DVD Review: Vera

Vera
based on the novels of Ann Cleeves [DVD Vera]

Vera is a British crime drama series featuring Brenda Blethyn as Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope and David Leon as her trusted sidekick Sgt. Joe Ashworth. The series is set in the fictional Northumberland and City Police department along the coast of England. In actuality the series is filmed in beautiful Newcastle upon Tyne in Northeast England, a perfect setting for these marvelous stories based on the crime series by author Ann Cleeves. There are currently nine seasons that have been filmed with season ten forthcoming. I just finished viewing Set 2 and especially enjoyed “Silent Voices” which was based on the novel of the same name. Vera is not your typical Chief Inspector. She is cranky yet kind-hearted, with a soft spot for the people in her department. In one scene, an employee turns in her request to be transferred from the department after Vera gives her a hard time about not working hard enough. Vera nearly bursts into tears at the sight of the request, something you don’t see other chief inspectors do. Once again we learn that underneath that get-to-work exterior is someone who is really human after all. The stories are well-written and keep you guessing who the killers are right up until the end.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Inspector Morse, Inspector Lewis, or Prime Suspect on DVD.]

[Also available in traditional print format.]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this television series ] | [ official Vera page on British television network ITV’s website ]

Recommended by Kim J.
Bennett Martin Public Library

Mystery Fans: Don't miss the first new meeting of the Just Desserts mystery fiction group for 2020, tomorrow night (Thursday 1/30/2020) from 6:30  to 8:00 at the downtown library. The theme is "Anthologies & Short Story Collections" -- participants can talk about any mystery anthology or short story collection they've read since our last meeting in October, plus there'll be a "round robin" in which you can share any other mysteries you've recently read! Bring a dessert to share with fellow attendees!

 

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