I am hard-pressed to explain why, but the newly published Careless Love is my favorite Alan Banks novel to date. Peter Robinson’s series about the British detective inspector has been a reliably excellent police procedural since its inception over 30 years ago. His latest, though, relies on a fairly simple plot and the gentle foibles of its main character to carry things along. It does so quite quickly and so very well ... As always, Banks presents a terrific playlist for readers interested in music both contemporary and classical. Robinson does a wonderful job of aging his character slowly, carefully and realistically. Hopefully we will see several more books in the series before Banks is inevitably retired, but for now we can appreciate that Robinson --- even at this late date --- continues to favor us with his best writing.
Chock-a-block with elements that keep readers coming back ... Robinson’s exquisitely detailed descriptions set his story apart from many police procedurals ... If police procedurals that are steeped in accuracy and a dead-on sense of place are your cup of tea, Careless Love fits the bill magnificently.
As usual, Robinson provides a solid police procedural enhanced by the rugged Yorkshire setting. Banks himself—jazz- and solitude-loving, difficult, somewhat melancholic, unlucky in love—is always fascinating. Robinson doesn’t give much help to new readers, but, for series fans, this one is a sure bet.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay[/caption]
