THE RISING TIDE Vera Stanhope, Book 10

Janine Birkett's captivating narration does full justice to Ann Cleeves's masterful storytelling in the latest installment of this mystery series. Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope and her team arrive at Northumberland's Holy Island in response to an apparent suicide. The victim is one of a group of aging schoolmates who have reunited every five years on the island for the past 50 years. When the death proves to be murder, Vera must unravel the stories of the remaining friends, who are all hiding sins and secrets from the past. Birkett is superb at creating voices for the diverse cast of relatable characters who are imbued with unique accents and distinct personalities. Her engaging narrative style sweeps the listener along, generating suspense and a thoroughly compelling listen. S.A.A. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2022]