Abattoir Blues: DCI Banks 22

This latest book by Peter Robinson tells the story of a stolen tractor and a murder in tne Yorkshire dales.

It is spiced by the developing character of Winsome and her pot-holing interests.

It includes a reflection on the nature of abattoirs.

And Banks starts to sense that his team has become his family - perhaps because they play a bigger role in solving the case than in the earlier novels.

All told this is one of my favourites

A very expensive tractor is stolen from the hobby farm of a wealthy man, and two young men suddenly go missing as "Abattoir Blues" begins; before too long, DCI Banks and his team start working out a connection between the two events, although perhaps they are not moving fast enough…. This is the 22nd Banks novel in Peter Robinson’s long-running series, and as ever, the characters are complicated, the plot intriguing and the details fascinating. I’m not sure I needed to know as much about slaughterhouses as this story tells me; squeamish people might have some difficulty with certain scenes. I only discovered this series in July of 2015, and now in February 2017 I’m almost caught up, with only one as-yet unread story to go. Here’s hoping Mr. Robinson will release the next novel in the series before I get to that one, so I won’t have to wait! Recommended - but try to read the whole series, in order.

When Homicide and Major Crimes is called out to investigate a stolen tractor, they're not exactly thrilled. But the new police commissioner considers rural crime a priority so they just have to suck it up. However, when it is linked to a possible murder in a vacant hangar at an abandoned WWII airfield, the disappearance of two local lads, and a gruesome discovery at the scene of a crashed lorry, the case becomes a lot more interesting for DCI Banks and his team.

This is the 22nd Inspector Banks novel by author Peter Robinson and I read it under the title, In the dark Places. But regardless of title, it is clear that Robinson still knows how to write a compelling and intelligent police procedural. The thing I like about his novels - he's never flashy, there are no wild car chases through major thoroughfares, his characters, though well-rounded, aren't extraordinarily beautiful, witty, or able to solve crimes with little more than a random throw-away line apropos seemingly of nothing and the use of their little grey cells. They investigate crime scenes and follow the clues and put hard work into solving the case. There is, to be sure, some graphic and rather disturbing violence here especially as much of the story is set in abattoirs but this violence fits into the story and never feels gratuitous. Like the other books in the series, this entry is grounded in real possibility. There are lots of twists and the occasional dumb but human mistake by a character but it never stretches the credulity of the reader.

Banks himself is missing for part of the story and, this time, it is the lasses who get to have most of the fun especially DS Winsome Jackman who may have found a possible love interest. When Banks is present, his signature music obsession is also in evidence and, to be honest, I kind of prefer the title Abattoir Blues. It seems more fitting because it references not only the setting but the song by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (great song) which links it nicely to the last DCI Banks novel (and my favourite T-Rex song), Children of the Revolution. But, again, regardless of title, this is a well-written, intelligent, and satisfying mystery and I recommend it highly.

For me, Peter Robinson is one of authors that can't write a bad book. I've enjoyed the few stand alones that he's written, but the Inspector Banks series is my favourite. Abattoir Blues is the newly released 22nd entry.

The new Commissioner has made rural crime a priority, so Banks's team is investigating, although the crimes seem a bit pedestrian for them - a stolen tractor and a break in at a seemingly abandoned airplane hangar. But when human blood stains are found on the hangar floor, the case takes a more serious turn. And when ties between the stolen tractor and the hangar are found......

Although Banks is on the case, he takes a bit of a backseat in this outing, with team member DS Winsome Jackman taking the lead. Winsome is a character I've always enjoyed and it was great to have her take a bigger investigative role, as well as getting to know her a bit better personally. DS Annie Cabbot also has a louder voice in this book. I'm very glad she's still around, even though the relationship between her and Banks has ended. I enjoy her prickly observations of life.

We still get a look at Banks's personal life - I have to say that I don't see his latest relationship lasting. He seems to be pondering his future in this book - wondering what it holds for him. I always enjoy Banks's musical choices and have often gone and looked them up to listen myself.

This is what I enjoy so much about Robinson's books - the characters change and develop with every book. I've feel I've come to know them and sitting down with the latest is like catching up with old friends.

Old friends with some rather disturbing stories. In addition to the great personal development of his characters, Robinson always crafts a great mystery. I wondered how these two diverse cases were going to be woven together. Gentle readers may be disturbed by the descriptions of what happens in an abattoir (slaughterhouse). But it provided a suitably gruesome setting for this latest crime outing.

Abattoir Blues was another great read for me - can't wait for the next in the series!

This is my second failed attempt at reading a Banks/Robinson book, and unfortunately this lame effort only reinforces my negative opinion both of the Banks stories and Robinson's writing abilities. A slow, ill-defined plot; boring underdeveloped characters; far too much irrelevant padding etc.
Example on page 64: Half the page devoted to the recounting of a roof repair Annie had completed by a shonky tradesman. Relevance zero.
Even after two books, I've no real idea of the purported protagonist DCI Banks' character or what makes him tick. No idea even of what he looks like, or any of his foibles, or particular skills. The man is simply a cardboard cutout who seems to be dropped into the stories for nothing more than the continuity of the series. Save your money.

"Abattoir: French, from abattre to fell
A slaughterhouse, abattoir i/ˈæbətwɑr/ or meatworks is a facility where animals are killed for consumption as food. Slaughterhouses that process meat not intended for human consumption are sometimes referred to as knacker's yards or knackeries." Wiki

We find DCI Banks returning from a vacation with a new love, Oriana. Everyone in the station seems to know about his love life, DI Annie Cabbot, DC Doug Wilson, DS Winsome Jackman, and DC Gerry Masterson. We know many of them from prior books, but now we get to know them a little better, professionally and personally. An exArmy man has found what he thinks is blood in an old abandoned hangar, and what at first glance looks like human blood turns into a crime scene. This is a very original storyline. I don't think I have ever read about abattoirs and animal stun guns, and I found it fascinating if not gruesome at times. DI Cabbot is a vegetarian and after this case, I wonder if others turn off from meat, also.

This is the 22nd DCI Banks book, and the author, Peter Robinson has written a remarkable novel. Not the best, but quite acceptable and kept my interest. I think the author has a real knack for crime stories and his knowledge and research into this area certainly shows in his novels. I found several instances of sexist behavior and discussion between Banks and his colleague, Burgess were off putting, but that must be their behavior off hours. A lot of wine is consumed with this criminal team, but it seems to go with the society in which we live. The countryside surrounding North Yorkshire can be bleak and cold, and that comes through loud and clear in the storyline. Some of the murders in this case were brutal, but to prove a point they were well written. It would be nice to see Banks happy and content in a relationship, but as we know his job will always be his first love.

Recommended. prisrob 08-20-14