Standing in the Shadows: The last novel in the number one bestselling Alan Banks crime series
£8.70£9.50 (-8%)
The brilliant last novel in the number one bestselling Alan Banks crime series – by the master of the police procedural.
‘The best mystery-procedural series on the market. Try one and tell me I’m wrong’ STEPHEN KING
Late November, 1980. Student Nick Hartley returns from a lecture to find his house full of police officers. As he discovers that his ex-girlfriend has been found murdered in a nearby park, and her new boyfriend is missing, he realises two things in quick succession: he is undoubtedly a suspect as he has no convincing alibi, and he has own suspicions as to what might have happened . . .
Late November 2019. An dig near Scotch Corner unearths a skeleton that turns out to be far more recent than the Roman remains the archaeologist is looking for. Detective Superintendent Alan Banks and his team are called in and, as an investigation into the find begins, the past and the present meet with devastating consequences.
‘The master of the police procedural’ MAIL ON SUNDAY
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by shelly Powell
From page 1 I couldn’t. Put this book down. I was drawn into the characters like I knew them and been a Leeds university a student in those years. Was like. Living my own life. .a thought provoking book, brilliant read
by Neil
I liked the story and the writing flowed.
The clues weren’t very subtle and the undercover Policing aspect was signposted quite early.
There was a lot of padding, conversations about meals etc before the purpose of the conversation.
Nevertheless I enjoyed the book, and have enjoyed most of the series. It was far better than the previous trilogy.
The comments about the left activists keeping their penthouse apartments for the summer break paid for by their parents was amusing. Also very apt.
by Jimmax
Although I enjoyed reading all of Peter Robinson’s Banks novels. His plotting is good but he has the infuriating habit of padding out his books with his knowledge of obscure popular music, which I’ve learned to skim over. It seems to me to be an indulgent form of “showing off “!
by georgeboy
I got hooked on his first book and loved it , more so because of places in Yorkshire I have visited over the years and great stories so I brought and read all 28 books I was going to send an email to Mr Robinson to thank him but alas he has past away last year so no more DC alan banks stories so buy read and enjoy , they are stand a lone stories but best to read in order thanks
by David Hoggard
I first “met” Peter Robinson and detective Banks in a bookshop in New York, which is ironic, since I live in North Yorkshire, and have since figured out where he put Eastvale (not that it’s entirely consistent). I went back to the start and now we’ve all reached the end.
This is the last of DCI Banks, and indeed of Peter Robinson, and finishing this book is a sad moment, for me, anyway. The characters have developed and grown, as did Robinson’s skill in creating plots, and that sense of place which intrigued me so much but described this area so accurately. I’ve enjoyed the journey and I’m sad that it’s come to an end, although this last chapter is as well-written and as good to read as any of the others. There is no fall-off in quality; on the contrary.
I’d add that I enjoyed the TV series in itself, but somehow it didn’t line up with my internal image of Banks and his team – too much Leeds, and Steven Tomkinson just wasn’t how I saw Banks, which is not his fault at all.
I’ll miss this world, and if you haven’t been there, start at the beginning – I envy you the journey. Never less than good; often superb. And always believable.
by Mr. Peter M. Crabtree
Two stories, a few decades apart eventually meet. Addictive reading and nicely woven plot which dovetails well. However, there are very few suspects and the team just happen to be able to put their key- their only+ suspects into the frame. The final evidence is disappointingly weak and does not stand up to any scrutiny, but I don’t want to give away any spoilers. Shame, it was a great story until the last couple of pages.
by rob
I’ve read every Banks novel but the last few have got a bit dull to be honest and I only bought this as its the final one. Pleasantly surprised though…..much better than I was expecting and up to the standard of his earlier novels!
by DCG
One of Peter Robinson’s best. Well crafted, great and very believable storylines with limited characters. Not complicated, but skilful storytelling as you would expect from this great author. Shame there will be no more Banks stories. Ali good things must come to an end sometime. I rather hoped that Banks might have bailed out by announcing his retirement from policing at the end of the book, but this was left in limbo. Perhaps a reprieve may happen like the Holmes books?