Robinson interweaves a contemporary detective investigation with the wartime journals of Gwen Shackleton. Gwen turns out to be the sister-in-law of Gloria Shackleton, whose skeleton is discovered in a dried-out reservoir constructed on the site of a deserted Yorkshire village.

Gloria was a land girl whose husband, Matthew, went missing during the war, believed killed in a Japanese POW camp. Fifty years on, Chief Inspector Alan Banks has the unenviable task of trying to solve Gloria's murder. There's a great sense of period in Gwen's journals, and the two time threads work well together. The novel reminded me a lot of the detective fiction of Peter Lovesey, which I like a great deal. Banks is also quite similar to Lovesey's detective, Peter Diamond - they're basically just ordinary, decent chaps - 'bright working class boys' to use Robinson's description of Banks.

The answer to Gloria's murder is drawn out gradually and satisfyingly. There are no contrived plot twists or deus ex machina surprises. A very solid detective novel, and the historical fiction element gives it an extra dimension. ( )

This is one of a series of 16 books about Inspector Alan Banks. Set in the English Midlands, each book follows the solving of a crime and also follows the events of his private life. In a Dry Season is the best of the series, taking place when his marriage has ended and he is struggling in his professional life. The mystery involves a murder committed at the end of World War II and it is fascinating the way pieces of the puzzles are slowly fit together. A really first rate mystery writer. ( )

A superb read from the Inspector Banks series. During a drought a previously submerged village appears and reveals the remains of a long-dead woman. The investigation takes many twists and turns and has several possible outcomes. I especially liked the glimpses into the past of old relationships and the fascinating references to life during World War ll.

Chief Inspector Banks is not a favourite with his new superior and his personal life is complicated by a new partner who seems very deep, a surprise visit from his estranged wife and the return of the psychologist Jenny to whom he has always been attracted. Great reading. ( )

Peter Robinson is not an author I was familiar with, but one of the women in one of my book clubs handed me In a Dry Season about a year ago. I finally got around to reading it this past month. It's part of a British detective series along the lines of Rankin and others. Truly an exceptional book. Engrossing story line and even though I was coming in in the middle of the series, I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything unlike in other mystery series.
If I see Robinson in the airport with a DI Banks mystery, chances are I will pick it up.
Originally posted October 3, 2006