Ep 4. The Seagull

DCI Vera Stanhope is back with a new mystery to solve in the fourth episode of season nine, titled "The Seagull." This time, she is called to the remote Northumberland village of Elvet after a body is found by a group of birdwatchers.

The victim is identified as local businessman, Freddie Gilroy, who ran a successful haulage firm. Freddie was well-liked by many in the village, but Vera begins to uncover a number of secrets that suggest he wasn't as honest as he appeared.

As she delves deeper into Freddie's past, Vera discovers links to the local bird sanctuary, run by the eccentric and reclusive Margaret Kraszewski. Margaret is fiercely protective of her feathered friends and doesn't take kindly to anyone poking around her sanctuary, but Vera is adamant that she needs to get to the bottom of what happened to Freddie.

Vera's investigation takes her from the village's tight-knit community to the murky world of haulage, as she uncovers a web of deceit and betrayal that suggests Freddie's murder was anything but random.

As always, Vera is helped in her investigation by her trusty team of DS Aiden Healy, DC Kenny Lockhart, and pathologist Dr. Marcus Summer. But with tensions running high in Elvet, and secrets threatening to spill out at every turn, Vera will need to use all of her skill and intuition to get to the bottom of this complex case.

"The Seagull" is another gripping episode of "Vera," full of twists and turns that will keep viewers guessing until the very end. With atmospheric settings, strong performances from a talented cast, and a masterful script, this episode is a must-watch for fans of the show and for anyone who loves a good crime drama.