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 ...
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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 promoted 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 her 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 with bloody fury.
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Good. 11 AUDIO CDs withdrawn from the library collection. Some library marking. We will polish the Audio CDs for a good listening. You will receive a reliable set. Enjoy this presentable AUDIO CD performance.
A must read if you like mystery novels. Peter Robinson is an excellent english writer.
Merrimon
Mar 14, 2008
4.5 Stars: Murders and Memory
4.5 Stars: Murders and Memory, a British detective suspense novel
Best enjoyed in the context of his earlier work AFTRMATH, Peter Robinson's FRIEND OF THE DEVIL is a stunning addition to his British police detective series. Not only does the reader glimpse more of the unfolding dynamics between the main characters, but also, the case hearkens back to the past as new murders challenge both the detectives and the reader to look at the past through a different perspective.
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks and Detective Inspector Annie Cabbot investigate a series of chilling murders. Cabbot investigates a brutal and chilling murder of a parapalegic woman in a wheelchair while Banks investigates the brutal murder and rape of a woman found in The Maze. Although these crimes seem unrelated, the murders provoke both Banks and Cabbot to look into their own histories to past crimes that have touched their lives. The eerie murder of the mysterious woman in the wheelchair haunts the imagination as the detectives ponder the thoughts a woman unable to defend herself or even voice a protest in her last moments. The first layer of clues unraveled is only one layer to this finely constructed suspenseful mystery. When Banks' investigation solves the mystery of one crime detail of the rape and murder, more mysteries emerge. Will the security cameras around the Maze aid or complicate this investigation? Each clue, each new development twists and turns the investigation, keeping the reader in suspense until the final dramatic scene.
FRIEND OF THE DEVIL explores the ambiguity in the relationship between Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks and Detective Inspector Annie Cabbot. Peter Robinson's unflinching and realistic look into the conflicts in their personal lives add a depth to the characterization as their past chafes and recalls earlier moments and the character's personal weaknesses. In FRIEND OF THE DEVIL, relationships aren't easy or simplistic and, to the reader's delight, neither is the path to catching the perpetrators of these crimes. Precise, sometimes stark descriptive details heighten the terror of these crimes all the way to the shocking climatic end.
Chilling, eerie and full of surprises, Peter Robinson's FRIEND OF THE DEVIL gradually builds up a fascinating look into memory, interweaving it into the very thematic structure. Memory underpins this mystery, interwoven within the very core as reminiscences from a former case haunt Banks. Past events present obstacles to personal relationships. Even in the murders themselves, Banks and Cabbot must delve into the memories of witnesses. Quite simply, Peter Robinson's kaleidoscope into memory makes FRIEND OF THE DEVIL a good choice for readers who might crave a little extra to ponder in addition to riveting suspense.
SunCityCelt
Jan 3, 2008
Robinson Muffs it !
The story did'nt carry much of anything from the previous stories. Separating Annie and Banks makes for more words but the story suffers.The dark courtyard where two murders took place seemed a little strange in these times,most stores have lights in the rear, and especially right across from the police station. I expected to see something about Sandra orJenny Fuller.Maybe Sandra's husband being nailed as a bad egg. The ending seemed a bit implausible,like it was a last minute thought.I expected more from Mr. Robinson.I certainly enjoyed the Banks saga up to this book! I would rate this a 3 star
lindacat
Oct 27, 2007
Superior Mystery by Robinson
Peter Robinson has again written a superior British style mystery much to the pleasure if his many fans.
Two seemingly urrelated murders come together in a cleverly writtten finale as Inspector Banks is confronted with the brutal murder of a mysterious paralyzed woman and another murder of a young woman found in the maze-like alleys of the city. At the same time Inspector Banks struggles with his personal life and the interesting characters involved in the crime solving process.
Robinson never lets his readership down with his quality mysteries and this is no exception.
