In the Dark Places audiobook

When DCI Alan Banks returns from vacation, he finds the members of his team investigating a variety of crimes. Someone has stolen a farmer's valuable tractor, which by itself would probably not be the crime of the century. But other farmers in the area have also had equipment and livestock stolen, and it appears that a sophisticated gang of thieves may be operating in the area, stealing the equipment and shipping it to buyers in eastern Europe.Meanwhile, other members of the team are investigating a mysterious blood stain on the floor of an abandoned airport hangar. It would appear that someone may have been murdered there and the body removed. But who was the victim and where is the body? At virtually the same time, two men are reported missing, and naturally, one of them may be the victim. Back on the job, Banks takes the leading role in all of these cases, assigning his team members and supervising their work. All of the cases are immediately complicated when a delivery van plunges off a mountain pass in inclement weather. The van is carrying the carcases of animals that have died on local farms, have been packaged up, and have then been collected to be delivered to the disposal site where they will be incinerated. The packages are now scattered all over the landscape around the wreck, and investigators are shocked to discover that not all of the bodies packaged for incineration were those of lambs or pigs.This is one of Banks's more interesting cases and the supporting members of the cast get a lot of time on the page while Banks generally directs them. It's a clever and convoluted plot with some pretty nasty actors lurking in the background, and all in all, it's a very enjoyable read that will certainly appeal to the fans of this long-running series and to a lot of other readers as well.

It has been a while since I last read a DCI Banks novel but as with all the best British crime series you can pick them up at anytime and jump right into the story. Peter Robinson doesn't waste time going over previous books, certain events are alluded to but not in an overly detailed way that detracts from the story. The blurb doesn't give all that much away about the story and I won't say too much about it myself as this is a book you should definitely go into not knowing all that much about it. Because what you get is a mystery that will leave you guessing, questioning every character you meet and wondering just what the hell is going on. And to mention how the plot would progress would ruin that experience. Two local men go missing. A caravan belonging to one of them is burned to the ground. A bloodstain is found at an abandoned hangar. DCI Banks and his team are initially introduced to these events through a stolen tractor. Major crimes it is not but the investigation leads them to something much bigger and soon their investigation really kicks off. The first half of the book isn't particularly fast paced, but what Peter does best is fantastic characterisation and brilliant storytelling so the over the top scenarios you may find in other crime series (usually from the US) aren't needed. His characters aren't perfect, and all have their flaws but ultimately Banks has a pretty solid team of detectives all of whom are likeable and very easy to root for. I particularly like Annie Cabbot. Alongside that of course is the continuation of their personal lives, Banks in particular and his latest love interest. There's also a very funny comment from DCI Banks regarding ITV3.As each of the events unfold the police and indeed the reader attempt to draw conclusions or guess what's going on from the information we are given, but this is a very complicated plot and I soon learnt not to trust anybody. There are many different pieces that the police are trying to put together in their hunt for the missing men and the truth behind some very shady circumstances. This is 'real' crime fiction. What we have here is a story that could easily happen in real life. Despite the slow start the book really goes up a notch towards the end as it nears towards an absolutely brilliant finish. A very solid instalment from Peter Robinson and a sure sign that the DCI Banks series has plenty of life left in it yet.

A stolen tractor, blood in an abandoned hanger, and now dead bodies and missing suspects.Th​is particular investigation went from looking for a stolen tractor to murder and covert activities. IN THE DARK PLACES was quite a good mystery with terrific characters. ​ I enjoyed the camaraderie among the investigators. The victims and their families were likable​, and the storyline made me not want to put the book down.The tangled series of events made for ​an excellent, gripping read with clues that turned the investigation into other directions and into more than what the investigators first started out with.IN THE DARK PLACES kept me guessing until the end. Mr. Robinson knows how to create drama that takes the reader to a different level and then wraps it all up with an ah ha at the end.This is my first book by Mr. Robinson, and I thoroughly enjoyed IN THE DARK PLACES. I would recommend IN THE DARK PLACES to any reader who likes to figure out the mystery but rarely does. :) 4/5This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review.

Basically read this almost entirely in one sitting on a 5 hour flight from Maui to Los Angeles with old equipment that had no access to personal electronic media.After the somewhat disappointing CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION Peter Robinson returns to very strong form with ABATTOIR BLUES (American title IN THE DARK PLACES).Robinson really spreads the attention of the focus of the book on multiple protagonists with DI Annie Cabott, DS Winsome (my personal favorite) and DCs Masterson and Wilson all getting their own chances to carry the action. He really spends a lot more time letting the reader get to know more of the team than just DCI Banks.This is definitely "an Inspector Banks novel" and a suspenseful and thrilling one at that. Although by the end it was very clear who the culprit(s) were Robinson definitely managed to maintain the tension and my attention (often with bated breath) until the very last page.4.5 STARS!

Tempo. Just as it can make or break a musical composition, proper use of tempo can transform a novel from good to great. In the Dark Places, Peter Robinson's 22nd installment featuring DCI Alan Banks, is a masterful example of tempo used to gradually move a story along in a perfect, ever increasing rush to the finish. From it's languid beginning through a moderately paced mid-section, to a lovely rushing wave of a finish, what seems to be rather mundane investigations in "rural" England gradually build and coalesce into a complex mystery. DCI Banks, a richly drawn character, spearheads his team of equally well drawn characters (each of whom is revealed in just right amounts throughout the book) towards unraveling the mystery.Twists, turns, suspense, humor, and the perfectly placed tidbits of Bank's culinary, musical, and alcohol preferences makes In the Dark Places a delightful read. After a few of these, the reader might just feel as though Banks and his investigative squad are a group of old friends-- so settle in, have a cuppa, or perhaps a pint, and spend time with this delightful book.

The theft of a tractor is not the most gripping start to a crime novel. Even DCI Banks is not that excited by this seemingly dull piece of rural crime. However, things soon escalate & Peter Robinson provides the reader with another fine novel. Alan Banks takes a bit of a back seat throughout a lot of the first half of the story, but his regular colleagues keep the story moving.In Abattoir Blues Peter Robinson creates some marvellous characters & some of them were so real I sometimes forgot about the crime story as I was drawn into their lives so much.My only criticism of the book was Robinson's surprising use over a well worn cliche from endless crime books/films/TV series: a character goes out alone, with no back up, to investigate a lead & ends up confronted by the villain. That aside, it's another fine addition to the DCI Banks novels & I look forward, as always, to the next one.

For me, Peter Robinson is one of authors that can't write a bad book. I've enjoyed the few stand alones that he's written, but the Inspector Banks series is my favourite. Abattoir Blues is the newly released 22nd entry. The new Commissioner has made rural crime a priority, so Banks's team is investigating, although the crimes seem a bit pedestrian for them - a stolen tractor and a break in at a seemingly abandoned airplane hangar. But when human blood stains are found on the hangar floor, the case takes a more serious turn. And when ties between the stolen tractor and the hangar are found...... Although Banks is on the case, he takes a bit of a backseat in this outing, with team member DS Winsome Jackman taking the lead. Winsome is a character I've always enjoyed and it was great to have her take a bigger investigative role, as well as getting to know her a bit better personally. DS Annie Cabbot also has a louder voice in this book. I'm very glad she's still around, even though the relationship between her and Banks has ended. I enjoy her prickly observations of life. We still get a look at Banks's personal life - I have to say that I don't see his latest relationship lasting. He seems to be pondering his future in this book - wondering what it holds for him. I always enjoy Banks's musical choices and have often gone and looked them up to listen myself. This is what I enjoy so much about Robinson's books - the characters change and develop with every book. I've feel I've come to know them and sitting down with the latest is like catching up with old friends. Old friends with some rather disturbing stories. In addition to the great personal development of his characters, Robinson always crafts a great mystery. I wondered how these two diverse cases were going to be woven together. Gentle readers may be disturbed by the descriptions of what happens in an abattoir (slaughterhouse). But it provided a suitably gruesome setting for this latest crime outing. Abattoir Blues was another great read for me - can't wait for the next in the series!

This Robinson/Banks detective mystery is an excellent example of what a first rate crime thriller should be.With a superbly defined cast of characters, an exciting and credible storyline with enough twists and turns to continually surprise the reader and keep one on the edge of their seat. This is one of Peter Robinson's best in his series featuring DCI Alan Banks and his diverse team of detectives covering the North Yorkshire countryside.This finely written novel kept me intrigued throughout and is a real page turner, my fifth Robinson with many more on the shelf. Look forward to catching up on more Banks and his crew sooner than later.N.B. The original U.K. title 'Abattoir Blues' suggests some grisly descriptions which may disturb some animal lovers but fortunately not gross enough to detract from the pleasure of this excellent suspense novel.

An intriguing mystery for Inspector Banks and his team: a tractor is stolen, two young men are missing, and a dead body is found in the back of a truck that slid off a steep hillside. Is it possible all these incidents are connected? The mystery starts slow but picks up speed as the detectives follow each of the disparate threads towards their surprising conclusion. Thanks to Goodreads and HarperCollins for sending me an advanced reading copy.

Peter Robinson is fast becoming a favorite of mine and Alan Banks and his team are becoming welcome friends.Abattoir Blues is the latest DCI Banks novel and as usual takes place in Yorkshire. The novel starts around what seems initially a fairly mundane crime- the theft of a tractor - but escalates into something more bloody with plenty of twists and turns.

This is an Inspector Banks novel. I haven't read any of the others in the series but I know there is a TV series based on it. It's a police procedural, very well written with engaging characters and an intricate plot.

A good read as always with Peter Robinson, I must say parts were harder to read from an animal lovers perspective. Good suspense and interesting twists.