With her blotchy skin and hefty weight, Vera seldom feels comfortable in the health club, but has begrudgingly taken up swimming at her doctor's insistence. With a little envy, she admires the relaxed woman in a seemingly yoga pose in the steam room after her swim. But as the mists swirled and cleared, she suddenly realizes that the woman is not relaxed, but dead.

Taking charge, Vera quickly dresses and now is full in command as Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope. With her sharp intellect and extensive knowledge, she soon realizes this is no simple death and begins getting her team in place to begin the process of investigation.

Her young sergeant Joe Ashworth is Vera's trusted partner and they work well together. Being a single woman who has never married, Vera throws all her attention into her work and expects the same from others. Yet, she knows the pulling match going on in Joe's life between the police work and camaraderie he loves while balancing the needs and demands of his wife and young family that he also cherishes and loves.

Despite their efforts, another murder happens. While seemingly not connected, they both know there has to be a connection. What is the link between the cases of the social worker that was killed? Just what is it and can they figure out the murderer before more are harmed? To what depths of evil will the killer go?

Bestselling British author Ann Cleeves has written this highly captivating book, the latest in her very popular Vera Stanhope mystery series that has already been serialized in the highly popular Public Television Series VERA. As Cleeves instantly immerses the reader into the story and the character of Vera, SILENT VOICES is also fully satisfying as a stand-alone book.

A master storyteller, Cleeves fluidly sets out a complex and multi-layered plot that flows smoothly; yet, is filled with hidden depths as the plot and the ongoing investigation narrows and widens letting the reader see more deeply into the various characters and their motivations. I totally enjoyed Vera and her many and varying ways of interacting with others, shifting easily from almost bullying to total compassion, both with her staff and the people being interviewed.

Vera is a very compelling and eccentric character who likes to drink her whiskey and lick up the last crumb of the cakes, yet, who puts her love and soul into her work and well knows the great sweeping moorlands and towns in Northumberland. Joe Ashworth is a great character as well as he shifts between his ambitions to move further up in the fierce while still being in awe of how much he still can learn from Vera and her ways. The wonderful and insightful descriptions and dialogue between the sometimes scruffy, but sharp witted Vera and her well-dressed Sergeant Joe Ashworth are worth the price of book alone and that is only the tip of the iceberg!

As the tension builds and complexities beneath the surface are revealed, new fans to Cleeves' books, be warned! SILENT VOICES will be a difficult book to put down as you will just want to keep turning the pages to find out what is happening in the investigation! This is a powerful and compelling police procedural book and series not to be missed. I can't wait to read more! Enjoy!