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Ann Cleeves

The writer behind Vera and Shetland — two of Britain's longest-running detective dramas. A complete guide to where each series starts and where they're headed next.

Atmospheric · Contemporary · Some links may be affiliate links — see disclosure below

New to Ann Cleeves?

Two series, two starting points — Vera fans start with The Crow Trap, Shetland fans start with Raven Black.

Find The Crow Trap →
Bibliography

All Books

Four series across more than three decades — Vera, Shetland, Two Rivers, and the earlier Palmer-Jones and Ramsay mysteries.

Series Detective Setting
Vera Stanhope (11 books)DI Vera StanhopeNorthumberland
Shetland (8 books + spin-off)DI Jimmy PerezShetland Islands / Orkney
Two Rivers (3 books)DI Matthew VennNorth Devon
Inspector Ramsay (5 books)Inspector Stephen RamsayNorthumberland
George & Molly Palmer-JonesAmateur birdwatching sleuthsVarious
Where to Start

Reading Order

Three series worth knowing — pick based on the mood you're after.

Accessible · Character-Led
Vera Stanhope

Start with The Crow Trap → Telling Tales → Hidden Depths. Closest in tone to Brenda Blethyn's TV Vera.

Find The Crow Trap →
Atmospheric · Location-Driven
Shetland

Start with Raven Black → White Nights → Red Bones. A Gold Dagger winner and the more complex protagonist.

Find Raven Black →
Modern · Introspective
Two Rivers

Start with The Long Call → The Heron's Cry → The Raging Storm. Coastal North Devon, a quieter detective.

Find The Long Call →
Page to Screen

Where to Watch

Cleeves is one of Britain's most-adapted living crime writers.

01
ITV · 2011–2025

Vera

Starring Brenda Blethyn across 14 series. Some episodes (Hidden Depths, Telling Tales, The Crow Trap, Silent Voices) directly adapt the novels; many others are original stories using the characters.

02
BBC One · 2013–present

Shetland

Douglas Henshall starred as Jimmy Perez through Season 6; Ashley Jensen took over as DI Ruth Calder from Season 7 onward, an original creation not found in the books.

03
ITV / BritBox

The Long Call

A four-part adaptation of the first Two Rivers novel, starring Ben Aldridge as DI Matthew Venn.

Planning a trip? See where Vera is actually filmed in Northumberland →

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