Many Rivers to Cross

Inspector Banks #26

by Peter Robinson

Peter Robinson a "master of the police procedural" (Mail on Sunday) returns with the twenty-sixth instalment of the #1 bestselling Inspector Banks series.

When the body of a teenage boy is found stuffed into a wheely bin on the East Side Estate, Banks and Annie have a homegrown murder case to solve. But Banks's attention is also on Zelda, who in helping him track down his old enemy, has put herself in danger and alerted the stonecold Eastern European sex traffickers who brought her to the UK.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Procedural, British Literature, Thriller, Detective

384 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2019

About the author

Librarian 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.

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are some stories I don't like at all and this is one. 0 of 10 stars

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

My Mum is a great fan of Peter Robinson and I had heard very good things about his DCI Banks series, and so when I was invited to read his latest release via the Pigeonhole book club, I was very much looking forward to it.

However, I was to be disappointed. I'm not sure if this is because it's the 26th novel in a series I have never read before, or whether the quality of his earlier books has declined as the number of 'Banks' novels has grown, but it was not what I was expecting from such a lauded series.

While I enjoyed the actual writing, I didn't enjoy the endless scene setting, Banks' choice of music, the album or setting it came from, the details of the food he was eating, etc., etc., it all just felt like padding to me. Perhaps it resonates with long-term fans familiar with Banks and his preferences, but it was just a bit tedious and felt like filler. There were so many political references, to Brexit, to Nigel Farage (even a plot angle mirroring a story linked to Nigel Farage in high school), and what seemed to be soap-boxing from the author that at times I could have been reading the Guardian, rather than an novel that I would usually read to escape the constant drama going on in Westminster. This will also date the book pretty quickly.

There are a couple of stories going on at the same time. I understand that one is threading through a couple of books (again, not aware of the backstory), and it just felt very disjointed. Zelda, the protagonist of the 'side' story, is pretty unlikeable as a character and I just felt she got in the way.

Finally, I HATED the way women were written in this book. Every women is physically described, then we're told how good she is at her job despite the way she looks. This doesn't seem to happen for any of the male characters. As an example on one occasion, two police officers (one a 'coltish' female with 'pre-Raphaelite red curls', walk down a school corridor and two boys cross them, obviously agog at the officers being in the school and Banks assumes it's because they're having 'highly erotic' thoughts about the female officer. Not because she's a confident and intimidating police officer? It's old-fashioned and cringeworthy, and it really cheapens the character of Banks for me.

So, not I'm afraid, a glowing review. Fans of the Banks series may well lap it up without question, but I don't think I'll be seeking out another Robinson book any time soon.

[Alan Cotterell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 26 in the series and unfortunately it falls short of the high standards, previously set.
There are the usual characters, but neither of the plotlines held my attention. The search for an old adversary of Banks by his friend Zelda was especially slow & dull. Probably doesn’t help having it dragged out over the last book this one and probably the next one as well. Banks himself is becoming more boring and pompous, with pretentious references to obscure bits of music and descriptions of food. The most irritating thing was his constant and totally unnecessary political jibes. Not needed in a crime novel and will date it very quickly.
The book does pick up eventually, but I think a lot of people may give up long before then. I think in one of the earlier books, Banks was born in 1952, which by this book makes him 67, I know there is a bit of artistic licence, but surely, he would of retired by now.
Overall one of the weakest entries in the series. I may read the next one, or a may not, One last chance?

[James Thane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading the Inspector Banks series from the publication of the first book, Gallows View in 1987. Initially, the stories were tightly focused on Banks himself as he tried to sort out the cases assigned him, often two or three at a time. Over the span of the next twenty-five books, Robinson has significantly expanded the cast of characters and Banks often disappears for pages at a time while other characters are off doing their own investigations which may or may not all somehow magically come together at the end to merge with the investigation Banks is running.

Many Rivers to Cross opens with the discovery of the body of a young boy who appears to be a foreigner but who has no identification. The boy has been stabbed to death and then stuffed into a rubbish container. Banks fairly quickly concludes that the boy's death may be drug related and the investigation takes him into a murky world where criminal gangs, drugs and real estate all intersect. Banks will be assisted by his long-time subordinate, DI Annie Cabot who will often be the focus of the story for several pages at a time.

Meanwhile, on a totally unrelated note, in the last novel in the series, readers were introduced to a beautiful young woman named Zelda who is the girlfriend of Annie Cabbot's father, Ray. Zelda is thirty years younger than Ray and Annie isn't very keen either on Zelda or on the relationship. Banks, though, is somewhat intrigued by the young woman.

As a child, Zelda was kidnapped from eastern Europe and sold into the sex trades by two corrupt thugs. After being exploited for many years, she managed to escape and is now working for a British agency that investigates sex trafficking. Zelda is a "superrecognizer" who never forgets a face and is helping the agency identify traffickers. But when Zelda recognizes one of the men who trafficked her, she decides to take action herself and much of this book is devoted to her hunt for the man.

As a result, this book bounces all over the place from one character to another and one investigation to another. The whole Zelda business is totally unconnected to Banks's investigation and is thinly attached to the novel only because Banks knows the woman and is concerned about her welfare. But the end result is a novel that rarely builds much tension and which too often loses sight of its main protagonist. It was an okay read, but certainly not one of the better books in the series. I much prefer the earlier books where the cases were more interesting than these and in which Alan Banks was much more engaged in the action.

[Sherrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sad to say, I really think this series has had its day after the last two books. Its become quite dull, Banks is so pompous and boring. I got really tired of the author's pretentious references to obscure bits of music and long descriptions of food. But the most irritating thing was his constant and totally unnecessary political jibes, not really needed in a crime novel. Will I read the next one? Can't decide if its really worth my time.

[Bill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book 26 in the Alan Banks series falls short of the high standards author Peter Robinson has previously set for himself.
We still have our regular characters, but neither of the plotlines in this novel kept my attention. I found the search for an old adversary of Banks by his friend Zelda to be especially slow & dull. Perhaps having this storyline spread over this novel, the previous one & possibly the next one as well (!) far too long & drawn out.
There are some interesting minor characters in the novel, but overall I found this to be one of the weakest entries in the series.

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest absorbing police procedural mystery in the series of Detective Superintendent Alan Banks. This book can easily be read as a standalone. The author Peter Robinson has a wonderful writing style and I love the quirky musical references he adds into the storyline. DS Alan Banks is working class, brooding and has a charming demeanour.

A young skinny Middle Eastern boy is found dead and discarded inside an elderly homeowners wheelie bin in the Eastvale housing estate. The boy isn’t recognised as belonging to the neighbourhood so it’s a mystery to who he is and where he’s come from. There are possible racial overtones in the case. A middle-aged heroin addict is also found dead in a decaying neighbouring estate and Banks feels the cases may be connected.

A strong and likeable character in this story is Zelda who is a friend of Banks and works part time for the government as a consultant super recogniser. Zelda is secretly trying to track down a sex trafficker that kidnapped her as a teenager in Europe. I found Zelda’s back-story really interesting and intense.

Although there is a twist at the end, I wasn’t surprised at who the culprit/s was but nonetheless a satisfying conclusion.

A well paced, and enjoyable read, I would of loved to have Zelda’s story go on longer, the ending was left open no doubt that will be in store for the next book that I’m now looking forward to!


Thank you to Hachette Australia for an advanced copy the book

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been a while since I read a DCI Banks book but as soon as I got into it I felt like I’d never been away. The story sets its own pace as there is a lot of detail to get through but doesn’t feel bogged down with police jargon or too much procedure.

Robinson uses this book to explore important social issues like immigration, racism, and modern slavery. He shows how complicated and messy real-world problems can be, even when people try to do the right thing. His writing is thoughtful but easy to follow, and the way he describes the setting of Yorkshire with a lot of detail, makes you feel like you are there.

Banks remains a strong and believable character. He’s thoughtful and sometimes brooding, but he genuinely cares about justice. Some parts of the story move a little slower, especially when Banks reflects on his life or listens to music, which he often does. However, these quieter moments add depth to his character rather than feeling like filler. The mystery itself is complex and realistic. There are no unbelievable twists or sudden surprises. Instead, the case develops through careful police work, interviews, and small clues.

In short, it’s a smart and engaging crime novel. It combines a serious murder case with personal struggles and real-world problems. In my opinion the Inspector Banks series is so respected as it gives you a solid and meaningful mystery without flashy gimmicks.

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of his best. In fact it’s probably the poorest of the Banks series and I’ve read all of them. A less than gripping story and a major character who is frankly unbelievable and affords little space for the usual team. Quite disappointing.

[Stephen Robert Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worst cover of month award

[Bruce Hatton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began this novel with some trepidation as I’d found its predecessor Careless Love to be a massive disappointment. However, I soon found myself hooked on this latest story featuring Superintendent Alan Banks.
The dead body of a young boy of Middle Eastern appearance is found stuck in a wheely bin on a run-down housing estate. A short while later, another dead body is discovered; this time of an ageing heroin addict. Could these deaths be linked and are they both connected to a dodgy local property developer in league with Albanian gangsters? The investigation soon discovers the modern techniques employed by criminals involved in drug-smuggling and prostitution.
At the same time, Zelda, girlfriend of Annie Cabbot’s father Ray is conducting her own investigation in London. In Careless Love, Zelda came across as a somewhat annoying cliché. However, in this novel, as we learn more about her personal history, she becomes a much more interesting and sympathetic character.
In all, although not quite up there with the best of the series, this was still a massive improvement on its predecessor.

[Pheadra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first Bank’s novel and based on the lengthy, tedious story just completed I will not be reading any others. I read this via the Pigeonhole book club and expected so much more in terms of the writing, characters and story. There were too many disjointed stories, bizarre dialogues and characters I didn’t relate to, at all. The story was unnecessarily long and for those who might not have read previous books, no effort was made to round the characters. Two and a half stars.

[Thomas Stroemquist · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ve been this disappointed in a book ever. I’ll just skip to the good part, which is basically the last 3-4 chapters, which is a decent detective story conclusion. Barely. I did find it OK and thankfully that meant an OK ending. However, a Goodreads 2-star rating means “It was OK” (“It” implying the whole book) and this really wasn’t. 25 bit up-and-down, granted, in the series that I hold very dear as a favourite of mine and this?

First, most of the book is incredibly boring, I had troubles keeping interest up at all and certainly to keep track of who’s who and does what why - and it’s not a huge cast. The parallel revenge story, “spiced” with gore and evil deeds is nothing but uninteresting and the main investigation just goes nowhere. It takes off in an unexpected direction, truth be told I missed how and I’m not going back to find out, and then we’re on the “good” 45 pages I mentioned before.

Apart from the boredom, I hated Banks in this one. I have no problems with him being an old set in his ways fart (probably opposite, that’s why I can relate). He’s always been a music, wine, single malt, arts snob and having a bit of problems adapting to a fast moving and ever changing world. He was never the conservative, unemphatic, misogynistic, unfunny, closed minded and embarrassing uncle that you want to hide away at any social gathering. (Full disclosure; I don’t have an uncle like this, I’m quite proud of them all in slightly different ways, but I do feel for the ones who has).

Banks’ nuggets of bollocks in this one includes:
”’I like your new hairstyle’, Banks said to DI Joanna MacDonald. ‘Or does that qualify as a #MeToo remark?’ (pg. 34, maybe should have bowed out here) and deriding Annie Cabbott for her vegan burger asking why “you lot” tries to make stuff that’s not meat taste like meat. Mind your own frickin food, moron and stop impersonating one of my favourite characters!

Both dreading and hoping for #27 now…

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike so many other reviewers, I found this book to be a satisfying police procedural that had added spice in addition to "normal" British crime. There is the added bonus of Albanian mafia figures far more ruthless than the ordinary criminal. Initially it kicks off with the death of a young man no one seems to know found in a trash bin. He is new to the country, alone and tasked as a drug runner. None of that is clear at first. There are many unsavory characters that make their stage entrances as well as another related intrigue involving acquaintance of Banks leading to a revenge murder that is not uncovered by Banks and his team. Perhaps more about Zelda will be revealed in a future book. There is, however, plenty of good police work in this book.
Personal side- Banks is single with no current sidekick; his musician son's band touring in Australia is breaking up; his 30-something daughter is planning her wedding; his son sent him acoustic guitar for his birthday.

Library Loan

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have long been a fan of DCI Banks and Peter Robinson. Banks is supremely ethical, but never arrogant, and he’s a Guardian reader to boot, as revealed in this recent installment. He works in the fictional Yorkshire town of Eastvale. Banks formerly worked in the Met, London, but went north for a quieter life. However, judging from this series, his work life is not that quiet.

The discovery of the body of a young Middle Eastern boy on the East Side Estate, found in a “wheelie bin” (large garbage can), brings Banks and his detective, Gerry, a woman with a prestigious Cambridge degree, as well as his long-time partner, Annie Cabot to the estate to investigate. The boy’s identity is unknown, but eventually they determine he was part of a drug pushing ring operating out of Leeds, that he was 12-years-old and a Syrian refugee. Subsequently, is an area of abandoned decaying houses, a wheelchair-bound man in his 60’s is found dead of an overdose. The police investigation works to determine if these are related to the Leeds drug ring.

A sub-plot involves a woman named Zelda, who lives with Annie Cabot’s father. Zelda, like Annie’s father, is an artist. This explains their liaison as Zelda is close to Annie’s age. Zelda, who was trafficked from Moldovia in her teens, finds life in Yorkshire to be an escape from her traumatic past. She spends a few days a month working in London with the Crime Bureau as a “super recognizer”, a person who never forgets a face. This sub-plot was very interesting to me as Zelda seeks justice for herself and other trafficked women, and revenge against the Albanians who run this business, who now work in London.

After completing his BA in English Literature at University of Leeds, Robinson went to Canada to do his MA and then his PhD in English in Toronto. He has lived in Canada since then. While a PhD is not a prerequisite for writing detective fiction, I will comment that similar to Robinson, Ian Rankin, another favorite of mine, pursued, but did not finish a PhD in English at the University of Edinburgh. I learned about their advanced education when they appeared together at a bookstore event in Washington DC over a decade ago. This helped me recognize that reading detective fiction was not a lowly pastime, but I was getting good writing from these authors. The late P.D. James had a lot to say about detective fiction and I cherish her observation that many readers of this genre are very intelligent and have a highly developed sense of justice. Good detective fiction provides the opportunity to see justice prevail. Banks is from a working-class background and dislikes those who flaunt wealth and privilege. It is always satisfying to see him defeat those who try to use their positions to hide the truth. Peter Robinson always infuses the Banks novels with references to music. This is one of my favorite aspects of these books. He doesn’t disappoint in this book, and he continues to introduce me to music I’d like to explore.

While some Goodreads ratings were middling to low, I found this to be another satisfying book in the series. Robinson includes themes of gentrification (in this case at the hands of crooks and petty criminals), drug trafficking, sex trafficking of women from Eastern Europe, Syrian refugees, and Brexit. I listened to the audiobook deftly narrated by Simon Prebble. 4.5 stars

[Jill Stirling · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this book. I usually really like Peter Robinson's Alan Banks series but this one was a disappointment. It was full of the politics of the remainer kind. The detectives were showing their politically correct colours with ongoing sneering at any character right of the centre. I have crossed off Louise Penny and Ann Cleeves from must read list. Is this the one to follow? Police inaction on minor crime was mentioned with reliance on citizens to do their own policing. The wholesale discounting of the grooming gangs in those Northern cities mentioned was disappointing.
The Zelda strand of the story is truly shocking and completely unnecessary. A bloody and seemingly justified murder seems to reflect more of the relativist and morally ambivalent tone entering these stories. Human trafficking is dreadful and needs to stamped out. It would seem to me that ending open borders is the first step. Who had actually murdered the poor little child was obvious about half way through.

[Jan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’d read all the previous 25 DCI Banks books and was eagerly awaiting number 26.
I got to page 7 and very nearly stopped there. I do not wish to be subjected to an author’s political beliefs via the dialogue of a character. I merely want an interesting crime story.
Unfortunately, I didn’t even get that. Simplistic writing, numerous sexist descriptions of female characters, unbelievable police procedure – I’m sure that the police do not divulge what they know or suspect to a potential perpetrator of the crimes they are investigating – and 1970’s style police behaviour e.g. drinking on duty at suspects houses!
If there’s a DCI Banks number 27 will I read it? No. Peter Robinson is firmly off my list of authors to read.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still love Banks and Annie and some other members of this ensemble, but the books just don't thrill me any more. Part of the problem is that I really haven't been able to get interested in Zelda and her sad life story. Unfortunately, part of the problem is also that Robinson seems to be well past his prime as a writer. I re-read some of his mid-career Banks novels (and one stand-alone novel) recently, and the contrast in quality with his current output is stark.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

An extra star for old times' sake.

[Charlotte Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Glad to have finished. Not immensely enjoyable for me I’m afraid. I found it a bit long-winded and could not warm to the characters. It felt very much like the author expects you to have read all the preceding books so does not need to develop the characters in the same way as for a stand alone story. The Zelda storyline here was a distraction; though probably quite interesting in its own right. The drugs story was laboured but quite good at a base level, though I felt the twist was a bit silly really. Grateful for the opportunity to read this, so thanks as always to PIgeonhole and the author but not likely to go back and read other books in this series.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars - rounded up as I am a fan of the series... hmmm but for how much longer ?

After a couple of stronger novels in the Banks series, this one felt poorly put together, workmanlike but not especially engaging in terms of the detective work needed or carried out.. it all felt rather routine and frankly resulted in a bang average book. There's clearly an intention to publish a new novel in the Banks series every year, but the results are becoming rather inconsistent.

And i'd agree with some of the other reviewers who have noted that Banks may be coming across as a bit of a bore... frankly he's starting to seem a bit creepy around women and tight-fisted to boot.

I'll no doubt be in for #27 next year but i'll be hoping to see an improvement on this latest outing.

[Christina McLain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Make no mistake about it, author Peter Robinson has gone over to the dark side. I noticed a lot of negative reviews for this latest novel in the Alan Banks series. So I gave reading this mystery a good try, since I had read all of his previous offerings, and for the most part they were very good. But this book was a shocking disappointment.
I did notice, as did several other readers on this website, that the last two or three novels in this series had begun to wear thin. There were the constant references to music, many of which were obscure and more than a bit irritating, and it seemed as if Robinson had become
a bit of an egotistical pedant. Then, all of these unnecessary references to female characters and their physical attributes began to surface in the narrative. The novels started to sound more and more dated and frankly, offensive.
It seemed as if Robinson was being pulled in two directions. On the one hand, he obviously wanted to make his stories more relevant by introducing international crime issues and their victims into his stories. But he is no Val McDermid or Ian Rankin and the stories began to seem hollow, as if he was trying really much too hard to be a new king of noir.
But worst of all, Robinson wanted to turn Alan Banks into a liberal James Bond of Yorkshire. At least Bond was witty..this stuff just reeks of sexism and outdated attitudes. For example, at one point in this latest book, Banks is meeting a DI in Homicide from another jurisdiction for a business conference. Halfway through the meeting, he starts flirting with the woman and badgering her to meet him for drinks and dinner. I don't want to sound too harsh but the 70s are over and this behaviour today seems out of character and inappropriate. For another Banks is 65 and yet every woman he encounters (all of whom are under 40 by the way) thinks he is very attractive and they ALL seem to find his behaviour charming.
And lastly we continue into the world of Zelda, Bank's friend, a former Moldovan woman forced into prostitution and a world which includes descrptions of trafficked women and their miserable lives as well as a brutal killing and scenes in which Zelda suffers from PTSD flashbacks and nightmares.
But all the time Robinson has missed the point that the horrific world of sex trafficking springs from the same male sense of entitlement acted out by Banks and others. It's all too much. Banks has lost his moral compass and Robinson's integrity and writing have been cheapened. It's just all too strange and baffling and sad.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m a proud American. And yet, despite being such a commoner, I adore authors from other countries as I can “visit their home country” with their descriptive writing.

Sadly, my favorite author, Peter Robinson, has fallen to a terrible disease, ridiculosis liberalism with an extra tough case of acute Trump Derangement Syndrome. What a pity.

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The body of a young Syrian refugee is found in a trash dumpster. He has been stabbed and a packet of cocaine in his pocket suggests links to the death of an aging heroin addict who had allowed his house to be use for drug buys as well as some very high up and dangerous people in the drug trade.

At the same time that DCI Banks and his team are investigating the murder, Zelda, a superrecognizer now working for law enforcement, visits the site of a fire that killed her boss. She spots one of the men who had kidnapped her several years ago, raped her, and forced her into the sex trade until she managed to escape.

Many Rivers to Cross: A DCI Banks Novel by author Peter Robinson is split between the two stories as the murders pile up for Banks and Zelda plots her revenge. Robinson is one of my favourite writers not least because of his references to music both in the title (love Many Rivers to Cross by Jimmy Cliff) and throughout the narrative. But his books are also well-written, well-plotted and compelling and Many Rivers is no exception. The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger and I am looking forward to the next installment in the series. Definitely, a high recommendation from me.

Thanks to Edelweiss+ and William Morrow for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not up to Robinson's usual standards for this series. I usually enjoy the procedural aspects of a mystery, but this account spent too much time with the police deciding who the perpetrator is and then spinning their wheels trying to find proof. Then in the last 25 pages, the case was solved!
Banks seems even more disgruntled and isolated than in previous entries. He needs some good news (and a girlfriend).

[Natalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 stars. I have some issues with this one, I am afraid.

The story itself was not bad, I would say it was even an improvement on the book #25, which in my opinion was the weakest one so far. I liked the new angle and the twist to the story that I did not really see coming and I am quite intrigued about the direction of this particular narrative in the future. That being said, for the first time ever I had multiple issues with the way the characters were portrayed, especially female ones. The author made several attempts at explaining to the reader why sex trade is morally wrong (duh?) but he continued to portray all female characters in a very sexual terms, always mentioning their looks and the way they sexually aroused all the men around them. There was a scene in the high school when Banks is actually wondering what sexual fantasies schoolboys might have about his female partner. Somehow I do not think that remark was super necessary for the plot, “realistic” as it may be because all it did was change my opinion about Banks from being a perceptive, intelligent detective to a sex obsessed aging man trying to feel more macho.

I am a big fan of the Banks series mostly due to witty dialogues, interesting cases and detailed descriptions of the police procedural. The writing in this one has shifted in a way that makes me uncomfortable and I really hope that Peter Robinson reads his readers’ comments and continues to deliver an intelligent and thought-provoking books instead of confusing them with sexist messages. If not, the 27th Inspector Banks book will definitely be my last.

PS: Has anybody else reacted to the fact that the main waitress in the 2 star Michelin restaurant was a chain smoker?? Is that really not big of a deal in GB?

[Nick Davies · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh dear. I guess I didn't much enjoy this for a number of reasons. The series appears to be running out of ideas, with the consequence that this latest installment had a fairly weak and unengaging plot in terms of the crime at the centre of the novel, and I felt that the story was padded with a side plot that featured an unconvincingly written Moldovan woman exacting revenge on people from her past. The typical discussions of fine music, fine wine/spirits and fine food have become more like indulgences by the author than attempts at verisimilitude, and a lot of the rest was either slightly pedestrian police procedural (people walking in to rooms, a bit of dialogue attempting to be witty/revealing, people walking out of rooms) or irrelevant soap opera.

Maybe I just wasn't in the mood, but I think not. It'd be interesting to re-read older books in the Banks story to back up my impression that the series is heading downhill, but regardless of whether this is the really case or not, here Robinson hasn't written a particularly good installment.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Respectable entry in the series; it was clear that the more villainous, criminal minds might serve to distract from other suspects, but Robinson always does a nice job of depicting the process of a criminal investigation and how Inspector Banks's team works together to follow up on leads, interview suspects, etc. I thought the best part of the book was the subplot involving Zelda Melnic, the artist girlfriend of DI Cabbot's father, who was trafficked as a teenager and is always on the lookout for the monsters who victimized her. She is a strong but conflicted character, the kind a reader wants to know more about and becomes invested in, and the ending left room for more of her story in the next book. 3 1/2 stars.

[Trevor Snape · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is ok. Its starts off with a young boys body being found in a dustbin, he seems to have been killed elsewhere and just dumped there. He has no identification on him and he is not British as he has an olive colouring to his skin. He does have a small amount of cocaine on him. This is a basis for a good story and what follows is a reasonable read with a few twists and turns but it is also slightly predictable. For people who enjoy a good straight forward detective story this is a must, but for me this book is just a little too gentle. It just lacks the grit and the gore that would make me award it any more than 3 stars.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very disappointed with this entry in the Banks series. The murder mystery didn’t involve much mystery. I guessed who dunnit about half way through and I’m never good at guessing. Half of the book was taken up with an unrelated plot line which was tedious and repetitive. In the end I just skipped over the Zelda bits. Sadly it seems like a previously enjoyable series has ground to a halt.