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DCI
Alan Banks Mystery, No 13
By Peter Robinson
Detective
Chief Inspector Alan Banks is spending a much needed vacation in
Greece, recovering from his divorce, his broken love affair, and
burn out from his work. While there, he reads in the paper that
the bones discovered during a shopping mall excavation are identified
as those of Graham Marshall, a childhood companion who had vanished
mysteriously in 1965. It was supposed that he was a victim of a
pedophile. Banks returns to his boyhood home of Petersborough to
assist in the investigation.
At the
same time, 15-year-old Luke Armitage, the son of a rock star who
committed suicide when Luke was an infant and of a famous model,
disappears. Bank's ex-lover, Annie Cabbot, is in charge of this
investigation and is accused of interrupting the possible ransom
payment. She seeks Banks' advice.
Banks
becomes involved in the investigation of the two parallel cases,
delving into the past and Graham's possible connection with criminal
elements, with Luke's flawed relationship with his mother and stepfather;
with possible corruption at high police levels.
This
police procedural is handled with knowledge and skill. The plot
is complex and well structured, developing the parallel cases in
depth. Banks is a realistic likable protagonist. He is a complex
character with insights given into his childhood that are moving
and haunting. He has a troubled relationship with his parents who
have never approved of his career choice and who compare him unfavorably
with his younger brother. His possible relationship with the detective
investigating the Graham case may become a problem for him. The
various characters are believable and well developed, delving into
the psyches of each. The dialogue is crisp. The solutions to both
cases are developed unexpectedly but satisfactorily.
There
are many references to music incorporated in the story. If the reader
is music-knowledgeable they will be a pleasure and meaningful but
for the uninformed they may leave the reader at a loss. The descriptions
of the English country are vivid, giving the reader the feeling
of being there.
Reviews
of other titles in this series
Cold
is the Grave #11
Aftermath
#12
Close
to Home #13
Playing
Fire #14
Strange Affair #15 [audio]
[book]
Piece
of My Heart #16
Friend
of the Devil #17
All the Colors of Darkness #18
In The Dark Places #22 [review
1] [review
2]
When The Music's Over #23 [review
1] [review
2]
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