Peter Robinson is a well-praised author in the mystery/ thriller world. He is an amazing author with a sense of empathy and a clear eye for details and dialogues. He is considered to be one of the world’s greatest suspense writers, and his series Inspector Banks is widely loved by readers. Peter’s first book in the series, Gallows View, was published in 1987. Since then, twenty-seven books have been added to the series. The twenty-eighth book, titled Standing In The Shadows is set to release on 11th April 2023.
Readers enjoy reading about Alan Banks and the depth Peter provides about the case and the characters. But if you haven’t read any of his books, then let us tell you that you must change that right now. Most of the readers who enjoy reading mystery books and thrillers are fans of Louise Penny, and such authors would definitely love this series.
Inspector Banks is Peter’s longest-running series, but he has also written several books. If you are looking to get into mystery books, you might want to check his books out as well. You could follow the reading order mentioned below for his books. It’s better to read them in the following order since they give a proper explanation and, obviously, provide a better reading experience.
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- INSPECTOR BANKS
Gallows View
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks is a good man. He has recently moved in from London to the Yorkshire Dales. He is hoping to escape the stress of city life, but as usual, life and problems follow him here too. First of all, the women of Eastvale are frightened by a Peeping Tom. Then, two young thugs are reported to be breaking into homes and robbing people.
Lastly, an elderly woman may or may not have been murdered, but nothing is clear about it yet. Banks is investigating all of these cases while also dealing with the local feminists. Additionally, he might also be getting attracted to a young psychologist. But, the tension mounts unimaginably when both his wife and the psychologist are drawn into these events.
A Dedicated Man
Chief Inspector Alan Banks’ second case will unearth some disturbing truths this time. A well-liked local historian is reported dead seemingly out of nowhere. The body is found half-buried under a dry stone wall. He was a thoughtful and dedicated man, so who could possibly want to kill him? A few people from Harry’s summers in the dale are suspects. Meanwhile, a young girl knows more than she lets on which could put her in grave danger. Banks must collect evidence and punish the killer before anyone else gets hurt.
A Necessary End
Chief Inspector Banks deals with not one but two problems this time: a murder mystery and an old enemy from the department. He must solve this mystery before his enemy does. When one policeman is stabbed to death during an anti-nuclear demonstration, there are countless suspects. But, slowly, things calm down, and the list of suspects narrows down to people living on Maggie’s Farm.
For this case, Detective Superintendent Richard Burgess has been appointed to head the investigation. But, the problem is, he also happens to be Banks’ old enemy, who has been warned of the case. He must race to catch the killer before Burgess does if he hopes to save his career.
The Hanging Valley
It seems like Chief Inspector Alan Banks has another difficult case waiting for him. When a faceless corpse is discovered in a valley, Banks is called in to investigate. But, his work is made impossible by people who are unwilling to talk. He grows more frustrated when the body’s identity is disclosed, and it’s discovered that it may be connected with an unsolved murder. To disrupt his progress, one of the suspects, the Collier brothers, starts using their powers to slow him down. So, will Banks finally find the culprit, or will money win this time?
Past Reason Hated
It’s almost Christmas time in Yorkshire, but one of its residents won’t be celebrating the holiday this year. Chief Inspector Alan Banks knows secrecy can be dangerous. The statement stands true for Caroline Hartley’s life and death. A beautiful woman and an enigma, Caroline was stabbed in her room just three days before Christmas. She may be dead, but her unshared mysteries still linger in the world. Banks is intent on absolving the innocent of their sins and closing the case, but before that, there are still many moves to be made.
Wednesday’s Child
Chief Inspector Alan Banks is investigating a crime of staggering inhumanity. A seven-year-old girl has been kidnapped, or so it seems. The kid was taken by a young couple posing as social workers. But, no demand for a ransom is ever made, and even if it were, the kid’s working-class mother couldn’t afford to pay it. Later, a young man’s body is discovered in an abandoned mine. The case quickly turns more sinister, and Banks plunges deep into the depths of an evil that none could have imagined, in search of answers.
Dry Bones That Dream – [Final Account]
Chief Inspector Alan Banks is digging deep into a man’s life to uncover truths. When two masked men shoot Keith Rothwell, a mild-mannered accountant, everyone is confused. Banks is unable to comprehend why someone would want to murder Keith. But, as he searches for answers to his question, he learns about Keith’s secret life. Apparently, there are several suspects who would want him gone.
Innocent Graves
Deborah Harrison was on her way home from school the last time anyone saw her alive. Now, she is dead, her body dumped in the local cemetery. She was the daughter of a prominent industrialist, so there was too much pressure to catch the killer quickly. Soon after it seems that they have caught the killer but Banks is unconvinced and examines all the loose ends. Upon digging, new pieces of information reveal themselves, and Banks follows the new pattern to solve the case.
Blood At The Root – [Dead Right]
A young man is murdered in an alley. His murderer is an unknown assailant. But, the man who was murdered is far from innocent. His secrets are a tangle of confusing contradictions. Chief Inspector Alan Banks will be forced to face his own demons while catching the killer. Heading into the darkest corners of human minds, will he be able to catch him?
In A Dry Season
A drought has drained the local Thornfield Reservoir. This event leads to the uncovering of a long-drowned small village. And shockingly, a skeleton of a murder victim from the 1940s is also discovered there. Chief Inspector Alan Banks, along with Detective Sergeant Annie Cabot, investigates this decades-old murder mystery to uncover what really happened.
Cold Is The Grave
A disturbing photo of a teenage runaway appears on a website. The girl’s father requests Chief Inspector Alan Banks to help him. The father seeking his help is the same man who intends to destroy Banks’ name and career. Yet, keeping these feelings aside, Banks helps the man. When he is deep into the investigation, gruesome murders follow. Banks will face his most powerful enemy as both the past and present collide.
Aftermath
A concerned neighbor calls the police to report something terrifying she witnessed. She leads the police to Terence Payne, an elusive serial killer known as Chameleon. He is taken into custody and everything is supposed to be over. But, there are too many questions that still remain unanswered. In the “House of Payne” darkness still hovers and casualties are still mounting. What’s going to happen?
The Summer That Never Was – [Close To Home]
Chief Inspector Alan Banks has been serving justice, ensuring no one is wronged yet there is something that he never got the chance to do. When a skeleton is unearthed and the body is identified, the news hits the headlines and shakes Banks’ world. Graham Marshall was 14 years old when he went missing. His family as well as his best friend Alan Banks was sad, broken, and full of guilt until now. Banks finally have gotten the chance to bring justice for his best friend but there are stakes he didn’t see rising.
Playing With Fire
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks investigates a case of fire that destructed two canal barges. One of the barges was occupied by an artist and the other was occupied by Tina, a young junkie. Banks must uncover the mystery surrounding the fire and the death of these two. Was it intentional or were they merely collateral damage in a bigger plan?
Strange Affair
Chief Inspector Alan Banks may have lost his way it seems. A woman was on the run to meet Banks, but before she could escape, she was shot. A bullet was shot that went straight to her brain. The name of a policeman was found in her pocket, but he has gone missing since then. Banks have been drawn to the chaos of the city by a phone call from the brother he no longer knows. But he doesn’t know that what stands before him is dangerous, even for him.
Piece Of My Heart
In 1969, a dead body was discovered after a rock festival concluded. The young woman was so brutally stabbed to death that a piece of her heart was sliced off. Now, a stranger who was a freelance journalist is shockingly killed without any ulterior motive. These two murder cases are separated by four decades and handled by two completely opposite investigators. The answer to their puzzles lies in a notorious past, in the age of peace, love, and rock ‘n’ roll.
Friend Of The Devil
Chief Inspector Alan Banks, along with Annie is working on a difficult case. They both dig into the past to uncover connections between two different cases. But, then, they find themselves dealing with the ghosts of their own lives. When they look around for answers, they will realize that the killers are hiding in their midst. And what’s more important is that there might not be just one, but two of them. Either of the killers could strike again, so will Banks or Annie succeed at stopping them?
All The Colors Of Darkness
Chief Inspector Alan Banks is currently on holiday. But he is called back when a dead boy is discovered hanging from a tree, and the man’s lover is beaten to death. When fingerprints are found in the murder weapon, it’s declared a murder-suicide case. However, Banks like always, isn’t satisfied and keeps on digging even after his supervisors warned him off. In the end, he will find himself risking everything from his career to his own life for the answers.
Bad Boy
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks is abroad when a woman arrives at the police station, desperate to talk to him. The woman reveals that there’s a loaded gun hidden in her daughter’s bedroom. Following this revelation, it’s discovered that the woman’s daughter Erin is the best friend of Tracy, Banks’ own daughter. Now, Tracy was last seen with the actual owner of the weapon. Banks are caught in a web of betrayal, murder, vengeance, and love. Whose side will he choose?
Watching The Dark
Bill Quinn, a police detective, is murdered on the tranquil grounds by a crossbow. He was convalescing at St. Peter’s Police Treatment Centre. Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks investigates the case with Inspector Joanna Passero, who is assigned to determine if Quinn was a corrupt cop. Upon investigation, several pieces of evidence emerge that seem to paint a rather conflicting image of the police detective. So, what is the truth? Was Bill really a bad cop, or was he working for something big and good?
Children Of The Revolution
A new case awaits Chief Inspector Alan Banks. The body of a disgraced college lecturer is found on a railway line. Years ago, he was dismissed from his job for sexual misconduct. Now, there are several suspects on the radar. But, then Banks receives a warning. He is told to step away from this case. That’s when he realizes this mystery is bigger than what is visible. It appears that the criminal could just be anyone seeking revenge for being hurt, but it could be false too.
Abattoir Blues – [In The Dark Places]
Two young men have vanished, and Chief Inspector Alan Banks is investigating their disappearance. They find two troubling clues that lead them to two different locations. In the middle of this case, a truck careens off an icy road. The rescuers find the dead driver along with another corpse of someone who died before the crash, but how is that possible? Banks are walking into something dark and dangerous, a web of crime. Whatever he discovers, there surely won’t be an easy pill to swallow.
When The Music’s Over
Detective Superintendent Alan Banks investigates a tricky case while DI Annie Cabbot investigates a case all alone. Annie is investigating the death of a young girl who was horribly drugged, abused, and beaten to death. Meanwhile, Banks faces the celebrity entertainer Danny Caxton. Over fifty years ago, Linda Palmer was attacked by Danny, but no investigation followed. Now, as more women step forward to tell their stories, Banks must find out the truth as soon as possible and ensure justice is served.
Sleeping In The Ground
When an unspeakable act destroys a wedding party, a huge manhunt ensues, and the culprit is captured immediately. But that’s not the end; the story isn’t over yet. Banks believes there’s something peculiar, something unresolved about this case. So, he begins to investigate only to uncover secrets long-buried that will change everything.
Careless Love
A young local student has committed suicide and a man is found dead. The girl was found in an abandoned car on a lonely country road whereas the man was found in a gully up on the wild moorland. The girl didn’t own a car or knew how to drive and the man died from injuries sustained during the fall. Are there any connections between the two different cases? Alan Banks, along with Annie investigates and opens a door for an old enemy who will stop at nothing.
Many Rivers To Cross
Alan Banks and Annie investigate a home-grown murder case. They are looking for clues related to the murder of a teenage boy who was found stuffed in a bin. But, along with that Banks must also help Zelda. She has put herself in danger by helping him track down one of his old enemies. The sex traffickers have been alerted. Banks are racing against time to save everyone he can.
Not Dark Yet
Connor Clive Blaydon, a property developer, has been found dead. When spy cams are discovered all around his home, Banks, and his team is hopeful of finding clues. Instead, they find footage revealing another crime. If they can discover the real identity of the woman in the footage; they could ensure justice is served. It could also help in the murder mystery of Connor. Meanwhile, Zelda is determined to punish those who hurt her but bringing the past back to the present will put her in danger. Banks need to level up to save all the victims and solve these cases before it’s too late.
Standing In The Shadows
This book will be released in 2023.
OTHER WORKS
- Caedmon’s Song
- The First Cut
- No Cure For Love
- Not Safe After Dark
- The Price Of Love
- Before The Poison
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