Aloha to Weekly Winners and VERA - a UK set mystery series.

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou - Happy New Year! We have winners at SOS Aloha - Denise, Di, and Carol win a book choice from my convention stash.

I am also a winner for discovering the UK's mystery series VERA, broadcast on Maryland Public Television (MPT).  From Wikipedia (link),

Vera is a British crime drama series based on novels of the same name, written by crime writer Ann Cleeves. It was first broadcast on ITV on 1 May 2011, and to date, six series have been broadcast. A seventh series is set to air in 2017.

The series stars Brenda Blethyn as the principal character, DCI Vera Stanhope. Vera is an employee of the fictional Northumberland & City Police, who is obsessive about her work and driven by her own demons. She plods along in a constantly dishevelled state, but has a calculating mind, and despite her irascible personality, she cares deeply about her work and comrades. Vera forms a close relationship with both of her sergeants, Joe Ashworth (David Leon) and later, Aiden Healy (Kenny Doughty).

Set in the Northeast corner of England, VERA offers a diverse landscape for murder from gritty city streets, to breathtaking North Sea beaches, to the mysterious moorland. Every scene is gorgeous.  

Vera muddles around in a wrinkled raincoat and late model Landrover, adding to her persona.  She barks orders at her large team to investigate each murder, but spends most of her time with Sergeant Joe Ashworth. Vera uses the terms "luv" and "pet" in her British accent when currying favor with witnesses. The mysteries themselves are intriguing, pulling out a few red herrings, family secrets, and unexpected villains. 

In essessence, VERA is the UK version of TNT's THE CLOSER with Kyra Sedgwick.  Vera even has her own version of Prevenza - DC Kenny Lockhart.

Added bonus - actress Brenda Blethyn starred as Mrs.Bennett in the 2005 film adaptation of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE with Keira Knightley. 

Look for VERA on your local PBS station.  Can you recommend a mystery series - book, TV, or film?  Or your favorite Jane Austen romance - book, TV, or film?   

I enjoyed THE CLOSER when it broadcast on TNT.  I adored the mini series of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE starring Colin Firth.  Sigh.  Mr. Darcy.

One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Sunday, January 8, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Monday, January 9.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

The opening credits of VERA include the Angel of the North (below). From the Gateshead council, the sculpture signifies:

(1) that beneath the site of its construction, coal miners worked for two centuries

(2) to grasp the transition from an industrial to an information age

(3) to serve as a focus for our evolving hopes and fears

Image released to Public Domain (link)