This book was so difficult to put down that I read it in two days. Peter Robinson is gifted in his ability to create colorful and interesting characters, and there are certainly plenty of them in this book. Followers of this series will be familiar with Banks himself along with his colleagues Annie Cabbot, Winsome Jackman, Gristhorpe, Hatchley and "Dirty Dick" Burgess; thanks to Robinson's characterization I feel as though I know and like these people, who have their own talents, flaws and quirks. Chief Constable "Jimmy" Riddle is here too; readers of other Banks books may be familiar with Riddle but here he has a much more central role, and Robinson paints a fascinating picture of this proud, high-achieving but deeply flawed individual. Robinson does a good job of re-introducing all of the regular characters so you do not need to have read the other books to enjoy this one. There are several intriguing supporting characters too, from Riddle's out-of-control teenage daughter to dangerous London gangsters, the lovable rogue Charlie Courage, and many others.
The plot grabbed me from the very beginning, as Chief Constable "Jimmy" Riddle overcomes his extreme dislike for Banks and asks him to help track down his missing daughter. Banks reluctantly takes on the assignment which leads him to some unsavory and dangerous characters. Meanwhile a seemingly unrelated murder occupies his colleagues' attention in Yorkshire. As the investigation proceeds the connections between this murder and Banks' assignment become apparent. Robinson is a master of the police procedural and is somehow able to make compelling reading even out of things like a detective sergeant visiting an office park as part of the investigation. Robinson expertly weaves together the different story elements and the momentum builds as the book comes to a climax, with some surprising plot twists along the way.
I like the Englishness of the Inspector Banks series. None of the police, including Banks, are armed, and many of the interactions between the characters take place in pubs. I am happy that there are still several books in this series that I have not yet read, so I can look forward to spending more time in the Queens Arms with Banks and his colleagues accompanied by some Theakstones Bitter and Yorkshire Pudding.
I discovered the Banks series while awaiting the next Michael Connelly book as I am a big fan of his Harry Bosch detective series. There are quite a few parallels between Banks and Bosch, and between the two series, and I especially recommend the Banks series to fellow Bosch fans.
Highly recommended.
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Top reviews from other countries
Denise Hastings
There is a order to his books. You do not need to go in order but wonderful if you do
Reviewed in Canada on July 10, 2021
