead, and that his body is buried close to St Mary’s Island in Whitley Bay. However, when a search team investigates, officers find not one skeleton, but two.

This cold case case takes Vera back in time, and very close to home, as Brace and Marshall, along with a mysterious stranger known only as ‘the Prof’, were close friends of Hector, her father. Together, they were the 'Gang of Four’, regulars at a glamorous nightclub called The Seagull. Hector had been one of the last people to see Marshall alive. As the past begins to collide dangerously with the present, Vera confronts her prejudices and unwanted memories to dig out the truth . . .

The Seagull is a searing novel by Sunday Times bestselling author Ann Cleeves, about corruption deep in the heart of a community, and fragile, and fracturing, family relationships.

"Definitely one of the best crime novels of 2017."—Reviewing the Evidence

©2017 Ann Cleeves (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

AudioFile Earphones Award Winner

"Janine Birkett's marvelous narration enhances this riveting mystery." -AudioFile

Amazing

As all in this series a wonderful twisting fabulous listen. Love this series so much!

The Seagull

This was my favorite Ann Cleeves, Vera story thus far. I felt more was revealed of Vera’s personal life and history. Cleeves does a marvelous job adding threads of story plots with well developed characters.
The narrator, Janine Birkett does a believable job with Vera’s voice, but her men’s voices leave a lot to be desired, especially Joe’s. Joe is supposed to be a young, strong man yet his voice comes out like a fog horn, it distracts from the flow of the story.

Terrible Narration

The narration of this book so totally distracts from the story line that I was unable to finish this book and I love the Vera Stanhope series. I preferred to get the written version than continue with the audio! Please bring back Ann Dover!

Wonderful mystery series that I highly recommend.

This series ticks all the boxes for me with interesting characters, stories that develop and draw the reader in and some wonderful rye humor too. I feel that Ann Cleeves is just a brilliant mystery writer, and it amazes me that each book continues to be as good, if not even better than the last.

Too many bad accents

this reader really tries too hard to give every character a different accent. It does not work. For instance, the scene in the mortuary was painful to listen to with the accents seeming so forced and unnatural

Excellent character exploration

Listeners come to know Vera and her Team better as independividuals in this addition to the series.

good story

I love this narrator she is very good at bringing the characters to life. the story was good. I almost didn't listen to this one because the last Vera book I listened to the Moth Catcher put too much emphasis on Vera's weight. ridiculous to bring it up every few words. this one didn't overdo that which made it more enjoyable.

Amazing

Beautifully crafted. Mystery has multiple facets and plays out backwards in time over three decades.This is such a brilliant novel in every aspect that it captivated me completely. When I finished listening, I felt like I had been on a trip and caught up in webs of the characters' lives. The characters are all vividly individual. The Northumberland countryside makes a spectacular setting and is virtually a character driving the action. Re the performance, the female characters are well voiced. However, the male character voices seem strained. Still, it's a great listen.

Is there a level above perfection?

pulls me in everything. Janine's brought the show home. Drop the Mike! It's a wrap guys.

Good puzzle, fair play.

I very much enjoyed the audio version of this book. Ms. Cleeves has a gift for dialogue that carries the story seamlessly. The narrator is able to do a fair imitation of Brenda Blethyn's Vera which instantly invokes the imagery from the television show. A very good puzzle, played fair, with a surprise ending.