This is the ninth book in the Inspector Banks series. Police Constable Ford comes upon what initially looks like a drunk, not able to make it home and sleeping it off against a graffiti scarred wall in an alley. But when the body does not move and he looks more closely, it is obvious the young man is dead. He has been badly beaten, his pockets emptied and his wallet is gone. It looks as if he has been hit over the head with a bottle and kicked several times by someone with heavy boots. This may be a pub fight gone bad. With the victim’s head looking like mush, identification of the body is going to be a real problem. As the investigation begins, Robinson provides us with a follow up on all the characters. Susan Gay is expanding her horizons, developing a taste in music, decorating her flat and is finally dating. Banks and Sandra continue going their separate ways. They can hardly remember the last time they did anything together. The marriage isn’t going wrong, it just seems to be going nowhere, and there is a discernible chill in the house. Each is absorbed in their own work and it seems to be their only concern these days. Sandra feels she is no longer a part of her husband’s life and finally decides to leave. This has been building up over a long time but Bank’s is blind sided and devastated. Their daughter Tracy is now at the University of Leeds and Banks realizes that his daughter is now beyond his reach and things between them will never be the same. Chief Constable Jimmy Riddle and Banks are still at odds with one another. Riddle has assigned Banks to more administrative duties, keeping him chained to his desk and away from any active investigations. Tension builds between them and erupts with serious results. The author continues to provide us with incredibly detailed descriptions which help to place us in the center of the story. In this one, his account of Superintendent Gristhorpe’s interrogation of a suspect is a fascinating look at how skilled he is at his craft and we get to see this experienced man at his finest. Robinson uses this investigation to explore issues of prejudice and racism. We get a good understanding of how difficult it is for a society to try to integrate those of different races, cultures and religions. He also sensitizes us to the fact that those who push thoughts of racial purity believe there is a whole silent nation out there that agree with them but are afraid to act. And it seems that organizations that promote racism can easily become a rallying point for disaffected youth. By placing the crime in the midst of this difficult social problem, Robinson provides the reader with an opportunity to examine all sides of this complex issue. Another great addition to the series.
Admittedly this was the first Peter Robinson novel I have read so I fear I may have been a little unprepared in terms of appreciating the characters but I don't think that was what affect my opinion. I really wanted to appreciate and enjoy this book as I am a great fan of crime/thriller novels but I was so let down by it within the first few chapters. It was Robinson's style of writing that really made me squirm. It is way too obvious that he himself is still a novice at understanding the police force and is trying far too hard to use the typical voice of a police officer. He says things such as "Banks approached the door. He thought it would an obvious choice for breaking and entering." in a part of the story that has nothing to do with robbery/trespassing etc. It was a very simplistic approach to a narrative which made the whole thing seem a bit mediocre.I fear I am comparing the style to Ian Rankin's novels which I find to be brilliant. He really captures the voice and attitudes of a police officer as though he were one himself in a way that Robinson seems to be merely attempting. Additionally, the blurb almost reveals the plot to you so there is absolutely no suspense or mystery as you would expect with a crime novel. I found that I didn't care about Jason or what happened to him as I already knew why and how he'd been killed. Again, this is something you would never find in an Ian Rankin novel as his development of the plot is always controlled and well written.I really did want to love this book but I'm afraid I doubt I'll ever feel inclined to read another Banks novel.
I read this book under the title, Dead Right, but have to say, I think I prefer the alternative! Yet again, Robinson presents another fantastic Inspector Banks mystery with a crime that, while brutal, also appears simple. But this is DCI Banks' world and nothing, including his relationship with his wife, is uncomplicated. The vicious bashing of a young man, Jason Fox, found in an alley after drinking in a pub, takes on even more sinister connotations when Banks and his team discover that Fox is also a member of the White Supremacist group, the Albion League. Racism, bigotry, and treachery collide in this novel with tragic consequences, especially when Banks and his partner, Susan Gay, find out that the enemy is closer than they think. Concomitant with all this is the slow unravelling of Banks' personal life, a problem this ethical, clever man doesn't seem to be able to solve. Tightly written and plotted, it may not have quite the suspense or shocking moments of Aftermath (which I read before), but it is still a terrific book. What I also like is that I can read these novels out of order and still thoroughly enjoy them.
—Karen Brooks
Kelly, Jim (2013). The Funeral Owl, Severn House, Surry, UK.Jim Kelly was, born in Hertfordshire on April Fool's Day 1957 his father was a detective in the 'Met' - London's elite metropolitan police force and his mother's father was a special constable. Before becoming a writer he worked as a journalist in the fens and later in London. His first series "The Phillip Dryden Series" is set in Ely, in the Fens, and features journalist Philip Dryden and his side-kick Humph. The books won a Dagger In The Library. The second detective series is set in North Norfolk being "Detective Inspector Peter Shaw Series. H e lives in London with his biographer wife and daughter in London first publishing in 2001. ( www.jim-kelly.co.uk). The Funeral Owl is the seventh book in his first series. The primary character is a journalist and owner of the local paper in the fens. Although slow to start, the plot and numerous subplots become increasingly complicated. Not quite the "gripping story" described, Kelly certainly has wonderful characterisation with plenty of surprise associations. As the local owner he has the opportunity to explore an amazing number of national interest story amongst this quiet and engaging setting. It is a light, gentle mystery, greatly enhanced by character development (drawn from his own experience as a journalist) and the ever entangling subplots, with a satisfying conclusion.
—Taicarmel
In this mystery, Ribinson takes on the issue of hate crimes and Racist hate groups. It is an interesting "delve" into these issues in Britain. He shows how the groups often use disgruntlement with low-paying jobs and change in general to increase hatred of the "other" in ordinary people --- to make them into racists. These ordinary people, he posits, are fodder for these groups because they are looking for an explanation for changes that they do not like, and cannot understand. These simplistic
—Dee
