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Seven Years
A gripping novella from the New York Times bestselling author of the Inspector Banks Mysteries and a "master of the art" (Boston Globe)
Retired Cambridge professor Donald Aitcheson loves scouring antiquarian bookshops for secondhand treasures-as much as he loathes the scribbled marginalia from their previous owners. But when he comes upon an inscription in a volume of Robert Browning's poetry, he's less irritated than disturbed. This wasn't a gift to an unwitting woman. It was a threat-insidious, suggestively sick, and terribly intriguing.
Now Aitcheson's imagination is running wild. Was it a sordid teacher-pupil affair that ended in betrayal? A scorned lover's first salvo in a campaign of terror? The taunt of an obsessive psychopath? Then again, it could be nothing more than a tasteless joke between friends.
As his curiosity gets the better of him, Aitcheson can't resist playing detective. But when his investigation leads to a remote girls' boarding school in the Lincolnshire flatlands, and into the confidence of its headmistress, he soon discovers the consequences of reading between the lines.
Listening Length: 1 hour, 46 minutes
Retired Cambridge professor Donald Aitcheson loves scouring antiquarian bookshops for secondhand treasures-as much as he loathes the scribbled marginalia from their previous owners. But when he comes upon an inscription in a volume of Robert Browning's poetry, he's less irritated than disturbed. This wasn't a gift to an unwitting woman. It was a threat-insidious, suggestively sick, and terribly intriguing.
Now Aitcheson's imagination is running wild. Was it a sordid teacher-pupil affair that ended in betrayal? A scorned lover's first salvo in a campaign of terror? The taunt of an obsessive psychopath? Then again, it could be nothing more than a tasteless joke between friends.
As his curiosity gets the better of him, Aitcheson can't resist playing detective. But when his investigation leads to a remote girls' boarding school in the Lincolnshire flatlands, and into the confidence of its headmistress, he soon discovers the consequences of reading between the lines.
Listening Length: 1 hour, 46 minutes
Audiobook
First published January 1, 2018
137 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Peter Robinson
276 books2,277 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Peter Robinson was born in Yorkshire. After getting his BA Honours Degree in English Literature at the University of Leeds, he came to Canada and took his MA in English and Creative Writing at the University of Windsor, with Joyce Carol Oates as his tutor, then a PhD in English at York University. He has taught at a number of Toronto community colleges and universities and served as Writer-in-Residence at the University of Windsor, 1992-93.
Series:
* Inspector Banks
Awards:
* Winner of the 1992 Ellis Award for Best Novel.
* Winner of the 1997 Ellis Award for Best Novel.
* Winner of the 2000 Anthony Award for Best Novel.
* Winner of the 2000 Barry Award for Best Novel.
* Winner of the 2001 Ellis Award for Best Novel.
Peter Robinson was born in Yorkshire. After getting his BA Honours Degree in English Literature at the University of Leeds, he came to Canada and took his MA in English and Creative Writing at the University of Windsor, with Joyce Carol Oates as his tutor, then a PhD in English at York University. He has taught at a number of Toronto community colleges and universities and served as Writer-in-Residence at the University of Windsor, 1992-93.
Series:
* Inspector Banks
Awards:
* Winner of the 1992 Ellis Award for Best Novel.
* Winner of the 1997 Ellis Award for Best Novel.
* Winner of the 2000 Anthony Award for Best Novel.
* Winner of the 2000 Barry Award for Best Novel.
* Winner of the 2001 Ellis Award for Best Novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
March 14, 2020
EXCEPT: Imagine my surprise then, when I found that the selection of Robert Browning's poetry I had been so thrilled to find had been defaced on the flyleaf. I am usually careful enough to flip through a book before I buy it, but in this instance the pages had stuck together and that prevented me from noticing the inscription on my cursory examination in the shop. As far as I had been able to tell, the book was in mint condition; there were no signs of wear, no price clipping or creases on the spine, and certainly no tell-tale coffee rings on the cover. In fact, it looked as if it had never been read.
Curious, I sipped some more ale and flipped open the flyleaf so that I might read the offending scribble:
'Miss Scott,
You know you want to read Browning's poetry. 'My Last Duchess' and 'Porphyria's Lover' in particular. 'The Ring and The Book' too perhaps, though that one is rather long and much abbreviated here. No poet quite captures adultery, betrayal and the act of murder the way Browning does. Try this:
'...I found
a thing to do, and all her hair,
in one long yellow string I wound
three times her little throat around,
and strangled her. No pain felt she;
I am quite sure she felt no pain.'
(Porphyria's Lover)
Then she is his forever. Don't you just love that? Doesn't it sound like fun? I know that I would enjoy it. And don't forget our little bargain. The time is fast approaching!
Happy reading Miss Scott!
Barnes'
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Retired Cambridge professor Donald Aitcheson loves scouring antiquarian bookshops for secondhand treasures—as much as he loathes the scribbled marginalia from their previous owners. But when he comes upon an inscription in a volume of Robert Browning’s poetry, he’s less irritated than disturbed. This wasn’t once a gift to an unwitting woman. It was a threat—insidious, suggestively sick, and terribly intriguing.
Now Aitcheson’s imagination is running wild. Was it a sordid teacher-pupil affair that ended in betrayal? A scorned lover’s first salvo in a campaign of terror? The taunt of an obsessive psychopath? Then again, it could be nothing more than a tasteless joke between friends.
As his curiosity gets the better of him, Aitcheson can’t resist playing detective. But when his investigation leads to a remote girls’ boarding school in the Lincolnshire flatlands, and into the confidence of its headmistress, he soon discovers the consequences of reading between the lines.
MY THOUGHTS: There is a lot packed into this novella. It is interesting, fast-paced, and had an outcome I never ever envisaged. The characters are well rounded, especially for something so short, and the plot well developed. I was more than satisfied with this novella.
****.5
THE AUTHOR: Peter Robinson was born in Yorkshire. After getting his BA Honours Degree in English Literature at the University of Leeds, he came to Canada and took his MA in English and Creative Writing at the University of Windsor, with Joyce Carol Oates as his tutor, then a PhD in English at York University. He has taught at a number of Toronto community colleges and universities and served as Writer-in-Residence at the University of Windsor, 1992-93.
DISCLOSURE: I listened to the audiobook of Seven Years by Peter Robinson, narrated by Greg Patmore, and published by Blackstone Audio. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile or the about page on sandysbookaday.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Curious, I sipped some more ale and flipped open the flyleaf so that I might read the offending scribble:
'Miss Scott,
You know you want to read Browning's poetry. 'My Last Duchess' and 'Porphyria's Lover' in particular. 'The Ring and The Book' too perhaps, though that one is rather long and much abbreviated here. No poet quite captures adultery, betrayal and the act of murder the way Browning does. Try this:
'...I found
a thing to do, and all her hair,
in one long yellow string I wound
three times her little throat around,
and strangled her. No pain felt she;
I am quite sure she felt no pain.'
(Porphyria's Lover)
Then she is his forever. Don't you just love that? Doesn't it sound like fun? I know that I would enjoy it. And don't forget our little bargain. The time is fast approaching!
Happy reading Miss Scott!
Barnes'
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Retired Cambridge professor Donald Aitcheson loves scouring antiquarian bookshops for secondhand treasures—as much as he loathes the scribbled marginalia from their previous owners. But when he comes upon an inscription in a volume of Robert Browning’s poetry, he’s less irritated than disturbed. This wasn’t once a gift to an unwitting woman. It was a threat—insidious, suggestively sick, and terribly intriguing.
Now Aitcheson’s imagination is running wild. Was it a sordid teacher-pupil affair that ended in betrayal? A scorned lover’s first salvo in a campaign of terror? The taunt of an obsessive psychopath? Then again, it could be nothing more than a tasteless joke between friends.
As his curiosity gets the better of him, Aitcheson can’t resist playing detective. But when his investigation leads to a remote girls’ boarding school in the Lincolnshire flatlands, and into the confidence of its headmistress, he soon discovers the consequences of reading between the lines.
MY THOUGHTS: There is a lot packed into this novella. It is interesting, fast-paced, and had an outcome I never ever envisaged. The characters are well rounded, especially for something so short, and the plot well developed. I was more than satisfied with this novella.
****.5
THE AUTHOR: Peter Robinson was born in Yorkshire. After getting his BA Honours Degree in English Literature at the University of Leeds, he came to Canada and took his MA in English and Creative Writing at the University of Windsor, with Joyce Carol Oates as his tutor, then a PhD in English at York University. He has taught at a number of Toronto community colleges and universities and served as Writer-in-Residence at the University of Windsor, 1992-93.
DISCLOSURE: I listened to the audiobook of Seven Years by Peter Robinson, narrated by Greg Patmore, and published by Blackstone Audio. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile or the about page on sandysbookaday.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
January 12, 2023
A retired Cambridge professor finds a book he likes in a secondhand bookshop and when he gets home he sees that is has a disturbing inscription. He loves research and riddles so he tries to find out what the meaning behind it is.
September 30, 2022
Retired Cambridge don Donald Aitcheson buys a copy of Robert Browning’s poetry only to discover the book — clearly, never read — bears a harrowing inscription to a “Miss Scott” from a “Barnes.” What could this threatening message mean? Is Miss Scott in danger? Aitcheson sets out to track down the Miss Scott and find out. To tell more would ruin the fun.
Narrator Greg Patmore does yeoman’s work if you’re lucky enough to enjoy this novella as an audiobook.
Narrator Greg Patmore does yeoman’s work if you’re lucky enough to enjoy this novella as an audiobook.
September 12, 2019
A novella is a tricky one and I found I had some existing presumptions of Robinson’s writings, so maybe that impacted my opinion. It was enjoyable but not to the level I usually enjoy the Banks series.
Very quick, good orientation, interesting plot but the resolution was a little strange.
Very quick, good orientation, interesting plot but the resolution was a little strange.
November 24, 2024
When a retired Cambridge professor finds a mysterious inscription in the pages of a book of poems he buys from a bookseller it leads him down a path that he really should have avoided.
Peter Robinson's novella is as well crafted as his DCI Banks novels & the combination of crime & secondhand books was almost perfect for me.
Peter Robinson's novella is as well crafted as his DCI Banks novels & the combination of crime & secondhand books was almost perfect for me.
January 10, 2022
Have you ever found inscriptions in 2nd hand books and tried to figure the mystery behind those scribblings? Have you tried to think how the previous owner looked and their mannerisms and their occupation? Well, I have tried that, but my imagination is quite limited.
Here, the MC, professor Donald Aitcheson has vivid imagination and when he reads a note in a second had book, he pictures a wicked plot. When he continues his investigation, he finds himself in a scene which is much more sinister than he had imagined. I liked the twists in such a short book, as in most of Peter Robinson's short stories.
Here, the MC, professor Donald Aitcheson has vivid imagination and when he reads a note in a second had book, he pictures a wicked plot. When he continues his investigation, he finds himself in a scene which is much more sinister than he had imagined. I liked the twists in such a short book, as in most of Peter Robinson's short stories.
April 28, 2018
The first Bibliomysteries title I really enjoyed
These Bibliomysteries are novella-length stories with book related plots and characters, a concept I initially warmed to. However, the first half-dozen I read were mediocre at best, and I was just about to give up on the series. Seven Years is good enough to keep me interested and willing to try another. With its amateur sleuth in the person of a retired lit prof, the story intrigues and satisfies, with suspense and even a bit of romance.
These Bibliomysteries are novella-length stories with book related plots and characters, a concept I initially warmed to. However, the first half-dozen I read were mediocre at best, and I was just about to give up on the series. Seven Years is good enough to keep me interested and willing to try another. With its amateur sleuth in the person of a retired lit prof, the story intrigues and satisfies, with suspense and even a bit of romance.
April 6, 2018
That was a good one!
April 19, 2018
This one was better than Mystery Inc. But Sad i have only 5 stars to give !!!
What happens when you are a book lover and have habit of picking up books from old book stores. Apart from that , what if you have habit of taking handwritten notes too seriously and try to trail it to the origin ?
Very Fast Page Turner and will leave you with a feeling of satisfaction of reading a very good Thriller !!!
Definitely a Very GoodRead !!!!
What happens when you are a book lover and have habit of picking up books from old book stores. Apart from that , what if you have habit of taking handwritten notes too seriously and try to trail it to the origin ?
Very Fast Page Turner and will leave you with a feeling of satisfaction of reading a very good Thriller !!!
Definitely a Very GoodRead !!!!
June 24, 2024
Donald Aitcheson is a retired University professor who indulges himself by buying second hand books. When he comes across a disturbing note on the flyleaf of a book, he tries to find the original owner, fearing for her life.
A clever short story, with a satisfying conclusion in that the sting is almost completely obscured until the very end.
A clever short story, with a satisfying conclusion in that the sting is almost completely obscured until the very end.
September 18, 2020
*
*
*
Audiobook
Story: C+, Narration: A-
Not a review, just some thoughts for personal reference. Spoilers.
I enjoyed this story, with some caveats. First, I almost always struggle with shorter works. It's rare that they fully satisfy me, and this story was no different. The pacing was slow in the beginning, and then things really sped up in the second half. There wasn't enough time to develop the setup, so it never really seemed plausible. And neither did the actions and motivations of the characters.
I will say that I guessed part of the mystery, but not the whole thing, so there is that. I guessed who the baddie was, but I really thought Alice might have been in on it somehow and was setting Donald up. (It was interesting when he had the same thought.) I'm glad she wasn't but, again, have to say that I still found her actions hasty and not believable.
The narrator did a good job, especially with Donald. He sounded just as I thought the character would--a fussy academic. But he also did pretty well with the female characters.
This wasn't what I was expecting from Peter Robinson, but it was a short, pleasant listen.
*
*
Audiobook
Story: C+, Narration: A-
Not a review, just some thoughts for personal reference. Spoilers.
I enjoyed this story, with some caveats. First, I almost always struggle with shorter works. It's rare that they fully satisfy me, and this story was no different. The pacing was slow in the beginning, and then things really sped up in the second half. There wasn't enough time to develop the setup, so it never really seemed plausible. And neither did the actions and motivations of the characters.
I will say that I guessed part of the mystery, but not the whole thing, so there is that. I guessed who the baddie was, but I really thought Alice might have been in on it somehow and was setting Donald up. (It was interesting when he had the same thought.) I'm glad she wasn't but, again, have to say that I still found her actions hasty and not believable.
The narrator did a good job, especially with Donald. He sounded just as I thought the character would--a fussy academic. But he also did pretty well with the female characters.
This wasn't what I was expecting from Peter Robinson, but it was a short, pleasant listen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2021
Seven Years by Peter Robinson was a great novella, incorporating all the key elements found in a typical length novel. The plot line seemed both plausible and predictable, however predictable it was not. I would definitely read more from this author!
July 12, 2025
A short intriguing tale.
This short novella kept my attention, inspired my imagination and had a creepy twisty ending; the perfect combination for an enjoyable mystery.
This short novella kept my attention, inspired my imagination and had a creepy twisty ending; the perfect combination for an enjoyable mystery.
March 14, 2023
This short story shows the literary prowess of Peter Robinson as he tells the story a retired Cambridge professor who’s book purchase at a second hand store leads to an intriguing puzzle. Robinson three main characters are compelling and his literary references refreshing, but the ending of this book rings a little hollow. Perhaps because of being a short story, Robinson rushes the ending with a rather implausible tale. Still worth a read for Peter Robinson fans who want to want to venture beyond Inspector Banks.
February 4, 2022
Short story, very well written. My interest rose and fell, but the ending was an excellent, unexpected twist.
October 7, 2022
⭐️3.5⭐️
October 23, 2019
I didn't realise that this was a novella so got a bit of a surprise when the denouement appeared to arrive almost at the beginning! A very curious little book which I thought was set back in the olden days until the protagonist mentioned the internet and was driving a car. It took a fair while to get going but once it had it offered an interesting enough tale though very much diluted as a mystery and with a simplistic ending. An easy-to-read book, not too demanding but nothing like the Inspector Banks series; in fact I was surprised to read on here that it's the same author. Would pass a rainy afternoon indoors very pleasantly.
May 15, 2023
Starts slowly but proceeds, while entertaining, to a worthwhile mystery-romance that is frightening and fulfilling. Modern (2017 A.D.) setting but could’ve been a historical - timeless attraction and timeless motives. Short and clean…impressive. Narrator is excellent.
January 16, 2020
This would've been a quirky little short story if it weren't so eyerollingly predictable and written in such a boomer-esque way.
For example;
- I was a professor in classics! I'm gonna name every single one of them! They are totally intelligent references!
- People don't ReAd bOoKs aNyMoRe!
- Ugh! Kids these days!
- Ugh! Criminals these days!
- Every girls only boarding school MUST have male teachers to lift heavy things.
- This lady is not conventionally attractive, she could use some lipstick but I like her even if she's ugly because I am special!
- Jane Austen is actually not considered victorian! Peasants!
- Ugh, the data age. Google? Wikipedia? Big brother is watching you!
For example;
- I was a professor in classics! I'm gonna name every single one of them! They are totally intelligent references!
- People don't ReAd bOoKs aNyMoRe!
- Ugh! Kids these days!
- Ugh! Criminals these days!
- Every girls only boarding school MUST have male teachers to lift heavy things.
- This lady is not conventionally attractive, she could use some lipstick but I like her even if she's ugly because I am special!
- Jane Austen is actually not considered victorian! Peasants!
- Ugh, the data age. Google? Wikipedia? Big brother is watching you!
February 14, 2022
[Review 13 of 2022]
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another great read of the year. This is about a man who finds a book in a secondhand bookshop that contains a threatening note to a Miss Scott. This is his journey of finding it Miss Scott, with a few twists and turns the way.
Another great read where the plot was written so well that it didn’t seem to bother me of a few issues with the main character. The story was introduced well with little to no essential being missed out even though it was quite a short audiobook I didn’t feel the book was lacking anything.
I kind of saw the ending coming just because I have read so many crime books this ending was a bit predictable. However, I still really enjoyed it
There were a few comments that the main character made that got on my nerves a bit but that it just a personal thing that someone else may not have noticed.
Again overall it was a really good book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another great read of the year. This is about a man who finds a book in a secondhand bookshop that contains a threatening note to a Miss Scott. This is his journey of finding it Miss Scott, with a few twists and turns the way.
Another great read where the plot was written so well that it didn’t seem to bother me of a few issues with the main character. The story was introduced well with little to no essential being missed out even though it was quite a short audiobook I didn’t feel the book was lacking anything.
I kind of saw the ending coming just because I have read so many crime books this ending was a bit predictable. However, I still really enjoyed it
There were a few comments that the main character made that got on my nerves a bit but that it just a personal thing that someone else may not have noticed.
Again overall it was a really good book
July 23, 2019
I didn't notice that this was a short story, which I typically don't read, when I started. It just sounded like an interesting premise for a story and I've read and enjoyed this author before.
Kind of a light sort of a mood here (think Miss Marple!?) but this short story doesn't develop the way you might think it will.
As stated before, I'm not much of a short story reader but this was an engaging enough tale to make it enjoyable...all 84 pages of it. Nearly took me longer to compose this review than to read it! JK
Kind of a light sort of a mood here (think Miss Marple!?) but this short story doesn't develop the way you might think it will.
As stated before, I'm not much of a short story reader but this was an engaging enough tale to make it enjoyable...all 84 pages of it. Nearly took me longer to compose this review than to read it! JK
August 3, 2019
A excellent mystery,that had one surprise and another as you Turn the pages.
Seven Years is a comfortable read. It starts with a retired classic professor who searches
The surrounding country hills and dales for second hand book stores. And finds a book once owned
By a woman. And on the fly-leaf she is threatened by someone who uses a poem by Browning.
A book to read and treasure.
Seven Years is a comfortable read. It starts with a retired classic professor who searches
The surrounding country hills and dales for second hand book stores. And finds a book once owned
By a woman. And on the fly-leaf she is threatened by someone who uses a poem by Browning.
A book to read and treasure.
October 5, 2022
I encountered this audiobook when I was looking for something to listen to while walking, as listening to music was losing its appeal. Up came an offer from Chirp Audiobooks, and I grabbed it. I was very familiar with the author, Peter Robinson, who I have loved, especially the Inspector Banks series.
It turned out that this was a novella (read: short), but it was well written and constructed.
It turned out that this was a novella (read: short), but it was well written and constructed.
October 16, 2022
Charming novella about a retired classics professor that gets carried away by curiosity and chivalry, after discovering something written on the fly leaf of a work of poetry purchased in a second hand book shop. He sets about to find the woman and almost gets himself killed. He does locate the woman but also has to be rescued by another woman!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2022
Short, but enjoyable 😉. Great narrator.
Curious retired English Professor comes across a book of Robert Browning's poems in an old book store. He notices that there is an odd inscription on the title page. He decides to seek out the the person that book has been inscribed to to see if she is safe. Therein is where the problem lies...
Audio recording.
Curious retired English Professor comes across a book of Robert Browning's poems in an old book store. He notices that there is an odd inscription on the title page. He decides to seek out the the person that book has been inscribed to to see if she is safe. Therein is where the problem lies...
Audio recording.
February 18, 2023
I love the Banks novel series, but this little short story, which isn’t about Banks although there are some similar characteristics, didn’t quite work for me. I found the characters boring and stereotypical and the plot just didn’t engage me. Of course Robinson was an excellent wordsmith. In the end I leaned to *** rather than ** but it could’ve been either.
November 21, 2024
Unlikely but entertaining!
This is too short for the range of events it covers. There is no time for character or plot development. As an outline for a longer, more substantial tale, it’s entertaining to think how it might have been expanded. So unlikely at the end as to be ludicrous!
This is too short for the range of events it covers. There is no time for character or plot development. As an outline for a longer, more substantial tale, it’s entertaining to think how it might have been expanded. So unlikely at the end as to be ludicrous!
June 3, 2019
Very good. A retired professor picks up a book in a second hand shop and later notices an eerie inscription in the front pages.......his curiosity gets the better of him and he begins an investigation.
August 18, 2020
Nice read. With just over an hour's read, some of its predictability didn't matter for me. Enjoyed it. Want to find out about a mysterious note found in a second-hand book? Well let's just put it out there...did curiosity kill the cat?
July 1, 2021
This novella describes what happens when a retired Cambridge professor reads a threatening note in a used book he just bought and decides to find out if a crime was committed. It's a short, fun read from the Bibliomysteries series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews