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Sleeping in the Ground Audiobook Summary

Michael Connelly calls Peter Robinson “an author with amazing empathy, a snare-trap ear for dialogue, and a clear eye for the telling detail.”

See why in Sleeping in the Ground, the gripping new novel starring Alan Banks — featuring an opening scene you’ll never forget, and a finale you won’t see coming.

At the doors of a charming country church, an unspeakable act destroys a wedding party. A huge manhunt ensues. The culprit is captured. The story is over.

Except it isn’t. For Alan Banks, still struggling with a tragic loss of his own, there’s something wrong about this case — something unresolved. Reteaming with profiler Jenny Fuller, the relentless detective deeper into the crime… deep enough to unearth long-buried secrets that reshape everything Banks thought he knew about the events outside that chapel.

And when at last the shocking truth becomes clear, it’s almost too late.

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Sleeping in the Ground Audiobook Narrator

James Langton is the narrator of Sleeping in the Ground audiobook that was written by Peter Robinson

One of the world’s most popular and acclaimed writers, Peter Robinson is the best-selling, award-winning author of the DCI Banks series; he has also written two short-story collections and three stand-alone novels, which combined have sold more than ten million copies around the world. Among his many honors and prizes are the Edgar Award, the CWA (UK) Dagger in the Library Award, and the Swedish Crime Writers’ Academy Martin Beck Award.

About the Author(s) of Sleeping in the Ground

Peter Robinson is the author of Sleeping in the Ground

Sleeping in the Ground Full Details

Narrator James Langton
Length 10 hours 59 minutes
Author Peter Robinson
Category
Publisher HarperAudio
Release date August 15, 2017
ISBN 9780062682192

Subjects

The publisher of the Sleeping in the Ground is HarperAudio. includes the following subjects: The BISAC Subject Code is Fiction, General, Mystery & Detective

Additional info

The publisher of the Sleeping in the Ground is HarperAudio. The imprint is HarperAudio. It is supplied by HarperAudio. The ISBN-13 is 9780062682192.

Global Availability

This book is only available in the United States.

Goodreads Reviews

James

February 11, 2019

This is the twenty-fourth entry in Peter Robinson's series featuring Inspector Alan Banks a member of the police department in the fictional town of Eastvale in the north of England. Through the years, Banks has risen through the ranks and is now a Detective Superintendent, overseeing a group of detectives. As the book opens, Banks is at a funeral. It's a particularly difficult one for him, since the woman who has died was the first girl he ever loved. While they were still in college, she broke up with him, refusing to explain why, and he had not seen or heard from her in over forty years. But as is so often the case with your first real love, Banks has never forgotten her and is deeply saddened by her death.Banks had turned his cell phone off for the funeral and in his melancholy, forgets to turn it on until he leaves the train after arriving back home. When he turns it back on, the phone explodes with texts and voicemail messages demanding his urgent attention. A sniper has opened fire on a wedding party leaving a church in a small village near Eastvale. Seven or eight victims are down and the gunman who fired from a hillside overlooking the entrance to the church has escaped. In the confusion, only one person even caught a fleeting glimpse of him.Banks arrives on the scene to find total chaos. Four people will ultimately die of their wounds, including the bride and the groom. One of Banks's detective who was in the party has suffered a minor wound but will recover. Banks now takes charge of an investigation that will naturally unfold under intense media pressure. Many questions need to be answered: Was this a terrorist attack? Did the gunman have an intended target or targets, or was he just firing randomly into the wedding party? Why did he select this particular wedding party?Inevitably, this will be a very broad investigation which must look into the background of all of the victims in an effort to determine if any of them had an enemy who might have attacked them. Banks will be reunited with Jenny Fuller, a profiler from an earlier case, who will join the investigation in and effort to point them in the direction of the sort of person who might have committed such an horrendous crime. Throughout the book, he will continue to be haunted by the death of the woman he had loved.As with any long-running series, the cast of characters is now fully familiar and it's fun to see them all back again interacting with each other. The case is an interesting one and it takes some unexpected twist and turns. The police work is solid, and the story proceeds at exactly the right pace before ending with a great climax. Another solid addition to the series.

Brooke — brooklynnnnereads

October 25, 2017

This novel was an amazing surprise!Upon receiving this novel, I was very hesitant about reading it not knowing how I would feel reading the twenty-fourth book in a series. I thought I would be lost with no idea about what was going on within the story or the characters. Man, I'm happy I was wrong on that account. Yes, reading the previous novels in this series probably would help in understanding the characters more and their backgrounds along with previous crimes; however, it was not a necessity. This book was also amazing as a standalone. For those who love shows similar to CSI, Criminal Minds, Chicago PD, etc: this book is for you! While reading, I felt like I was reading an episode that was being acted out in my head except with a book you get way more detail. It was awesome! As much as there is a main character of Alan Banks, he's not the only main character. There is a team within his department that also could be considered as main characters (they were to me at least). I really liked this unique aspect to the novel where it didn't feel like it was a sole person's responsibility to solve a crime and instead was more realistic including a network of people. As for the story, it was extremely well done, definitely one of my favourite murder mysteries of this year (if not one of my favourites ever). It caught my attention from the beginning and I didn't once get bored. I was enthralled in the story and I wasn't able to predict the suspect.....at all. I was able to predict it at one point in the story but that was essentially when it was confirmed. That's a rarity for me. Typically, I'm able to predict the murderer and then I spend the rest of the novel waiting to see how that suspect is discovered. I hinted at this above but I also really loved the detail of this novel. Although it's a fictional story, it felt well researched. There was scientific and forensic techniques mentioned that added immensely to the story. It made the story one thousand times more realistic than the average murder mystery novel that doesn't reference any of the actual science behind a murder and how it's necessary for evidence. This book was amazing! Very happy to have read it and I hope to read more from Peter Robinson in the future!***Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for sending me a physical copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

Carol - Reading Writing and Riesling

July 30, 2017

My View:I applaud Peter Robinson on his opening chapter - he has managed to put humanness, individuals, people… back into the narrative of mass murders, thrill/spree killings. Too often we view the landscape with the lens of a camera – we “see” reporting’s, documenting of such real life atrocities without emotion, as if the deaths and maiming are without consequence, without pain or effect on others. “If the incident was a scene in a film, it would have looked beautiful. The violence would have taken place in elegantly choreographed silence and slow motion…but the way Terry Gilchrist saw it – and he was there –it was as swift as it was brutal…a crack…a dull thud, then a patch of blood spread over the bride’s chest. Her body arched… blood soaked white chiffon and lace, her mouth open, the scream forever struck in her throat…it was all finished in less than a minute. One of the fallen guests was moaning with pain. Nearby, a bridesmaid sat propped up against a gravestone crying, her hands pressed to her bloody midriff where something wet and shiny rested in her lap…” chapter 1The introduction is bloody, brutal and honest. You cannot help but be affected by the sufferings here. Consequences are felt. But don’t be put off by the graphic violence in this chapter – it serves it purpose well – it reminds us that people are suffering, it connects the reader with the brutal event and the survivors and the first chapter is the only truly gruesome scene in the book. We read on to discover the motivation of the villain, we discover the long reaching effects of the crime, the effects on those attending the wedding - injured or not and the effects on those who have to deal with these types of situations – the medics, doctors, police… It is a shocking reminder that these type of events happen to real people, not to two dimensional characters on a screen. Further the plot is nuanced with Banks’s personal experience of death and mourning (of a once close friend) as he reflects on life, death and love. Consequences of actions/reactions to events in the past are also explored in a meaningful way. This is a multi-layered narrative. This is the twenty-fourth book in the DCI Banks series but it can easily be read as a standalone. The events that explode on the opening pages are familiar to all, the unravelling of the crime is an engaging and compelling reading.

MadProfessah

December 08, 2017

I have read every DCI Alan Banks and they are now very familiar and comfortable reading experiences. It's not like the books have become interchangeable or stagnant, but there are features which tend to reappear. For example the books are all set in Northern England, in and around Eastvale a small town in Yorkshire. They feature Alan Banks, a smart, music-loving, working-class bloke who became a policeman for no apparent reason and has advanced up the ranks to his current title of Detective Superintendent.The supporting characters in the books have evolved (and grown more prominent) in the more recent books, with Robinson adding DI Annie Cabot, Chief Superintendent Catherine Gervaise and DC Geraldine "Gerry" Masterson to balance out the central role Banks plays. Sadly, in SLEEPING IN THE GROUND, my favorite supporting character , DS Winsome Jackson hardly appears (for reasons I won't divulge here).The mystery at the center of this entry in the long running Banks series is both more and less interesting than usual. There's a horrific mass shooting (at a wedding, no less) to begin the book and when a body of a man with his fingerprints matching a weapon that fired the bullets at the scene is found with a self-inflicted fatal wound it appears as if the mystery is over before it has begun. But of course there are developments which lead to a reopening of this apparent open-and-shut case....In addition to the main mystery we get a lot more internal dialogue from Banks as he ponders his romantic future and past. A blast from the past, the lovely psychological profiler Jenny Fuller who appeared in some of the very early (like books 8-11) Banks books, has returned to Eastvale and she ends up working with the police to try and identify and understand the mind of a person who can shoot a dozen shots into a wedding (killing both bride and groom). In addition to Banks we also follow Annie's thoughts for awhile. Even more importantly we also get the POV of Gerrie, who is the most junior member of the team but who eventually makes the most important breakthroughs leading to the eventual denouement and resolution of the case at hand.Overall, SLEEPING IN THE GROUND is a better than average entry into the British police procedural oeuvre, and for longtime Robinson readers like myself, an enjoyable and familiar diversion.3.5 STARS.

Christine

August 02, 2017

Although I have not followed DCI Banks religiously from the start, I am pretty fond of him. I decided to read Sleeping in the Ground for Yorkshire Day. Sleeping in the Ground is the twenty fourth book from Peter Robinson. Impressive! Yorkshire Day is celebrated on 1st August every year.It all starts with a wedding and a funeral. A sniper has taken out people at a wedding. Blood shed. Murder. A red wedding. A rampage killer is at large, in a gorgeous Yorkshire Dales setting. Banks and Annie, his long term side kick, are drafted in to solve this unusual case. It appears to be an open and shut case. On a personal level, Banks is mourning the death of his first love. This causes him much reflection.Robinson shows that he is top of his game with Sleeping in the Ground. He describes a truly terrible event, with such expertise and humanity. We get a real sense of the slaughter at the wedding, as the guests are shot or dying. It is carnage. There is no sense of the author exploiting this. I was moved and chilled to the bone.I like Banks. Although he is a bit of a misery guts and far too introspective. His love of poetry is quirky and slightly irritating. No one really likes poetry do they? He is probably a little bit too posh for me. He is a top detective, with decent instincts. I also love his team. Jenny Fuller is back from Australia and working as a profiler on the case. They have a past. I wanted to shout at Banks. Stop over thinking. Just get together with Jenny. Do it! I am sure men do not over think like that.Another top crime tale for Banks and co in beautiful Yorkshire. I must admit that I am glad I never stopped reading this series. It is stellar!

Luanne

October 24, 2017

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks series is one of my hands down favourites. Sleeping in the Ground is the 24th entry.I have such a delicious sense of anticipation when I open the cover of the latest Banks. I had no idea what the plot was about, but knew I would be in for another great read. I wanted to catch up with characters I've come to know and appreciate. What has gone on in their lives? Robinson keeps them moving forward in real time with each new entry.Sleeping in the Ground opens with a wedding - and a funeral. A unknown gunman opens fire on a countryside wedding, killing and wounding many. Banks is away attending the memorial service of his first love from forty years ago, when he is called to the scene. He's become quite introspective with her passing, looking at his own life and decisions. But, it seems to be manifesting itself in anger and short tempered outbursts - quite unlike the usually composed Banks.The killer is identified early on in the book and I wondered where the book could go from there, as there were still many pages remaining. Banks has some niggling doubts though and continues to investigate even as the case is declared solved. Robinson's plot was inventive and completely unpredictable. I truly enjoy being surprised by a mystery as I read so many.Robinson excels at both plotting and characterizations. As I mentioned earlier, I read this series as much for the mystery as for those who populate the pages. Familiar supporting players are back, including one from Banks' past. The settings and descriptions have me yearning to sit in a pub with a packet of crisps, catching up on the latest.As always, I enjoy Bank's music selections. I've often put the book down to look up and listen to a song that is playing in the book, curious as to how and why it fits that particular scene or moment. Banks is also into poetry now and those references are also well suited.Robinson's prose are effortless and so very engaging. Sleeping in the Ground is a stellar entry in this series - and I will be eagerly awaiting number twenty five.

Alan

September 27, 2018

Another great novel I have to admit I came late to this series. I only started about 4 or 5 years ago, I have managed to read in order with some mammoth binge sessions, to catch up on. This one easily lives up to the standard of the previous 23. That is one hell of an achievement to hit the mark every time. It was unusual to have chapters over 6-10 pages long, I think some were over 30, which is very unusual nowadays. But it works, there is a lot of detail, but not too much. The author obviously knows and loves the setting.Some new characters and a few old ones reappearing in this, can't wait to read book 25 to see what will happen next.

Ron

May 08, 2018

If you want to know how the British police organize, investigate and capture criminals this is the book to read - - It is amazingly thorough - you are part of the team that Detective Superintendent Banks leads in the search for a spree killer. You will work alongside Banks and his subordinates as they try and solve a very tough case. A sniper shoots and kills a number of participants in a wedding party - the hunt is on and everyone in Banks' team is leading the charge - this is a painful case and everyone wants it solved - now. An excellent addition to the "Inspector Banks" books.

Patty

June 30, 2017

Sleeping In The GroundByPeter RobinsonWhat it's all about...It's a beautiful day for a wedding. But suddenly shots are fired and both wedding party members as well as guests are left dead and bleeding. It takes the police as well as emergency vehicles longer than normal to get to the dying, bleeding and wounded. By the time they do...the shooter is gone...there is no sign of him anywhere. Inspector Banks...on his way home from a funeral...ends up at the crime scene where there is confusion as well as chaos. No one has seen any sign of the shooter except perhaps a youth staying at a hostel. But a conversation with him leads Inspector Banks and his team no where. Why I wanted to read it...I love these books and I think I have read almost all of them. They are filled with mystery, tea, fried breakfasts, meaty pies and complexities. What made me truly enjoy this book...I love the character of Inspector Banks. I truly enjoy the way these books are written. I love watching the mystery unfold. It's just a perfect book to snuggle up with on any kind of a day...beachy, rainy, snowy! Why you should read it, too...Readers who love intense yet British mysteries should truly enjoy this book just as much as I did.

Bill

January 28, 2020

Sleeping in the Ground is the 24th novel featuring detective Alan Banks. Even after all this time Peter Robinson shows no sign of staleness & opens the book with a mass killing at a wedding. Robinson writes a gripping narrative as is, for me, one of the finest authors of police procedurals around. Sleeping in the Ground also throws up some new insights into the past life of Alan Banks. Even Banks find out a few things he never knew about his past. However, the detective's personal life never overshadows the main plot but works nicely alongside it.Another fine novel in the series.

Kathy

October 15, 2017

After 24 books I still care about Inspector Banks. I'm glad other characters I have liked in the series are still alive vs the televised version of Banks and his team. I enjoy both for different reasons. This book opens with a shocking mass killing of members of a wedding party post ceremony. The investigation becomes focused on events decades old as Banks in his personal life also visits the past.

Carol

September 17, 2017

Sleeping in the Ground by Peter Robinson is a very difficult book for me to rate. This is book number 24 in the series and it is the first time that I have read any of the author's books. Because I haven't read the previous books, I got a little bit lost with the characters. But I found Inspector Banks very interesting. He had attended a funeral of his first love of many years ago and that jarred him. The relationship had been broken off suddenly but he never knew why. Even though he married later on, this was his one true love. So there is sadness hanging over him. He had a great love of music, and I enjoyed reading about his choices. He recognized music as a great healer and comforter in his life. At the time that Inspector Banks was attending the funeral, a sniper invaded a wedding party and there were vivid scenes of the bride, the groom, bridesmaids being shot plus others at the wedding who were injured. When the clues were put together, the police were very happy because they thought that they had found the sniper. A retired dentist was found with a fatal bullet through his mouth plus clippings with underlined words in red. I did not buy it. Was the dentist the sniper?I really loved rich characterizations of the Inspector and the other main characters in this book. I just wish that I had started with the first installment.I received a finished copy of this book from the publisher as a win from FirstReads but that in no way made a difference in my thoughts or feelings in this review.

Sharon

July 31, 2017

I won this free book from Goodreads First Reads.A wedding was about to begin; gun shots into the wedding party and family changed a wonderful day into a murderous mayhem.Who had such revenge to kill so many?After unraveling a mystery they found the killer hiding in plain sight.

Jeff

November 13, 2018

Good entry into the always interesting DCI Banks series. This one starts with a mass murder at a church and ends in a rainstorm/flood. In-between we get a good look into the life of a beginning to age inspector who looks back on his life, sometimes confused, sometimes contented. I would read this series from the beginning because the character is constantly evolving. Highly recommended.

Bruce

September 12, 2018

At a minor celebrity wedding in a remote country church a gunman opens fire from a distant hill. Within a minute three are dead (including the bride) and seven more injured. This is the devastating opening scene of the novel. Yet, rather than pile on the shock/horror tactics, Peter Robinson slowly walks us through the scene as it happens. A fine example of how effective understatement can be and of a master of the genre at the top of his game.Whilst this is happening, Detective Superintendent Alan Banks is returning home from the funeral of his first serious girlfriend, whom he hadn’t seen for over thirty years. The themes of loss and how seemingly insignificant events from the distant past can dramatically effect the present run like a leitmotif throughout the novel; both in Banks’s personal life and the main crime.Although it looks as though the culprit is soon discovered; a local gun enthusiast who commits suicide after the massacre; forensics soon unearths some anomalies and Banks and his team realise the solution is far more complex than first thought.Their investigations culminate in a thrilling scene by a rain-swollen river featuring the intrepid DC Gerry Masterson. In all, another worthy addition to this long running highly recommended canon.

Debbie

February 17, 2019

I am trying to read through the Alan Banks series, and I find the Peter Robinson’s writing skills have improved. I love the discourse into music and would love a guide to all Alan Banks’ music. I would enjoy listening and seeing if the music moves me as Peter Robinson suggests. Peter Robinson does a wonderful job with characters and setting. I feel the scenery and the emotions of the characters. My biggest criticism is that every woman falls for Alan. In this book, we learn about Alan’s first love and her current death from cancer. Many other women, both young and old, swarm about Alan in hopes of winning his attention. I feel that Peter Robinson misses a little on human nature with all relationships being warm and fuzzy.

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