Review: When the Music's Over: An Inspector Banks Novel

When the Music's Over: An Inspector Banks Novel by Peter Robinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: WHEN THE MUSIC'S OVER: AN INSPECTOR BANKS NOVEL by Peter Robinson

I was very tardy discovering the mysteries/police procedural of Peter Robinson. I read ABBATOIR BLUES in July 2015, and immediately realized this is a series I want to consume. WHEN THE MUSIC'S OVER is his newest (releasing August 9).

Wow. Mr. Robinson is unafraid to tackle serious topics, in-depth, and here the locus is the British police drive to identify and prosecute "historic sexual abuse," offenses against minors dating back to the 1960's, possibly earlier. The villain is a former long-time celebrity, in similar status to several real-life celebrities successfully prosecuted in Britain.

A second focus revolves on the assimilation in Britain of descendants of immigrants, and the unfortunately all too prevalent bigotry [on both sides], not found in all cases but still too frequent.

A third focus is the ugly practice of "grooming," which in the US is a familiar urban failing. In Britain, the practice seems to often consist of older males targeting minor females, the more vulnerable or those feeling bullied, or abandoned by family. Providing attention and gifts, the victims are tenderized emotionally and psychologically. Next follows the violence and pimping.

Mr. Robinson presents several strongly-developed.characters, victims, police, villains. Inspector Banks, delightful as he is, is not left to carry the story on his own. Several strong female characters also propel the plot and lend depth and richness.

18+

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