Watching the Dark cover art

Watching the Dark

The 20th DCI Banks novel from The Master of the Police Procedural

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Watching the Dark

By: Peter Robinson
Narrated by: Simon Slater
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About this listen

Banks is back - and this time he's investigating the murder of one of his own. Detective Inspector Bill Reid is killed by a crossbow in the tranquil grounds of a police rehabilitation centre, and compromising photos are found in his room. DCI Banks, brought in to investigate, is assailed on all sides.

By Joanna Passero, the Professional Standards inspector who insists on shadowing the investigation in case of police corruption. By his own conviction that a policeman shouldn't be deemed guilty without evidence. By Annie Cabbot, back at work after six months' recuperation, and beset by her own doubts and demons. And by an English girl who disappeared in Estonia six years ago, who seems to hold the secret at the heart of this case.

©2012 Peter Robinson (P)2012 Hodder & Stoughton Modern Detectives Mystery Banking Suspense Fiction Crime

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Critic reviews

"Brilliant! . . . Gut-wrenching plotting, alongside heart-wrenching portraits of the characters who populate his world, not to mention the top-notch police procedure.' Jeffery Deaver 'Classic Robinson: a labyrinthine plot merged with deft characterisation." ( Observer)
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I enjoy this series and the plot of this book kept me involved and interested throughout. An interesting plot.

A very enjoyable read

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What did you like most about Watching the Dark?

Interesting enough story, though at times it seemed a bit padded.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I have earlier Banks audio books, read by Neil Pearson, so maybe I'm a bit biased as to how Banks is presented, and did not really enjoy this narrator, who had an unusual take on accents.

intresting enough

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As a massive fan of hard copy Inspector Banks series and as a massive fan of audio books, I thought I would combine the two and give the audio version a go. Listened to the sample and didn't think Simon Slater too bad (but who on earth thought to cast Stephen Tomkinson as DCI Banks on TV should be shot - is it me or is the character we all know and love anything like Stephen Tomkinson plays him???? Hrrumph...) Anyway I digress. Simon Slater as Banks was ok, I got used to it, but why on earth did he have to do a very bad Jamacian accent for Winsome????? Yes we know she's black, but this is very poor stereotyping on whoever suggested her character should be portrayed like that, unless I've missed something in previous books, and if so I apologise. The Estonian accents also get a bit wearing more like a bad transylvanian vampire low on blood. Exceptions apart it is a good listen, not my favourite of the series, but good all the same and would recommend it for any fan. I really wish the end had been a bit more fanciful though just for a feel good aspect once in a while. Never mind.

Inspector Banks! Hoorah!

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Slow start but the story line got better as the characters developed. Will probably read another in the series.

Took a while

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Just finished this book. Really like Peter Robinson's Alan Banks Good gripping storyline and held my interest to the end. Look forward to next instalment

Really enjoyable

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Another great story and case of DI Banks. I like that in Book 20 DI Banks has developed a sense of humour! Unlike some of the reviewers, I actually much prefer the narration of Simon Slater, who has become the Banks voice for me since book 1. I even deliberately skipped the books with a different narrator. I think he is rather good with accents all in all and he has covered many accents throughout the series. The case is interesting as always.

Another great story

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best DCI banks I've read s far. wonderfully performed. atmospheric. plot amazing and satisfactory conclusion

brilliant from start to finish in every way

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What did you like best about Watching the Dark? What did you like least?

Unfortunately there was nothing I really liked. It was a tedious story which failed to draw me in and I found the narrator annoying.

What was most disappointing about Peter Robinson’s story?

The narrator

Would you be willing to try another one of Simon Slater’s performances?

Probably not

If this book were a film would you go see it?

No

Disappointing

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the reader has tried to use different accents for various characters but these are not convincing. Found myself wincing at the accents at some points instead of listening to the story,

Watching the Dark

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Great story, interesting characters, very innovative and believable. A breath of fresh air. Well read and very engaging.

Loved it.

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