41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Crime With A New Twist, February 21, 2005
"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" Proverbs 17:17. How prophetic that Peter Robinson starts his fifteenth novel, "Strange Affair: A Novel of Suspense" with a quote about friend and family. Detective Chief Inspector, Alan Banks has received a phone message from his brother Roy requesting "Help, It may be a matter of life and death." I found this novel in Amazon's top 100 list, and since I love great English mysteries I picked it up. What a find. Oh, I love this new series.
DCI, Alan Banks, is a man who is driven to find the truth, and a man who does not feel the need to follow rules of law and order.
His brother has called and has now gone missing. A young woman who is found shot to death in her car, Jennifer Clews, has Alan's name and address on a piece of paper on her body. What is this all about? Detective Annie Cabbot is about to find out. Coincidence that Alan and Annie are ex-lovers and have left their relationship in tatters? It makes this all the more interesting. Past history is hinted at, and some of it updated so if you have not read the previous fourteen novels you are still in the picture.
DCI Alan Banks starts the investigation of finding his brother, and interviewing all of those who may know something about the sometimes shady work Roy was known to pursue. Alan is recuperating from a fire in his home that was started by a lover of DI Annie Cabbot. In the meantime Annie is investigating Jennifer Clewes murder, and the connection between Jenn and Alan's brother Roy. In the background is another investigation of several young women who were attacked at night on lonely roads in Yorkshire. The investigations take us into London and back to Yorkshire, and the colors, tastes and sounds of the UK are brought to life by Peter Robinson's imaginative writing. It has been said that Peter Robinson is incapable of writing a dull sentence! The trio of investigations all come together,and the findings of conspiracy, corruption, murders and mobsters bring these mysteries to a singular fantastic conclusion.
At first I was leery of another DCI who was a tough guy that loved his whiskey. But DCI Alan Banks is a man of his own. The complex characters that surround Alan Banks all have their own peccadilloes and are brought to life in this suspenseful and evocative mystery. I have found a new friend in DCI Alan Banks and plan to read every one of the other fourteen novels. A great new mystery-suspense and this may be of the best new British novels. A true find. Smooth as whiskey. Heartily recommended. prisrob
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Banks Number 15: A High Point, July 1, 2005
DI Annie Cabot needs urgently to get hold of her colleague and former lover DI Banks. A woman has been found in a crashed car with a bullet in her head and Banks name and address in her pocket. But he is nowhere to be found. This is because he has left for London in a hurry after received a puzzling but clearly urgent `phone message from his businessman brother Roy. And now Roy too seems to have disappeared.
At the time I write this, this almost entirely London-set procedural is the most recent of the Banks series. It is also one of the very best, well written, intriguing and expertly plotted with richly drawn and believable characters. I can recommend it highly and am looking forward to number 16.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One Of The Best In A Great Series, August 7, 2005
In Strange Affair Inspector Banks continues to mature as a character. In it he has his brilliant moments, his life lessons learned and times "when he just doesn't get it". Meanwhile the plot is absorbing and intricate. One of the nice things about these books is that a new reader can start with any book and understand where Banks's head is at now.
I look forward to the next installment.
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