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Review
"An exceptional series.""--Washington Post""An extremely well-fashioned police procedural.""--New York Times Book Review""An intimate procedural, nicely and comfortably done, suspenseful as well and satisfying in its resolutions.""--Los Angeles Times"
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Great news for Peter Robinson fans - the first Inspector Banks novel is back in print...
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
76 of 77 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the first of the Inspector Banks mysteries. Now, some 15 years and a dozen or so books later the series is still going and gaining in popularity. I am well aware that with sequential novels such as these, any one of them can be read and enjoyed as a complete story in itself without necessary reference to the others. Yet, perhaps it is the sad completist in me, but I just have to track down the first novel and proceed in chronological order.
This type of series novel is particularly common in the science-fiction, fantasy and crime genres. Readers who enjoy such books often appreciate the attention to detail and like to track the characters' development according to their experiences and environment.
'Gallows View' sets the stage pretty well here - there is even a quaint map at the front of the book which instantly recalls 'The Lord Of The Rings' and the incursion of evil into the quiet Shire. The wonderfully provincial setting for this novel is the fictional town of Eastvale in the Yorkshire Dales. I am personally familiar with this part of the country and I would suggest to any readers of this book that if they wanted a feel for what Eastvale is like then they should visit the Dales and take a stroll around Knaresborough, Shipton or Northallerton. The rural parochialism of Eastvale lends much greater significance to the crimes than they otherwise would have if they were committed in London say (affectionately still termed ' the smoke' by the local ruffians in this story).
Banks is introduced here aged 36, self-educated, intensely curious of understanding people and is a lover of culture especially opera. He ponders problems cerebrally over a drink in true Holmesian style but is all too human as well and there are strong indications in this book that he could easily be led astray. He has moved up north hoping for a simpler life but soon finds that this quiet rural setting harbours its fair share of misfits and law-breakers. There is a pervading atmosphere of sexual tension which is an interesting characteristic of much British crime fiction - possibly as a result of the peculiarly British obsession with morality: this lends an extra frisson for the attentive reader. All in all this first instalment for the inspector holds much promise.
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The main aspect that draws attention to this series is the character of inspector Banks. He lives in a small town in rural England and presents a very interesting picture in terms of his relationship with others, his inner conflicts and his personality. I find this extremely similar to what happens in the case of Henning Mankel's detective, Kurt Wallander, who also lives in a small town and whose life is a little "messier" than Bank's. In both cases, the rest of the plot is almost secondary, with the mystery being mainly an accessory for showing the traits in the main character. However, Peter Robinson does a better job in entertaining the reader and in keeping his attention.
In this first novel in the series, Alan Banks faces three cases simultaneously. The first one deals with a Peeping Tom that makes his appearances after following his victims from pubs. The second one has to do with a series of break-ins into houses of old ladies who live alone. The third and last case is more serious; an old lady was murdered in what looks like an accident after the perpetrator pushed her back. Banks is in charge of untangling the web of mysteries, since there are possible connections among the cases. On top of this, the inspector has to deal with his feelings towards Dr. Jenny Fuller, a psychologist that was brought in by the police department to help in the case of the peeper. The question is: Will Banks be able to solve the cases, while managing to keep his relationship with Jenny from ruining his marriage?
Robinson has created one of the most likable characters I have seen in a long time; and even though the mysteries are straightforward, the author manages to deliver a couple of surprises along the way. This is one of those books you can read in a few hours, and it fulfills what I think his purpose is, deliver a cozy mystery that keeps the reader entertained.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've only recently discovered Peter Robinson and after reading Friend of the Devil I was impressed enough to buy all the Inspector Banks books. I have chosen to review this one, the first in what is shaping up to be an excellent series (I haven't read them all yet).
For me, the finest aspect of this novel is that it never strays from what happens in real life and so maintains credibility. In many detective novels half the characters end up dead - how often does this really happen? Here we have a Peeping Tom, several burglaries, a rape and a single murder - fairly standard fare for the average CID, I imagine, yet it never becomes boring. A good writer can keep the reader hooked without artificial "cliffhanger" chapter endings, unlikely twists right out of left field and gore aplenty, and Peter Robinson does this as well as anyone. I read this in two sittings and would have completed it in one, but real life has an annoying habit of getting in the way.
Also to Robinson's credit is his characterisation. We have real people who speak for themselves, especially the main character DCI Alan Banks. I became rather tired of detectives who quote poetry, read Shakespeare and solve the Times crossword in four minutes as a way of making them "real". From my experience of the police, most of them wouldn't know Keats from Ovid and would struggle with the quick crossword in the Sun. True, Banks has an interest in opera - something which endeared me to him as I love opera - but it's made plain that his hobbies are somewhat short-lived and he's not some sort of artistic genius who somehow ended up in the police force. I do agree with the reviewer who said that the feminist character comes over as stereotypical, but don't forget that the book was written in 1987 when there was no shortage of such people.
The only thing that's dated is the frequent reference to characters lighting up in pubs - but that's hardly Peter Robinson's fault as he couldn't have predicted today's meddlesome nanny state!
I would strongly recommend this and the series to anyone who likes good detective stories. Enjoy!
For me, the finest aspect of this novel is that it never strays from what happens in real life and so maintains credibility. In many detective novels half the characters end up dead - how often does this really happen? Here we have a Peeping Tom, several burglaries, a rape and a single murder - fairly standard fare for the average CID, I imagine, yet it never becomes boring. A good writer can keep the reader hooked without artificial "cliffhanger" chapter endings, unlikely twists right out of left field and gore aplenty, and Peter Robinson does this as well as anyone. I read this in two sittings and would have completed it in one, but real life has an annoying habit of getting in the way.
Also to Robinson's credit is his characterisation. We have real people who speak for themselves, especially the main character DCI Alan Banks. I became rather tired of detectives who quote poetry, read Shakespeare and solve the Times crossword in four minutes as a way of making them "real". From my experience of the police, most of them wouldn't know Keats from Ovid and would struggle with the quick crossword in the Sun. True, Banks has an interest in opera - something which endeared me to him as I love opera - but it's made plain that his hobbies are somewhat short-lived and he's not some sort of artistic genius who somehow ended up in the police force. I do agree with the reviewer who said that the feminist character comes over as stereotypical, but don't forget that the book was written in 1987 when there was no shortage of such people.
The only thing that's dated is the frequent reference to characters lighting up in pubs - but that's hardly Peter Robinson's fault as he couldn't have predicted today's meddlesome nanny state!
I would strongly recommend this and the series to anyone who likes good detective stories. Enjoy!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Reasonable book spoilt by self-opinionated, uninformed views
Peter Robinson spoils what is a reasonable book the moment he fails to control the urge to express his views relating to state education. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Graham Smith
Realistic Crime Drama
Having watched the TV dramas DCI Banks I decided to try the first Inspector Banks mystery in Kindle. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Eileen Emberlin
gallows view
I find all Peter Robinson mysteries excellent. I have spent many hours reading Peters books.
The plots to his mysteries always surprise me and also his knowledge of music is... Read more
The plots to his mysteries always surprise me and also his knowledge of music is... Read more
Published 19 days ago by gary c atkins
Jarring
I thought Mark Honan's accent for the lead character of Inspector Banks was wrong and distracting when listening to the story. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jerry J. Cobb
Truly awful
Apart from the fact that it's 25 years old and has lost all relevance to today, I found the plot unbelievably and offensively sexist. Read more
Published 2 months ago by thegoodbook
Gallows view
Having read the later books I wanted to start at the beginning and as yet I have not been disappointed. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Published 5 months ago by Charlie
DATED
I've just got my hands on a pile of Peter Robinson's books and am reading them in chronological order. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Agemur
Disappointing, especially after a great recommendation.
I'd been searching for a new author to get my teeth into. My favourite crime fiction authors are Dorothy L Sayers (Lord Peter Wimsey), PD James (Adam Dalgleish), Margery Allingham... Read more
Published 16 months ago by happytohelp
Inspector Bank's 1st
Having read a great number of similar "cops & robbers" books,this one is easy on the brain & not too taxing. Read more
Published 18 months ago by paul l
Brilliant
Having read a couple of later books in the series, I decided to start from the beginning so that the continuity would be evident. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mr. John Bartlett
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