Before I get to my review of the 23rd DCI Banks novel, When The Music’s Over, I am thrilled to be able to share a short Q&A with Peter Robinson. I wanted to get a sense of the history of Alan Banks, it’s been a few years since I first picked up book 1 (Gallows View).

From Gallows View to When the Music’s Over

When the Music’s Over is the 23^rd Banks Novel how do you feel looking back over the Banks Legacy?

It’s hard to believe there are 23, but I feel pretty good about it. Looking back at Gallows View and then at my more recent titles, I think both Banks and I have come a long way, and it has been interesting journey. I hope it continues that way.

What changes have you noticed through the years, how does publishing book 23 compare to that first publication day?

Too many changes to list. When I started out in 1987, I remained relatively unknown for many years, and then I became known a bit more but was mostly neglected for a few more years. It was only In a Dry Season, my 10^th Banks novel, that brought me to wider attention, and things have got even better since then. As for Banks, he has aged well, been through divorce, children leaving home, the death of his brother, and he now lives a more isolated life and is perhaps more philosophical and melancholy than he was when he was younger. He still enjoys wine, women and song, though!

How does the passage of time in the books compare to the real world?

It’s complicated. Basically, time passes more slowly in the fictional world. Although I publish a book a year, more or less, the cases Banks investigates are never a year apart, so less time has passed for him. On the other hand, the contemporary references, such as music and world events, are of the time when I’m writing the book, so there’s a sense of anachronism there. I try to get around that by not mentioning dates. So Banks remains younger than me, but inhabits the same time period as me. I told you it was complicated. I try not to worry about it too much.

WHEN THE MUSIC’S OVER

In a remote countryside lane in North Yorkshire, the body of a young girl is found, bruised and beaten, having apparently been thrown from a moving vehicle.

While DI Annie Cabbot investigates the circumstances in which a 14-year-old could possibly fall victim to such a crime, newly promoted Detective Superintendent Alan Banks is faced with a similar task – but the case Banks must investigate is as cold as they come.

Fifty years ago Linda Palmer was attacked by celebrity entertainer Danny Caxton, yet no investigation ever took place. Now Caxton stands accused at the centre of a historical abuse investigation and it’s Banks’s first task as superintendent to find out the truth.

While Annie struggles with a controversial case threatening to cause uproar in the local community, Banks must piece together decades-old evidence, and as each steps closer to uncovering the truth, they’ll unearth secrets much darker than they ever could have guessed . . .

A huge thank you to Kerry at Hodder for my review copy of When The Music’s Over

I have been reading Peter Robinson’s Alan Banks books for more years than I initially realised.  I remember meeting Mr Robinson at a signing event in Glasgow.  It was hosted in Ottakers bookshop and I got my talking book signed (on cassette). Gosh things have changed.

What has not changed, however, is the enjoyment I get when I return to Yorkshire with Banks and Annie Cabbot. I have loved following how the characters have evolved, the stories they get caught up in and the hours of reading pleasure that Peter Robinson has given me. In fact, Aftermath remains one of the best police procedurals I have read.

When The Music’s Over is the 23rd book in the series and takes on one of the more uncomfortable topics to read about.  Banks is asked to investigate a (very) cold case – an allegation of sexual offences made by a national tv celebrity many years ago.  Although the accused is now in his advanced years he still maintains a degree of celeb status and Banks is under no illusion that pursing an investigation so many years after the incident will be a challenge.

Sadly recent years have shown that investigations of this nature are all too real. It was actually quite fascinating seeing the investigation unfold as I have never given too much consideration towards how crimes of this nature could be investigated.

The scenes where Banks conducts his interviews of the victim and also the alleged perpetrator were quite unsettling at times. They were well handled by the author and I felt my anger rise as events (fictional but all too believable) were laid bare for Banks to consider.

Elsewhere Annie Cabbot is investigating the murder of a young girl. Her body has been found on a remote road, seemingly beaten and thrown from a moving vehicle.  Annie has to identify the victim with virtually no clues to work with. However, as her investigations proceed we find that Annie risks stirring up deep rooted tensions within the local community – diplomacy skills may not be sufficient to quell an angry mob if Annie doesn’t tread carefully.

I was delighted how quickly I fell back into step with Banks and his team. The familiarity of the characters and the story telling skill of Peter Robinson made this an enjoyable read. It is always a disappointment when the book is finished and I know there will be another 12 months before the next.

When The Music’s Over is one of the more memorable DCI Banks stories and one which fans will surely love.

When The Music’s Over is published by Hodder & Stoughton on 14 July 2016 – you can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Musics-Over-Banks-Mystery/dp/1444786717/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468277880&sr=1-1&keywords=when+the+music%27s+over