An Inspector Banks Novel (Inspector Banks series Book 22)

I have read all of the Inspector Banks books. I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as I did the rest of the them. I had a difficult time finishing the book. The plot evolved around the hauling of dead animals and was pretty graphic at times. Certainly one would not want to eat while they read this book . Banks still has difficulty settling on one woman but he is still very likable. I will patiently wait for the next book and will buy it because as a whole I like the continuing characters and I like seeing them continue to evolve.

This book was extremely disappointing. It certainly did not live up to Peter Robinson's prior books all of which I devoured and couldn't wait for the next. It was almost as if someone other than Robinson wrote this book. Most of the rhetoric was way too uninteresting and pedantic. I found myself skipping through pages so I could keep on track with the mystery and not have to wade through through the rest.

What a joy it has been to discover the writings of Peter Robinson, particularly the Inspector Banks series. I've been immersed in the saga of Alan Banks for more than a month now and have enjoyed every minute. Because the books build upon each other, I would advise a reader to acquire a list of the Inspector Banks books in sequence. It's the best way to enjoy each installment of the wacky world of Inspector Banks. I'm almost finished with the series and look forward to starting again from the first book.

PETER ROBINSON IS MY VERY FAVORITE NOVELIST. I AM 85 YEARS OLD, AND HAVE NOT YET BEEN DISAPPOINTED IN ANY OF HIS BOOKS. THE FIRST WAS A PAPERBACK I READ LINES FROM IT AND PURCHSED IN WALLMARTS STORE. FROM THEN ON I HAVE BEEN READING EVERYTHING HE WRITES AND PURCHASED ON the store WHEN I FIRST GOT INTERNET. I EVEN HAD MY LAPTOP WHEN I WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR HEART SURGERY AND AGAIN WHEN I HAD A HIP REPLACEMENT, I CAUGHT UP ON READIN ALL OF PETER ROBINSON'S BOOK I HAVE BEGUN "IN THE DARK PLACES" AND WILL REVIEW IT WHEN I HAVE COMPLETED IT.
....................................................................LAURA GOOD...37604

Fairly boring and slow. I can't believe the glowing reviews from Louise Penny ( one of my favorites ) and others saying how great the book was. I guess they all lie to promote their fellow writers' work. That's really pathetic.

Peter Robinson never lets me down. Inspector Banks. Annie Cabbot and his whole team are personable, interesting characters one can always relate to, his stories always grab you and hold you, his plots never strained - even his villains are individual. I always remember who's who even when there are a bunch of them, as is the case here.
Peter Robinson is one of a handful of authors I preorder without hesitation - I look forward to each new book, and have never been disappointed! Can't wait for the next!

What makes the Banks novels so good? Great plotting? Compelling characters, flaws and all, who change and grow? Good to great writing that doesn't draw attention to itself but rather draws the reader into the story? The sheer readability of Robinson's style? All the above? Could be. All I know is that the Banks series is one of the four or five best crime series being written today. Not enough kudos to give! 5 enthusiastic stars!

One of my top favorite British authors. This man plots his stories well, has dynamic characters and never leaves you hanging at the end. He writes in such a way that the "mood" of the book stays with you long after you've read his books. Doesn't matter what this one was about. EVERYTHING he writes is stellar. There hare three English authors who write THE BEST stories. This man is one of them. Highly recommend

Peter Robinson is one of the best of the best of the crime writers today and never disappoints. He really fleshes out his characters and gives us a lot of their non-police lives. If you read him in more than one of his books, you get to feel you know Banks and his team like old friends.The crime- writer cliches are avoided. Instead you get a good novel that happens to be about crime and police work.I am an unashamed fan!

I've read all of the Inspector Banks series. As usual, they don't disappoint. Unlike some series, this one doesn't repeat itself - Robinson manages to come up with new plots with each installment. I also like the depth he gives his characters. You really feel as if you know Annie or Winsome or the Inspector. The only issue that I have (and I'm sure it is because I am a middle-aged woman) is that so many writers, Robinson included, feel compelled to give their middle-aged male protagonists young, hot lovers. What would be wrong with an age-appropriate girlfriend for the Inspector?

I have read the Banks novels since the first one, and this is one of the best. This time around Robinson introduces the reader to new environments, including animal slaughter houses (abattoirs) while trying to solve two murders. In addition to the usual references to music, food and drink, we have a DCI Banks who is not finding his relationships to be fulfilling. Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Winsome Jackman has a potential new love interest.

Yes, this book is the same as "Abbatoir Blues". Hard to believe Robinson would agree to the release of the same book under two titles.

But the real problem is that the plot is utterly predictable. I had it figured out from about page 20. Worse, the characters have become annoying. Annie grates on one's nerves. Banks' understanding of women, never sharp, continues to decline. The tired old "woman in danger" cliche -- dating from the "Perils of Pauline" -- is trotted out one last time.

Nowhere near Robinson's better work. It's sad to see a fine writer, which Robinson is, turn out something stale.

Finally, why is there no warning that this book was released previously under another title?

Buyer beware! This Peter Robinson book was previously published in 2014 in the UK under the different title of Abattoir Blues. Both books are available on the store with no indication that they are actually the same great story. Returning book since I don't need two the same!

D.C.I. Banks is back, without a lady friend in this story. His children did not appear either. But he and Annie and Winsome managed to gather the information to solve the mystery of 'who stole the tractor?' That sounds a bit strange for a Yorkshire thriller - but add that to the scenery of abbatoires and you are in new territory. Great read.

British crime mysteries seem to be a cut above their American counterparts, and PR's top cop, Alan Banks and his underlings are all easy to care about. My one criticism, if it can be called that, is that PR seemed to be aiming for a happier ending than usual and that ending was a bit rushed. It came together all of sudden and too quickly to be realistic.

I like this kind of book. It is well and intelligently written; has a complicated plot but a plausible one (just) and is a page turner.

I like picturing the English countryside as I read and imagining the bite of the salt spray and wind at the seaside. I will find more Peter Robinson to read.

I ordered this Robinson novel because you advertised it as being a new release, when in actuality, it was released in Europe earlier in the year under the title "Abatttoir Blues". I had purchased it in Sweden in April, 2015. It was published in Great Britain in 2014 and released from there under the original title. When I sat down to read it, I knew at once that this isn't a new Peter Robinson! I want my bucks back! It was a good read just the same. 4 Stars.

Do Not Buy This Book if you read ABATTOIR BLUES. It is the same exact book except it has a different cover and a different name.
I could not believe that a mystery series like the Alan Banks series that I like could perpetuate such a fraud on readers.

Life would be so great if I could re-discover Robinson from the beginning. He's an excellent writer, a literate writer, an engaging writer, and the continuing residents of his novels well worth knowing. Maybe as I continue aging and becoming more forgetful, I can begin at the beginning with the first Inspector Banks book!

My only complaint is that this is the book "Abattoir Blues" which I had also bought (and read). There was nowhere that this was noted. If it had been noted, I would not have bought this one, being that I already have the other.

Peter Robinson has done it again. Wonderful plot and characters, as well as setting. So full of pace and suspense. Add to this Robinson's great insight into British society and its development. I look forward to his next novel.

Peter Robinson has done it again. Wonderful plot and characters, as well as setting. So full of pace and suspense. Add to this Robinson's great insight into British society and its development. I look forward to his next novel.

First this book is way too long mostly because we have to read about the horrors of abattoir animal slaughter over and over. It is more of a tale of how cruel we are eating animals because of the places and ways they are slaughtered. I have probably read all of the Inspector Banks books and now realize he is really a very boring man and so are his fellow police officers. I will never buy another Banks novel again. Very disappointed!

This is # 22 in the Inspector Banks series. This book was much better than the last one. Be warned, there is another title for this book – the U.K. version is titled Abattoir Blues so don’t purchase that title and this title. I wonder why they have different names for the same book?

This plot was gritty and well written. A stolen tractor, a murdered man, a theft ring and more. The descriptive scenes would just about make a vegetarian out of you if you aren’t one already. That’s not the entire book, mind you, just the interviews at the slaughterhouse. It was necessary to the plot and worked well.

Winsome is back and has a big role in this book. I love her character – she is a hellva detective and I hope she is in more books. Annie Cabbot is also featured. One day I hope she and Banks will get together and he stops diddling around with younger women. Ok, one young beauty interested in him in a previous book was fine but seriously….there is another young attractive woman mentioned in the beginning of this book as well.

As for the mystery – it all ties up neatly near the end. You are left guessing who is the thief and who is the murderer up until the last few chapters. I like it when it can’t be figured out early on.

Food mentions are frequent as British detectives do some of their meetings in pubs. But we also have Winsome Jackman out on a date. Check out the passages in the photos (on my blog).

We have Beef and Mushroom Pie and haddock, served with fries / chips and I could surely go for a glass of Rioja and a cheese plate after reading about that passage.

Another good DCI Banks book.

Okay. I am a fan of British mysteries and especially of four gentlemen known as Chief Inspector Barnaby, Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh, Inspector Endeavor Morse and Inspector Roderick Alleyn. So, when I am introduced to a new potential representative of the British form of law and order, I have to ask myself ‘do I need to add another Inspector to my list of favorites?’ Well, this time the answer is a definite yes, I do, Inspector Alan Banks.

The only fault I find in this new British favorite of mine is that I have started at the end of this series instead of the beginning, which is my fault not Inspector Banks’ fault. He will be added to my wish-list beginning with the first book, of course because I am filled with questions of his past history which at times is hinted at in In the Dark Places/Abattoir Blues (guess they thought most Americans wouldn’t know what an Abattoir was).

Now, putting all my personal rambling aside, I really enjoyed this mystery. Interesting characters, enough suspense to keep me reading, solid descriptions of the countryside which made it easy for me to picture the desolate and lonely area of the crime scenes and a different sort of premise for crime and murder, one that I have not come across before.

Two young men vanish and a tractor is stolen. Two separate cases to be solved or is there a connection? An accident with a truck reveals what may have happened to one of the young men but where is the other? The Inspector, freshly back from vacation, returns to headquarters and to his team, who after working both cases, have come to the conclusion that there may be a connection.

First rate mystery which was a pleasure to read. I see more of Inspector Banks and his team in my future.

When DCI Alan Banks returns from vacation, he finds the members of his team investigating a variety of crimes. Someone has stolen a farmer's valuable tractor, which by itself would probably not be the crime of the century. But other farmers in the area have also had equipment and livestock stolen, and it appears that a sophisticated gang of thieves may be operating in the area, stealing the equipment and shipping it to buyers in eastern Europe.

Meanwhile, other members of the team are investigating a mysterious blood stain on the floor of an abandoned airport hangar. It would appear that someone may have been murdered there and the body removed. But who was the victim and where is the body? At virtually the same time, two men are reported missing, and naturally, one of them may be the victim.

Back on the job, Banks takes the leading role in all of these cases, assigning his team members and supervising their work. All of the cases are immediately complicated when a delivery van plunges off a mountain pass in inclement weather. The van is carrying the carcases of animals that have died on local farms, have been packaged up, and have then been collected to be delivered to the disposal site where they will be incinerated. The packages are now scattered all over the landscape around the wreck, and investigators are shocked to discover that not all of the bodies packaged for incineration were those of lambs or pigs.

This is one of Banks's more interesting cases and the supporting members of the cast get a lot of time on the page while Banks generally directs them. It's a clever and convoluted plot with some pretty nasty actors lurking in the background, and all in all, it's a very enjoyable read that will certainly appeal to the fans of this long-running series and to a lot of other readers as well.

It all starts with a missing tractor. That doesn't seem to be the most exciting case to have to solve, but when blood in a hangar and two missing men seem to be connected to the theft must DCI Banks and his team find out who is behind it all.

This is my very first DCI Banks book and I have to admit that I'm surprised that it wasn't better. I was curious about this book series and I usually have no problems reading the latest book in the series, but in this case, I just couldn't get into the story or nor did I find the characters very interesting.

The book started off OK, but the last half of the book felt extremely tedious. The cops tried to find answers theft and where the two missing men are. And, it just dragged on and dragged on. Not even when a butchered body was found did the story get interesting. DCI Banks was away in the beginning of the book, with his girlfriend in Italy. And, frankly, he wasn't that memorable when he showed up. He could have been away the whole book and I wouldn't have missed him.

I'm really surprised that this book didn't appeal to me. I usually like crime novels. It's the one genre that I rarely am disappointed with. But this one, I was bored. The story was bored the characters were boring. Not evening the ending was very interesting.

The first 40% of the book was the best. I lost interest after that. I mean I had 6% left of the book and it was not exciting to read instead I had to force myself to finish the book.

A kind 2-star rating. It started off OK and I would like to read another book in the series since I haven't ruled out the series completely yet.

Another excellent thriller by Peter Robinson. (I knew that this was an American re-titling of "Abattoir Blues," so I didn't suffer the disappointment of some reviewers here!) It's remarkable that after more than 20 Banks novels the quality is still so high. There's not a whole lot new to be learned about the characters -- they remain consistent and age credibly with the series -- but the plots are well-worked out, the settings vividly realized, and (most important for me) the dialogue and the police procedural work are freshly and credibly handled. This being a detective story, one doesn't want to say much about the plot, but again it's a good one. It starts off with the theft of an expensive tractor and, in another place, with a dog's discovery of what might be bloodstains at what might be a murder scene. Different members of Banks's team work on the two cases until it seems perhaps that they belong together. Banks, who at the novel's start is off on holiday in Umbria with his much-younger lover, comes back to find himself caught up in the thrill of detection again. A young man disappears, body parts are found, and we're in a world where what happens in Eastvale belongs to a wider European world of nefarious trafficking, though not necessarily the kind you might expect. Annie Cabot and Winsome Jackman find themselves in different but emotionally involving situations that raise questions, in Banks's mind and their own, about the objectivity of their judgements -- it's all very engaging, and it comes to a close in a part of the Yorkshire Dales that we haven't seen before. It also gives us more than a glimpse of aspects of the rural agricultural economy that is new also. Definitely recommended.

Previously released as Abattoir Blues. This dependable series once more provides a strong crime story, dedicated police work and modern country living in Yorkshire.

A stolen tractor is part of the huge international trade in stolen farm equipment. Yet foreign thieves need local eyes to spot opportunities and act as lookouts.

A bloodstain found by a dogwalker - an interesting man this, wounded in the Army and now readjusting - could point to a murder. Two young men have gone missing and when the police find that they know each other, the two cases are linked.

Yorkshire is now visited by some ruthless people, unlike the days when everyone knew and depended upon all the other locals. DCI Banks, DI Annie Cabot and their increasingly diverse and confident team have their work cut out to cover the landscape and ask the questions. I enjoyed this book and recommend it, though I don't know what world these police inhabit where men are assumed to use hairbrushes when a DNA sample is sought. I've never seen a man use a brush and in today's Britain many men have hair too short for a comb.

I never before read Peter Robinson or any Inspector Banks novels. I picked this up in my library on the strength of the cover and some of the cover blurbs. I AM a fan of this type of story, and of many of the gritty English detective police procedurals. I was immediately taken in by the author because of the Arthur Conan Doyle quote that begins the story. This story is set in the same world as the " Last Tango in Halifax " TV series, and the police team is similar to the " Scott and Bailey " TV police series. The plot is well laid out. The police act reasonably. The criminals act realistically. The meandering plot finally comes full circle and bites itself on the tail; very satisfying. There is only one failure in the story; when a seasoned detective goes off on her own just before a snowstorm and drives to a secluded farm in search of a demented killer!!! otherwise, a great story.

I have read a number of Peter Robinson's DCI Banks novels, enjoying them all. This is one of the few series that you can read out of order without losing much. The story/mystery is at the forefront in the author's writing rather than the character growth. I also like the fact that he does not spend pages and pages going over previous cases and books: just clear, great, highly readable writing in a police procedural.
This particular novel turns the focus away from Banks and centers around two other characters-Annie and Winsome-without losing the reader's interest. It is a multi-layered plot that won't let you go as the book draws to a close.
One disclaimer---I got my hands on the European copy and read it first as "Abattoir Blues." Same book, different title and cover. I greatly dislike when publishers confuse me with that sort of thing.
While I received this book in a GoodReads give-away, it did not influence my review.

I have read all the Inspector Banks novels and some fall short of a reader's expectations, and this falls in that category. Descriptive and graphic violence dominate the book, and that little hope in humanity barely seeps through the cracks. Of course, not every book can live up to a reader's criteria. Inspector Banks falls to the sidelines as his team races to find a devious killer. Alan spends much of the time thinking of past events and his relatives, and wondering about his new romance with a much younger woman. The story seems off balance and never hits a balance.

In the Dark Places by Peter Robinson is a British mystery novel that I really didn’t much care for. It is about a crime ring in a rural area involved in the stealing of farm equipment for resale. The whole book is the ongoing crime investigation trying to get to the bottom of it which mushrooms into something much bigger and gruesome. It was a bit confusing trying to keep all the law enforcement people straight, a map would have been helpful to show the lay of the land and the language used many British terms I wasn’t familiar with. There is good suspense near the end but for the most part I found myself plowing through just to finish it. I did appreciate the wrap-up summaries given when the law enforcement people got together to compare notes and update each other. That helped me know what was going on.

Thanks William Morrow and Edelweiss for the ARC which I read earlier this summer (just realized I did not post here. ) I did not read Abbatoir Bliues and thus this book was new to me. I was thrilled to have the chance to spend time once again with the crusty old DI Banks and his crew. Robinson's books are always atmospheric and evokative of his settings- this one was as well. It's sort of odd to say I enjoy such dark stories and characters so much but I do. I've read most of the Banks novels so it isn't clear to me whether it's necessary to have done so in order to enjoy this one+ but I can wholeheartedly say that I did. recommend for anyone who likes excellent writing with their tortured detective.

I received a free copy of this book through Goodread's Giveaways.

I really enjoyed this book. I have always been a fan of murder mysteries and this book didn't let me down. I enjoyed how all the different stories meshed together. I have not read any other books in the series and I found that I was able to read this as a standalone story. Yes there were times that they referred to occasions, crimes, etc from earlier novels but I didn't feel that missing out on those stories affected my enjoyment of this one. I enjoyed Peter Robinson's writing style and will happily read more of his stories.

*I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest opinion*

3.5 stars.

This book was really well written. The plot was interesting, and there was some good tension. There were some really interesting characters (Winsome was a favorite of mine) but others didn't peak my interest that much. The other problem was that while the plot was interesting, this book felt kind of slow to me in some parts. I'm not really sure why. It's not even a bad book. Maybe it was just me?

This is my first Inspector Banks novel. I liked the story a lot, and I see a long list of other novels by this author but can’t tell if any of them are Inspector Banks. I found the plot intriguing, and I especially liked that toward the end, as evidence was finally being found, he explained how the evidence fit the story. Even if I had forgotten a detail or two, it was explained for me. As an American reader, I enjoyed the many British phrases or terms, even if the meaning of some were unclear to me. I’m a fan of Inspector Banks and his team.

I really liked this book by Peter Robinson. This is a police procedural in the most literal sense. You are part of the police doing the investigation - the details keep you involved. The whole crew is there; DCI Banks and DI Annie Cabot and the rest of the detective squad. What starts as a pretty mundane crime soon escalates into murder of the most foul variety. Its very suspenseful and Robinson's writing style keeps you involved from the first page through to the end. A very satisfying "Inspector Banks" story.

I read my first Inspector Banks book last year. I really liked it. DCI Banks was the main focus of that book. In the Dark Places shines the spotlight on the rest of his group, and that’s a good thing. I liked getting to know them. It also allows the story to splinter along different tracks. It has many things happening at the same time. You really have to pay attention, because the action jumps around quite a bit. That scene shifting does allow for more tension. It was actually quite exciting and hard to put down. I had expected the slower pace of Children of the Revolution, but this book is a Mystery Thriller, with emphasis on the thriller part.

I was surprised by the contrast in styles of the two Inspector Banks books that I read, so I put a couple of the previous books in the series on hold at my local library. I’m looking forward to reading them. I love the setting in Northern England, with its rural feel and small town type of crime, and the mixture of characters in these books. I want to get to know them better.

I give In the Dark Places 4 1/2 Stars out of 5 and a Big Thumbs Up! If you haven’t been reading the Inspector Banks series, you can start with this one, but don’t stop here, I won’t.

I received a Digital Review Copy from the publisher.

Previously published as Abattoir Blues early this year, bought then. Same book every word with no disclosure that it was previously sold under another title. Then had to spend long time convincing the store to give me refund they finally "made an exception"because after 7 days. I had pre- ordered because favorite author but didn't have time to read the minute I got it.

A stolen tractor, blood in an abandoned hanger, and now dead bodies and missing suspects.

Th​is particular investigation went from looking for a stolen tractor to murder and covert activities.

IN THE DARK PLACES was quite a good mystery with terrific characters. ​ I enjoyed the camaraderie among the investigators. The victims and their families were likable​, and the storyline made me not want to put the book down.

The tangled series of events made for ​an excellent, gripping read with clues that turned the investigation into other directions and into more than what the investigators first started out with.

IN THE DARK PLACES kept me guessing until the end. Mr. Robinson knows how to create drama that takes the reader to a different level and then wraps it all up with an ah ha at the end.

This is my first book by Mr. Robinson, and I thoroughly enjoyed IN THE DARK PLACES.

I would recommend IN THE DARK PLACES to any reader who likes to figure out the mystery but rarely does. :) 4/5

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review.

Like others, as soon as I read the first few pages of this "new" novel, I realized I had read it before under a different title. There ought to be a law against this or at least a warning that it was previously published under a different title. Alas, it was sent as a Christmas gift, so I can't return it. But I would warn others not to buy a recycled novel.

Peter Robinson should be a household name among bibliophiles. His books --- including those in his wonderful Inspector Banks series --- are not heavy on bells and whistles, or explosions and karate, for that matter. Instead, what Robinson promises and delivers is solid plotting and first-class characterization, presented in a package comprised of fine writing from first paragraph to last.

Robinson’s latest Inspector Banks novel, IN THE DARK PLACES, continues his penchant for titling his work after rock music tracks. If you are unfamiliar with “In the Dark Places” by PJ Harvey, please give it a listen before diving into this book, as it sets the mood without explaining the title (which becomes clear in a stark manner by book’s end). Alan Banks is a Detective Chief Inspector with the Eastvale, Yorkshire police force. It’s a large enough town, but it’s not London, which is how Banks likes it.

IN THE DARK PLACES is set in the rural environs abutting Eastvale, and kicks off with the discovery of bloodstains on the floor of an abandoned building. At the same time, a neighboring gentleman farmer returns home from a holiday in Mexico to discover that his expensive tractor has been stolen. With regard to the latter, a person of interest is almost immediately identified --- a local lad who has been in trouble before --- but, interestingly enough, he is missing, leaving behind an extremely worried girlfriend.

A somewhat tenuous connection is made between the bloodstains and the missing tractor, and Banks’ squad launches an investigation. The clues begin dropping slowly and steadily, with a careless answer here, a seemingly meaningless observation there. The story gradually builds to a conclusion that some will find terrifying yet satisfying as a rough and very final justice is obtained.

While a good deal of the book consists of descriptions of Banks’ established, uncanny ability to kick over just the right rocks to get answers, IN THE DARK PLACES seems to focus just a bit more on DS Winsome Jackman and Annie Cabbot, both of whom play important roles in the investigation. The story is a bit of a game changer, for Jackman in particular, as events that occur here may play out in future volumes. However, what is perhaps most interesting is the manner in which Robinson stretches his descriptive wings a bit with somewhat graphic descriptions of meat processing and autopsies.

One cannot read the book without considering the wisdom of the statement to the effect that those who love the law and sausage should never watch either being made. This does not overshadow the description of police procedure that Robinson so solidly incorporates into each of his novels, as well as the frequent lighthearted --- and occasionally grim --- repartee that is peppered throughout the pages.

IN THE DARK PLACES is not a beach read, but it’s perfect for those dark and rainy interludes that summer brings, a demonstration that Robinson is yet again in top form.

Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

Peter Robinson is, quite frankly, one of the finest thriller writers in the world. His DCI Banks series has not only spawned decades of quality novels but also an outstanding BBC TV series.

With IN THE DARK PLACES he literally goes into some of the darkest territory ever seen in this series. In this 22nd DCI Banks novel we are faced with a series of bizarre and unsettling incidents which may be related in some grisly way. First off, a farmer from the British countryside reports one of his vehicles stolen. Around the same time, Banks and his team are on the lookout for two missing young men from the same area.

Neither of these alleged crimes are anything unique --- until something else happens. A local delivery-man loses control of his truck and spins off the road to his death. As police search the wreckage for answers they find something that takes them all by surprise --- a dead male who was obviously killed long before the truck went off the road.

What makes this accident that much more disturbing is the fact that the truck was filled with various animal parts that were discarded by many of the local farms. However, the male victim's body appeared to have been in the same condition as much of the livestock that are slaughtered at these farms. Banks and his team begin to recognize something far more nefarious is at work and all of the recent cases in the area are somehow related.

By this point the readers head should be spinning. Without spoiling anything I will only interject that the sickest ideas you may get which potentially tie these various crimes together may not be too far off from the truth. IN THE DARK PLACES delivers on all levels and will definitely unsettle even the sturdiest thriller reader. The fact that an abattoir may be at the heart of some of these crimes is ghoulish work indeed.

What I enjoy most about Peter Robinson's novels is first the depiction of the tight relationships DCI Banks has with every member of his team. I enjoy reading about all of them after so many years and Annie and Winsome could hold up as characters in their own series. The other thing is Robinson's love of music, food and pop culture --- sort of like the British version of George Pelecanos. I have checked out more than one CD that Alan Banks has enjoyed in these novels and again have never been disappointed.

Reviewed by Ray Palen for New Mystery Reader

There have been twenty-one previous novels featuring DCI Alan Banks of Yorkshire CID and they’ve generally been quite good, earning the author a number of honors and literary awards. Banks is a fully rounded character, now facing his last few years before retirement, and the homicide squad he has slowly built up is his pride and joy, staffed by characters who are also nicely developed and interesting. Of special interest is DI Annie Cabbot, once Banks’s lover and now his strong right hand, and who is gradually making her way back psychologically from having been shot a few books back. The six-foot-tall Jamaican Detective Sergeant, Winsome Jackman, also gets a larger part this time out.
The plot is a straightforward procedural this time, beginning with the theft of a large and very expensive tractor from a local farmer (more of a hobbyist, having retired from a banking career in the City of London). At the same time, human blood is found at a deserted air hanger, and a young man who apparently witnessed something he shouldn’t have is on the run for his life. His girlfriend and her young son are under threat from the people who want to find him, and Annie takes the younger woman under her wing as well as providing protection. The two incidents, of course, gradually blend into a single, rather sprawling case involving illegal slaughtering, a murder committed with a rather bizarre weapon, a deadly crash in a mountain pass that reveals unexpected human body parts, and a wide range of rural crime.

In many ways, this is a somewhat routine adventure for Banks and his crew, but that’s not really a criticism. The narrative adheres closely to the real world of police work and that makes it believable. And Robinson does a very professional job of telling the story.

This is one of the best DI Banks mysteries that I've read and I have read almost all of them. Peter Robinson is at the top of his form. This story keeps you in suspense and the story moves at a fast pace. It's good to be reunited with Banks, Annie and Winsome. There's a nice bonus involving Winsome.

If you are a Banks fan, like me, then you are in for a real treat.

I have read all of the DCI Banks mysteries by Peter Robinson and look forward to each new release. Some of the books are very dark but so evocative of time and place you feel you are there. A number of scenes in this book are set in abattoirs. Why in the world would any author choose such a grisly, disgusting setting unless he has a secret agenda of turning his readers into vegetarians? I skipped much of the descriptive passages in this book that described slaughtering animals. A really disappointing book after such a long string of winners.

Readers of "In the Dark Places," the latest book in Peter Robinson's long-running Alan Banks series, will notice that Detective Chief Inspector Banks has been drinking less than he used to; no longer smokes; gets along with his boss; and is faithful to the woman he is dating. In short, he is acting like a grown-up, a far cry from the bad boy he was back in the old days. Banks, DI Annie Cabbot, DS Winsome Jackman, DC Dougal Wilson, and DC Gerry Masterson join forces to solve a series of crimes that include the theft of an expensive tractor, arson, and a brutal murder and dismemberment. Banks is a fine leader who fosters camaraderie and trust in the members of his team.

North Yorkshire, with its freezing temperatures in March, torrential rains, and heavy snowfalls, is a fitting backdrop for this grim tale. The detectives are eager to identify and apprehend a group of elusive criminals who are careful to cover their tracks. The police interview a large number of witnesses, canvas homes and businesses, conduct background checks, and use DNA and fingerprint evidence to narrow down their list of suspects. In addition, Robinson fills us in on the central characters' personal lives. Workaholic DS Jackman, who is used to living alone, is taken aback when an eligible bachelor and ex-military man takes a fancy to her.

The novel is a bit long and talky, and some of the content is rather gruesome. For example, we learn far more than we want to know about the inhumane slaughter of animals in filthy abattoirs. Another irritant is the foolishness of a veteran officer who leaves a note asking for backup. Memo to veteran officer: If no one notices your note, then what? In the final pages, Robinson quickly and tidily ties up most of the story's loose ends. "In the Dark Places" is a gritty police procedural that portrays Banks and company using all the resources at their disposal to take down a band of remorseless villains in rural England.

Robinson's work only gets better. Here again is fast paced suspense. But with this well tended plot are moments of delight as he slips in analogies that fit the plot perfectly and provide some fun.

The writing is excellent. The research first rate as he rakes us into a world with which few are familiar.

I highly recommend this book.

I love the Alan Banks stories, but this one was more about the other characters and less about Alan Banks. I didn't enjoy it as much as his other books. Although I like the other characters, I missed the old drinking smoking Alan Banks.

I acquired this book from the library, thank goodness, or I would have been upset I spent money on it. His books in the beginning were very good and suspenseful but lately they are boring. Every book has several parts about what music Banks is listening to and his love life with his much younger girlfriend and it is just boring and adds nothing to the story. When I got towards the end, I skipped to the end to see who did it, beyond that I didn't care. It's time to retire Inspector Banks.

I had been a fan of past Alan Banks novels, but the recent novels have been weak and boring. I think Banks should finally retire and if Robinson continues to write detective novels, he should focus on more interesting characters like Winsome and her love interest, Terry Gilchrist. And the continuing pathetic thread of Banks becoming involved with younger and younger women is getting tiresome.

I haven’t read all of Peter Robinson’s Inspector Banks books and the ones I have read weren’t read in strict order however I didn’t feel lost with this installment. Having said that I’m sure I missed some references to past cases and incidents but it wasn’t distracting. Robinson is great at evoking the local environments he sets his books in and “In the Dark Places” was no exception to that. I love reading about the local customs and accents. How much tea can people drink!?

Another enjoyable aspect of Robinson’s books is the ensemble cast of characters. Banks is the lead of course but not by a lot for example Winsome and Annie are very important in this book. There’s also an underlying moral issue in this installment which might leave some readers gagging because of how visceral it is.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an e-copy of the book.

As with all of the Peter Robinson novels this is a great read. It has a believable and carefully laid plot that unfolds so that you can't guess the outcome until the very end. It would make a great movie.

DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK! While a good Robinson book, it is, as already noted, the same book as Abbatoir Blues. Cheap move. At the very least that fact should have been disclosed on the cover. i requested it through our very small, independent, extremely limited budget Library and it was pre-ordered. Since it had been through the accession process, it could not be returned. Abbatoir Blues had also been ordered through the store, so I think the store has some responsibility here as well as the author and publisher.

Since I had read reviews of other Peter Robinson books which said that he was an awesome writer I was eagerly awaiting reading this book. What a disappointment it was. It just drug along and I did plod through to the end, but I wouldn't recommend it to a friend. Sorry Mr. Robinson, but I thought it was really boring.

I've been following Inspector Banks for years. Latest is a little plot- and character-weary but that's to be expected after such a long time. I wish he'd stop dating such young boring women and end up with Annie. Come on!! Anyway, always looking forward to the next one.

This is the same story as Abbotior Blues. Therir are suttle changes, but essentially the same story..I have read all Peter Robinsons , Inspector Banks Novels and have enjoyed allof them.

avid reader

Not my favorite Robinson book. Inspector Banks has gotten cynical. He sees evil in the most innocuous characters. Everyone has an ulterior motive in his view; no one is to be trusted to tell the truth. Maybe he has been a policeman too long. Recommended for Robinson fans.

One of my top favorite British authors. This man plots his stories well, has dynamic characters and never leaves you hanging at the end. He writes in such a way that the "mood" of the book stays with you long after you've read his books. Doesn't matter what this one was about. EVERYTHING he writes is stellar. There hare three English authors who write THE BEST stories. This man is one of them. Highly recommend

This is number twenty-something in the series of DCI Banks, a police procedural set in England. It is the first one I've read. It feels more to me like a cozy mystery, but I think that is more due to the length of the series and not the subject. It still has lots of crime and procedures, but the relationships between the members of the constabulary feel more important than the various crimes they are out to solve. I do have other books in the series that I will most likely read in the next few years.

This is the first Inspector Banks mystery I have read so I have nothing to compare it to like other reviewers. It isn’t necessary to read any of the others to get involved in this book. Great characters, interesting plots and a satisfying end make for good reading.