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(3.01) - 2,381 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Former London policeman Alan Banks relocated to Yorkshire seeking some small measure of peace. But depravity and violence are unfortunately not unique to large cities. His new venue, the quaint little village of Eastvale, seems to have more than its fair share of malefactors—among them a brazen Peeping Tom who hides in night's shadows spying on attractive, unsuspecting ladies as they prepare for bed.
When an elderly woman is found brutally slain in her home, Chief Inspector Banks wonders if the voyeur has increased the awful intensity of his criminal activities. But whether related or not, perverse local acts and murderous ones are combining to profoundly touch Banks's suddenly vulnerable personal life, forcing a dedicated law officer to make hard choices he'd dearly hoped would never be necessary.
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"I swear I will never read a "series," but I got hooked on the DCI Banks mysteries on PBS this Winter and as good as they are, a film leaves out so much character and language in order to advance the plot, that I knew I had to "read." I also felt like I came in "in the middle of someone's life," because the titles that have been on tv are newer works and I had to go back to where it all began, in The Gallows View, published in 1987. In this first of many novels, Alan Banks leaves big city life in London for Yorkshire (where the author grew up, by the way) and hopes for a little peace and quiet. Instead a local "Peeping Tom," neighborhood toughs, murder and more, shake the peace of this quiet village. No more details - read and enjoy."
— Mary (5 out of 5 stars)
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“An extremely well-fashioned police procedural.”
— New York Times Book Review -
Mark Honan delivers a powerful and affecting performance that will make Banks a favorite for years to come.... A truly compelling listen.
— Publishers Weekly Audio Review -
“An intimate procedural, nicely and comfortably done, suspenseful as well and satisfying in its resolutions.”
— Los Angeles Times -
“The considerable appeal of this first novel…lies in Robinson’s updating of the genre with realistic treatment of contemporary violence and sexual issues, while maintaining the charm and civility of the setting.”
— Publishers Weekly, audio review -
“The considerable appeal of this first novel…lies in Robinson’s updating of the genre with realistic treatment of contemporary violence and sexual issues, while maintaining the charm and civility of the setting.”
— Publishers Weekly
Gallows View Listener Reviews
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" First book for me with this author and I loved his exacting descriptive writing and I found this book satisfying to read. "
— Lynda, 2/15/2014 -
" This was pretty good, not as hooked as on some of the other english murder series characters but this was my first and I'll certainly read another. "
— Giesela1000, 2/6/2014 -
" For Robinson's first Inspector Banks' novel, I found it interesting in that we still seem to be in the middle of a series. The ending was very good. "
— Rick, 2/5/2014 -
" Better than the previous time I read a Peter Robinson novel (which was the 10th book in the series), but still only a mediocre read. I solved everything well before Detective Inspector Banks. The story is ok, but a lot of the pages seem to be filled with fluffy hackneyed psychology. Of course, I paid for the previous book and only borrowed this from the library; that might be why I feel better about it. "
— Stewart, 1/27/2014 -
" This series has gotten kudos and I decided I would track down the first in the series, published in 1987. Set in Yorkshire, Robinson shows us its grittier side, with a plethora of well-drawn characters. He's skilled at sketching out enough detail to give a picture without bogging down on lengthy descriptions. It's no wonder that he has done so well with this series. "
— Betty, 1/23/2014 -
" Fantastic mystery - I can see now why Peter Robinson has become such a popular author. Inspector Banks is an interesting character, with many nuances...I liked Robinson's world-building as well. Lots of detail, but none of them extraneous. "
— Teresa, 1/21/2014 -
" I recently picked this book up at a library book sale. it was a great read. i love the main character it was well written, can't wait to continue the series. "
— Gillian, 1/19/2014 -
" pretty predictable, but enjoyable quick read "
— Loralie, 12/23/2013 -
" Interesting, moved a little slow at first, but picked up later. "
— Viktoriya, 12/11/2013 -
" HUGE fan of his books! "
— Glennie, 12/6/2013 -
" First of the Inspector Banks' books. Can't wait to read the next one "
— Carla, 11/7/2013 -
" See my review for "In A Dry Season". "
— Michelle, 10/30/2013 -
" A suspenseful read. classic detective novel with lots of intrigue and plot twists. I love a book that's hard to put down. "
— Rachael, 9/28/2013 -
" I found it very disappointing with poorly written dialogue, cardboard characters and far too many adjectives. "
— Mel, 6/4/2013 -
" First Robinson book I have read...will try to read them in order if they hold my interest... "
— Jared, 4/14/2013 -
" Really good - just like the other 'Inspector Banks' books I've read "
— Elin, 1/10/2013 -
" Has to be 5* as it was the first and got me hooked. "
— Derek, 1/7/2013 -
" His debut novel introducing Inspector Banks was a good mystery about peeping toms and teenagers on a stealing spree. The plot was developed at a good pace with interesting characters "
— Vionna, 12/27/2012 -
" What a great book. Got so excited about this as a good start to a series that I managed to nab the next 6 books from my mum to read as well. "
— Charmlessman77, 12/27/2012 -
" Sorry to say I couldn't finish the book. It felt as though I were reading a first attempt from a teenager. The characters were very 2D, the speech was as a youngster might assume adults would speak. Not for me, this one. "
— Graham, 9/1/2012 -
" I'm afraid I'm going to read as many of these as I can until I'm sick of them. This one is a bit dated- strident feminists & no DNA testing but I like the Yorkshire context. "
— Gillian, 8/8/2012 -
" An okay mystery, but a bit dated. It takes place in the 1980's before DNA is being used for evidence purposes. Interesting play between 3 sets of crimes in the same small English town and all they all tie together in the end. Read for a book club and will probably not read more by this author. "
— Lee, 12/14/2011 -
" Only my second crime novel but I am quickly becoming a crime novel fanatic. As I've only read a few I can't really rate it in comparison to other books of it's kind but I enjoyed it at a level four. "
— Joseph, 9/14/2011 -
" Has to be 5* as it was the first and got me hooked. "
— Derek, 4/13/2011 -
" I gave up on this book. Too seedy for my taste and I don't have the stomach for stories about crimes against women. Frankly there wasn't anyone in this book that I cared about, not even Inspector Banks. I'll give one of the later books a try and see if the series improves any. "
— Lee, 4/11/2011 -
" An average police detective mystery with a fair amount of nasty stuff happening. I probably won't read any more by this author. I did like revisiting feminism in the eighties. "
— Laura, 1/4/2011 -
" I found it very disappointing with poorly written dialogue, cardboard characters and far too many adjectives. "
— Mel, 11/24/2010 -
" This is a fun new author for me. "
— Leslie, 8/12/2010 -
" Recommended by Partners in Crime book store in NYC. I was looking for first crime novels in a series. Lots of fun. I thought it was good, and they insisted that he gets 'much better' throughout the series. "
— Susan2010, 7/26/2010 -
" I have wanted to read this series, so I started with the first one, on audio. Enjoyed it and will continue with others. "
— Christy, 7/21/2010
About Peter Robinson
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.
About Mark Honan
Mark Honan is a British actor currently living in Maine. He trained at the Webber Douglas Academy in London and has worked in repertory on both sides of the Atlantic. He has performed Off Broadway with the Riverside Shakespeare Company and regionally at the Berkshire Theater Festival and Portland Stage Company.