BookBingeVera Stanhope Books in Order
The short answer
Ann Cleeves · 11 books
- How many books?
- There are 11 books in the Vera Stanhope series, published 1999–2024.
- Is it finished?
- No — it's ongoing, with book 12 on the way.
- Next book
- The Final Vera, due 7 October 2027.See all upcoming releases →
- Where to start
- Start with The Crow Trap (1999).
About 4,400 pages — roughly 70 hours of reading
A brusque, brilliant detective in a shapeless raincoat solves murders across the wild landscapes of Northeast England.
Here is the complete Vera Stanhope reading order — all 11 books by Ann Cleeves, in the order you should read them:
Reading order
- The Crow TrapThree women gathered for an environmental survey in Northumberland become entangled in a murder investigation led by Inspector Vera Stanhope.1999532 pages
- Telling TalesVera reopens a decade-old murder case after new evidence suggests the wrong person was convicted.2005410 pages
- Hidden DepthsVera investigates the ritualistic murder of a young man found floating in a bath filled with flowers.2007368 pages
- Silent VoicesVera looks into the death of a woman found strangled in a sports club sauna, uncovering secrets from the local community.2011352 pages
- The Glass RoomVera investigates a murder at a remote writers' retreat where a guest is found dead in the library.2012363 pages
- Harbour StreetVera probes the murder of an elderly woman on a crowded ferry, forcing her to look into the victim's hidden past.2014384 pages
- The Moth CatcherVera investigates two deaths connected to a quiet Northumberland valley and the secrets its residents are keeping.2015400 pages
- The SeagullVera confronts ghosts from her father's past while investigating a murder tied to corrupt former colleagues.2017416 pages
- The Darkest EveningCaught in a snowstorm, Vera stumbles upon an abandoned car and a toddler, leading her to a murder within her own extended family's estate.2020384 pages
- The Rising TideVera investigates a death among old friends who reunite for their annual gathering on Holy Island.2022384 pages
- The Dark WivesVera investigates the murder of a care worker found near a children's home, a case tangled with an escaped resident.2024400 pages
Good news: for this series, reading order and publication order are the same — just read straight down the list.
Upcoming: the next book, The Final Vera, releases on 7 October 2027. BookBinge Pro can notify you the day it drops.
On our lists: Long-running mystery series
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Get BookBingeFrequently asked questions
How many Vera Stanhope books are there?
There are 11 books in the Vera Stanhope series by Ann Cleeves, from The Crow Trap (1999) to The Dark Wives (2024). Book 12, The Final Vera, is due 7 October 2027. Together they run to about 4,400 pages.
Is the Vera Stanhope series finished?
No. Ann Cleeves is still writing it: book 12, The Final Vera, is due 7 October 2027, following The Dark Wives (2024).
What is the first Vera Stanhope book?
The Crow Trap (1999) is book one, at 532 pages. Three women gathered for an environmental survey in Northumberland become entangled in a murder investigation led by Inspector Vera Stanhope.
Should I read the Vera Stanhope series in publication order?
Yes. For the Vera Stanhope series, reading order and publication order are the same — The Crow Trap (1999) through The Dark Wives (2024).
How long does it take to read all Vera Stanhope books?
About 4,400 pages across 11 books — roughly 70 hours at a page a minute. The longest is The Crow Trap (532 pages); the shortest is Silent Voices (352 pages).