Peter Robinson is the critically acclaimed New York Times, LA Times, and London Sunday Times best-selling author of the Inspector Alan Banks series, as well as a winner of the 2001 Anthony and 2001 Ellis Awards, and Le Grand Prix de LittErature PoliciEre. Close to Home traverses the difficult landscapes of a painful past-and an uncertain future for Inspector Banks. Two 15-year-old boys are lost, and the circumstances of their disappearances seem oddly parallel save one detail. The first boy disappeared and was presumed dead 35 years ago.
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"This was the first Peter Robinson novel I've read and I'll be reading more. I loved all the Britishness - someone's always eating fish n chips or meeting a mate for a beer at the local pub. It seemed pretty clean, also but that may be because the British cuss words are foreign to me. Telling someone to "bugger off" just doesn't sound that bad! Ha. Much of the story covers British culture and music of the mid-60s, which I found interesting. It was enjoyable looking at it thru British eyes, rather than just an American perspective. Inspector Banks dredges up old memories when the bones of one of his old school friends is found. The boy's murder investigation parallels a modern investigation of a missing 15 yr old. The book has a lovely melancholy tone as the author delves into the ghosts of the major characters - Banks has recently divorced and his ex is expecting a baby with her new hubby; Annie remembers being raped; Michelle's emotions are raw over the death of her daughter. I liked how the main characters had a strong moral center in the midst of police and civil corruption. I love finding a new author that I like, especially one who's written a series of books! New things to read!" — Susan (4 out of 5 stars)
"This was the first Peter Robinson novel I've read and I'll be reading more. I loved all the Britishness - someone's always eating fish n chips or meeting a mate for a beer at the local pub. It seemed pretty clean, also but that may be because the British cuss words are foreign to me. Telling someone to "bugger off" just doesn't sound that bad! Ha. Much of the story covers British culture and music of the mid-60s, which I found interesting. It was enjoyable looking at it thru British eyes, rather than just an American perspective. Inspector Banks dredges up old memories when the bones of one of his old school friends is found. The boy's murder investigation parallels a modern investigation of a missing 15 yr old. The book has a lovely melancholy tone as the author delves into the ghosts of the major characters - Banks has recently divorced and his ex is expecting a baby with her new hubby; Annie remembers being raped; Michelle's emotions are raw over the death of her daughter. I liked how the main characters had a strong moral center in the midst of police and civil corruption. I love finding a new author that I like, especially one who's written a series of books! New things to read!"
“Chilling.”
“Working with themes of lost youth and the dark secrets hidden in small towns, Robinson delivers in this thirteenth Banks novel a police procedural of remarkable human depth.”
“There's a fair amount of action and lots of suspense…Along the way, Robinson probes more abstract ideas: the illusory nature of nostalgia; the dark, secret lives of small towns; middle age; and the oft-lamented challenges of going home again. This satisfying and subtle police procedural has a little bit of everything.”
“Robinson again shows himself to be as astute a writer as P. D. James as he examines the myriad faces of guilt.”
" It was a fairly pretty good read.. although I didnt like how the ending was!! "
" Good read--good topic--not his best. "
" keeping 2 plots going, one current, one cold case was done very well! "
" Very slow moving English mystery. Could have been four chapters long. I guess I just don't appreciate build-up. I'm surprized there were 12 succesful books before this one. "
" While investigating the disappearance of a musician's son, Banks also journeys back into his past to help solve the mysterious disappearance of a friend when he was a teenager. Thus allowing him a nostalgia-fest of music and culture in the 60's and contrasting this with contemporary life. Two mysteries for the price of one. "
" I was intrigued by the back cover while in the library. It's not something I normally pick up, but I couldn't put it down. "
" just finished book ,was pretty good ,enjoyed the two story lines between present and past "
" A good dependable author - you know you will enjoy when you pick one of his books up. "
" Amazing. After having read 14 Robinson's books still not bored with him. "
" Another good Alan Banks mystery, this one set in part in his hometown of Peterborough, where one learns about his parents and childhood. Because Banks is such a believable character, I always enjoy this series. "
" I am not sure where I got book from and it's been sitting on my bookshelf for a few years. I didn't even know it was a who-dun-it. Recently someone mentioned Peter Robinson as being like Ian Rankin and I noticed it on my shelf. And yup - it's exactly like Ian Rankin. Good read. "
" Its a long time since I have read a Peter Robinson book but this was every bit as good as I remember. "
" A good offering from a very good writer of the genre, "
" Another brilliant novel by Peter Robinson. Two murders are discovered but are 30 years apart. Two female detectives helped by Inspector Banks solve both murders which were as the title says Close to Home "
" I listed to the audio CD of this book. I like Peter Robinson's mysteries overall and this one is particularly intriguing with the intertwining of the deaths of two teenage boys 30 years apart and two strong women cops in addition to Inspector Banks. "
" I like DCI Banks...I think I have found a new series to read! Evoked lots of memories of the 60's...when I was a kid and so many things were changing.... "
" The perceptions of childhood are often misleading. "
" One of his better books--read the British edition, The Summer That Never Was "
" Good British who done it cop story. Fun read. "
" I think this is one of the best I have read in this series. Even though there were a few stories happening at the same time the flow between them was smooth and easy to follow without leaving the reader wondering 'what's this got to do with it?'. "
" God this plodded along. Character development was shallow. I may try another in the series...but so far not up to par with Ian Rankin and far below my favorite crime/mystery authors. "
" More great Robinson, and this one's a 'two-fer'. Two mysteries in one! "
" This was my first Book by this author. I enjoyed them and would read another one in ths future "
Peter Robinson (1950-2022), author of the award-winning Inspector Banks novels, won the Anthony, Barry, Macavity, Martin Beck, and Arthur Ellis awards, among others. The Inspector Banks novels have been named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, a New York Times Notable Book, and a People magazine Page Turner of the Week. His novels have reached #1 on the London Sunday Times bestsellers list and hit the New York Times expanded list of bestsellers.
Ron Keith, a native of England, graduated from the University of Manchester. He has appeared in the Broadway touring production of Amadeus, in off-Broadway productions such as Hedda Gabler, My Fair Lady, and Candida, and in many regional stage productions. His television appearances include roles in One Life to Live and As the World Turns.
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