Aftermath
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Amazon.co.uk Review
The mystery novels of Peter Robinson (Aftermath is his 12th) have only increased with power and intelligence. It's a dirty little secret of the crime-fiction genre that many of its writers simply spin their wheels, repeating a successful formula and hoping, if not assuming, that their fans won't notice. Writers like Robinson, however, actually seem to grow in front of our eyes, delivering books of greater complexity each time. His previous two books, Cold Is the Grave and In a Dry Season, were equally novels of character and novels of crime and Aftermath is no exception.
Like recent books by fellow English writers Reginald Hill, Val McDermid and Stephen Booth, Aftermath centres upon a grim case in which attractive young girls have disappeared, victims of a cunning psychotic killer whose identity is well concealed behind a façade of respectability. Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks of the Yorkshire Police is in charge of the case, but he's also got unavoidable personal distractions. His estranged wife is pregnant by her lover and wants the divorce he's been dragging his heels over.
There is nothing cosy about the kind of English mysteries written by Peter Robinson, even if they do take place in picturesque rural villages. He's not afraid of gore, deviance, violence or any of the baser emotions and it's a raw old world behind the hedgerows and cottage walls. If Aftermath is your first taste of his tough-tender sensibility, it won't be surprising if you are soon hooked on the work of one of today's most accomplished practitioners of detective fiction. --Otto Penzler --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'A writer at the very height of his powers.' Ian Rankin; 'What raises Robinson's series out of the routine is the thoughtfulness of the writing, the subtlety of the characterisation and the skill of the plotting.' Observer
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
First of all the plot in this excellent novel is not a comfortable one and although the book is easy to get into it will no doubt not suit everyone. Acting Superintendant Alan Banks is having a pretty tough time at this point in his life. His wife is divorcing him, his kids are grown up and his current love interest is akin to catching a bar of soap in the bath. He is managing an investigation into the Chameleon Killer with little success and the world rests weary on his shoulders. However a chance call to a domestic disturbance starts to unravel the disappearances of the missing teenage girls and Banks ends up with his most traumatic case to date.
For those unfamiliar with this wonderful character this would not be the worst place to start as the novel not only refers back to previous cases (novels) and happier times but perhaps for the first time in this series we spend most of the time with Banks and see what the stresses of the job are doing and indeed have done to him. Peter Robinson has developed Banks so much over the past 15 years that as in real life the man who investigated the murders in Gallows View is different to the man who gets to the bottom of it all by the end of Aftermath. If you like your thrillers to have depth and to be pacy, full of twists with real life locations then I cannot recommend this novel enough. Stick with it because the surprise is bound to get you.
For those unfamiliar with this wonderful character this would not be the worst place to start as the novel not only refers back to previous cases (novels) and happier times but perhaps for the first time in this series we spend most of the time with Banks and see what the stresses of the job are doing and indeed have done to him. Peter Robinson has developed Banks so much over the past 15 years that as in real life the man who investigated the murders in Gallows View is different to the man who gets to the bottom of it all by the end of Aftermath. If you like your thrillers to have depth and to be pacy, full of twists with real life locations then I cannot recommend this novel enough. Stick with it because the surprise is bound to get you.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This was quite eagerly awaited as the last Banks I read was superb ( Cold is the Grave)
This was a compulsive read. Like other Robinson novels, it seeks to involve the reader and treat the issues in an intelligent and realistic manner. Those who pick this as their first Banks may be confused by the major characters but previous novels should be read to see that the story lines are cleverly plotted and Banks' relationships followed through in a seamless manner.
To the plot, it could be argued that this type of novel is done to death ( sorry) given the detailed police procedural narrative. However, what is outstanding here is the very well identified fallabilitiy of ordinary policeman involved in a high profile investigation where the failure of adequate supervision due to under resourcing evidentially leads to ( a la Yorkshire Ripper) failure to identify a serial killer before other deaths arise. OK maybe this to is cliched but it is done so well that you accept the premise.
Banks is again well drawn and whilst you can say that there are too many dectectives in current fiction who have relationship and emotional issues these identified here are a continuing theme from previous novels and can be seen as related to the strains of committed police work at the high level. The closed environment surrounding a high profile case could not have been better told and the examination of the media to events never less than credible.
I must admit I could not put this book down and ultimately one of its strengths is the gripping narrative and ( perhaps surprisingly) lack of sub plot. The compulsive nature of the need to seek the truth has never been better detailed.
Where it failed to attain 5 stars( I am not a willing giver of such an accolade) was in the fact that it seemed the author had an intense desire to tidy up the loose ends and end the novel in a somewhat abrupt manner-quite why I am not sure. . As Robinson seems content to let the reader begin to see that Banks is increasingly disenchanted with policing, this theme and the political nature of Police and excessive force in attempting arrests could have been carried over to the next novel.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a rattling good read! I've read quite a number of Inspector Banks crime novels and they just keep getting better. It might sound pretentious but I was half convinced it was a real case being described. Two patrol officers are called to a house because of a reported domestic disturbance. What they find is truly horrific and is redolent of the Fred and Rosemary West case.
In this novel Banks is an acting superintendent and is finding the responsibility too much. Peter Robinson once again demonstrates his supreme skill as a writer. His narrative keeps you on the edge of your seat, often you feel you know what is going to happen, but Robinson trips you up unexpectedly. I would not dream of suggesting the Peter Robinson is the new Ian Rankin, but he is equally as good, in some ways better. Inspector Banks is not the new Rebus; he is a much more engaging character than that. Highly recommended, buy it, or put in on your Christmas list.
In this novel Banks is an acting superintendent and is finding the responsibility too much. Peter Robinson once again demonstrates his supreme skill as a writer. His narrative keeps you on the edge of your seat, often you feel you know what is going to happen, but Robinson trips you up unexpectedly. I would not dream of suggesting the Peter Robinson is the new Ian Rankin, but he is equally as good, in some ways better. Inspector Banks is not the new Rebus; he is a much more engaging character than that. Highly recommended, buy it, or put in on your Christmas list.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Best book he's ever written
Bought this book in paperback when it was first printed and it remains my favourite Peter Robinson book of all time. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Cornish Bebe
Aftermath Book.
I have read 22 of Peter Robinsons books and this one is equally as good as the other 21. I find once I pick up one of his books I find it difficult to put down. Read more
Published 24 days ago by J. L. Neal
quick delivery
Thank you for a quick and easy transaction.Quick delivery,well packaged...item as described. I really enjoyed the book and Will be back for more.
Published 3 months ago by A. Humphrey
no knowledge of receiving this book
sorry, can't review this book as I have no recollection of receiving it. I have ordered numerous books from Amazon and never had any problems with them but have no recollection of... Read more
Published 4 months ago by maggie
Aftermath CD Book
Bought for a blind uncle, who is a lover of Peter Robinson DSI Banks storys. This one 'Aftermath' will not disappoint and give hours of listening pleasure.
Published 7 months ago by Mr. T. R. Le-mar
Decent but dull
As has increasingly become the case in the last 10-15 years, editors no longer edit (what they actually do is open to question). Read more
Published 14 months ago by thrillerman
review
I purchased this book at a reasonable price and it came quicker than I thought.
Published 18 months ago by lenahar
Enjoy Feeling Sorry for DCI Banks?
Alan Banks is a DCI with multiple problems. His boss is on extended sick leave and Alan is the acting supervisor; there is a looming divorce in his future; he is attempting to... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Robert B. Richey
Peter Robinson Aftermath
A very well written story but with a darker side, a psychological thriller. Not really typical of the Inspector Banks books that I have read previously. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Jennifer
getting better with every book
As I work my way through the Inspector banks stories each one just gets better and better. This is not so much a who dunnit as how much has he done and what are the consequences... Read more
Published 22 months ago by A. Browne
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