Long-awaited First Japanese Translation of the Original Novel for 'Vera'! Pre-orders Start May 7 (Thu) on the Mystery Channel Official Online Store!!

Japan's only (*1) mystery drama specialty channel, "Mystery Channel" (AXN Entertainment Inc., Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, President: Ryoji Nojima), will launch a special project to commemorate the first Japanese publication of the original novel of the masterpiece drama "Vera", created by the jewel of the British mystery novel world, Ann Cleeves, which has fascinated fans around the world for 14 years.

From Thursday, May 7, pre-sales for the long-awaited first Japanese translation of the original novel for "Vera" will begin on the Mystery Channel Official Online Store. The novel, "The Crow Trap" (Sogen Suiri Bunko), corresponds to the first episode of the drama. As an exclusive bonus for this store, everyone who purchases the original book will receive a Mystery Channel original sticky note. Furthermore, on the broadcasting side, as the second installment of the "Tokyo Sogen-sha Hour" collaborative programming with the established mystery publisher Tokyo Sogen-sha, starting Friday, May 1, there will be a special feature broadcast of two masterpiece dramas based on Ann Cleeves' works: all 14 seasons of "Vera" and all seasons of "Shetland," including the exclusive Japanese premiere (*2) of the latest Season 9.

This project allows you to fully appreciate the essence of the master Ann Cleeves, winner of the CWA Gold Dagger for Best Crime Novel, through both drama and novel. Please enjoy this precious opportunity to relive the excitement of the drama through the novel on the Mystery Channel.

*1 In-house research (as of April 1, 2026). As a broadcasting service in Japan. *2 Mystery Channel will broadcast it earliest in Japan, ahead of other Japanese broadcasters, video streaming services, and DVD/Blu-ray releases.

[Book & Pre-order Information] The original novel "The Crow Trap," which corresponds to the first episode of the drama, will be sold for a limited time on the Mystery Channel Official Online Store!

Pre-order announcement page: https://www.mystery.co.jp/pickup/wbgtxlb54g5becja.html

Sales Location: Mystery Channel Official Online Store https://mystery-ch.stores.jp/

Pre-order Start: Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM ■ Release Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026 * Limited time sale on the Mystery Channel Official Online Store until Friday, July 31.

Products and Sales Prices (excluding shipping) Mystery Channel Official Online Store Exclusive Bonus Includes "Mystery Channel Original Sticky Note"

"The Crow Trap": 1,300 yen (1,430 yen incl. tax) "The Crow Trap" & Mystery Channel Original Drawstring Bag: 2,200 yen (2,420 yen incl. tax) "The Crow Trap" & Mystery Channel Original T-shirt (M/L size): 4,800 yen (5,280 yen incl. tax) "The Crow Trap" & Mystery Channel Original Plush Cushion: 4,300 yen (4,730 yen incl. tax) "The Crow Trap" & Mystery Channel Club Charm Pen Set (2 pens): 3,000 yen (3,300 yen incl. tax)

"The Crow Trap" By Ann Cleeves, Translated by Toru Tamaki Label: Sogen Suiri Bunko (M) Format: Paperback (Bunko size) Pages: 480 pages Price: 1,300 yen (excl. tax), 1,430 yen (incl. tax)

The body of a boy sunk in a bathtub with wildflowers... The brilliant Inspector Vera takes on a difficult case in a small seaside town. The breakthrough work of Cleeves, a master of modern British mystery and the original source for the popular drama!

[Mystery Channel Broadcast Information] Tokyo Sogen-sha Hour

Vera (Seasons 1-14, 56 episodes total) Subtitled version: Consecutive broadcast from 5/1 (Fri) 6:00 AM to 5/5 (Tue/Holiday) A consecutive broadcast of the national favorite British series loved by fans worldwide for 14 years since its premiere on ITV in 2011!

Starring Brenda Blethyn, a renowned British actress holding an OBE and boasting a glorious award history including Golden Globes and BAFTAs. Set in Northeast England, Vera, a workaholic detective who can be a demanding boss to her subordinates, solves cases while deeply reading the subtleties of the human heart! Program site: https://www.mystery.co.jp/programs/vera/ © ITV Studios Limited 2024

Shetland (Season 9, 3 episodes total) Subtitled version: Consecutive broadcast on 5/9 (Sat) at 4:00 PM ★ Seasons 1-8 Subtitled version: 5/6 (Wed, substitute holiday) 6:00 AM - 5/8 (Fri) A drama adaptation of the immensely popular series that won Ann Cleeves the CWA Gold Dagger and has translated books available in Japan! The latest Season 9, broadcast on the UK's BBC in November 2025, makes its exclusive Japanese premiere!