Standing in the Shadows

A Novel

By: Peter Robinson

Narrated by: Simon Vance

The 28th twisting installment in the DCI Alan Banks mystery series that Stephen King calls “the best now on the market.”

In November 1980, Nick Hartley returns home from a university lecture to find his house crawling with police. His ex-girlfriend, Alice Poole, has been found murdered, and her new boyfriend Mark Woodley is missing. Nick is the prime suspect. The case quickly goes cold, but Nick cannot let it go. He embarks on a career in investigative journalism, determined to find Alice’s murderer—but his obsession leads him down a dangerous path.

Decades later, in November 2019, an archaeologist unearths a skeleton that turns out to be far more contemporary than the Roman remains she is seeking. Detective Superintendent Alan Banks and his team are called in to investigate, but there is little to be gleaned from the remains themselves. Left with few clues, Banks and his team must rely on their wits to hunt down a killer.

As the two cases unfurl, the investigations twist and turn to an explosive conclusion.

Disappointed

I was so looking for to the next Banks book, but this one didn’t draw me in. Disappointing because the other books in the series I had a difficult time putting down.
I also did not care for the narrator. That might seem unfair to him, but I guess I was used to Simon Simon was the voice of Banks.

Loves the two intertwining stories

I loved how the two stories being told at different times came together to display what really happened. Great narration. Wish there was a #29 in the series!

Finished the book them found that Peter had passed away.

Very sad, he will really be missed. Not my favorite Banks story but enjoyed it just the same. Missed Annie! Peter RIP

Loved it.

Well written engrossing mystery by this author, as always. Simon Vance is a magician at conveying the subtle atmosphere and emotions required by Peter Robinson’s story, and indeed by Inspector Banks himself.

Wow! Really good

I’ve came to the Banks books originally through my local library and just really liked him. This is a special treat. Wonderful forward and backward flashing between two stories that tie together nicely. Bravo.