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purplehazer's review against another edition
4.0
This is the 11th Peter Robinson book i've read featuring chief inspector Alan banks. I really like the writing style, but the ending was pretty obvious. I love the character development throughout the series, and this one is no different. His personal and professional lives interweave as do the cases he is working on. I enjoyed this a lot.
danicareads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
paronomaniac's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Murder, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Racial slurs, Suicide, and Gun violence
yorugua1891's review against another edition
4.0
A notable divergence from the usual Banks' mystery.
I can definitely understand why this book is not loved by everyone. The main case Banks and his team work on is less than enthralling, and the solution is a little too convoluted. On top of that, there is a second case presented to the readers and this one holds very little interest and adds absolutely nothing to the story. At this point I can see you are probably thinking why then I am giving this book four stars, so I'll explain.
This book represents a huge leap forward in terms of character development. Inspector Banks becomes a more complex character, and we get to see what is going on in the relationship with his estranged wife and with his former lover, Annie. Also, there is quite a bit of material having to do with his kids, especially the daughter, since there are parallels to Emily, the young girl at the center of the main case. On top of this, we get to see some of the events from Banks' childhood that shaped his adult life and his caring for others and his job.
The character development is not limited to Banks either, since we do get a decent portion of the plot having to do with Annie's past. A figure from the past shows up and with it there is a torrent of emotion pouring in, having to do with a traumatic event in her past.
Even though I did not enjoy the pure mystery aspect of the book that much, it was still OK, and I breezed through this sections in order to reach those having to do with the personal stories. This is a book that will definitely be more enjoyable for those readers that have been following this series in order and can appreciate the aspects I enjoyed. If you are looking for a stand alone mystery to read, other works by Peter Robinson will probably be a better choice.
I can definitely understand why this book is not loved by everyone. The main case Banks and his team work on is less than enthralling, and the solution is a little too convoluted. On top of that, there is a second case presented to the readers and this one holds very little interest and adds absolutely nothing to the story. At this point I can see you are probably thinking why then I am giving this book four stars, so I'll explain.
This book represents a huge leap forward in terms of character development. Inspector Banks becomes a more complex character, and we get to see what is going on in the relationship with his estranged wife and with his former lover, Annie. Also, there is quite a bit of material having to do with his kids, especially the daughter, since there are parallels to Emily, the young girl at the center of the main case. On top of this, we get to see some of the events from Banks' childhood that shaped his adult life and his caring for others and his job.
The character development is not limited to Banks either, since we do get a decent portion of the plot having to do with Annie's past. A figure from the past shows up and with it there is a torrent of emotion pouring in, having to do with a traumatic event in her past.
Even though I did not enjoy the pure mystery aspect of the book that much, it was still OK, and I breezed through this sections in order to reach those having to do with the personal stories. This is a book that will definitely be more enjoyable for those readers that have been following this series in order and can appreciate the aspects I enjoyed. If you are looking for a stand alone mystery to read, other works by Peter Robinson will probably be a better choice.
didactylos's review against another edition
4.0
A good crime novel with loads of twists, only irritant is the almost 'product placement' detail at times. Do we really need to know the precise track on a precise CD he is listening to, do we need to know the minute details of the indian he is eating?
What does this detail add to the narrative? Nothing.
What does this detail add to the narrative? Nothing.
chartsh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
charliesliver's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
alvalvano's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
weaselweader's review against another edition
4.0
“He still had time … for a cigarette and a finger or two of Laphroaig.”
It would be difficult to ask more of the 11th instalment in such a long-running detective and mystery series.
Chief Constable Jeremiah Riddle is DCI Banks’ greatest political enemy within the police force. He despises Banks for his disdain of proper procedure, required protocol and administration and for Banks’ infernal willingness to break the rules and work outside the system. But when he discovers some nude pictures of his sixteen year old black sheep ne’er-do-well daughter on a pornographic web site, he swallows his pride and begs Banks for his help. At heart, he knows that Banks is the man for the job and Banks’ willingness to do what it takes to solve a case is the only chance he has at recovering his daughter. In a clever twist on the usual plot line of this type of novel, Banks’ investigation leads him down a branching road that diverges into two only marginally related crimes.
Meanwhile (one might say, back at the ranch), Robinson continues to develop his characters and their underlying stories. Banks wrestles with the conflict between his inability to accept the finality of the end of his marriage and his desire to begin a relationship with his colleague, Annie Cabbot. In her own turn, Ms Cabbot struggles with the knowledge that, if they are to work together as an effective policing team, she and Banks should maintain a professional distance – a distance that she desperately wants to close!
The characters are fabulous! The story line is compelling and convincing! COLD IS THE GRAVE will please any reader who enjoys contemporary British police procedurals and mysteries. Definitely recommended.
Paul Weiss
It would be difficult to ask more of the 11th instalment in such a long-running detective and mystery series.
Chief Constable Jeremiah Riddle is DCI Banks’ greatest political enemy within the police force. He despises Banks for his disdain of proper procedure, required protocol and administration and for Banks’ infernal willingness to break the rules and work outside the system. But when he discovers some nude pictures of his sixteen year old black sheep ne’er-do-well daughter on a pornographic web site, he swallows his pride and begs Banks for his help. At heart, he knows that Banks is the man for the job and Banks’ willingness to do what it takes to solve a case is the only chance he has at recovering his daughter. In a clever twist on the usual plot line of this type of novel, Banks’ investigation leads him down a branching road that diverges into two only marginally related crimes.
Meanwhile (one might say, back at the ranch), Robinson continues to develop his characters and their underlying stories. Banks wrestles with the conflict between his inability to accept the finality of the end of his marriage and his desire to begin a relationship with his colleague, Annie Cabbot. In her own turn, Ms Cabbot struggles with the knowledge that, if they are to work together as an effective policing team, she and Banks should maintain a professional distance – a distance that she desperately wants to close!
The characters are fabulous! The story line is compelling and convincing! COLD IS THE GRAVE will please any reader who enjoys contemporary British police procedurals and mysteries. Definitely recommended.
Paul Weiss