“Hidden Depths” - Ann Cleeves


(Vera Stanhope book 3)


🥀 As with the prior books in the Stanhope series, Cleeves manipulates the idea of obsession, and the terrifying forms it can take. This time, sleepy English village life is put on edge by what appears to be the work of a theatrical serial killer.


🥀 Vera’s personality unfolds in this book. Previously, we saw her as kindly and empathetic when she wanted to be, but never in a maternal way. This book alludes to her waning desire to have had kids, and perhaps a lingering regret. When juxtuposed to her family-minded sergeant, we really feel Vera’s loneliness.


🥀 As usual, Cleeves provides a lot of detail in the surroundings; she is careful to paint a setting that feels immersive to the reader. Bird watching is a recurrent theme. The dialect is local, and central to developing the cast of characters. I had to download the British English dictionary for this one. I’ve included some examples of the British slang that runs through book 3:


  • pud = pudding
  • bairn = child (we saw this term in books 1 and 2 as well)
  • scally = roguish, self-confident
  • gobby = a loud talker, blunt
  • colliery = buildings associated with a coal mine


🥀 The motive is not pecuniary nor connected to a sense of pride or reputation. This time, it is more sinister. Cleeves arranges a cluster of potential suspects, each with skeletons in their psychological closet. This is my favorite Stanhope novel thus far, and I am eagerly awaiting when book 4 will become available at my library. 

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