from description: Getting snowed in at a beautiful, rustic mountain chalet doesn’t sound like the worst problem in the world, especially when there’s a breathtaking vista, a cozy fire, and company to keep you warm. But what happens when that company is eight of your coworkers…and you can’t trust any of them?
The two caretaker/hosts Erin and Danny meet the members of a tech company who have gathered for a week of skiing and some important business decisions.
From the beginning, an awkwardness and differing opinions are evident among the guests. Then Eva, one of the group, goes missing on a closed slope and an avalanche isolates the group in the chalet. Well, you know from the title what happens next.
Told from two points of view, the book moves from the quarrels and divisions among the tech group to suspicion, distrust, and fear.
I didn't care for Turn of the Key, Ware's last book, but I enjoyed this one.
Read in May. Blog review scheduled for Aug. 21, 2020.
NetGalley/Gallery Books
Suspense/Mystery. Sept. 8, 2020. Print length: 384 pages
Blizzard-like conditions contrive to make Vera Stanhope miss the right turn-off on her way home. As she drives through the snow, she spots a car off the road. When she stops to check, she finds the driver side door open and a toddler in the back seat. With no sign of the driver, Vera takes the toddler her with to the closet house, which happens to be that of estranged relatives. The wealthier and more sophisticated Stanhopes have a dinner party in progress, and despite her reluctance, Vera has no choice but to interrupt it.
Sitting in the kitchen, checking with the police, Vera is shocked when the little boy's mother is found dead by a neighboring farmer who arrived on a tractor to pick up his daughters who were acting as waitresses for the Stanhope dinner.
The Darkest Evening kept me engrossed throughout, and I sped right through it, a little annoyed with my husband's interruptions in the afternoon. :)
Two slight changes from previous books made me like it even more. Of course, Vera is a bit unkempt and she is brusque with her colleagues, but she is a sharp and observant detective. It is particularly interesting to see the way Vera sees Joe and Holly--her team, and the way they view her.
The Darkest Evening is the 9th in the series, but can function as a stand-alone. Ann Cleeves has another winner in this one. I recently saw this quote about Vera and found it apt:
"... one of the most appealing fictional detectives to emerge since Andy Dalziel got into his stride..."
Martin Edwards, Spinetingler Magazine
NetGalley/St. Martin's Press
Police Procedural/Mystery. Sept. 8. 2020. Print length: 384 pages.
I'm waiting for my copy (One by One) to arrive. And Ann Cleeves' book sounds good, too. :)
ReplyDeleteI liked Ware's first book best, but One by One kept my interest. Cleeves is the better writer, and I've enjoyed all of her books. :)
DeleteThank you. The Cleeve's book is on my list as well.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to any of Cleeve's books and this one was another hit for me. Hope you like it!
DeleteBoth of these sound so good! I love mysteries like One by One and The Darkest Evening has me so intrigued. :)
ReplyDeleteI liked them both. The Darkest Evening was my favorite, but I'm such a Vera fan. :)
DeleteI'm glad to know you enjoyed this particular Ware novel. Her books have been a bit up and down for me.
ReplyDeleteWare's books have been up and down for me as well, but this one did keep my interest.
DeleteI'm intrigued by Ware's book, and I'm two ARCs away from reading The Darkest Evening. I love Ann Cleeves' writing, so Must. Read. Faster.
ReplyDeleteCleeves is one of my favorites, and I don't miss any of her books. Hated to see the Shetland series end, but I'm glad Vera continues to keep me looking forward to another installment!
DeleteIs the series by Cleeves of the "cozy" variety or is it more hardcore crime novel than that? I've yet to read either of these writers even though their names seem to be everywhere in the last few years. I actually had the Cleeves novel before this one in hand for a few weeks and couldn't work it into my schedule before having to return it to the library.
ReplyDeleteCleeves doesn't write cozy. Her books are complex crime/police procedurals with characters who feel like real people. Besides her Vera Stanhope series, she's written the Shetland Island series, and a number of standalones.
DeleteShe also wrote a couple of series before she hit the big time with Vera, and she's begun another series featuring D.I. Matthew Venn in North Devon.
DeleteYes, and I liked the first book. Not as much as Vera, but I expect to like it more as the series develops. Vera and Jimmy Perez have become old friends over the years, and I hope for the same with this new one. :)
DeleteI've read both authors, not these books though. Thank you for the updates.
ReplyDeleteAnn Cleeves is an author who always involves me with the characters and their relationships. :)
DeleteI've got both of these pre-ordered for audio. Looking forward to them very much. Our mystery book group is discussing The Turn of the Key in a couple of weeks. I just finished it and must say - creepy, icky, shades of Henry James. Curious what others will think of it. I too have had mixed results with Ruth Ware's books, but I've read all of them. The Vera books are great in my opinion, all of them.
ReplyDeleteI thought Turn of the Key was creepy, but forced. I suppose it was intended as kind of homage to James, but for me, it missed by a mile. The Vera books, though, are always intriguing and well-written, aren't they? I can't wait to hear what you think of this latest one!
DeleteI'm glad that you enjoyed One By One; it's my next read I think. I've read all of her books and definitely like some more than others.
ReplyDelete:) Seems to be the general opinion. Hope you enjoy it, Diane!
DeleteI think these are the perfect books to read during the hot Texas summer! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to love snow when it is hot and humid! Our temperatures have been a little better, but I still love the idea of a visit to the French Alps. :)
DeleteAfter a family friend raved about the TV series, I decided I need to get acquainted with this series! It just so happens that someone sent me this for review and I wasn't sure if it should be on my TBR -- but then I read this!
ReplyDelete