Past Reason Hated The body of Caroline Hartley is found one evening before Christmas by her lover, Veronica Shildon. It is a cosy scene - log fire, sheepskin rug, Vivaldi on her stereo, Christmas lights and tree - but Caroline is naked and covered in blood. Detective Constable Susan Gay is the first detective at the scene. She has been recently promoted to CID and the case soon takes on overwhelming professional and personal importance for her. DC Gay and Chief Inspector Banks soon find plenty of suspects as they begin to delve into Caroline's past and the women's present life: Veronica's ex-husband, who is a well-known composer; a feminist poet; the cast and crew of a play Caroline was rehearsing; and Caroline's eccentric, reclusive brother, Gary Hartley. Inspector Banks's fifth case is an ironic, suspenseful tale of family secrets, hidden passions and desperate violence. Winner of 1991 Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Novel. 'For an intriguing mystery with a musical twist and Shakespeare's Twelfth Night as a clue, do read Past Reason Hated. Author Robinson has delivered the goods again.' Linda Turk, Thunder Bay Times-News
The Hanging Valley A faceless, maggot-ridden corpse is discovered in a tranquil, hidden valley above the village of Swainshead. When the identity of the body is discovered, so is a possible connection with an unsolved murder in the same area five years ago. Among the annoyingly silent suspects are the Collier brothers, the wealthiest and most powerful family in Swainsdale; John Fletcher, a taciturn farmer; Sam Greenock, cocky owner of a local guest house; and his troubled wife, Katie, who knows more than she realises. When the Colliers use their influence to slow down the investigation, Inspector Alan Banks heads to Toronto to track down the killer. He soon finds himself in a race against time as events push towards the shocking and haunting conclusion of his fourth case. 'Robinson excels in the depiction of character, especially in his portrait of his pleasingly fallible copper. He is steadily ascending towards the pinnacles of crime fiction.' Publishers Weekly
A Necessary End Violence erupts at an anti-nuclear demonstration in Eastvale, leaving one policeman stabbed to death. At first there are over a hundred suspects, but then things narrow down to the people who live on "Maggie's Farm", an isolated house high on the daleside: Seth Cotton, the quiet, strong owner; Mara Delacey, his girlfriend; Paul Boyd, a young drifter with a violent background; Zoe Hardacre, an astrologer; and Rick Trelawney, an artist with strong Marxist leanings. Also among the suspects is Dennis Osmond, a social worker involved with Jenny Fuller, Inspector Banks's friend. As if this isn't enough to cope with, Banks finds his freedom hampered by the politically-motivated appointment of an old enemy, Detective Superintendent Richard "Dirty Dick" Burgess, to head the investigation. Finally, warned off the case, the only way Banks can salvage his career is by beating Burgess to the killer. As the two head for a final confrontation, Banks pieces together the full story behind his most tragic case so far. 'Perceptive insights into the philosophies of police and protesters, a strong farmhouse feel, and a sad, disturbing explanation.' Marcel Berlins The Times
A Dedicated Man The body of a well-liked historian is found half-buried under a drystone wall near the village of Helmthorpe, Swainsdale. Who on earth would want to kill such a thoughtful, dedicated man? Penny Cartwright, a beautiful folk singer with a mysterious past, a shady land-developer, Harry's editor and a local thriller writer are all suspects - and all are figures from Harry's previous, idyllic summers in the dale. A young girl, Sally Lumb, knows more than she lets on, and her knowledge could lead to danger. Inspector Banks's second case unearths disturbing secrets behind a bucolic facade. 'P.D.James, Reginald Hill and Ruth Rendell may be writing as fast as they can. But what are the devotees of the English country mystery supposed to be reading betweentimes? A superior new series by Peter Robinson should do nicely.' Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review
Gallows View A Peeping Tom is frightening the women of Eastvale; two glue-sniffing young thugs are breaking into homes and robbing people; an old woman may or may not have been murdered. Investigating these cases is Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks, a perceptive, curious and compassionate policeman recently moved to the Yorkshire Dales from London to escape the stress of city life. In addition to all this, Banks has to deal with the local feminists and his attraction to a young psychologist, Jenny Fuller. As the tension mounts, both Jenny and Banks's wife, Sandra, are drawn deeper into the events. The cases weave together as the story reaches a tense and surprising climax. 'This is a first novel that will knock you over with its maturity' Howard Engel
Past Reason Hated
