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The Seagull
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
26 posts | 17 read | 10 to read
The Seagull is Ann Cleeves searing eighth novel in the bestselling Vera Stanhope series, about corruption deep in the heart of a community, and about fragile, and fracturing, family relationships. 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 Marys 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 . . .
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review
TrishB
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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Pickpick

#adaptedforthesmallscreen #booked2022
Another brilliant police procedural novel featuring Vera 😁 never disappoints. Complicated twists and turns, thought I‘d guessed right at one point, but no.

Cinfhen Yay!! Glad you enjoyed it 🤩 2y
Cathythoughts Isn‘t it wonderful when you can say ‘ never disappoints‘ 👍🏻 2y
TrishB @Cathythoughts it definitely is 👍🏻 2y
92 likes3 comments
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Jas16
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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Pickpick

When Vera is given a tip about the location a body from a person from her past, instead of one body, two are found. Possibly the best book in the series so far. Learning more about Vera and her father and watching all of the details of the past be uncovered made me sad that this is the last Vera book unread on my shelves.

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rabbitprincess
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
Pickpick

Another great case in the Vera series. I really like how the team works together and plays to each other‘s strengths. This installment looks a bit into Vera‘s past, which is interesting.

kwmg40 I've not read any of the Vera books yet but I started watching the TV series recently and enjoying it very much. 2y
rabbitprincess @kwmg40 I‘ve watched a couple of episodes off and on but might dive into the TV series once I‘m caught up with the books. I also have to get started on the Shetland TV series now that I‘m finished reading those books! 2y
kwmg40 The Shetland series is excellent! I took the opposite approach, watching the shows first and then starting the novels. 😄 2y
22 likes3 comments
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kspenmoll
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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1. Tagged book
2. A student of mine as been trying to teach me a very fast dance with all kinds of hand motions, steps, & moves. We laugh & laugh because I cannot coordinate my top & bottom halves of my body. 😂😂
3. Pet peeve- when I find pages that are turned down at corners to book mark in library/borrowed book. Horrifying!!!!
#thoughtfulthursday
Tagging any Litten who wants to join in!

SamanthaMarie The fun with your student sounds absolutely wonderful!! 2y
MoonWitch94 Thanks for playing 🍂📖✨ 2y
44 likes2 comments
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kspenmoll
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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#coffeeandbooks
Waiting while my son gets his hair cut- first time in months & months. ☕️📚

Cathythoughts 😁 Enjoy! 2y
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kspenmoll
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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Getting cozy for my evening read while my husband finishes up his beef stew. I have tomorrow off of school for Veterans Day so I can really relax.
Entering Vera‘s world… a treat.

Trashcanman My disease, my infection... 2y
66 likes1 comment
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MamaGina
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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Pickpick

Lately I‘ve been enjoying reading books that have TV series episodes available too. Last night I finished The Seagull book then immediately watched the episode from Season 9
of the same name. Many details were changed this time, but the revealed murderer was the same and, of course, Brenda Blethyn portrays Vera Stanhope perfectly IMO.🕵🏼‍♀️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

EvieBee Yes!!!! Agreed. 3y
Readerann Vera! 👍👏 3y
19 likes2 comments
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CaitlinR
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Pickpick

The Stanhope mysteries are such great reads! Vera‘s father, Hector was a birder who was more interested in stealing and selling eggs and other things avian than growing his life list. Hector is dead, but his activities, and a couple of buddies, loom large as the squad works to identify a couple of (long-dead) bodies.

Lots of twists and turns. Great back story about Hector and Vera. We also get to know Cleeves‘ home-town. Also, justice prevails

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Susanita
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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I‘m the only person in the office today, so I could have my own little desk #concert and no one would care! OTOH the cafeteria is closed, so I‘ll have to leave early just to get some lunch.

Anyway, this grainy photo is Paul Rogers singing “Seagull” at a music festival a few years ago. He‘s not the handsomest man in any case, but that voice!

#letstraveljuly

OriginalCyn620 😊🎶🎶🎶 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🎤🎼💗 5y
37 likes2 comments
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Jeg
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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Pickpick

This was a very pleasant and vivid read for me. Vivid because I‘m a Fan of the TV series and I can see and hear all the characters. Love that. The series so like the books. Such great detail of the countryside, makes me want to go visit. She seems to base her novels on places where she is living. I see she no longer writes the series about the Shetlands as since her husband died she no longer goes there. He was a bird watcher there. @MrsMalaprop

CarolynM I haven't read any Anne Cleeves or watched Vera, but I love the Shetland TV show. 5y
14 likes1 comment
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Tonton
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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Pickpick

Obstinate, strong, and nervy Vera and her team have two skeletons to identify and investigate. The case is connected with bad boys in the Gang of Four; her cop father was a member. Closer to home than she is comfortable with, she is vulnerable but I like her for that. Love the series!

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kspenmoll
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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#Litsywalkers #beach #CapeCod #thegatheringofthegulls
Saturday my sister &I walked and walked along the Bank Street Beach, then into town. Less than a handful of people on the beach. The sounds of the waves breaking & seagulls chattering were heavenly.

Eyelit Sounds like a great walk! 5y
kspenmoll @Eyelit We lucked out; beautiful day, close to 40 degrees. 😀 5y
IamIamIam Have so much fun!!! 5y
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batsy 😍 5y
saguarosally Cape Cod, there‘s a new day trip idea, but I hate seagulls. Nasty giant noisy things. 5y
kspenmoll @saguarosally Being off season they are not shrieking for human food. They were intent on tiny fish near the shore. Paid no attention to us. Only called out occasionally to one another. Quiet. So much nicer to visit off season. 💕 5y
Kaye 🌟 5y
79 likes7 comments
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Andrew65
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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Pickpick

I think this is the best of the Vera Stanhope books. Whilst a lot of events were in the past it was good to see how the team try to put events together and work out who was responsible for the two bodies found at St Mary‘s lighthouse. Vera also came across a touch more likeable in this one, along with Holly, and I think this helped. It was also good to learn more about Vera‘s past, which explains a lot! Strongly recommended! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

EadieB I agree with everything you wrote. Definitely the best so far! 6y
RachelAmphlett Love love love love love this series! 6y
Andrew65 @RachelAmphlett I do love this series too, but the Shetland series is possibly my favourite. 6y
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EadieB
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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Pickpick

8th book of the Vera Stanhope Mystery series. Gave us a glimpse into Hector Stanhope, Vera's dad. Book gets off to a slow start put picks up middle to end. The characters are interesting and the plot is intricately woven. Full of twists and turns which kept the pages turning. I highly recommend these books to those who love mystery thrillers. I suggest they be read in order as the stories build one upon the other. Group read with @Andrew65

Andrew65 I really enjoyed this one, possibly one of my favourites in the series. (edited) 6y
Bookwomble I love the TV show, Vera, with Brenda Blethin. If you've seen it, how faithful an adaptation do you feel it is? 6y
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EadieB @Bookwomble Vera in the book is described as very frumpy but Brenda is a better character for Vera than the book character. The storylines seem very close to the books though. 6y
Bookwomble Interesting - I love Brenda, she's a fantastic actor. 6y
EadieB @Bookwomble I agree she is a great actress! 6y
Andrew65 @Bookwomble I agree, she does a great job as Vera and loved her in Outside Edge. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yjQ7qz80wIw 6y
Bookwomble @Andrew65 My first memory of her is from the sitcom Chance in a Million, in which she played the hapless, and rather sexy, girlfriend to Simon Callow's character. 6y
Andrew65 @Bookwomble That brings back memories! 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 @Bookwomble I remember seeing her in a few movies: Pride and Prejudice and Atonement. 6y
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Andrew65
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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‘Oh, I‘m interested in everything, Joe. That‘s why I‘m a bloody brilliant detective.‘ She gave him her widest smile. ‘That‘s why I‘m in charge and you‘re sitting there, doing as you‘re told.‘

EadieB @Andrew65 That was very mean! I hate when she treats Joe like that! 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB She is rather a bully where he is concerned! 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 I‘ve got 15 more pages to read for the 1st section. 6y
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Andrew65 @EadieB I‘ve finished and just posted the first section questions. 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 I‘ll be there in about 10 mins. 6y
60 likes6 comments
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Andrew65
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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Just starting The Seagull as part of a Group Read, as I continue the #24in48 Readathon Challenge. Just entering 7th hour of reading but behind schedule to complete the challenge.

Will be good to return to Vera and Joe and see what is going on in their lives.

EadieB @Andrew65 I at 5:38 in the readathon. 6y
Andrew65 @EadieB That‘s brilliant, especially as five hours behind us! 6y
EadieB @Andrew65 Thanks! That‘s right I have 5 hrs more left than you do. Maybe I can make it! 6y
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RealLifeReading 6 h is awesome! 6y
Andrew65 @RealLifeReading Thanks 😊 6y
Cathythoughts You are doing great 👍🏻 6y
Andrew65 @Cathythoughts Thanks, I hoped to be a bit further on by now. 👍 (edited) 6y
Anitareads Great job! 👍👏 6y
Andrew65 @Anitareads Thanks 😊 6y
61 likes9 comments
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Mrsemz
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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Loved Vera! Discovered her in my latest library pick. She's so realistic and down-to-earth so look forward to reading more of the Vera Stanhope Mysteries.

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Katiesbookishlife
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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Mehso-so

A so-so read for me, love the Vera character but this book lacked some of the depth of the other stories in this series.

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Lizpixie
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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Thank you so much @ScorpioBookDreams I love everything! The book is awesome, we very rarely get overseas authors in Australia doing signings, and I love that you went with Lizzy (it's what the hubby calls me❤️) The Alnwick bookmark is beautiful and I love the Deathly Hallows "wish bracelet". It got here with no damage which was so good, auspost doesn't have a very good rep in that department. Love love love it all. Thank you!???

ScorpioBookDreams So glad it finally arrived! I went with Lizzy because of Pride and Prejudice 😂. 6y
Lizpixie @ScorpioBookDreams she's my favourite Austen character too! So sassy 💁🏻 6y
LeahBergen Lovely!! 💕 6y
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Lizpixie
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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#FallIntoBooks #day30 #BestOfSeptember This was a terrible reading month for me because of my eyes. Out of the 14&1/2 books (halfway through Tower Of Dawn) only half were physical books, the rest were audiobooks. I cannot wait for my new glasses, even though the "floaters" will still be there hopefully reading will be a lot less painful. 14 books. Ugh. That's half what I usually read.?

TrishB Hope they come soon ❤ 6y
tricours Floaters?? 6y
Lizpixie @tricours have you ever had black spots swimming in your vision when you're in the sun or trying to read? They're called floaters, and the ones I have take up my whole left eye and parts of my right, it's like looking through cobwebs that shift and move as I move my eyes. Frustrating as hell, plus headache inducing from eye strain. 6y
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tricours Oh, I think I've had those sometimes yes, that sounds horrible! What causes them? 6y
Lizpixie @tricours they happen when the jelly part of your eyeball starts to clump together which causes a shadow in your vision when the light passes through your pupil to the back of your eye. Because I'm so badly shortsighted, apparently it happens more & earlier than it does for most people. If it doesn't clear on its own in a few months, I'll have to have laser surgery on my eye to zap them. Fun.👁👁 6y
tricours 😬 I'm also very shortsighted. Scary. What's your degree of shortsightedness? Everyone I know with glasses are at like -2,5 (I'm -3,75) except for a Russian friend who's got something like -18! 6y
Lizpixie @tricours I'm at -6,4 in my right eye & -6,8 in my left. 6y
66 likes7 comments
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ScorpioBookDreams
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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Beautiful #bookmail! 💕

ScorpioBookDreams @Lizpixie I'm at an Ann Cleeves signing on Saturday so can't wait! 7y
Lizpixie @ScorpioBookDreams oh lucky you! I'd kill for a signed copy of any of her books. So jealous right now💚 7y
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ScorpioBookDreams @Lizpixie would you like me to send you one? I can get one signed if you let me know. I'm getting @DeborahSmall one. 7y
Lizpixie Oh yes please! If you give me your email address I'll send you my address. You are a goddess! 7y
ScorpioBookDreams @Lizpixie it's not a problem! Email address is rachaelmills89@btinternet.com. 7y
charissharpe Love the Vera series... the books & the show! 7y
DeborahSmall Love the Harry Potter x it's in my basket 💕 7y
ScorpioBookDreams @DeborahSmall ordered it from the book people xx 7y
DeborahSmall And also the magical places one looks great. X 7y
ScorpioBookDreams @DeborahSmall so have I but I wasn't sure if any of the info in the other books was duplicated in it or if it's all new stuff. The places one is next on my list xx 7y
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Lizpixie
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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Pickpick

Another great Vera novel from Ann Cleeves. Though it wasn't one of her best, like The Crow Trap & Silent Voices which were phenomenal, it was still a well written British crime novel with Vera, Joe, Holly & Charlie working to identify 2 sets of bones found in a stormwater drain at Whitley Bay after Vera gets a tipoff from a former cop, now in prison for corruption. But he only revealed one body, so who is the unidentified female found as well?

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Lizpixie
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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Sitting in the car at the hospital, enjoying the early spring sunshine, though it's very windy which is keeping me cool. Bloody pain clinic, bloody doctors, more bloody medication. But I have a great book, the sun is nice & I'm having some quiet time looking out at the mountains. Life could be worse!🌞🙂

Cinfhen Take care! Glad weather and book are cooperating 😘 7y
TrishB Looks lovely 💝 I have downloaded the first 3 in this series due to you 😀 hope all is well. 7y
Lizpixie @Cinfhen it was a beautiful day today & the book is brilliant so far, pity I had to spend some of it at the bloody hospital. I hate hospitals🏥🚫🙅🏼 @TrishB I hope you enjoy Vera as much as I do, it's lovely to read about a detective that's not 20something & model gorgeous.👍 7y
minkyb I ordered book 1 but afraid if I start the series will just take over my life. I do hope the doctors were able to help. 7y
57 likes4 comments
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Lizpixie
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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#BookMail today was exciting! It's my pre-order of the new Vera Stanhope novel by Ann Cleeves plus a stack of books for my #LetsGetCozy book swap recipient & for my #LetsHyggeSwap partner as well. Just waiting on two more items then both will be in the Express postbox asap!

Jess_Read_This I brought the first in the series as a vacation read! I love Vera on the show and can't wait to dive into the books! 7y
53 likes1 comment
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Lizpixie
The Seagull | Ann Cleeves
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#AndItsAugust #AugustMostAnticipated #BackToReading #MostAnticipated #day1 This covers both of today's challenges,these 5 books are my most anticipated reads for August.All are new releases except for the Folio edition of The Remains Of The Day which will be my first #foliofreaks addition.The Seagull is the new Vera,I Know A Secret is new Rizzoli&Isles,The Good Daughter is a new standalone & The Stone Sky is the final in the Broken Earth trilogy.

JoeStalksBeck Yay‼️‼️‼️👏📚 7y
Kalalalatja Woohoo! Welcome to the #foliofreaks club 👏👏 7y
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