The brilliant last novel in the number one bestselling Alan Banks crime series - by the master of the police procedural.

'The best mystery-procedural series on the market. Try one and tell me I'm wrong' STEPHEN KING
'"[O]ne of the finest police procedural writers around... [Standing in the Shadows] is as narratively rich and surprising as Robinson's best work' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

Late November, 1980. Student Nick Hartley returns from a lecture to find his house full of police officers. As he discovers that his ex-girlfriend has been found murdered in a nearby park, and her new boyfriend is missing, he realises two things in quick succession: he is undoubtedly a suspect as he has no convincing alibi, and he has own suspicions as to what might have happened . . .

Late November 2019. An dig near Scotch Corner unearths a skeleton that turns out to be far more recent than the Roman remains the archaeologist is looking for. Detective Superintendent Alan Banks and his team are called in and, as an investigation into the find begins, the past and the present meet with devastating consequences.

'The master of the police procedural' MAIL ON SUNDAY
'Robinson delivers an impeccably structured, engagingly spun performance... Robinson was a master of the police procedural and his thoughtful, nuanced work will endure' IRISH TIMES

About the Author

Peter Robinson's DCI Banks series was made into a major ITV1 drama starring Stephen Tompkinson (Wild at Heart, Ballykissangel) as Inspector Banks, and Andrea Lowe (The Bill, Murphy's Law) 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.

Reviews
Having started my Banks habit up again I won't be leaving it so long before I pick up my next Robinson thriller * Evening Standard Online *
As ever, Peter Robinson has constructed a gripping, complex mystery . . . his legion of fans will be delighted * The Sunday Times Crime Club *
Not Dark Yet by Peter Robinson sees the author and his creation, Supt Alan Banks on top form in the 27th book in the series * Peterborough Telegraph *
Complicated, unexpected and startling, the story is all that, but Robinson brings all the disparate parts together so cleverly that the result on finishing the novel is a satisfaction that all readers want at the end of a good book * On-Magazine *
This series continues to be as thoughtful and intelligent as ever, with the usual bonus of the magnificent Dales * Observer *
Robinson cleverly incorporates the two plots, showing how police work has had to adapt in a very different climate * The Sunday Times *
As gripping as ever * Choice Magazine *
The ending, in which the two narratives join, is a stunner * Booklist *
Peter Robinson's new novel is a publishing event . . . The novel feels elegiac . . . Robinson's plots were always superb and this final novel is a haunting tribute to a fine writer * The Sunday Times, Crime Book of the Month (June) *
It is bittersweet to crack open the 28th , and final, Inspector Banks novel. The mighty Peter Robinson, who died last year, created one of the most convivial, compelling detectives in Alan Banks: compassionate, intelligent and music-loving, he was the sort of man you wanted to spend time with. Standing in the Shadows is a worthy addition to the Banks canon . . . It is a pleasure to be back in Banks's company, whether it's watching him with his friends and colleagues, listening to his thoughts on music or waiting for his intuition to kick in. Robinson was an author at the top of his game, and Banks a detective at the top of his. Both will be sorely missed by their readers * Observer *
A fond and fitting farewell * The Sun *
Robinson delivers an impeccably structured, engagingly spun performance . . .Robinson was a master of the police procedural and his thoughtful, nuanced work will endure * Irish Times *
In the realm of crime fiction, the late Peter Robinson has etched his name with a distinction as pronounced as the 27 novels that have preceded his latest creation . . . Standing in the Shadows, stands testament to his unwavering prowess in crafting intricate and seductive narratives. With each turn of the page, a whirlwind of astonishments awaits, as the story elegantly navigates between the lives of inhabitants dwelling within a bustling student abode and their poignant journey toward academic culmination... Robinson's artistry lies in his dexterous placement of clues, whispered secrets lying dormant or boldly paraded in plain sight. The seamless choreography of police procedure, rendered with an authenticity that underscores the writer's mastery, unveils a police force willing to bend the rules in the pursuit of justice... Within this literary tapestry, suspense and intrigue are woven deftly.. , Characters are luminous conduits through which the narrative unfurls, bursting forth vividly under Robinson's hand. This sorcery of characterization allows the story to coalesce around their palpable presence, creating an immersive experience that ignites the imagination... Standing in the Shadows is his final enigma... the last page turns, a pang of melancholy mingles with elation, as you realise you're reading the last words of a crime fiction great. * On Magazine (Yorkshire) *
Fans will welcome this latest Banks adventure and revel in what Michael Connelly calls Robinson's 'clear eye for the telling detail.' * Booklist *
Robinson pulls the reader in with deft characterizations, powerfully understated action scenes, and strong locales . . . A strong addition to the Banks series that suggests tantalizing possibilities for the next installment * Kirkus *
Bestseller Robinson ably balances multiple plotlines in his intricate 27th novel * Publishers Weekly *



Book Information
ISBN 9781529343168
Author Peter Robinson
Format Hardback
Page Count 368
Imprint Hodder & Stoughton
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 600g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 168mm * 32mm