Ann Cleeves is a British author known for her crime fiction novels. She was born on May 24, 1954, in Bristol, England. Cleeves gained widespread recognition for her series featuring detectives like Vera Stanhope and Shetland's Jimmy Perez. Her writing often reflects the landscapes and communities of Northumberland and Shetland. Cleeves' work has been adapted into popular television series, further increasing her readership. The Vera series, starring actress Brenda Blethyn, has been particularly successful. Cleeves has received several awards for her contributions to crime literature, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the genre.