Standing in the Shadows
Peter Robinson
Hodder & Stoughton
Hachette Australia
ISBN:9781529343175
RRP $34.99
Description:
The brilliant new 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
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.
My View:
This duel time line starts slowly, establishing characters and landscape, it kind of has that “Midsomer Murders” vibe, comfortable and well written. The pace quickens towards the end…and a few surprises are shared.
This is a well established series and fan will enjoy another episode of this English police procedural.
Reading, Writing and Riesling 
I do like the Alan Banks series, Carol. I think some entries are better than others, if I’m being honest, but I think it’s more consistently good than some series are. And I’m glad you found thinks to like about this one.
“Comfortable” sums it up and that’s fine. I did like the dual time line – was well done
Love this series. So very sad that this will be his last book 😢
Oh! I didnt realise he has passed …
Sadly last year in October. He was only 72. He was often seen at our local pub & giving readings in our libraries. He is greatly missed.