Vera author and creator Ann Cleeves has sparked swathes of excitement among the ITV drama's fandom with her latest update.
The latest TV series of the Brenda Blethyn-led series came to a close at the start of the year and, despite speculation it would be the last, ITV confirmed DCI Vera Stanhope would be back solving crimes in 2025.
Blethyn took to X, formerly Twitter, in February to confirm when exactly she and the cast would return to filming but stopped short of revealing too many plot details.
Now, however, Cleeves may have just given away a huge tease of what fans can expect in DCI Stanhope's future after unveiling her upcoming book.
Titled The Dark Wives, Cleeves has shown off the front cover and the synopsis for the 11th book in her Vera series.
And the plot for the book not only teases a new case for Vera to get stuck into but also a new face joining her and Joe Ashworth, played by David Leon in the ITV adaptation.
ITV Vera: Ann Cleeves has teased a new adventure in her next Vera book
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In the teaser shared on Amazon, The Dark Wives' plot reads: "A body is found by an early morning dog walker on the common outside Rosebank, a care home for troubled teens. The victim is Josh, a staff member, who never showed up to work.
"DI Vera Stanhope is called out to investigate. Her only clue is the disappearance of fourteen-year-old resident Chloe. Vera can’t bring herself to believe that a teenager is responsible for the murder, but even she can’t dismiss the possibility."
Revealing details about the new recruit, the synopsis goes on: "Vera, Joe and new team member Rosie are soon embroiled in the case, but when a second body is found near the Three Dark Wives standing stones in the wilds of the Northumbrian countryside, folklore and fact begin to collide."
It concludes with the almighty cliffhanger: "Vera knows she has to find Chloe to get to the truth, but it seems that the dark secrets in their community may be far more dangerous than she could ever have believed..."
Just in case you’re interested in the new Vera book, The Dark Wives, and would like to support your local indie bookshop! https://t.co/TZHFEBptXx
— Ann Cleeves (@AnnCleeves) March 26, 2024
After Cleeves shared the news of her new book and upcoming storyline for DCI Stanhope, fans soon flocked to share their reactions.
"I'm excited to read the newest Vera novel, #TheDarkWives, by @AnnCleeves. The novel is scheduled to be published 8-27-2024," one fan penned.
A second replied directly to Cleeves: "Can't wait! Well, obviously l can, and will, as Vera is always a good read. The TV dramatisations also good, and have seen them so often, I'm word perfect as a Vera stand-in!!"
"Can't wait. Will look in stores in Ireland," added another before a fourth mused: "That is an intriguing title."
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And a fifth shared their plans: "My next pre order for next month planned @AnnCleeves." (sic)
With The Dark Wives not going on general sale until August, it isn't clear if the storyline will be used to influence the next series' scripts.
However, with ITV and Blethyn refusing to rule out future series beyond 2025 at the time of writing, The Dark Wives could be revisited in future episodes.
It has been reported that the next series will only consist of two feature-length specials, shorter than the three-episode-long series 13.