Ep 4. The Sea Glass

As Vera season 6 episode 4 titled "The Sea Glass" opens, Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope (Brenda Blethyn) is investigating the murder of a former social worker named Shirley (Katherine Rose Morley), who was found dead on a beach in Tynemouth. The initial investigation suggests that Shirley was killed by a drug addict who was trying to steal her smartphone, but Vera is not convinced.

As she delves deeper, Vera discovers that Shirley was working on a sensitive case involving a young mother named Carla (Laura Aikman), who had recently given birth to a baby boy. Carla had a history of drug abuse and had been in and out of rehab facilities, but Shirley was convinced that she was clean and ready to take care of her child.

Vera suspects that Shirley's murder may be connected to Carla's case and starts to investigate the young mother's past. She visits the rehab facility where Carla had been treated and interviews her former therapist, Dr. Marcus Summer (Robert Pugh), who reveals that Carla had a troubled childhood and had been abandoned by her mother at a young age.

As Vera uncovers more information about Carla's past, she realizes that Carla's mother, Sandra (Fenella Woolgar), may be involved in Shirley's murder. Sandra, who had abandoned Carla as a child, had recently reappeared in her daughter's life and was determined to take custody of her grandchild.

As the investigation deepens, Vera and her team discover that Shirley's murder may be part of a larger conspiracy involving drug addicts, social workers, and corrupt officials. The case takes a dark turn when a key witness in the investigation is found dead, and Vera realizes that she must act quickly to bring the killer to justice.

As always, Brenda Blethyn's portrayal of Vera Stanhope is masterful, and the supporting cast delivers strong performances throughout the episode. The Sea Glass is a gripping and suspenseful entry in the Vera series that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.