From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. In Robinson's stunning 17th suspense novel to feature DCI Alan Banks (after 2006's Piece of My Heart), Banks and his on-again-off-again partner and lover, Det. Insp. Annie Cabbot, race to piece together a string of brutal murders. While on loan to a sister precinct, Cabbot investigates the gruesome death of a paraplegic woman found on a desolate cliff with her throat slit. Back in Eastvale, North Yorkshire, Banks and his team discover the body of a young woman who has been raped and strangled in a shady area of town known as the Maze. At first, there are no obvious connections between the two attacks, but when Cabbot uncovers the chilling identity of the woman on the cliff, she and Banks must once again confront sadistic serial killers Terry and Lucy Payne, last seen in Aftermath (2001). Banks and Cabbot are flawed but empathetic heroes, and readers will be on the edge of their seats as the two explore not only the depths of human depravity but also their own murky relationship. 7-city author tour.(Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Starred Review. In Robinson's stunning 17th suspense novel to feature DCI Alan Banks (after 2006's Piece of My Heart), Banks and his on-again-off-again partner and lover, Det. Insp. Annie Cabbot, race to piece together a string of brutal murders. While on loan to a sister precinct, Cabbot investigates the gruesome death of a paraplegic woman found on a desolate cliff with her throat slit. Back in Eastvale, North Yorkshire, Banks and his team discover the body of a young woman who has been raped and strangled in a shady area of town known as the Maze. At first, there are no obvious connections between the two attacks, but when Cabbot uncovers the chilling identity of the woman on the cliff, she and Banks must once again confront sadistic serial killers Terry and Lucy Payne, last seen in Aftermath (2001). Banks and Cabbot are flawed but empathetic heroes, and readers will be on the edge of their seats as the two explore not only the depths of human depravity but also their own murky relationship. 7-city author tour.(Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Peter Robinson continues to bring freshness to a mystery.
Michael H. (isbnlover) - , reviewed Friend of the Devil (Inspector Banks, Bk 17) on + 12 more book reviews
It helps to have read the series, as DI Annie Cabbott and DCI Alan Banks do have a relationship going in the background. However, Robinson provides enough explanation to keep one up to date on that part of the story.
This mystery was unique in that the two, Cabbott and Banks work apart and then together in an intriguing story and mystery.
This mystery was unique in that the two, Cabbott and Banks work apart and then together in an intriguing story and mystery.
Barbara S. (barbsis) -
This is one series I haven't read in sequence and really wish I had. I'd love to know what happened with Cabbot and Banks to cause such tension between them. And I'd understand all the particulars about the wheelchair victim who'd obviously been a previous case for Banks and Cabbott. It's not really important information to enjoy the mystery but it would certainly help with background details.
The story starts with two seemingly unconnected murders: a wheelchair-bound paraplegic with her throat cut and a teenage girl brutally raped. DI Annie Cabbott caught the wheelchair case and DCI Alan Banks the rape case. Both cases are bizarre with no suspects and no real evidence. The investigation of the rape case goes round and round in circles and seems hopeless until one tiny inconsequential detail finally registers in Banks subconscious. Annie's investigation falls back on an 18 year unsolved murder with a very remote possible connection.
I enjoyed the research and investigation of both cases and other than the miscellaneous British slang that totally confused me, thought this was a terrific mystery. I've read a few books in this series and have always liked Annie and Banks, together and apart. I'll have to do some research and see if I can find the book that featured the wheelchair victim so I can find out the reasons for the animosity of the victims, suspects and cops with regard to her demise and their ambivalence.
The story starts with two seemingly unconnected murders: a wheelchair-bound paraplegic with her throat cut and a teenage girl brutally raped. DI Annie Cabbott caught the wheelchair case and DCI Alan Banks the rape case. Both cases are bizarre with no suspects and no real evidence. The investigation of the rape case goes round and round in circles and seems hopeless until one tiny inconsequential detail finally registers in Banks subconscious. Annie's investigation falls back on an 18 year unsolved murder with a very remote possible connection.
I enjoyed the research and investigation of both cases and other than the miscellaneous British slang that totally confused me, thought this was a terrific mystery. I've read a few books in this series and have always liked Annie and Banks, together and apart. I'll have to do some research and see if I can find the book that featured the wheelchair victim so I can find out the reasons for the animosity of the victims, suspects and cops with regard to her demise and their ambivalence.
