Mystery

The Seagull

The Seagull

  • Downloads：1965
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2021-03-15 03:13:59
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Ann Cleeves
  • ISBN：B01N13YSKD
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary

A visit to her local prison brings DI Vera Stanhope face to face with an old enemy: former detective superintendent， and now inmate， John Brace。 Brace was convicted of corruption and involvement in the death of a gamekeeper – and Vera played a part in his downfall。

Brace promises Vera information about the disappearance of Robbie Marshall， a notorious wheeler-dealer， if she will look out for his daughter and grandchildren。 He tells her that Marshall is dead， his body buried close to St Mary’s Island in Whitley Bay。 However， when a search team investigates， officers find not one skeleton， but two。

This cold case takes Vera back in time， and very close to home， as Brace and Marshall， along with a mysterious stranger known only as ‘the Prof’， were close friends of Hector， her father。 Together， they were ‘the Gang of Four’， and Hector had been one of the last people to see Marshall alive。 Vera must confront her prejudices and unwanted memories to dig out the truth， as the past begins to collide dangerously with the present 。 。 。

The Seagull is Ann Cleeves’ searing new novel， about corruption deep in the heart of a community， and about fragile， and fracturing， family relationships。

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Reviews

Ian Nisbet ，

The Veras having been sitting around for some time， the wife liked them。 I have read most of the Jimmys （Shetland） and I thought I should give these a go。 I probably shouldn't have started with this one since it is the last but it was to hand so。。。。Easy reading and nothing leaps out and screams No！ No！ No！ the way another Northumberland set crime novel that I recently read did。 There are differences to the TV progs but I have not seen them for a while so no need to fret about that。 More Tyneside The Veras having been sitting around for some time， the wife liked them。 I have read most of the Jimmys （Shetland） and I thought I should give these a go。 I probably shouldn't have started with this one since it is the last but it was to hand so。。。。Easy reading and nothing leaps out and screams No！ No！ No！ the way another Northumberland set crime novel that I recently read did。 There are differences to the TV progs but I have not seen them for a while so no need to fret about that。 More Tyneside than Northumberland but the actual locations are not really material to the plot even if they do impact on the character of the characters。 Vera learns more about herself and her father， identifies the mysterious 4th man in her father's 'Gang of Four'， reflects on how her team are developing， both as a team and as individuals and what that means to her as a person and as their boss。 Nothing terribly exciting as they grind their way through the investigation tying up loose ends from many years earlier and solving a new murder。 Even a sort of happy ending。 As I said， an easy read and now I have dug out the 1st Vera so I'll be in the North for a while。 。。。more

JoJo ，

Another enjoyable read - complex enough to engage but no so much that you have to write down all of the names to follow。 Full of human intrigue， especially the loveable but curmudgeonly Vera。

Robert Crouch ，

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of the Vera Stanhope series。 I love the intricate plots， the depth and development of the main characters， especially Joe and Holly and the sheer tour de force that is Vera。It’s all in evidence in this story， which revolves around an old murder that’s a little close to home due to the involvement of Vera’s father， Hector。 He was one of four friends， involved in illegal activities。 Disgraced former police officer John Brace is the second。 Now languishing in priso It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of the Vera Stanhope series。 I love the intricate plots， the depth and development of the main characters， especially Joe and Holly and the sheer tour de force that is Vera。It’s all in evidence in this story， which revolves around an old murder that’s a little close to home due to the involvement of Vera’s father， Hector。 He was one of four friends， involved in illegal activities。 Disgraced former police officer John Brace is the second。 Now languishing in prison， he’s prepared to reveal details of a third friend， missing presumed dead。 But Brace wants Vera to help his daughter and grandchildren in return。Only there are two bodies， not one， dumped in a culvert on the Northumbrian coast。 Who is the second victim？ Was she killed at the same time as the man？ And who is the mysterious fourth friend， known only as the Prof？As the investigation progresses， it’s clear that the victims had links to the Seagull， a former exclusive club on the Northumbrian coast。It’s another complex case with plenty of twists and turns as Vera tries to make sense of the many threads until finally she weaves them together， leading to an exciting conclusion with a surprise ending。If you like character driven crime fiction， populated by believable characters you will root for， and plots that are as intricate as they are original， then you should try this series。 。。。more

Helen ，

Well drawn and lovedHaving already seen the TV episode of this book， I thought I would remember more of what happened but I didn't。 This story is told with a love of the area in which it's set and of the characters who inhabit it。 I like the constant injection of what appear to be red herrings， parts of which contribute to the background of the case。 The main characters， Vera's colleagues also grow with each story which is good to read。 Well drawn and lovedHaving already seen the TV episode of this book， I thought I would remember more of what happened but I didn't。 This story is told with a love of the area in which it's set and of the characters who inhabit it。 I like the constant injection of what appear to be red herrings， parts of which contribute to the background of the case。 The main characters， Vera's colleagues also grow with each story which is good to read。 。。。more

Jim King ，

I really enjoyed this one。I've only watched the odd episode on TV but it's one of those books that brought the character to life - I could hear her （Vera） talking in the dialogueI was definitely engaged enough to want to read others by Ann Cleeves who is a new author to me。- "The Prof。 seemed like a shady character" - Ann Cleeves I really enjoyed this one。I've only watched the odd episode on TV but it's one of those books that brought the character to life - I could hear her （Vera） talking in the dialogueI was definitely engaged enough to want to read others by Ann Cleeves who is a new author to me。- "The Prof。 seemed like a shady character" - Ann Cleeves 。。。more

Mam ，

Fully enjoyed another romp with Vera and her team。

Mandy Smith ，

This was brilliant！ I could not work out what was going on and who was the murderer/Murderers。 There were so many false leads，villains that turned out to be good，goodies who turned out to be bad！ The setting of the book was really enjoyable and the atmosphere of a seaside town then and now really came through。 I loved Vera，I have now recorded some Vera to watch。 She is a really unique and likeable character and I knew she would solve it all。 I loved the happy ending。

Gail Burgess ，

Why do I get the feeling Vera is going to retire soon？ Her team is functioning well together。 She is looking back at her life before being a cop and she seems to be afround folks who are retired already。。。 Anyhow， in Seagull she still is the one who figures it out first。 There are so many mysteries that all seem related as TWO sets of bones are discovered -- after some information provided by a former cop now in jail。 One set of bones can be identified， the other is not -- at least right away。 W Why do I get the feeling Vera is going to retire soon？ Her team is functioning well together。 She is looking back at her life before being a cop and she seems to be afround folks who are retired already。。。 Anyhow， in Seagull she still is the one who figures it out first。 There are so many mysteries that all seem related as TWO sets of bones are discovered -- after some information provided by a former cop now in jail。 One set of bones can be identified， the other is not -- at least right away。 Who killed them？ How could the cop-in-jail know about one but not about both？ Just how involved was Vera's father in all this？ He was a part of the Gang of Four; now one is in jail， another is one of those bodies。 Exactly who was the fourth member and where is he now？ And what about the mother of the cop-in-jail's daughter？ And how does her husband fit into all this？ Definitely kept me guessing！！！ 。。。more

PottWab Regional Library ，

SM

Pam Keevil ，

For anyone who has enjoyed the reruns of Vera on TV recently， this book is the perfect introduction。 I particularity like the short chapters; easy to read a couple of chapters before falling asleep and the perfect antidote to too much screen time。 I will read more。

Linda ，

Light reading。

Connie ，

A good edition to the Vera Stanhope series again giving much attention to the mechanics of her work crew and some speculation is undertaken as to what life will be like if one of them gets promoted。 Will control-freak Vera be sad or angry that a companion and closest thing to a soul mate would be moving on？ Again absent father Hector and his Gang of Four play an instrumental role in this mystery。 Action begins when Vera is asked to go to Wardworth nick （prison） to talk to residents in effort to A good edition to the Vera Stanhope series again giving much attention to the mechanics of her work crew and some speculation is undertaken as to what life will be like if one of them gets promoted。 Will control-freak Vera be sad or angry that a companion and closest thing to a soul mate would be moving on？ Again absent father Hector and his Gang of Four play an instrumental role in this mystery。 Action begins when Vera is asked to go to Wardworth nick （prison） to talk to residents in effort to generate some compassion for their victims by her new to the job supervisor many years her junior。 Surprisingly， she encounters a familiar face in the audience-that belonging to John Brace-former confidant of Hector and member of the Gang of Four who makes a proposition to her after her presentation。 He has information about a concealed body he is willing to divulge in return for her making a health and wellness visit to his newly acknowledged daughter Patty Keane struggling with single motherhood having been deserted by her husband Gary。 。。。more

Steven McCallum ，

Such an amazing read， so happy I've discovered Ann Cleeves' books。 Recommend to anyone who loves a "who-done-it" crime thriller。 Such an amazing read， so happy I've discovered Ann Cleeves' books。 Recommend to anyone who loves a "who-done-it" crime thriller。 。。。more

Sara Dick ，

🤨

Jadee ，

2。5 stars。 Nothing wrong just incredibly BORING for me

John Kidman ，

Extremely good。 Great plot and could visually be with the book the whole way。 Powerful characterisation with differences to past books in the series。

Brian Gilbert ，

Always enjoy Ann Cleeves books but this one her better ones

Eleanor Webster ，

Really enjoyed another Vera novel。

Michele ，

This author never disappoints- I didn’t work it out

Libby ，

I love the character of Vera Stanhope。 She’s so warm and interested and morally correct without being irritating or perfect and preachy。 So many fictional detectives are arrogant， exceptional or verbose but Vera is just Vera。 Certainly not average or dull， but she has a raw and honest feel to her。 I know I said in my last review of an Ann Cleeves novel that I could never imagine giving her books anything below 5 stars， but I dropped one here just because I started to zone out a little by the end I love the character of Vera Stanhope。 She’s so warm and interested and morally correct without being irritating or perfect and preachy。 So many fictional detectives are arrogant， exceptional or verbose but Vera is just Vera。 Certainly not average or dull， but she has a raw and honest feel to her。 I know I said in my last review of an Ann Cleeves novel that I could never imagine giving her books anything below 5 stars， but I dropped one here just because I started to zone out a little by the end。 Probably not the author’s fault - probably lockdown fatigue - and if there was a half star I’d’ve gone for 4。5！ 。。。more

Pat Mills ，

Vera Stanhope continues to be an oddly appealing character， flaws and all。 Ann Cleeves' latest book lost me a couple of times but came through in the end。 A shade less than a five but those are the choices we have。 A strong book in the mystery genre。 Bones and prisons and past obsessions。 Vera Stanhope continues to be an oddly appealing character， flaws and all。 Ann Cleeves' latest book lost me a couple of times but came through in the end。 A shade less than a five but those are the choices we have。 A strong book in the mystery genre。 Bones and prisons and past obsessions。 。。。more

Buff ，

I always enjoy Vera。

Becky Gotch ，

This is my first Vera Stanhope book having read all the Shetland Series。 Yes， I know this isn’t the first in the series but it was one I could get hold of。 I really enjoyed this。 Vera is an interesting character and well written。 I could easily imagine her during the story。 I did not see the ending coming until just before the end and was pleased I had worked it out。 Will definitely be looking out for more of this series。 If I have any complaint it would be what seems to be constant harping on a This is my first Vera Stanhope book having read all the Shetland Series。 Yes， I know this isn’t the first in the series but it was one I could get hold of。 I really enjoyed this。 Vera is an interesting character and well written。 I could easily imagine her during the story。 I did not see the ending coming until just before the end and was pleased I had worked it out。 Will definitely be looking out for more of this series。 If I have any complaint it would be what seems to be constant harping on about Vera’s weight - this could be a real trigger for many people and made me feel a little uncomfortable。 It was really not necessary to make the story any more interesting。 。。。more

George ，

Yet another of Ann Cleeves' well-written mysteries， except this one I watched on PBS before I finished the book。 I can't decide if I like TV production or the book better。 Either way， I will continue to be a fan of Cleeve's talents。 Yet another of Ann Cleeves' well-written mysteries， except this one I watched on PBS before I finished the book。 I can't decide if I like TV production or the book better。 Either way， I will continue to be a fan of Cleeve's talents。 。。。more

Konnie Maskell ，

Another great read in the Vera Stanhope mystery series。 I love this series， very down to earth and character driven。 I do wish the author would let up a bit on describing Vera’s physical appearance as “ugly。” She’s far from perfect but I quite like her！ I think if I knew her in real life I would not care what she looked like， I would see her kind heart！

Eleanor ，

Probably my favorite Vera Stanhope to date。 It had some surprises along the way。

Pat ，

An odd kind of mystery but enjoyable。

Nyree Mason ，

A bit disappointing。 I love all the other books in this series， but this one had a massive plot-hole。 Ann should have known that DNA could have been taken from the daughter to help ID the bones。 That's why the solution to this particular mystery made little sense。 So if you read it， pretend DNA can only be sourced from the victim。 Luckily they fixed it for the TV adaptation and that was great。 A bit disappointing。 I love all the other books in this series， but this one had a massive plot-hole。 Ann should have known that DNA could have been taken from the daughter to help ID the bones。 That's why the solution to this particular mystery made little sense。 So if you read it， pretend DNA can only be sourced from the victim。 Luckily they fixed it for the TV adaptation and that was great。 。。。more

Diana ，

A good mystery！

Karen ，

Not my favourite I've been working my way through the Vera books and consistently rating them a 4。 This is the first 3 I've given this series。 The book isn't bad， it's just too much。 Too much confusion and some explanations for the way people behaved that are too hard to believe。 Not my favourite I've been working my way through the Vera books and consistently rating them a 4。 This is the first 3 I've given this series。 The book isn't bad， it's just too much。 Too much confusion and some explanations for the way people behaved that are too hard to believe。 。。。more

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=The Seagull

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=The Seagull&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,The Seagull&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0