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Peter Robinson
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Aftermath: A Novel of Suspense (Inspector Banks Novels, 12) Mass Market Paperback – July 2, 2002

by Peter Robinson (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 9,203 ratings
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One phone call from a concerned neighbor has inadvertently led police to Terence Payne, the elusive serial killer known only as "Chameleon." Now the fiend is in custody, perhaps dying, and a long nightmare appears to be over at last. But is it? In Acting Detective Superintendent Alan Banks's mind too many questions remain unanswered at the chamber of horrors the press will dub the "House of Payne." Because the darkness has not yet lifted, the casualties are still mounting...and there are still monsters loose in the world.

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  1. Book 12 of 28
    Inspector Banks
  2. Print length
    480 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    William Morrow Paperbacks
  5. Publication date
    July 2, 2002
  6. Dimensions
    4.19 x 0.96 x 6.75 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0380811812
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0380811816
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“The novels of Peter Robinson are chilling, evocative, deeply nuanced works of art.” — Dennis Lehane

“A devilishly good plotter...[Robinson’s] characterizations are so subtle that even the psychological profiler is stumped.” — New York Times Book Review

“Engrossing...seamlessly plotted.” — Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

“Robinson’s last two Banks books have been winners...and so is AFTERMATH.” — Orlando Sentinel

“[A] splendid series.” — The San Diego Union Tribune

“A winner....Returning to the world of Alan Banks is, as always, a pleasure.” — Houston Chronicle

“A winner....Returning to the world of Alan Banks is, as always, a pleasure.” — Boston Globe

“Robinson spins and intricate web...an excellent crime novel.” — Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

“A shocking suspense story that gives the reader a glimpse of the darker side of life.” — Dallas Morning News

“Highly textured.” — Tampa Tribune

“Mystery-mongering at once as sensitive and grandly-scaled as P.D. James.” — Kirkus Reviews (*Starred Review*)

“A proven master...Robinson should find a large audience for this gripping, psychologically astute tale.” — Publishers Weekly (*Starred Review*)

“This multi-layered novel puts Robinson firmly in the upper-echelon of British mystery writers.” — Library Journal

“One of today’s most accomplished practitioners of detective fiction.” — Otto Penzler

“Seamlessly plotted...The tenacious, thoughtful Banks is even fresher than when Robinson began this series...” — Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

“Aftermath casts [a] spell... Robinson continues to stretch the boundaries of the standard procedural.” — Orlando Sentinel

“Highly textured... Banks is a multidimensional figure struggling to cope with his private demons while directing murder investigations.” — Tampa Tribune

From the Back Cover

One phone call from a concerned neighbor has inadvertently led police to Terence Payne, the elusive serial killer known only as "Chameleon." Now the fiend is in custody, perhaps dying, and a long nightmare appears to be over at last. But is it? In Acting Detective Superintendent Alan Banks's mind too many questions remain unanswered at the chamber of horrors the press will dub the "House of Payne." Because the darkness has not yet lifted, the casualties are still mounting...and there are still monsters loose in the world.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks (July 2, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0380811812
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0380811816
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.19 x 0.96 x 6.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 9,203 ratings

About the author

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Peter Robinson

Peter Robinson

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Peter Robinson's DCI Banks became a major ITV1 drama starring Stephen Tompkinson as Inspector Banks and Andrea Lowe as DI Annie Cabbot.

Peter's standalone novel BEFORE THE POISON won the IMBA's 2013 Dilys Award as well as the 2012 Arthur Ellis Award for Best Novel by the Crime Writers of Canada. This was Peter's sixth Arthur Ellis award. His critically acclaimed DCI Banks novels have won numerous awards in Britain, the United States, Canada and Europe, and are published in translation all over the world. In 2020 Peter was made a Grand Master by the Crime Writers of Canada. Peter grew up in Yorkshire, and divided his time between Richmond, UK, and Canada until his death in 2022.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
9,203 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the plot interesting and engaging with plenty of twists and turns. They describe the book as a great, entertaining read with well-developed characters and an unusual villain. Readers praise the writing quality as excellent and appreciate the cultural details and nuanced settings. However, opinions differ on the pacing - some find it compelling and emotional, while others consider it gruesome and depraved.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Plot qualityReadabilityCharacter developmentWriting qualityCultural detailReadershipPacing
38 customers mention "Plot quality"36 positive2 negative

Customers enjoy the book's plot. They find it interesting with plenty of twists and turns that keep them hooked. The cultural references add depth to the drama, and the storyline is tight until the end. Readers appreciate the graphic details and how the story unfolds without slowing down the pace. Overall, the book keeps their interest from beginning to end.

"...The story is very plausible and its that plausibility that is so attractive...." Read more

"...The story is unfolded in graphic detail manner, focusing on a serial killer, a rapist all the while linking in sub stories about child abuse, sexual..." Read more

"..."DCI Banks," and had found the episode adapted from this book particularly moving...." Read more

"Interesting enough, the introspection gives the story more depth. The characters are diverse and the mystery works out well...." Read more

33 customers mention "Readability"30 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it an entertaining summer read with depth and resonance. The settings contribute to the reading experience.

"...An excellent read. Very highly recommended." Read more

"...to the settings, contributes to the wonderful depth and resonance of the reading experience...." Read more

"...a few of the Inspector Banks series and this is definitely one of the best ones! As usual, the writing is very good and I love the main characters...." Read more

"...An incredible read." Read more

26 customers mention "Character development"26 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters and attention to detail. They find the story engaging with an appealing investigative team and unusual villain.

"...This story has everything.The characters draw a range of emotions and you wonder how they will get closure to this terrible tale...." Read more

"...The characters are diverse and the mystery works out well...." Read more

"...As usual, the writing is very good and I love the main characters. I also love reading about the English countryside and their culture...." Read more

"...This one really is character-driven. I found the pace to be very steady and consistent, certainly not a big action-oriented novel...." Read more

21 customers mention "Writing quality"18 positive3 negative

Customers praise the writing quality. They find the book readable, with interesting character development, and appreciate the good literary techniques that make reading a pleasure. The narration is also appreciated. Overall, readers describe the book as a well-written mystery novel.

"...There are no loose ends and that makes for excellent writing. Peter Robinson is one of my favorite authors and he never fails to deliver...." Read more

"...this book was darker than any of the others but in my opinion, well written...." Read more

"...As usual, the writing is very good and I love the main characters. I also love reading about the English countryside and their culture...." Read more

"...I found the narration to be very good, and it was an engaging listen during several long drives...." Read more

8 customers mention "Cultural detail"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the cultural details in the book. They find the settings nuanced and varied enough to be interesting. The characters have distinct personalities and well-developed character traits. Musical and food references are appreciated.

"...Will I read more? Absolutely! I love Alan Banks and enjoy all the musical references as well as food references in the books...." Read more

"...None of them is a cipher. And again, the wealth of cultural detail and references to the settings, contributes to the wonderful depth and..." Read more

"...The characters are fully developed and have distinct, rich personalitys. That is refreshing after reading other novels in this genre...." Read more

"...characters, fine attention to detail -- but I found this novel much more nuanced, much more layered, more compelling, more troubling...." Read more

5 customers mention "Readership"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it gripping and suspenseful, without being gory or bloody. Readers appreciate the gritty setting and multiple crimes occurring simultaneously. The plausible plot is also praised by customers.

"...The story is very plausible and its that plausibility that is so attractive...." Read more

"...It has the right amount of action and suspense, and is able to hold the reader's attention without the gory and bloody details that other..." Read more

"...These books are gritty and often run several crimes/murders parallel in the story line." Read more

"Horesh presents a quiet, powerful document of commonplace environs of unspeakable violence...." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing. Some find the topic well-handled and troubling, with emotions that don't let up. Others found the book gruesome, depressing, and poorly written.

"...to believe this is the twelfth in a series of books about a horribly deficient person, the boring Inspector Banks and all his shallow insights of..." Read more

"...Gripping from beginning to end, the pace is relentless. Emotions don't let up, but carries you through on this journey...." Read more

"...poor work style. The story fizzels by the forth page and dies a lingering and painful death by thetenth...." Read more

"...Not for the squeamish. A gory, depressing, depraved world." Read more

A Best for Peter Robinson
5 out of 5 stars
A Best for Peter Robinson
Peter Robinson's writing has become more intimate, less detached, more detailed. AFTERMATH relates fully drawn human issues and is unrelentingly suspenseful, the plot a well-crafted puzzle. Character stereotypes are not to be found.
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Top reviews from the United States

Keith Benjamin
5.0 out of 5 stars A roller coaster ride
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2015
Verified Purchase
Never a dull moment! Gripping from beginning to end, the pace is relentless. Emotions don't let up, but carries you through on this journey. It's about a topic that is very real, and you find your sympathies moving from character to character. This story has everything.

The characters draw a range of emotions and you wonder how they will get closure to this terrible tale. The victims, as many as they are, all find you wishing it had been different for them. Banks, the main protagonist, has his own demons to fight and you are drawn to his humanness.

There are no loose ends and that makes for excellent writing. Peter Robinson is one of my favorite authors and he never fails to deliver. The story is very plausible and its that plausibility that is so attractive. It's like you are seeing the story unfold through a looking glass and you will the protagonists to find the solution. A real whodunnit, in the realm of Agatha Christie and other greats.

An excellent read. Very highly recommended.
2 people found this helpful
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Tina in Florida
4.0 out of 5 stars Can't get enough of Alan Banks
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2016
Verified Purchase
Aftermath is the 12th book in the DCI Banks series. As a big fan of this series and of police procedurals I have to say this one was grittier than most of his previous books. Obviously there is a murder to investigate in the Yorkshire Dales setting, that’s a standard, but the crimes in this book were horrendous.

We are looking at a serial killer and the victims are young women, all in their late teens. The story is unfolded in graphic detail manner, focusing on a serial killer, a rapist all the while linking in sub stories about child abuse, sexual exploitation and domestic violence. As I said, this book was darker than any of the others but in my opinion, well written.

One of the sub plots is about Detective Sargent Janet Taylor. She and her partner Dennis respond to a domestic violence call. It is here the story begins when they enter a home, find Lucy Payne, the wife, knocked out, splayed out on the floor with blood on her head. The detectives proceed to check the house, head into the basement where they find a naked girl tied to a bed, strangled and quite dead. At that point they are attacked by the abusive husband, Terry Payne. As he wields a machete and cuts Dennis down, Janet thrashes him with her police baton, finally subduing him and handcuffing him to a handrail in the basement.

As you read on there is an excessive violence case considered on DS Taylor. She was defending her partner, defending her own life – but she must have brought that baton down on Payne one too many times. As someone who works in law enforcement I did not like the way that story line was heading but, that is my personal opinion.

Another sub plot revolves around Maggie Forest. She is the one who called the police when she heard Lucy Payne scream. She is also a victim of domestic violence, living temporarily in England while she escapes her abusive husband back in Toronto. Her point of view is to protect Lucy from the press as she sees her as a victim. But could Lucy have been living in that house and not know her husband was keeping young women captive? Is she part of the killings too?

From the start of this series I have watched Alan Banks grow in his job, watched his children grew up, his wife becoming distant and how our committed copper handled his professional and personal life. This is by far his most salacious book in the series.

Now, I have my opinions about things that I felt were not resolved but those will be spoilers if you have not read this book. If you have read it please write me so I can share a few of those unresolved story lines and get your opinion.

Will I read more? Absolutely! I love Alan Banks and enjoy all the musical references as well as food references in the books. As a matter of fact I have already downloaded book 13 to my Kindle.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Another stunner from Robinson
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2017
Verified Purchase
I became acquainted with Peter Robinson's books through the BBC series "DCI Banks," and had found the episode adapted from this book particularly moving. DCI Banks's humanity and integrity were never more clearly shown.

The book differs considerably from the TV version, while sticking to the bare bones of the plot. It is much richer, as the books usually are, but it becomes obvious why some of the more salacious details, and some of the more labyrinthine plot points, were left out of the TV version. What I especially appreciate about Robinson's work, and it shines in this book, is his representation of his characters in all their richness and untidyness. None of them is a cipher. And again, the wealth of cultural detail and references to the settings, contributes to the wonderful depth and resonance of the reading experience. Without in any way diminishing the uniqueness of Robinson's work, I think of him as a modern day Thomas Hardy, and look forward to reading the rest of his novels.
12 people found this helpful
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Kristine B.
3.0 out of 5 stars My first time reading a book from this series
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2015
Verified Purchase
Interesting enough, the introspection gives the story more depth. The characters are diverse and the mystery works out well. The book gives away answers to previous books, so if you want to enjoy the series, start at number one.
2 people found this helpful
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LagunaLady
4.0 out of 5 stars One of Robinson’s Best
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2022
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I have read quite a few of the Inspector Banks series and this is definitely one of the best ones! As usual, the writing is very good and I love the main characters. I also love reading about the English countryside and their culture. It’s the plot in this one that really grabbed me. I actually got off the phone with my son so I could get back to the book! My only complaint about Robinson’s novels is the constant mention of smoking and alcohol. I almost gag just hearing about all the smoke. And I really don’t like how all his characters rely on booze for everything—celebration, courage, comfort, sleep aid, etc. It’s a terrible commentary on modern society that I could do without.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well-written international mysteries.
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Top reviews from other countries

Bryjen
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2024
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Enjoyed every chapter of it. He is a wonderful story teller and can keep you guessing until the end. Brilliant!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Alan Banks books
Reviewed in Canada on April 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
I liked Banks and Annie. Would have liked them to get together. Did not like Lucy a bit too gory and scary for me.
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Dudleydog
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book from the Banks series
Reviewed in Australia on July 5, 2022
Verified Purchase
They don't come better than this one. A gruesome plot that keeps you turning the pages to see the story unfold. Reaching the rank of superintendent our hero sees a lot of personal issues surface with his relationship with DI Annie Cabot being centre stage. The author has given us another excellent police procedural and is a must read to catch up with all the characters in team Banks.
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Jean Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars AFTERMATH
Reviewed in Spain on June 2, 2017
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Peter Robinson never lets his readers down. His Inspector Banks series are really clever in plot and dialogue. Everyone a gem. Aftermath is no exception and kept me turning pages when I should have been w
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GiorgioMonti
5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly better than Rebus
Reviewed in Italy on July 30, 2016
Verified Purchase
I have read four police procedurals set in the UK in quick succession (one a day during my holidays), and it may prove helpful if I review each by comparison to the other three (Lost Girls by Angela Marsons (2 stars), The Shut Eye by Belinda Bauer (3 stars), and Even Dogs in the Wild, by Ian Rankin (4 stars)).

Plot: this one is beautifully constructed, it is complex and dark, and the pieces fit in nicely. The story is credible - it is a reassuring sign when the authors cite the research they have carried out, in this case to understand certain aspects of human behaviour.
Setting: unlike some of the others, this one is properly grounded in the territory that the story is set: you feel like driving along some of the routes taken.
Characters: the way the cahracters develop and interact is flawless; the conversations are beautifully constructed. For once the lead inspector is not a maverick.

This story shows a writer in top form.
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