Wirral Life Issue 69 | Page 16

REVIEW OF ANN CLEEVES ' THE RIDING TIDE ' BY SUE PORTER

Vera Stanhope , star of ITV ’ s Vera , returns in the tenth novel in number one bestseller Ann Cleeves ’ acclaimed series . I was lucky enough to interview Ann when she visited us for her book talk and signing event . Her latest Vera book will be shown on the television this autumn so do watch out !

I can highly recommend this book - full of twists and turns , laughter and a few tears . Vera ’ s humour and no nonsense approaches shouts out at you ! Along with her possessiveness of her team and her crime scenes !

Fifty years ago , a group of teenagers spent a weekend on Holy Island , forging a bond that has lasted a lifetime . They still return

every five years to celebrate their friendship , and remember the friend they lost to the rising waters of the causeway at the first reunion .

Now , when one of them is found hanged , Vera is called in . Learning that the dead man had recently been fired after misconduct allegations , Vera knows she must discover what the friends are hiding , and whether the events of many years before could have led to murder then , and now . . .

But with the tide rising , secrets long-hidden are finding their way to the surface , and Vera and the team may find themselves in more danger than they could have believed possible . . .