Standing in the Shadows

It's a bit bittersweet to read this book, knowing it's most likely the last entry. But it's a strong one. The greatest mystery driving much of the story: what is the connection between the first-person entries from 1980 about a university student's murder and the discovery in 2019 of the skeleton of someone who died much more recently, found by archeologists in a farm field where a new highway is going in. The two story lines, one related by the murdered student's former boyfriend during the fraught era when the Yorkshire Ripper was at work and the other a third person account of the current investigation, seem to have nothing in common. But surely they must, and by the end of the novel we know how they are parts of the same story.

I show more enjoyed this novel quite a lot. The investigation is satisfyingly and realistically complex (whose skeleton is it? when did he die? basic questions that are difficult to answer as the case gets underway). The past murder has its own questions, but they're being asked by a young man who can't get any information from the cops. There's the moody setting of a community living in fear as a vicious serial killer goes undetected for years, the political involvement of a leftist activist at a time when the IRA was setting off bombs the Bader Meinhoff gang was seeking revolution through violence, and ultimately a government inquiry into police misconduct by Special Branch undercover units during the period. And then there's an occasional subtle nod toward contemporary politics in the UK, with even an old Tory friend of Banks's disgusted with BJ's antics. It all comes together in the end, when one of the characters says "Let me start at the beginning..." Too bad it's actually the end. show less

In 1980, the body of a a young girl is found in a park in Leeds. The Yorkshire Ripper was terrorizing England at the time and, at first, she was thought to be one of his victims. However, the method of her murder doesn’t match his other victims and her case is put on the back burner only to be seemingly forgotten by everyone except her ex-boyfriend, Nick Hartley.

Flash forward to 2019. During an archeological dig in a field destined to become a shopping mall, the skeleton of a man is uncovered. It is clear, however, that his burial is much more recent than Roman times. It is also clear he was murdered. DCI Banks and his team are called in to investigate.

Standing in the Shadows is the 28th book in the DCI Banks police procedural series show more by Peter Robinson. It is also, sadly, the last. Like all of the preceding novels, it is well-written, well-plotted and smart, more puzzle than action. Also, like in past novels, there are plenty of musical and cultural as well as political references to both periods. The novel moves back and forth between the two timelines as well as the two murders and it kept me guessing how the two were linked.

I have been a huge fan of the series for longer than I care to admit. Robinson was one of the few crime fiction writers who put paid to the idea that mysteries and thrillers are just literary fiction’s ugly stepsisters and he will be sorely missed.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review show less

Detective Superintendent Banks and his team are brought in to investigate the provenance of a skeleton unearthed during an archeological dig; the dig was searching for Roman remains but the skeleton is only some 5 or 10 years old. Trouble is, there are no identifying markers to help out the squad, other than for remnants of apparently high-end clothes. The painstaking work of combing through hundreds, if not thousands, of missing persons cases is daunting, but necessary, and eventually a story begins to emerge, one that reaches back 40 years, to the death of a student in 1980….Peter Robinson died suddenly in October of 2022, and this is the swan song of his most beloved character Alan Banks, a detective inspector driven as much by show more music as by his passion for justice. The story jumps back and forth in time, from a 1980 murder to the 2019 skeleton case, but the reader is never confused about what is when, and the differing threads eventually converge in a very satisfying way. I’ve loved this series for years and am sad to know that there will be no more; we will never know what happens to the main characters going forward, and that is really a shame. Recommended. show less

The late Peter Robinson created the iconic Alan Banks, a detective who, in the early days of his career, drank and smoked excessively, had a series of romantic relationships that did not last, and angered his superiors with his rebellious attitude. As the years pass, Banks quits smoking—although he still enjoys his daily tipple—and achieves the rank of Detective Superintendent. He closely supervises his hard-working subordinates and, in his spare time, dines with his friends, listens to his beloved music at home, reads poetry, and attends local concerts.

Banks' last case involves a skeleton unearthed in a field that is scheduled for property development. An archaeologist digging in the area before construction gets under way comes show more across the skull of an adult male. She alerts the authorities, whose top priority is to identify the victim and, if possible, determine the cause of death. Fortunately, Banks has experts on hand to examine the remains and conduct tests that will narrow down the age of the deceased. Furthermore, Banks trusts his subordinates, DS Winsome Jackman and DC Gerry Masterson, to carry out their assigned tasks quickly and accurately.

"Standing in the Shadows" is divided into two parallel tracks. There are chapters in which Leeds University student Nicholas Hartley narrates his tale of woe. He was besotted with a woman who broke his heart, and when she was murdered in 1980, he never got over it. The rest of the novel takes place in 2019, and focuses on the details of DS Banks' homicide investigation. He and his officers interview witnesses, conduct background checks, analyze physical evidence, and try to figure out who had the means, motive, and opportunity to take this individual's life and bury him in a shallow grave. This police procedural has an engrossing plot, well-drawn characters, vivid descriptive writing, and intriguing background information about corruption in high places, British politics, and the Yorkshire Ripper's grisly crimes. show less

Standing in the Shadows is the 28th entry in Peter Robinson's wonderful DCI Banks series.

Settling in with the latest in this series feels like catching up with old friends. I have grown very fond of all the characters over the years. Robinson has given them rich personal lives. I've especially enjoyed Banks' music choices, often chasing down a title he listens to.

In addition to wonderful characters Robinson always comes up with a plot that keeps the reader guessing until the last pages. This latest is no exception. The narrative from 1980 where Nick's ex girlfriend Alice has gone missing. Her body is not found until 2019. I always enjoy a then and now narrative. As readers, we are privy to what's gone before even as Banks and the team show more chase down any and every clue. Standing in the Shadows was as always, well plotted.

I very much enjoyed this latest - and sadly, this last book. Peter Robinson passed away in October of 2022. If you've never read Peter Robison's books, you've got a treat waiting. Start with the first and enjoy show less

I was very happy to receive an Advance Review Copy of this, the last of the Inspector Alan Banks series. Sadly Peter Robinson died suddenly in October of 2022. I so loved the chance to read and to review this book as Alan Banks has been a favourite of mine for years, so I'd like to thank the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me this chance to read and review this book. This book is a little different from most Alan Banks books as Peter Robinson created a tinge of the unreliable narrator in this book, which is a plot twist that I usually don't care that much for. But I didn't mind it in this instance, as it was written by a true master of the art of writing. The book is set around two time-frames, 1980 and 2019. When a skeleton is show more found buried in a proposed construction site, Banks realizes that this older case from 2008 was tied to an earlier crime and to the present. This is a twisty, convoluted case, that keeps giving Banks and his team more surprises until the final whopper of an ending. It leads them on a trail of police corruption, modern gangsters and a bunch of people with a whole lot of secrets. I enjoyed the book, but wasn't that taken with all the political controversy. That is why four stars instead of five. I will miss Alan Banks and feel very sad that we lost this talented author who has left us so suddenly. He has left a wonderful and lasting legacy. show less

A retroactive murder case from the 1980s when Nick arrives home from university to find his ex-girlfriend neighbour has been murdered. He becomes obsessed with the murder although it is relegated to cold cases. In 2019 a skeleton is uncovered and Banks is called in to investigate. The novel is filled with details of politics and culture of the 1980s, something Robinson can handle skillfully. Nick goes on to become a journalist newspaper scandals of the era are prominent.

Robinson obviously took note when readers (myself included) praised his references to music, for there are many mentions of Banks’ preferred music. Food and drinks were detailed too, to the point that it appeared a bit like Banks bragging about his gourmet knowledge. show more This final book from Robinson has an excellent plot and provides a satisfying finish for the character and the author. show less