The fact that it's about three weeks since I read this, and I can no longer remember much about it doesn't speak well for this book. However, at the time I did enjoy it. A routine minor crime of a tractor theft soon turns into a thoroughly disturbing double murder hunt. As ever, Robinson evokes well the routine of the detective's life - utter tedium interspersed with moments of danger and excitement, together with a real feeling for the North Yorkshire landscape. It's a good holiday read. ( )

Lovely and competent romp with inspector Alan Banks. Utter perfection. As mysteries go, these are one of my very favourites - characters are so well drawn, the mysteries are complex and yet believable, the landscape always plays a key role, and I always feel like getting a pint at a pub afterwards. ( )

How many exciting mystery novels begin with a stolen tractor? Perhaps just one, Peter Robinson’s “In the Dark Places” (2015).

The team of detectives led by Inspector Banks usually gets assigned to murder investigations, but it being a slow season for murder in mostly rural Eastvale, Annie Cabot is dispatched to investigate, as she puts it, “a bloody stolen tractor.”

But at about the same time, a wounded British army veteran discovers what appears to be a substantial amount of blood in an abandoned building. The two incidents turn out to be related: the man who stole the tractor is the murder victim, his body discovered in a most grisly fashion. That’s one of the “dark places” Robinson takes us. Another is more literal: deep into a cavern, where the novel reaches its climax.

This is another exceptional entry in this series of novels featuring Banks, a music-loving police officer still attempting to cope with his broken marriage. As usual in these stories, the lives of Banks and the members of his team prove to be as interesting as the mystery they attempt to solve. This time a prominent role goes to Winsome, the Jamaican-born young officer who begins a love affair and later enters that cavern with the villain at her heels.

Don’t miss this one. ( )

It all starts with a missing tractor. That doesn't seem to be the most exciting case to have to solve, but when blood in a hangar and two missing men seem to be connected to the theft must DCI Banks and his team find out who is behind it all.

This is my very first DCI Banks book and I have to admit that I'm surprised that it wasn't better. I was curious about this book series and I usually have no problems reading the latest book in the series, but in this case, I just couldn't get into the story or nor did I find the characters very interesting.

The book started off OK, but the last half of the book felt extremely tedious. The cops tried to find answers theft and where the two missing men are. And, it just dragged on and dragged on. Not even when a butchered body was found did the story get interesting. DCI Banks was away at the beginning of the book, with his girlfriend in Italy. And, frankly, he wasn't that memorable when he showed up. He could have been away from the whole book and I wouldn't have missed him.

I'm really surprised that this book didn't appeal to me. I usually like crime novels. It's the one genre that I rarely am disappointed with. But this one, I was bored. The story was bored the characters were boring. Not evening the ending was very interesting.

The first 40% of the book was the best. I lost interest in the story after that. I mean I had 6% left of the book and it was not exciting to read instead I had to force myself to finish the book.

A kind 2-star rating. It started off OK and I would like to read another book in the series since I haven't ruled out the series completely yet.

I want to thank the publisher and Edelweiss for providing me with a free copy for an honest review! ( )

It all starts with a missing tractor. That doesn't seem to be the most exciting case to have to solve, but when blood in a hangar and two missing men seem to be connected to the theft must DCI Banks and his team find out who is behind it all.

This is my very first DCI Banks book and I have to admit that I'm surprised that it wasn't better. I was curious about this book series and I usually have no problems reading the latest book in the series, but in this case, I just couldn't get into the story or nor did I find the characters very interesting.

The book started off OK, but the last half of the book felt extremely tedious. The cops tried to find answers theft and where the two missing men are. And, it just dragged on and dragged on. Not even when a butchered body was found did the story get interesting. DCI Banks was away at the beginning of the book, with his girlfriend in Italy. And, frankly, he wasn't that memorable when he showed up. He could have been away from the whole book and I wouldn't have missed him.

I'm really surprised that this book didn't appeal to me. I usually like crime novels. It's the one genre that I rarely am disappointed with. But this one, I was bored. The story was bored the characters were boring. Not evening the ending was very interesting.

The first 40% of the book was the best. I lost interest in the story after that. I mean I had 6% left of the book and it was not exciting to read instead I had to force myself to finish the book.

A kind 2-star rating. It started off OK and I would like to read another book in the series since I haven't ruled out the series completely yet.

I want to thank the publisher and Edelweiss for providing me with a free copy for an honest review! ( )