An Inspector Banks Novel (Inspector Banks Novels)

Huge disappointment for a fan of David Downing's. It's a "who's who" of socialism in the early years of WWII with side jaunts to visit notables that have no reason for being in the book except to say "ooh...she meets up with Lenin in Switzerland". I found this book tedious and over-written. The supposed hero is in India, so of course a ridiculous Gandhi has to make an appearance for no purpose except to say "look, I'm here!"
Don't read this book.

This latest DCI Banks mystery features a cast of characters with shared histories and since they are basically my contemporaries I enjoyed the trip back to the turbulent seventies. With his usual contemplative nature Banks unravels the relationships and solves the murder. Peter Robinson continues his penchant for murder, mystery and music and the combination always provides an enjoyable journey for the reader. If you are a Banks fan like me you won't want to miss this book if not it is a good read for any mystery lover.

As one reader said, are we reading the same book? I am very much on the side of the positive reviewers. Robinson has not lost his touch; his prose and character development were spot on, the plot was interesting. Perhaps I was biased by the background of the turbulent sixties and seventies because I was a participant at the time. It was interesting to get a feel for the climate of that era "across the pond." The possibility that I found the book more interesting because of the history of certain characters is the only reason I only gave four stars.

Having read all of the Inspector Banks books, I found this one to be dreary and dull, meandering around the potential murder suspects providing little interest for the reader.

The plot took too long to get where it was going and when it did get there, it was a case of "yawn, ho hum".

Predictable, and boring, and to top it off, at the end of the story, we found the aging DCI Banks about to enter a relationship with a young beautiful girl who initiated it - not at all believable.

All in all, this is the Inspector Banks yarn I have least enjoyed.

Not enough believable interaction between the characters, eg Banks, Cabbot, Gervaise, Winsome I found to be a flaw in the book also.

But look forward to the next one!

I have read all Peter Robinson's novels, this book does not disappoint, it was wonderful. I really like that Inspector Banks has been allowed to age. It was very well written, the characters are fully developed and the plot kept me guessing. I always learn a bit of Great Britain history. Mr. Robinson does a great job of incorporating history into his story. I highly recommend this book to mystery lovers.

I read Peter Robinson;s book and always look forward to his next. Inspector Banks and his groups are great, and I have known them for some time.
His plots are half discovered here and there, and if and when you are right, you feel "vindicated"...my mind works while I read his books, something my doctors recommend...so keep them coming and keep giving me pleasure!

I very much enjoyed the way the book was plotted, although by the time the truth was revealed it was no great surprise. Strangely, that didn't spoil the effect for me, I think because the characters were so strongly depicted, and the situation -- archetypal. Strongly recommend, although more for the older crowd.

Wanted to add another four stars but couldn't. Pity. I like Alan Banks. He's a good person, he does his job in quiet efficiency. The book is well-written. I enjoyed it a lot.
Too bad about the rating, though. Doesn't reflect my opinion of the book.
the store, can you fix it?

I always enjoy the work of Peter Robinson. His descriptions of the beautiful (but mostly wet and cold Dales), I find really enthralling and his plots and the characters involved are always fascinating, and the killer so well hidden.

This book is alright but to my mind, not as good as his best. Perhaps it`s the theme which has a lot to do with the drug culture of the seventies. The body of an old man is found and Banks and Co are called in to what is thought to be a suicide. Of course it isn`t, and we go backwards and forwards between the seventies and now, as he solves the problem.

Interesting but not special.

I enjoyed the book and the continuing reference to the recent past which is my recent past. However, again, the book just ended!! I didn't feel closure, as if I have to wait until another book comes out and then perhaps all will be explained.

More like a soap opera then a detective yarn. Why do all these modern writers like to impress the reader with their particular brand of music. Naming the song, the artist etc as they have the main character relax etc