Telling Tales cover art

Telling Tales

Vera Stanhope, Book 2

 Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30-day free trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

About this listen

Telling Tales is the second audiobook in Ann Cleeves’ Vera Stanhope series – now a major ITV detective drama starring Brenda Blethyn as Vera.

They thought she was a murderer. But now she’s a victim . . .

Ten years ago fifteen-year-old Abigail Mantel was murdered, her cold body discovered lying in a ditch. Her father’s girlfriend was found guilty of the crime. Now, evidence has emerged that proves her innocence and means that Abigail’s killer still roams free.

Abigail’s best friend at the time of the murder has now returned to the East Yorkshire village of Elvet to raise her young family. Shocked by the new revelations, she begins to realize that she didn’t know her friend as well as she thought . . .

Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope is tasked with uncovering the truth and, as her new inquiries stoke up past secrets the villagers will lie to protect, she must find out which lies will bring her to the killer.

Enjoy more of Vera Stanhope's investigations with The Crow Trap, Hidden Depths and Silent Voices.

 Crime Crime Fiction Detective Fiction Murder Mystery Police Procedural Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Village

Critic reviews

A riveting read (Val McDermid)
Millions will be familiar with Brenda Blethyn’s portrayal of Vera in the television series of the same name but Cleeves’ engaging prose provides a much deeper, subtler insight into an intriguing and likeable character
All stars
Most relevant
Each character is skilfully drawn and dissected. Unlike other Ann Cleeves’ books, I did not find any of them likeable. Only Vera held centre stage. Each of the others was slightly like a psychology textbook character study and, unlike her other books, I really did not truly empathise with any of them.

However, the plot is clever and keeps you wanting to know the truth. I did not guess the identity of the murderer. My money was on a completely different character.

The reader’s voice is easy on the ear and it differentiated individual characters clearly and in a sustained way.

Clever Psychological analysis

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Vera Stanhope calls a spade a spade. She is solid in more ways than one!

Telling Tales

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Wonderful character writing and descriptions. Didn't guess the murderer and was drawn in to listening time and again. Absolutely fantastic!

character writing and suspense

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
It was a slow starter but once Vera came into the story it really picked up & the characters came together more. The writing & characterisation is excellent and the story line kept you gripped - I’ll be sorry when I’ve listened to all the Vera series.

Brilliantly written - a great read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Good character development and an unexpected culprit after many plot twists. Enjoyed learning more about Vera.

Good plot twists

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews