STANDING IN THE SHADOWS Inspector Banks, Book 28

Simon Vance enriches this final mystery from the late author's Detective Superintendent Alan Banks series. Vance expertly connects a heartrending story that moves from 1980 to 2019. In 1980, student Alice Poole's body is found in Yorkshire; no killer is ever caught. In 2019, a body found in an archaeological dig gives the police a viable lead. Vance is equally memorable portraying Nick Hartley as a student and, later, as a successful news reporter. Vance also excels with elderly, crotchety farmer Gillespie. Empathic personal snippets of Banks's team, including Winsome's enchanting Jamaican accent and tales of her baby, add lightness. This well-rendered police procedural is gripping, especially when astonishing connections are made. Audio is a must to appreciate the engaging characters and shocking conclusion. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2023]