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When The Music’s Over by Peter Robinson is an intense mystery.
It does not sugar coat and will not be construed as politically
correct. The story is inspired by newspaper accounts of true-life
incidents concerning abuse of women. It resonates today especially
for people who can remember Germany when so many women were
sexually harassed during the 2016 New Year’s Eve celebration
by men of Arab or North African heritage, as well as the abuse
of women by celebrity men. Tackling this problem within a
gripping plot, Robinson will enlighten readers.
In the beginning of the novel fans will learn that Banks is
now a Detective Superintendent. The reason Banks received
a promotion by Robinson, “I did some research and found
out if I did not promote him to Superintendent he would have
to retire soon. But with the promotion he can work until he
is 65. This way I could lengthen his career. I know that the
pecking order of police titles can get a bit complicated whether
Constable, Sergeant, Inspector, Chief Inspector, Superintendent,
and so on.”
Now, a high ranking official, newly promoted Detective Superintendent
Alan Banks and his unit are assigned to investigate crimes
of older males who target minor females. The perpetrators
“groom” these girls by first providing attention
and gifts, getting victims emotionally and psychologically
under their spell, followed by the violence. Banks and company
become a stalwart for justice as they attempt to find those
guilty of such vicious acts.
The first crime has respected poet, Linda Palmer, coming forward
with an allegation of sexual abuse against a former matinee
idol celebrity. This cold case took place fifty years ago
when Linda was a starry-eyed teenager, on a vacation with
family and friends. The storyline deals with issues of sexual
assault, the devastating effects on the victim, the willful
ignorance of the high officials, and the difficulties of prosecuting,
since such a long period of time has elapsed.
Linda Palmer has similar characteristics to Emily Winslow,
who wrote the personal memoir, Jane Doe January, about her
being raped. Both did not conform to the stereotypic view
of a victim. Banks thinks how Linda is “no damaged witness…Might
that make her story seem less credible to a judge or jury.
Would people demand more wailing and gnashing of teeth?”
But anyone who thinks this attitude can only exist in a novel
should compare it to what Winslow noted, “I tried to
understand and accept that the jury could only like me if
I conformed to some very narrow range of emotion. I could
not be angry. When on the stand I would have to show emotions
of vulnerability and hurt; yet, hold back on other emotions.
I wondered how do you let sadness show but keep anger in,
and be vulnerable but keep my dignity.”
Robinson commented, “I did not want Linda to be a typical
victim whose life was ruined. She is not just a survivor,
but also someone who achieved something despite what she went
through. Although a fighter she is hermit-like, living alone
in an isolated area.”
The second plot has Detective Inspector Annie Banks and Detective
Constable Geraldine Masterson investigating the murder of
a teenage girl found naked on a roadside. She was drugged,
appeared thrown out of a van, and beaten to death. Robinson
artfully writes about the attitude by some sections of society
who believe that women are available to be used and abused,
debased, traded and treated like commodities, many from the
Pakistani culture.
He doesn’t shy away from provocative statements, showing
how some are accused of racism if they point out that some
Muslims do not have an “enlightened attitude towards
women…they weren’t caught before because everyone
- including us (the police) – turned a blind eye because
we were scared of upsetting the Muslim community.”
These gripping stories show how young girls are neglected
by society. Both crimes reflect current issues showing how
some feel they can do anything and get away with it because
of they see themselves in a position of power.
Robinson said, “I put these two stories together because
they have the same theme. It is abuse of young women by men
who are aided in different ways by other men. Officials do
nothing because they are either in power and choose to look
the other way or are afraid of being called a racist. It seems
the immigration community is never investigated, nor are celebrities
who get away with it if they have friends in high places.
I hope readers are put in a quandary and think a bit: if someone
commits a crime it should not matter their origin, power,
or status. But unfortunately it does.”
As with all his books he has some scenes with music. Robinson
wants people to understand, “I enjoy writing them into
the plot, and I will not stop putting in the music scenes.
Banks has been a music fan from the start. I will mix up the
genres and have given him a broad taste. Basically what he
listens to is music I am enjoying at the time I am writing
a particular book, a bit of rock and roll, jazz, and classical.”
Here is the playlist: When the Music’s Over –
The Door, Strange Days (title only, not in rest of book),“My
Silver Lining” – First Aid Kit, Beethoven Pastorale
Symphony – 4th Movement: The Storm, “Ultraviolence_
- Lana del Rey,
“Basil” – Mark Knopfler, Lament for Jerusalem
– John Taverner
“Beeswing” - Richard Thompson Acoustic Classics
version,
“Every Time We Say Goodbye” - Keith Jarrett &
Charlie Haden,
“Hold On” - Alabama Shakes,“Stray Cat Blues”
The Rolling Stones, Live at Leeds version,“Rosalyn/Here
Comes the Night” – David Bowie,
“All or Nothing” – The Small Faces“Dear
Prudence” – Jerry Garcia Band,
“I Must Have Been Blind” - Tim Buckley, “Alone
Again Or” – Love
Mahler – Adagio from the 9th Symphony.
Readers will be wrapped up in this novel. Besides being a
riveting mystery it deals with explosive issues. It is a well-written
police procedural that will engage the reader.
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]
[1
book] [2
book]
Piece
of My Heart #16
Friend
of the Devil #17
All the Colors of Darkness #18
Watching
The Dark # 20
In The Dark Places #22 [review
1] [review
2]
When The Music's Over #23 [review
1] [review
2]
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