For the National Year of Reading, Ann was made reader-in-residence for three library authorities. It came as a revelation that it was possible to get paid for talking to readers about books! She went on to set up reading groups in prisons as part of the Inside Books project, became Cheltenham Literature Festival's first reader-in-residence and still enjoys working with libraries. Alistair Petrie ( Stuart Bayliss) & Kingsley Ben-Adir ( Dr. Marcus Summer) also worked together on Deep State (2018) as George White & Khalid Walker respectively. Why would such well dressed and elegant lady find herself living in Mardle and more importantly who would want to kill her? Newcastle was full of people and friendly, they walked arm in arm between the art galleries , crossing the tyne by the Blinking Eye Bridge.” How nice to have a story opening at the beginning of the actually story; no prologue. Not only is the setting established, but we also have a sense of the character for one of the protagonists, Joe. And Vera; how can one not like Vera and her no-nonsense style, her self-awareness—“She didn’t take notes at this point. Notes stopped her concentrating.”--and her awareness of, and relationship to, others: “On the platform in the distance she saw Joe Ashworth. Her sergeant and her surrogate son, her protégé. And her conscience.”

You should pay attention to women of a certain age wearing brown anoraks, tweed skirt, with a Geordie accent…..mind how you go, pet.I have to say that Vera Stanhope remains an intriguing character. The character is very good at drawing people out and digging in, but one wonders is it because she's a good DI or is it because she's just nosy. We have Vera realizing she needs to be better with her team. Not only because she does care about them (though she hate to admit it) but she realizes her behavior is going to drive them away. The Harbour Street investigation also has ties to her childhood and her father Hector and his birdwatching and egg stealing. DCI Vera Stanhope is called to a remote lighthouse where a body has been discovered lashed to a sailboat. Immediately setting about her investigation, Vera soon discovers that the body is local council enforcement officer and experienced amateur sailor Frank Channing. A family man, with strong friendships, who was well respected at work, surely this really was just an accident? However, it's not long before Vera discovers evidence suggesting foul play. Vera and her team piece together Frank’s final days and soon discover that his life wasn’t all plain sailing.

She told The Chronicle she got to see puffins and seals but was drenched by a wave during a choppy crossing, adding: “I’ve got good sea legs!”Whilst most filming took place in Alnmouth, including the pub and tower scenes, Newbiggin by the Sea and Tynemouth were also used as locations along with some filming in Newcastle. Clare Calbraith ( Rebecca Shepherd) & Paul Copley ( Malcolm Kenrich) also worked together on Downton Abbey (2010) as Jane Moorsum & Mr. Mason respectively. We get another great look at Vera and her team (Joe, Holly, and Charlie) as they investigate the murder of a woman on one of the train cars that Joe and his daughter Jessie were riding. The case takes them to Harbour Street, a location/area where things are sliding right along to total disrepair and ruin.

The judging panel consisted of Geoff Bradley (non-voting Chair), Lyn Brown MP (a committee member on the London Libraries service), Frances Gray (an academic who writes about and teaches courses on modern crime fiction), Heather O'Donoghue (academic, linguist, crime fiction reviewer for The Times Literary Supplement, and keen reader of all crime fiction) and Barry Forshaw (reviewer and editor of Crime Time magazine). Weekly Top 10 Programmes: ITV+1 w/e 15 May 2011". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board . Retrieved 2 July 2011.

What you need to know before your trail

Actress Brenda Blethyn aka DCI Vera Stanhope with Phil Bedford, Port of Tyne assistant operations manager, cruise and ferry (Image: Port of Tyne)