In this first Inspector Banks novel, he is newly moved to the Dales town of Eastvale and investigates a series of burglaries, the death of an old woman and a voyeur watching women undressing for bed. Was all right, I'll be looking out for the next book in the series. ( )

A great relaxing read, elegant and believable ( )

Gallows View is the first Inspector Banks novel, set in Yorkshire. Banks is from London, married, with two children.

There is a series of robberies, a series of Peeping Tom incidents, and a murder. The action is fast paced, the characterizations deft, and the eventual unwinding of the crimes and the criminals is logical.

I really enjoyed this book and found it to be an elegant and sophisticated intertwining of three very brutal and violent crimes. All the way through the book we’re left to wonder if it’s one criminal, two, or three. The denoument is ironic and satisfying. ( )

Seeking a calmer existence than their residence in London, England, Inspector Alan Banks relocates with his wife and two children to Eastvale, a quaint town in Yorkshire County. While some aspects of their life in Eastvale are peaceful, Inspector Alan Banks continues to be faced with the same depravity and crime that he experienced in London. A Peeping Tom, random violence and murder are what Alan must tackle, along with personal issues that could clutter his mind and heart.

While I am happy to have met Alan Banks, I'm not so sure that I know him very well. The lack of background information left me uncertain as to who Alan Banks really is. I know what he does, I know who he lives with, I know his hobby, but I don't feel like I got to know what drives him, what makes him tick. I'm thinking that's a good strategy in setting up a series - can't divulge too much in the first book, right? Other than that, I really liked Gallows View. The mystery kept me curious in its complexity, and learning about the town and its surroundings was pleasant.

I'm not sure where I first discovered this author, but I'm glad I did. The only daunting aspect is that this year he published his 18th book in this series. Yikes! I have 17 more to catch up! That's okay though, I'm up for the challenge. :) (4/5)

Originally posted on: "Thoughts of Joy..." ( )

An average start to a series. The narration is smooth, and the story good. I have some hope that the series will be satisfying. ( )