Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Pan Books (2007), Paperback
Description
Fiction. Literature. Mystery. There's more than blood and bone beneath the skin... The victim, a nondescript "numbers cruncher," died horribly just yards away from his terrified wife and daughter, murdered by men who clearly enjoyed their work. The crime scene is one that could chill the blood of even the most seasoned police officer. But the strange revelations about an ordinary accountant's extraordinary secret life are what truly set Chief Inspector Alan Banks off-as lies breed further deceptions and blood begets blood, unleashing a policeman's dark passions...and a violent rage that, when freed, might be impossible to control.
User reviews
LibraryThing member pw0327
I made the mistake of reading these books in the middle: I started with In a Dry Season and worked my way through Piece of My Heart. Then I went backwards chronologically to Gallows View, the very first Inspector Banks series. The ride has been different but very very interesting.
Peter Robinson
In this particular story, the main thread winding around the plot is the dual life of a middle aged accountant. A presumably dull and lifeless man is murdered ruthlessly in a gangland style murder. As Banks, Richmond, Susan Gay et. al. peels back the curtains oscuring the truth, the reader is transported to many places where they don't exactly expect. In addition to all that, the psyche of the victim, as a seemingly innocuous man moving in locked step with his disciplined routines are revealed. The more interesting part is what this victim's life is doing to Banks, he is of the same age and is living somewhat the same life as the victim. The book slowly reveals the similarities and how Banks deals with this parallel psyche.
This is one of the gems in the series. read it and enjoy. I also agree with the previous reviewr: reading the series in chronological order is probaly much more satisfying, but the stories are self contained enough to be good stand alone murder mysteries.
Peter Robinson
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has a very easy writing style, he has a very distinct way of describing police procedures and a way with describing the dales and Yorkshire. Most of the stories in this series are interesting, in fact I would recommend most of them. But there are certin ones: In a Dry Season, Aftermath, A Strange Affair where Robinson goes out of his way to write some amzing soliloqueys/psychological core dumps/confessions. It is in these moments of revelation that one really get enamored with the series and the main character: Inspector Alan Banks. In this particular story, the main thread winding around the plot is the dual life of a middle aged accountant. A presumably dull and lifeless man is murdered ruthlessly in a gangland style murder. As Banks, Richmond, Susan Gay et. al. peels back the curtains oscuring the truth, the reader is transported to many places where they don't exactly expect. In addition to all that, the psyche of the victim, as a seemingly innocuous man moving in locked step with his disciplined routines are revealed. The more interesting part is what this victim's life is doing to Banks, he is of the same age and is living somewhat the same life as the victim. The book slowly reveals the similarities and how Banks deals with this parallel psyche.
This is one of the gems in the series. read it and enjoy. I also agree with the previous reviewr: reading the series in chronological order is probaly much more satisfying, but the stories are self contained enough to be good stand alone murder mysteries.
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LibraryThing member edwardsgt
An apparently mild-mannered accountant is brutally killed by a shotgun at his house, suggesting a professional hit, but why? Another difficult case for Chief Inspector Alan Banks, solved in his usual proficient manner. As always well-written and plotted which keeps you reading to the end.
LibraryThing member Heptonj
Another excellent book from Peter Robinson. He has a great talent for creating his characters.
Chief Inspector Banks is at his usual best investigating the murder of a seemingly boring accountant who turns out to have more to him than meets the eye. I must admit I worked out the main point of the
Chief Inspector Banks is at his usual best investigating the murder of a seemingly boring accountant who turns out to have more to him than meets the eye. I must admit I worked out the main point of the
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crime very early in the book but boy oh boy does the author leave you hanging at the end Show Less
LibraryThing member mrtall
I've read a few Peter Robinson/Alan Banks police procedurals now, and I'm still not sure quite what I think about this series. Each entry is undeniably well-plotted and developed, Alan Banks is a very serviceable lead character, there's the now-standard set of reliable quirky supporting characters,
This story revolves around questions of identity. Who, really, was the man who was dragged out of his house, as his horrified wife and daughter looked on, and then executed by a team of masked assassins? What drew his killers to him?
Although not in the first rank of crime fiction writers, Peter Robinson is still very good indeed. Recommended.
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and so on. The books are also well-written, if a bit artless. I don't expect too many flights of poetic diction in a police procedural, but sometimes Robinson veers almost into the prosaic, and that detracts a bit in my book.This story revolves around questions of identity. Who, really, was the man who was dragged out of his house, as his horrified wife and daughter looked on, and then executed by a team of masked assassins? What drew his killers to him?
Although not in the first rank of crime fiction writers, Peter Robinson is still very good indeed. Recommended.
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LibraryThing member Romonko
When a mild-mannered accountant is shot in the face with a shotgun, execution style, Banks and his team are trying to find out why an accountant was killed in this way. As they investigate and dig deeper into Keith Rothwell's life they find more secrets and evidence of dirty dealings. It certainly
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isn't a simple, straight-forward case, and even the Home Office is involved. What I love about Robinson's Banks is that he's such an everyday Joe. This makes him totally believable. The other characters in the books are also well-drawn, and the plotting and mystery are always complex and not easy to figure out. In short, this is a series that is a cut above your ordinary British Police Procedural, and I really am enjoying it. This is the sixth book in this lengthy series, and I am looking forward to reading more. Show Less
LibraryThing member Darrol
I was hoping that this would be my favorite, but the ending spoiled it--too unlikely--the forensic evidence should have given it away. Good stuff between Jim Hatchley and Susan Gay, and I liked the Pakistani musician and the homosexual son.
LibraryThing member ashergabbay
In “Dry Bones That Dream” Peter Robinson makes a nice comeback. This book is one of the better one in the series, after a couple of disappointing installments.
This time Alan Banks is dealing with the murder of Keith Rothwell, a seemingly dull accountant. Two masked men break into his farmhouse,
Things become interesting when Banks follows a lead in Leeds (pardon the word game). A young and attractive woman there insists that the dead Keith Rothwell is none other than Robert Calvert, an extrovert, fun-loving playboy she used to hang out with. The fingerprints from Calvert’s apartment in Leeds match those of Rothwell. Can the dull accountant and the playboy be the same person?
The plot is superb. Robinson leads the reader to believe he has “solved” the murder, but leaves the true surprise until the very end. Just what a good crime book should be like.
This time Alan Banks is dealing with the murder of Keith Rothwell, a seemingly dull accountant. Two masked men break into his farmhouse,
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tie up his wife and daughter, and proceed to blow his head off in the garage. It looks like a professional job, and after an initial investigation it is clear this is not just another murder. The involvement of Dick Burgess from Scotland Yard, a old nemesis of Banks, indicates that this murder has implications far and beyond a local Yorkshire crime.Things become interesting when Banks follows a lead in Leeds (pardon the word game). A young and attractive woman there insists that the dead Keith Rothwell is none other than Robert Calvert, an extrovert, fun-loving playboy she used to hang out with. The fingerprints from Calvert’s apartment in Leeds match those of Rothwell. Can the dull accountant and the playboy be the same person?
The plot is superb. Robinson leads the reader to believe he has “solved” the murder, but leaves the true surprise until the very end. Just what a good crime book should be like.
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LibraryThing member jerhogan
Up to the Banks standard. Banks is an enjoyable guy to read about. Left of Centre but works with 'Dirty' Dick Burgess for example.
LibraryThing member Condorena
This was enjoyable but not memorable.
LibraryThing member -Eva-
When a mild-mannered accountant is executed gangster-style, it's up to Inspector Banks to sort out why, and the path to the solution reveals drug-dealers, secret identities, and a virtual onion of mysterious clues, none of which seem to be pointing in the same direction. The mystery in this one has
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high stakes and is tricky to figure out, but the best part about it is that Banks' character is allowed to develop more than in the other ones and his background enhances the story, even if it's not directly related to the mystery - it's always much easier to be invested in a story when you are allowed to care about its players, even when it's a seemingly standard cozy mystery. Looking forward to continuing the series, not only because the mysteries as solid, and they are, but because I'm interested to see how Banks' life develops now that the children have flown the nest and Mrs. Banks is busy with her own life. Show Less
LibraryThing member SquirrelHead
Here we are again in the Yorkshire countryside with DCI Banks investigating another murder. The scene begins with Banks and fellow constable Susan Gay out in the cold wee early morning hours when bland and middle aged accountant Keith Rothwell is found murdered. Rothwell was kneeling, hands tied
Rothwell was described as bland and conservative businessman. Nothing exciting about his life or his work. Then Banks gets a call from a young woman who wants verification that the photo of the victim (Rothwell) is a mistake. She knows this man reported as murdered and it’s not Keith Rothwell at all. Banks meets with Pamela, a lovely young musician, and she informs him the man is actually Robert Calvert, her former lover. Rothwell (or Calvert) had a secret life and this opens up another avenue of investigation.
There are many twists to the plot lines which include a drug dealing Caribbean dictator laundering money, several likely suspects and an ending I never saw coming!
This is the seventh book I have read in the DCI Banks series by Peter Robinson. Evidently I’m hooked. Each book mentions Banks love of music and we go from opera to jazz to the Beatles. He always has his Walkman with him and usually has music cassettes for the car. I wonder what type of music he’ll be interested in next.
As for food, of course there is the usual pub grub mentioned and lots of ales and lagers consumed during our detectives working lunches. DCI Banks has a love of Laphroaig, an expensive single malt Scotch whisky. He and his wife Sandra sip their drinks while catching up on life and each other in the rare evenings they are both at home.
One description of an Indian restaurant sounded exotically tantalizing. The aromas of all those spices.
“Banks and Blackstone sat across from each other in an Indian restaurant… drinking lager and nibbling at pakoras and onion bhaji. The aroma was tantalizing – cumin, coriander, cloves, cinnamon, mingled with other spices.”
Keeping to the English menu I grabbed one of Nigel Slater’s recipes. Pork and Pears. Yes, apples are the usually pairing with pork but Nigel used pears. It was good. I think DCI Banks would have enjoyed this meal.
If you’d like the recipe click on over to my foodie blog: Squirrel Head Manor.
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behind his back and shot in the head. His family discovered the gruesome scene and this where the investigation kicks off.Rothwell was described as bland and conservative businessman. Nothing exciting about his life or his work. Then Banks gets a call from a young woman who wants verification that the photo of the victim (Rothwell) is a mistake. She knows this man reported as murdered and it’s not Keith Rothwell at all. Banks meets with Pamela, a lovely young musician, and she informs him the man is actually Robert Calvert, her former lover. Rothwell (or Calvert) had a secret life and this opens up another avenue of investigation.
There are many twists to the plot lines which include a drug dealing Caribbean dictator laundering money, several likely suspects and an ending I never saw coming!
This is the seventh book I have read in the DCI Banks series by Peter Robinson. Evidently I’m hooked. Each book mentions Banks love of music and we go from opera to jazz to the Beatles. He always has his Walkman with him and usually has music cassettes for the car. I wonder what type of music he’ll be interested in next.
As for food, of course there is the usual pub grub mentioned and lots of ales and lagers consumed during our detectives working lunches. DCI Banks has a love of Laphroaig, an expensive single malt Scotch whisky. He and his wife Sandra sip their drinks while catching up on life and each other in the rare evenings they are both at home.
One description of an Indian restaurant sounded exotically tantalizing. The aromas of all those spices.
“Banks and Blackstone sat across from each other in an Indian restaurant… drinking lager and nibbling at pakoras and onion bhaji. The aroma was tantalizing – cumin, coriander, cloves, cinnamon, mingled with other spices.”
Keeping to the English menu I grabbed one of Nigel Slater’s recipes. Pork and Pears. Yes, apples are the usually pairing with pork but Nigel used pears. It was good. I think DCI Banks would have enjoyed this meal.
If you’d like the recipe click on over to my foodie blog: Squirrel Head Manor.
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LibraryThing member LARA335
Mostly obtained from friends and charity shops, so not read in strict order, and interesting to come across an earlier Banks still just about married.
An accountant, is brutally assassinated in his own garage, and Banks investigates, uncovering love affairs and money laundering en-route.
A complex
An accountant, is brutally assassinated in his own garage, and Banks investigates, uncovering love affairs and money laundering en-route.
A complex
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story with well-drawn characters, and I look forward to reading more in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member tututhefirst
Another great detective story in a wonderful setting, with lots of characters, a rather convoluted mystery that appears to be very straight forward but which leaves the reader hanging until the very end. In fact, the ending left me hanging too much,hence the 1/2 star instead of 4 full ones.
LibraryThing member ibkennedy
Great read
LibraryThing member thornton37814
A couple returns home following their anniversary dinner. Intruders tied up their daughter who was home alone. They tie up the wife when she arrives and force the man to the barn/garage. Soon two shots are heard. The daughter finally manages to free herself from the bonds and frees her mother.
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Inspector Banks finds the man's face blown up beyond recognition. It looks like an assassination. They find evidence he'd been laundering money. It begins to get interesting when a woman comes forward saying the man looks like someone she knew by another name. With characteristics of a cozy and a thriller, this installment may not completely satisfy readers of either genre by not being "cozy" enough for those wanting a little less blood and gruesomeness but being a little slower paced than most thrillers. Audio visits with James Langton narrating the Inspector Banks series always provide a few enjoyable listening hours. Show Less
LibraryThing member gypsysmom
Accountants have a reputation for being boring. I actually have not found that to be so, at least not the accountants that I know. So, I wasn't surprised that the accountant who is murdered right at the beginning of this book turned out to have quite an interesting life. By the way, Robinson called
Keith Rothwell came home from an anniversary dinner with his wife to find his daughter had been tied to a chair in the living room and the men who did it were still there, waiting for Rothwell. They took him outside and shot him in the face while he was kneeling on the floor of the barn. The killers were gone when the Yorkshire police led by DCI Banks turn up to investigate. The daughter could only give a general description since they were masked. In the barn the evidence included a wadded up piece of paper, used for loading the shotgun shell, that was from a pornographic magazine. With that meagre evidence, Banks doesn't have much to go on. However, when a call comes into the station from a woman who knew the deceased but said he was called Robert Calvert, that puts a whole different twist on the investigation. Banks learns that Rothwell was leading a double life as Calvert. In addition, it turns out he was laundering money for a corrupt Caribbean politician together with solicitor Daniel Clegg. The pair may have been skimming money for themselves because Rothwell lived quite lavishly as Calvert and he also had a large country estate for his real family. Perhaps that was the motive for his killing but the killers must not have found what they were looking for because they have ransacked Calvert's apartment and his girlfriend's house. Interestingly, the girlfriend describes two men who do not fit the description that the daughter gave. Could one of them be lying? And what are the bad guys looking for? Never fear, DCI Banks will figure it all out but he may have to go to Greece to do so.
We perhaps see that there is more trouble in the Banks' marriage as Alan seems to be quite taken with Calvert's girlfriend. However, for now Alan and Sandra are still together.
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this book Dry Bones that Dream but the title was changed to Final Account for US audiences. (VERY IRRITATING)Keith Rothwell came home from an anniversary dinner with his wife to find his daughter had been tied to a chair in the living room and the men who did it were still there, waiting for Rothwell. They took him outside and shot him in the face while he was kneeling on the floor of the barn. The killers were gone when the Yorkshire police led by DCI Banks turn up to investigate. The daughter could only give a general description since they were masked. In the barn the evidence included a wadded up piece of paper, used for loading the shotgun shell, that was from a pornographic magazine. With that meagre evidence, Banks doesn't have much to go on. However, when a call comes into the station from a woman who knew the deceased but said he was called Robert Calvert, that puts a whole different twist on the investigation. Banks learns that Rothwell was leading a double life as Calvert. In addition, it turns out he was laundering money for a corrupt Caribbean politician together with solicitor Daniel Clegg. The pair may have been skimming money for themselves because Rothwell lived quite lavishly as Calvert and he also had a large country estate for his real family. Perhaps that was the motive for his killing but the killers must not have found what they were looking for because they have ransacked Calvert's apartment and his girlfriend's house. Interestingly, the girlfriend describes two men who do not fit the description that the daughter gave. Could one of them be lying? And what are the bad guys looking for? Never fear, DCI Banks will figure it all out but he may have to go to Greece to do so.
We perhaps see that there is more trouble in the Banks' marriage as Alan seems to be quite taken with Calvert's girlfriend. However, for now Alan and Sandra are still together.
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Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1995
Physical description
384 p.; 7.4 inches
ISBN
0330482203 / 9780330482202
Local notes
When he investigates the brutal and premeditated murder of a wealthy accountant, Banks discovers that the quiet family man lived a double life that has made him twice as many enemies.