From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. In Robinson's stunning 17th suspense novel to feature DCI Alan Banks (after 2006's Piece of My Heart), Banks and his on-again-off-again partner and lover, Det. Insp. Annie Cabbot, race to piece together a string of brutal murders. While on loan to a sister precinct, Cabbot investigates the gruesome death of a paraplegic woman found on a desolate cliff with her throat slit. Back in Eastvale, North Yorkshire, Banks and his team discover the body of a young woman who has been raped and strangled in a shady area of town known as the Maze. At first, there are no obvious connections between the two attacks, but when Cabbot uncovers the chilling identity of the woman on the cliff, she and Banks must once again confront sadistic serial killers Terry and Lucy Payne, last seen in Aftermath (2001). Banks and Cabbot are flawed but empathetic heroes, and readers will be on the edge of their seats as the two explore not only the depths of human depravity but also their own murky relationship. 7-city author tour.(Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Starred Review. In Robinson's stunning 17th suspense novel to feature DCI Alan Banks (after 2006's Piece of My Heart), Banks and his on-again-off-again partner and lover, Det. Insp. Annie Cabbot, race to piece together a string of brutal murders. While on loan to a sister precinct, Cabbot investigates the gruesome death of a paraplegic woman found on a desolate cliff with her throat slit. Back in Eastvale, North Yorkshire, Banks and his team discover the body of a young woman who has been raped and strangled in a shady area of town known as the Maze. At first, there are no obvious connections between the two attacks, but when Cabbot uncovers the chilling identity of the woman on the cliff, she and Banks must once again confront sadistic serial killers Terry and Lucy Payne, last seen in Aftermath (2001). Banks and Cabbot are flawed but empathetic heroes, and readers will be on the edge of their seats as the two explore not only the depths of human depravity but also their own murky relationship. 7-city author tour.(Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Michael H. (isbnlover) - , reviewed Friend of the Devil (Inspector Banks, Bk 17) on + 12 more book reviews
It helps to have read the series, as DI Annie Cabbott and DCI Alan Banks do have a relationship going in the background. However, Robinson provides enough explanation to keep one up to date on that part of the story.
This mystery was unique in that the two, Cabbott and Banks work apart and then together in an intriguing story and mystery.
This mystery was unique in that the two, Cabbott and Banks work apart and then together in an intriguing story and mystery.
Barbara S. (barbsis) -
This is one series I haven't read in sequence and really wish I had. I'd love to know what happened with Cabbot and Banks to cause such tension between them. And I'd understand all the particulars about the wheelchair victim who'd obviously been a previous case for Banks and Cabbott. It's not really important information to enjoy the mystery but it would certainly help with background details.
The story starts with two seemingly unconnected murders: a wheelchair-bound paraplegic with her throat cut and a teenage girl brutally raped. DI Annie Cabbott caught the wheelchair case and DCI Alan Banks the rape case. Both cases are bizarre with no suspects and no real evidence. The investigation of the rape case goes round and round in circles and seems hopeless until one tiny inconsequential detail finally registers in Banks subconscious. Annie's investigation falls back on an 18 year unsolved murder with a very remote possible connection.
I enjoyed the research and investigation of both cases and other than the miscellaneous British slang that totally confused me, thought this was a terrific mystery. I've read a few books in this series and have always liked Annie and Banks, together and apart. I'll have to do some research and see if I can find the book that featured the wheelchair victim so I can find out the reasons for the animosity of the victims, suspects and cops with regard to her demise and their ambivalence.
The story starts with two seemingly unconnected murders: a wheelchair-bound paraplegic with her throat cut and a teenage girl brutally raped. DI Annie Cabbott caught the wheelchair case and DCI Alan Banks the rape case. Both cases are bizarre with no suspects and no real evidence. The investigation of the rape case goes round and round in circles and seems hopeless until one tiny inconsequential detail finally registers in Banks subconscious. Annie's investigation falls back on an 18 year unsolved murder with a very remote possible connection.
I enjoyed the research and investigation of both cases and other than the miscellaneous British slang that totally confused me, thought this was a terrific mystery. I've read a few books in this series and have always liked Annie and Banks, together and apart. I'll have to do some research and see if I can find the book that featured the wheelchair victim so I can find out the reasons for the animosity of the victims, suspects and cops with regard to her demise and their ambivalence.
Super. Great read.
Peter Robinson continues to bring freshness to a mystery.
Eadie B. (eadieburke) -
Book Description
Chief Inspector Alan Banks and Detective Inspector Annie Cabbot must work together to solve two chilling crimes in a stunning new novel by New York Times bestselling author Peter Robinson
One morning in March, on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea, a woman named Karen Drew is found in her wheelchair with her throat slit. Back in Eastvale on that same morning, in a tangle of narrow alleys behind a market square, the body of Hayley Daniels is found raped and strangled.
Two murders . . . two towns . . .
On loan to a sister precinct, Detective Inspector Annie Cabbot draws the first case. Karen Drew seems to have lived a quiet and nearly invisible life for the past seven years. Try as she might, Annie turns up nothing in the woman's past that might have prompted someone to wheel her out to the sea and to her death.
Meanwhile, in the Hayley Daniels murder, Chief Inspector Alan Banks has suspects galore. Everywhere she went, the nineteen-year-old student attracted attention. Anyone could have followed her on the night she was out drinking with friends, making sure she never made it back home.
Then a breakthrough spins Annie's case in a shocking and surprising new direction, straight toward Banks. Coincidence? Not in Eastvale. Banks and Annie are searching for two killers who might strike again at any moment and with bloody fury.
My Review
This novel was about 2 separate murders that in the end came together and were linked to murders from 18 years ago. The plot had lots of twists and turns and kept the pages turning right up to the very surprising ending. I would recommend reading Aftermath and Caedmon's Song before reading this one as some of the characters were connected to the characters in those two books. I now look forward to reading the next installment in the Inspector Banks series and I highly recommend this series to those who like mystery suspense thrillers and suggest that you read them in order.
Chief Inspector Alan Banks and Detective Inspector Annie Cabbot must work together to solve two chilling crimes in a stunning new novel by New York Times bestselling author Peter Robinson
One morning in March, on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea, a woman named Karen Drew is found in her wheelchair with her throat slit. Back in Eastvale on that same morning, in a tangle of narrow alleys behind a market square, the body of Hayley Daniels is found raped and strangled.
Two murders . . . two towns . . .
On loan to a sister precinct, Detective Inspector Annie Cabbot draws the first case. Karen Drew seems to have lived a quiet and nearly invisible life for the past seven years. Try as she might, Annie turns up nothing in the woman's past that might have prompted someone to wheel her out to the sea and to her death.
Meanwhile, in the Hayley Daniels murder, Chief Inspector Alan Banks has suspects galore. Everywhere she went, the nineteen-year-old student attracted attention. Anyone could have followed her on the night she was out drinking with friends, making sure she never made it back home.
Then a breakthrough spins Annie's case in a shocking and surprising new direction, straight toward Banks. Coincidence? Not in Eastvale. Banks and Annie are searching for two killers who might strike again at any moment and with bloody fury.
My Review
This novel was about 2 separate murders that in the end came together and were linked to murders from 18 years ago. The plot had lots of twists and turns and kept the pages turning right up to the very surprising ending. I would recommend reading Aftermath and Caedmon's Song before reading this one as some of the characters were connected to the characters in those two books. I now look forward to reading the next installment in the Inspector Banks series and I highly recommend this series to those who like mystery suspense thrillers and suggest that you read them in order.
Deborah S. (deborella) reviewed Friend of the Devil (Inspector Banks, Bk 17) on + 65 more book reviews
This book is a murder mystery set in Britain about two separate murders that actually end up intertwining. I found it very interesting and wished I had known about some of his other books with these characters. All in all, a good read. Found I needed to read it daily to keep up with the twists and turns. Really liked the Alan Banks character, but not very fond of Annie Cabot.
