Title: Careless Love by Peter Robinson
DCI Banks Series Book 25
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss
Summary:
His fans include Stephen King, Michael Connelly, Tess Gerritsen, Ian Rankin, and Louise Penney. He has won acclaim and numerous international prizes and awards, including the Edgar. Now, Peter Robinson, one of the world’s greatest suspense writers, returns with a powerful mystery in which his legendary Detective Superintendent Alan Banks must solve two perplexing crimes.
Two suspicious deaths challenge DS Alan Banks and his crack investigative team.
A young local student’s body is found in an abandoned car on a lonely country road. The death looks like suicide, but there are too many open questions for Banks and his team to rule out foul play. The victim didn’t own a car. She didn’t even drive. How did she get there? Where—and when—did she die? Did someone move her, and if so, why?
A man in his sixties is found dead in a gully up on the wild moorland. He is wearing an expensive suit and carrying no identification. Postmortem findings indicate that he died from injuries sustained during a fall. Was it an accident—did he slip and fall? Or was he pushed? Why was he up there? And why are there no signs of a vehicle near where he fell?
As the inconsistencies multiply and the mysteries surrounding these two cases proliferate, a source close to Annie reveals a piece of information that shocks the team and impacts the investigations. An old enemy has returned in a new guise—a nefarious foe who will stop at nothing, not even murder, to get what he wants.
With the stakes raised, the hunt is on. But will Banks be able to find the evidence to stop him in time?
Review:
Careless Love by Peter Robinson is a perplexing police procedural about two murders that occur within the same area but are seemingly unconnected. This twenty-fifth outing in the DCI Banks series can be read as a standalone.
Detective Superintendent Alan Banks and Detective Sergeant Winsome Jackman’s newest case involves the discovery of a young woman’s body in an abandoned car. There are no outward signs of violence but both Banks and Winsome find it very curious the woman does not have a handbag or a mobile phone. It is also quite apparent she did not die at the scene. Who transported the young woman’s body to car? And, most important, why?
Detective Inspector Annie Cabbot and Detective Constable Gerry Masterson’s latest investigation revolves around an older man whose lifeless body has been discovered in a ravine. His injuries are consistent with the fall but Annie and Gerry must determine whether his death might be the result of foul play. Interestingly enough, there are similarities to Banks’ latest case since the dead man has no identification or mobile phone with him. Despite the very different causes of death, Annie and Alan cannot help but wonder if their two cases are linked.
With both of the victims now identified as university student Adrienne Munro and wealthy businessman Laurence Hadfield, Annie and Alan begin interviewing the people in their lives. Banks discovers that Adrienne has not quite been herself lately but she has not provided a reason for these changes. She is also not quite as strapped for cash as the previous year. There does not seem to be any differences in Laurence’s life but an unexpected discovery leads to a new line of inquiry for Banks and his team.
The investigations take an interesting turn when DCI Ken Blackstone informs Banks that a murder in his jurisdiction might be of interest to him. The body of another university student has been and in this case, there is no question the victim was murdered. She is quickly identified as Sarah Chen and Banks’ interviews turn up information that is chillingly similar to details about Adrienne’s life. Again there is no clear link between the victims, but Banks and Cabbot continue their search for the missing puzzle pieces.
Annie and Alan are also troubled to learn information about an old foe of theirs. During an evening with Annie’s father, Ray and his girlfriend, Zelda, they discover the man who tried to murder Banks has resurfaced. Unwilling to put Zelda in danger, Banks tries to convince her to stay from this very dangerous criminal but will she heed his warning?
Careless Love is a steady-paced mystery with interesting characters and a multi-layered plot. The connection between the individual cases is not immediately clear but once the pieces fall into place, the investigation quickly gathers steam. Although there are no big twists or turns, Peter Robinson does an excellent job keeping readers guessing the truth about these very puzzling deaths. Although the main storyline is completely wrapped up, the novel ends on a cliffhanger with the secondary story arc which deals with Zelda, Banks and Cabbot and the person from their past. Readers will be impatiently awaiting the next installment in the DCI Banks series.
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