The work of three female conservationists close to an isolated farm is disrupted when the farmer's wife commits suicide. When one of the conservationists is found murdered questions begin to arise about the suicide victim and her reason for taking her own life. DI Vera Stanhope arrives to investigate, probing into the lives of everyone connected.
The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves is not only my introduction to Vera Stanhope (I've not seen any of the TV series - yet) but also the first book by the author I've read. I've no idea why it's taken me this long to pick up a novel by Ann Cleeves but I was determined to read something before going to the Bay Tales Crime Festival in March 2025 (If you are interested in finding out more about this check out @bay_tales on Twitter/X).
This is very much a murder mystery, rather than a police procedural; I was very surprised that Vera didn't really make her mark until almost halfway through what is quite a chunky book. The three women, Rachael, Annie and Grace, have all been employed to carry out an environmental impact report on land close to Black Law Farm. A quarry is to be opened on nearby land, bringing mixed fortunes for the local community. While carrying out the study the women have access to a rundown cottage nearby.
Rachael, the assumed leader of the trio, has built up a relationship with Bella, the farmer's wife, and is understandably shocked and saddened when she discovers Bella's body. Questions swirl about possible reasons and there is even doubt surrounding whether Bella actually took her own life. It soon becomes apparent that no one actually knows anything about Bella before she arrived in the area seven years ago. As Rachael digs into Bella's background she uncovers dark secrets.
Each of the women is hiding secrets and as a result, there is a lack of trust between all three. I didn't particularly warm to any of the women, although when we discovered their backstories I felt more sympathetic towards Grace.
It is the murder of one of the women that prompts the arrival of DI Vera Stanhope. There are a couple of very fleeting references to a "bag lady" earlier in the book but it is when she arrives to investigate the murder that we see her in all her unconventional glory. Vera doesn't care for appearances or feelings, although she's not emotionally illiterate. She likens her job of investigating and uncovering clues to listening to gossip. Vera's appearance gives people the wrong impression, assuming because of her unkempt appearance she will be poor at her job, but she's a keen observer, she listens into conversations, sometimes when people don't realise she's nearby.
There is a long list of suspects and none of them are particularly likeable. Sex, greed or power seems to be the driving factor for most of them. As the investigation continues we dig deeper into the background of the suspects and also learn about Vera's upbringing, which gives us a greater understanding of her character.
I will certainly be reading more books in the series and I'll even check out the TV series at some point.
Author Details
Ann Cleeves is the author of more than thirty-five critically acclaimed novels, and in 2017 was awarded the highest accolade in crime writing, the CWA Diamond Dagger. She is the creator of popular detectives Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez and Matthew Venn, who can be found on television in ITV’s Vera, BBC One’s Shetland and ITV's The Long Call respectively. The TV series and the books they are based on have become international sensations, capturing the minds of millions worldwide.
Ann worked as a probation officer, bird observatory cook and auxiliary coastguard before she started writing. She is a member of ‘Murder Squad’, working with other British northern writers to promote crime fiction. Ann also spends her time advocating for reading to improve health and wellbeing and supporting access to books. In 2021 her Reading for Wellbeing project launched with local authorities across the North East. She lives in North Tyneside where the Vera books are set.
Ann worked as a probation officer, bird observatory cook and auxiliary coastguard before she started writing. She is a member of ‘Murder Squad’, working with other British northern writers to promote crime fiction. Ann also spends her time advocating for reading to improve health and wellbeing and supporting access to books. In 2021 her Reading for Wellbeing project launched with local authorities across the North East. She lives in North Tyneside where the Vera books are set.
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