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Betty B. (Irving, TX)
A great addition to this series
Bad Boy is Peter Robinson's 19th book in his series about Yorkshire's Inspector Banks. Fans of this series will not be disappointed in
Bad Boy, which begins with Banks vacationing in Arizona and California, trying to put his life -- his job and his relationships--in better perspective. When he returns, jet-lagged, he is immediately thrown into a case involving his former partner and sometime lover, Annie Cabot, who has been shot and is in critical condition. To complicate matters more, he learns his daughter is somehow involved and is missing. Banks jumps in to find the man who shot Annie and to bring his
…more daughter safely home. I've read most of the books in this series and enjoyed meeting the characters once again. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy British police procedurals...this series is one of the best. I think the book also works well as a stand-alone, but the reader would miss the rich background that has been established in the earlier books. (less)
Ray P. (Selden, NY)
"Bad Boy" delivers!
As one character is quoted in the latest effort by British mystery writer, Peter Robinson: "A bad boy is unreliable, and sometimes he doesn't show up at all, or if he does, he's late and moody; he acts mean to you, and he leaves early. He always seems to have another iron in the fire, somewhere else to be." That's putting it mildly!
With his latest effort, "Bad Boy", Peter Robinson continues the outstanding Inspector Alan Banks series with a tense thriller that may be the most personal yet for D.I. Banks. The 'bad boy' in question has shot and seriously wounded a cop (Bank's oft partner) and is on the lam with
…more Banks' daughter, Tracy, as hostage. What lengths will Banks go to and what allegiances need to be made to secure an acceptable end to this nightmare.
This novel, as with all of Robinson's work, if fast-paced and intense and never seems to let up. What I enjoy most about the Banks novels is how he continues to expand my appreciation of music as D.I. Banks possesses one of the most eclectic CD collections of any fictional character in modern literature and always keeps me abreast of the latest and greatest on the music scene. Well done! (less)Although some background knowledge about the main character Inspector Banks and also about the way the British police operate (which might explain the way the gun was handled in the beginning) would be helpful, this new installment in this series is still a well-written and fast paced story. It falls slightly more into the thriller category than actual mystery, though, with the "chase" element. The development of both Banks and his daughter Tracy does add to the depth of the book. I would recommend it.
Donna Sue D. (EATON, OHIO)
BAD BOY
I did enjoy this book. It was a little hard for me to follow some slang or abbreviations since it took place in England. It would make for an exciting movie!
Norman G. (Diamond Bar,
Excellent story hero missing
I always enjoy books by Peter Robinson and this one was no exception. The storyline held my interest and the minor characters were well drawn. However, the series lead, Alan Banks, came across as fairly insufferable as did the British system of justice. Issues were overly black and white and made American law enforcement seem idyllic. Plot excellent but main characters missing emotional connection (for me).
Cynthia B. (Puyallup, WA)
Bad Boy
This story ramps up the action nicely with clearly defined heroes and villains. Interesting contrast between American gun laws vs. British as well as the criminal investigation process. For new readers to Peter Robinson, "Bad Boy" may not be the best place to start as there are many references to DCI Banks' previous adventures however, this latest installment is a captivating thrill ride and will certainly whet your appetite for more.
Kristina G. (Aiken, SC)
Bad Boy - detective story
"Bad Boy" is a well-written, fast-paced, fun read. The premise (a virtual SWAT team going to retrieve a gun from the home of people who knew the gun was to be given up, and were expecting the police) which starts the ball rolling, as well as a couple of other things which don't effect the story line (ie. a police officer being punished for shooting a serial murderer), will be difficult for American readers to identify with. Once into the story however, the plot thickens and the twists and turns are enough to keep any reader of detective novels satisfied.
Becky M. (Crumpler, NC)
Personalities over Plot
How can I get across that this was a good novel, but not great; that I like the direction Robinson is going with his characters, but I'm not invested in them; that I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot, but it wasn't hard to put the book down for several days at a time? Robinson is leading us away from Alan Banks--but maybe that's not so bad. Daughter Tracy and ex-lover/partner Annie are intriguing characters, and in their own way, add texture and dimension to Banks. I DID enjoy the complicated nature of Banks's relationship with Tracy and the emerging revived affection for Annie. Do you get the gist--that
…more what appealed to me most were the personalities, not the story? I won't downplay the drama of the chase, the unique approach of the UK to gun control, and the surprise of the final showdown. But Robinson has written better Banks thrillers, and I'll be waiting for the next one. (less)
