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Amazon.co.uk Review
In Bad Boy, as before in his impressive body of work, Peter Robinson has tackled – and mastered – a naggingly recurrent problem for crime writers: the over-familiar scenario. He grabs with both hands the notion of the male/female copper duo eternally at odds with each other and does something subtly different, always coming up with some new innovation to keep cliché firmly at bay. Here again are DCI Alan Banks and his associate DI Annie Cabbot tackling particularly knotty problems, and even though Banks is offstage for a chunk of the action (evidence, again, of Robinson ringing the changes), we are reminded why readers are so at ease with this long-running series: Banks and Cabbot are two of the most distinctive figures in the overcrowded police procedural field.
In Bad Boy, Banks’ daughter Tracy – prone to ill-considered actions -- has found herself bewitched by her flatmate’s boyfriend, whose good looks conceal a dangerous personality. He goes on the run from the police, he drags along the pliable Tracy Banks, and the threatening events that result are bad news for everyone involved – in particular, the beleaguered policeman who is also a worried parent, Alan Banks.
As aficionados know, with any Peter Robinson novel, the reader can sit back and enjoys a master of the police procedural form, with all the expected elements satisfyingly in place. DCI Banks is shortly to enjoy a television incarnation – and it’s a safe bet that the filmmakers will struggle to keep things as fresh as Robinson always manages to do. --Barry Forshaw --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'Brilliant! . . . Gut-wrenching plotting, alongside heart-wrenching portraits of the characters who populate his world, not to mention the top-notch police procedure.'
(Jeffery Deaver )'Superbly cinematic from the beginning to the explosive finale, this would be a thrilling movie.'
(Joseph Wambaugh )'Riveting'
(Marcel Berlins, The Times )'A masterclass in the organisation of narrative'
(Barry Forshaw, Independent )
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Like other reviewers I'm a huge fan of Robinson's earlier work (I live in Leeds and was even able to go to a book signing a few years ago when he came on a promotional tour). But if I'm honest I've felt Banks has been on borrowed time since "Friend of the Devil" which was more or less a sequel to the recently televised story (and one of Robinson's best books) "Aftermath" - I won't express my disappointment with how that translated to screen here!
All the stuff Robinson has put out from FOTD onwards (not counting the short story compilation "The Price of Love" which I found moderately entertaining), has been long drawn out and tedious to read - in fact since "Playing with Fire" I've almost had the feeling someone has given Robinson a quota of pages he must fill before he's even started writing!
I'm afraid "Bad Boy" hasn't improved on things much -
I've long ago given up watching the Banks website, waiting hungrily for the next release date, so it was a total surprise to me when I wandered into the crime section of my local book shop to find a nice fresh Robinson hardback sitting there, I got a twinge of the old excitement then saw the title: "Bad Boy" I have to say it annoyed me before I'd even picked the book up, it just sounded so cheesy! Never the less I dutifully bought it and struggled through.
Without wanting to give spoilers (readers especially won't want that here as there is precious little to spoil!) all I can say is you spend three quarters of the book expecting something to happen and nothing ever does! The book actually starts quite promisingly with Banks' holiday (it was totally throw-away stuff and simply there to please Banks fans, but I took the bate) however once he comes home things start to go down the pan. The characters are borderline ridiculous and from everything we have read about Tracy Banks over the last 20 years or so, it is just hard for the reader to accept she could be so idiotic all of a sudden.
The one good thing about it is Robinson seems to have finally listened to the almost unanimous opinion of his fans and toned down on the pages and pages which were getting dedicated to what Banks was playing on his ipod!
I'm giving Robinson one more chance with his next book, but if it disappoints, I think that will be the end of Banks for me.
All the stuff Robinson has put out from FOTD onwards (not counting the short story compilation "The Price of Love" which I found moderately entertaining), has been long drawn out and tedious to read - in fact since "Playing with Fire" I've almost had the feeling someone has given Robinson a quota of pages he must fill before he's even started writing!
I'm afraid "Bad Boy" hasn't improved on things much -
I've long ago given up watching the Banks website, waiting hungrily for the next release date, so it was a total surprise to me when I wandered into the crime section of my local book shop to find a nice fresh Robinson hardback sitting there, I got a twinge of the old excitement then saw the title: "Bad Boy" I have to say it annoyed me before I'd even picked the book up, it just sounded so cheesy! Never the less I dutifully bought it and struggled through.
Without wanting to give spoilers (readers especially won't want that here as there is precious little to spoil!) all I can say is you spend three quarters of the book expecting something to happen and nothing ever does! The book actually starts quite promisingly with Banks' holiday (it was totally throw-away stuff and simply there to please Banks fans, but I took the bate) however once he comes home things start to go down the pan. The characters are borderline ridiculous and from everything we have read about Tracy Banks over the last 20 years or so, it is just hard for the reader to accept she could be so idiotic all of a sudden.
The one good thing about it is Robinson seems to have finally listened to the almost unanimous opinion of his fans and toned down on the pages and pages which were getting dedicated to what Banks was playing on his ipod!
I'm giving Robinson one more chance with his next book, but if it disappoints, I think that will be the end of Banks for me.
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Have read and enjoyed all the previous Inspector Banks novels but this one is a long disappointment. The plot is very thin, the dialogue turgid -with long speeches instead of dialogue. Set pieces such as the torture scene sit uncomfortably within the framework of the story- out of context. Peter Robinson writes without confidence -he is relying heavily on a formula, rather than injecting life and sparkle.
His hero seems tired of life at the end when he says"But sometimes I think I've had enough. I'm getting a bit tired of it all."
Like Ian Rankin and Rebus, Peter Robinson also seems to have exhausted his hero and this reader.
His hero seems tired of life at the end when he says"But sometimes I think I've had enough. I'm getting a bit tired of it all."
Like Ian Rankin and Rebus, Peter Robinson also seems to have exhausted his hero and this reader.
60 of 64 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Havng read all of Peter Robinson's Inspector Bank's books, in my opinion, this is the worst. His early books such as 'Cold is the Grave' and 'Wednesday's Child', to name but a few, were by far much better stories. I can remember reading them in one sitting, unable to put them down. But not so with this one. The story trundles along at a very slow pace. I use the term 'story' loosely as the whole book is quite simply about a girl who takes her boyfriends gun. When her mother finds it she reports her to the police. Cue DCI Alan Banks, who then tries to find the boyfriend. It really is as simple as that and I'm afraid it all gets very tedious.
'All the Colours of Darkness', Peter Robinson's previous novel was a turning point for me. It was unbelieveable, silly at times and the story was disjointed and uninteresting. Until then, I enjoyed all his Alan Bank's series and Robinson was one of my favourite authors. I wish he would return to form as I used to enjoy getting his latest book, knowing it would be an excellent read. I will probably purchase his next book in the hope that he will return to writing intense, complex and interesting DCI Alan Banks mysteries, but after 2 very disappointing books, this seems wishful thinking.
'All the Colours of Darkness', Peter Robinson's previous novel was a turning point for me. It was unbelieveable, silly at times and the story was disjointed and uninteresting. Until then, I enjoyed all his Alan Bank's series and Robinson was one of my favourite authors. I wish he would return to form as I used to enjoy getting his latest book, knowing it would be an excellent read. I will probably purchase his next book in the hope that he will return to writing intense, complex and interesting DCI Alan Banks mysteries, but after 2 very disappointing books, this seems wishful thinking.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Bad Boy - Peter Robinson
If you don't own it, Get it. If you've never read Inspector Banks books, Do it! If you like murder mystery, Read it. Read more
Published 6 days ago by G. F. Mchugh
Not the Best
This is the 11th Banks book that I have read. I think it is the most recently published. It is certainly not the best. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Bob from Beds
Maybe not one of his best but ...
Peter Robinson is an excellent writer of crime and whilst this may not be one of his best, it is enjoyable nevertheless. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bookworm
Come on, people...!!!!
OK - This wasn't Robinson's best Banks - yeah, it could be his worst. But those reviewers giving it one star - come off it. One star (can you give no stars? Read more
Published 2 months ago by puma
Very poor fare
First of all, I have to say that this is the first review of any book that I have posted, such was my disappointment with the writing. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Murchie
On the Beat
An excellent crime drama. Realistic and accurate. The characters are real and I could put a face to each one of them. The police procedures mentioned are real. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Oldcop
Hooked!
Loved this book! was my 1st Peter Robinson book and I was hooked... Read it in work when it was quiet and couldn't put it down. Looking to buy more asap!
Published 4 months ago by bargainhunterhelen
Time for Banks to retire
Have just finished Bad Boy and was really disappointed. I have thoroughly enjoyed the earlier books but the last few have seemed to have lost their way. Read more
Published 6 months ago by sarahjbond
IT WAS OK, NOT GREAT BUT OK
Its the first time i have read this author and I looked at it and thought i will give it a try, it wasnt great, it wasnt bad it was just readable - just, a sort of plod along story... Read more
Published 6 months ago by ginariva
Bad Boy, cracking read but questionable plot
So why have I only given this book three stars when Peter Robinson is one of my favourite authors? The truth is that I really enjoyed this well written book but the plot is a bit... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Steve Cowles
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