Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve
A friend who, at the wonderful age of 102, has been a lifelong avid reader, cites Inspector Alan Banks’s exploits as her greatest pleasure. She has read all previous 27 novels. Now that she can no longer see….what a terrible affliction for a reader!….she listens to audio books of Peter Robinson’s much-admired character.
Such is the loyalty and enjoyment these books give – not just to her, but millions around the globe, that they will be saddened by the news of this popular author’s death, last year.
Therefore, Standing in the Shadows, newly published, is the final opportunity to follow Banks and his colleagues. In it, two intriguing mysteries are cleverly combined. One is the sudden shocking death of Alice, a student. In 1980, the terror of the infamous Yorkshire Ripper stalks this area of the country, which adds to the horror of her murder.
Thirty years later, an archaeologist excavating on a Yorkshire farm, uncovers a skeleton which Banks and his team of experts establish must be a murder victim.
These crimes, years apart, are linked by a possible suspect in Alice’s murder, who is later an unexpected key to the puzzle of the skeleton and its death.
Standing in the Shadows spotlights police procedure in solving crime by relating the meticulous, painstaking and sometimes boring steps needed to convert a ‘person of interest’ into one who has a case to answer and is most likely to be guilty.
The gripping narrative Robinson enhances by constructing a background that relives the era of the Ripper, and England under Thatcher riven by strikes, especially by the coal miners. Additional drama comes with the Falklands War and the News of the World hacking scandal. He has the ability to add a personal element to these events, making the novel more significant and real, especially to readers who recall those times.
Although this is most likely his last Inspector Banks mystery crime novel, readers will have countless fond memories. They will remember his penchant for pub food, takeaways, and ventures into different cuisines. They will miss the musical references which were such an intrinsic part of his life. His taste was catholic and would ‘strike familiar chords’ for many.
The many novels have tracked his progress through professional and personal highlights, and occasional failures and mistakes.
Now living a solitary life, when not solving crimes, in his rural cottage, Banks stands as an exceptional example of a fine detective. Difficult to accept that he is a fictional character, and that there is not a familiar man living in a cosy cottage somewhere in the Dales, with comforting log fire, and rain pattering against the sturdy windows, a favourite drink by his side.
Standing in the Shadows
[2023]
by Peter Robinson
Hachette
ISBN 978 152934 317 5
$32.99; 359pp