Fifty years ago, a group of students attended a retreat at the urging of their teacher. They were so struck by it that they continued meeting every five years on Lindisfarne. This year, Rick Kelsall, a media star, finds himself in disgrace after one of his staff accused him of inappropriate behavior. He likes attention and the first night of the retreat, tells them all he’s writing a novel based on true events. During the night, he is murdered and left to look like a suicide.
Vera figures the most obvious suspects are the others there for the retreat—Philip, a wild boy turned Anglican vicar; Annie, a divorcee who works at a deli; Lou, who spends most of her time caring for her husband, Ken, stricken with Alzheimers; and Ken. In years past, there were three more participants: Charlotte, Rick’s ex-wife, who was bored by the retreat; Dan, Annie’s ex-husband; and Isobel, who was killed after she had a fight with Rick and drove off onto the causeway when the tide was coming in. Their teacher, Judith, was also at the first retreat.
Vera’s team turns up lots of intriguing information about the retreat participants and their connections. Charlotte, who had been a celebrity, now runs a failing spa. Dan, from a lower social class than the others, is now a wealthy resort owner. Vera is shocked to find out that his partner is Katherine Willmore, the Police and Crime Commissioner. Further, it was her daughter who made the allegation against Rick, which she has not revealed to Vera.
On the team, Holly and Joe are still feeling competitive, but they have started getting along better. And Joe has shown some independence from Vera.
Vera has a notion that the crime has some connection to Isobel’s death years ago. Then another person connected with the group is killed.
As usual, Cleeves has written another tightly plotted, clever mystery. However, for this one, I found the ending incredibly touching.
whatmeread 
I haven’t read any of the Vera books, this sounds a good one to start with.
I would say that they were mostly independent, but for the full effect of this one, you should start with a few previous. I usually like to start at the beginning of the series, in case there is anything that continues from one book to another. In the case of the Vera series, there isn’t much, but something happens to one character that won’t be as effective for you if you haven’t read any other of the series, especially the more recent ones.
thanks!