Ann Cleeves - The Seagull

In Ann Cleeves's The Seagull, Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope is drawn into a cold case when a corrupt ex-cop, John Brace, offers information on a decades-old disappearance. Brace, who is in prison, was part of a "Gang of Four" that included Vera's own father, Hector. The investigation leads Vera to a derelict nightclub called The Seagull, where the men used to meet, and to the discovery of two skeletons instead of one. This personal connection forces Vera to confront difficult memories and the possibility of her father's criminal involvement. The past and present collide as she navigates a web of corruption, fragile family relationships, and long-held secrets to uncover the truth. The atmospheric mystery explores the enduring impact of a parent's legacy on their children.