Cleeves’ Vera Beats Rankin and J.K. Rowling to be Crowned the Nations’s Favourite Detective

Vera Stanhope, the cranky and disheveled star of Ann Cleeves’ bestselling novels and ITV’s major drama series starring Brenda Blethyn, has triumphed over characters created by J.K. Rowling and Ian Rankin to win the title of the nation’s favourite detective. The winners of the inaugural Dead Good Books awards were announced today (Friday 17th July) at the annual Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate, the world’s biggest celebration of the crime genre, of which Cleeves is also the programming chair.

The shortlist in full:

  • Vera Stanhope, created by Ann Cleeves
  • Lacey Flint, created by Sharon Bolton
  • Cormoran Strike, created by Robert Galbraith
  • Harry Hole, created by Jo Nesbo
  • John Rebus, created by Ian Rankin
  • David Raker, created by Tim Weaver 

Cleeves said of the win: ‘I am thrilled that Vera has won. I developed Vera because at the time there were few strong, believable female protagonists in crime fiction. I wanted someone true, real and relatable, so I created Vera Stanhope. She grew out of the strong spinsters I knew as  a  child: competent, formidable and without a trace of glamour. She's middle-aged, over-weight and if I was in trouble I'd want her on my side.’

Vera has been winning hearts for her quirky ways since she first appeared in Cleeves’ novel, The Crow Trap in 1999, and, with the sixth series of ITV’s Vera airing in 2016, her victory on such a prestigious shortlist cements the fact that Vera is one of Britain’s best-loved fictional detectives.

Star of ITV’s Vera, Brenda  Blethyn, attended the awards and both her and  Cleeves accepted the award from the host, Lee Child, at the ceremony held at Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival The Old Swan in Harrogate.

The winner of the nation’s favourite detective was decided by a public vote via the crime fiction website, Dead Good, and over 4,000 votes had been received from online readers and festival-goers. Established in October 2012, Dead Good is dedicated to discovering, sharing  and  recommending thrilling crime fiction.

Cleeves’ Vera Beats Rankin and J.K. Rowling to be Crowned the Nations’s Favourite Detective

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