BAD BOY

The latest Robinson mystery to feature Chief Inspector Alan Banks is as much a character study as an entertaining thriller. In an unusual device, Banks is on vacation for nearly half the book, leaving others to investigate matters in ways that may follow procedure but lead to complications. Banks returns to solve the mysteries that arose while he was away. Although the story meanders and the characters are rather formulaic, narrator Simon Prebble makes the most of the material. Prebble understands the value of both understatement and carefully timed emotions. For those unfamiliar with the Inspector Banks series, Prebble’s performance may be the most satisfying aspect of the book. D.J.S. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2010]