Customer Reviews
Another strong novel in the Banks series - By: M. V. Clarke, 15 Sep 2008 
That this, the 17th novelin the Inspector Banks series, feels fresh & the characters are still developing, is testament to Peter Robinson's considerable skill as a writer. His plots are dark & often harrowing, as is the case here, with two seemingly disparate cases; Banks is focussed on the rape & murder of a young studentin a secluded alleywayin Eastvale, while DI Cabbot is seconded to Eastern Division & is investigating the violent death of a quadriplegic. Inevitably, both cases dovetail, but convincingly so, & there's an interesting tie-in with Robinson's standalone book 'Caedmon's Song' - one piece of advice, if you haven't read 'Caedmon's Song', do so before reading this. It'll make your experience of this novel much richer.
As the cases come together, they get more harrowing & the violence continues, leading up to a bloody, enthralling climax. The principal characters, Banks & Cabbot, are as interesting as ever; seemingly having drifted apart somewhat, they both have personal adventures of their own, but cannot cut themselves off from each other completely. There are also many other great characters, & Robinson's dialogue, scene setting & understanding of common prejudices & cultural habits make for a great read. Highly recommended.
More than up to scratch - By: Opus_Seven, 01 Aug 2008 
It's a great read, despite re-using a significant part of "Caedmon's Song"in one of it's sub-plots. I have never read "Aftermath", & am sure it didn't spoil anything for me. This book stands on its own.
Good characters, good writing, strong on conversation & fine descriptions of Yorkshire scenery.
Compared to the crime novel I had previously read ( "Unseen" ) this is premier leagure stuff, but I still think there is that indefinable 'something' missing.
It's a good & easy read, difficult to put down, but somewhere it is only a slow burn, & not a raging fire.
Enjoyable, though & not to be missed.
It still bothers me, though. Not the music references ( although they can be irritating ) or the alcohol consumption ( this is modern Britain !), but why all characters but Alan Banks are referred to by their christian names....
It's About Plot - By: J. MCATEER, 21 Jun 2008 I've read most of the Inspector Banks series & enjoyed them. What you've got to understand about Peter Robinson is that he is an expertin plot. I don't read his books expecting brilliant characterisation or dazzling dialogue. All of us who read his books know that his characters are pretty flat & the dialogue is, at times, embarrassingly bad. However, you cannot deny that the guy can write a great mystery: they usually begin with a murder & then he gradually gives the reader a little bit more informationin each chapter; not too much at once so that the reader keeps turning the pagesin search of the next clue, almost as if you are trying to solve the crime before Banks does. 'Friend of the Devil' is, therefore,in keeping with Peter Robinson's established format: he writes a perfectly plotted crime thriller.
Rumbles along nicely without catching fire - By: S. B. Kelly, 19 Jun 2008 
DCI Banks' 17th outing centres round two rather unlikely murders which,in an even more unlikely way, turn out to be connected. It's odd that, at well over 500 pages, the novel feels as if it needs more fleshing out. Minor characters, especially police officers outside the golden triangle of Banks, Annie Cabott & DC Winston, are two-dimensional & I found the denouement abrupt.
Cabott, too, is becoming a problem,in that she now seems doomed to victimhood. Having survived a rape earlierin her career, she seemed to have rebuilt her life but is now too busy drinking too much & feeling sorry for herself to turn her mind to the crime she's supposed to solve. She's starting to get on my nerves. Waking up after a drunken night with a man she picked upin a bar, a man young enough to be her son, she then treats him like a piece of excrement on her shoe. Please can she pull herself togetherin time for #18?
I'm also bored with constantly being told what tracks of pop music Banks is listening to on his Ipod (It's almost like product placement; am I supposed to rush out & buy these CDs?)Not to mention what esoteric brand of beer he's swilling. These pointless lists are very much a male thing & this female reader has had enough of them.
I'm not saying the book isn't generally a good read, but Robinson made his breakthrough with the stunning Aftermath & has, perhaps, struggled to live up to it since. Maybe it's time to give Banks & Co a rest & write something different.
Disappointed - By: Peter A. Robinson, 10 Jun 2008 
Well apart from her comments on the music...which has been a feature of Peter Robinson's Banks series that i've enjoyed... i agree with the disappontment of the previous reviewer. With a name like mine I HAD to read them & apart from the last 2 or 3 I've enjoyed them, but now he's clearly run out steam....stereotypical scenes follow stereotypical scenes, the characters are increasingly wooden, the dialogue tired & unconvincing. The co=incidences are just unbelievable. Sorry Mr Robinson, but it's time to put him out to grass....you've run out of steam. It's been a good run so don't milk it any more...To almost quote from your own book....It's YOUR book that ruins a good Grateful Dead song!!!
I'll leave my crime fiction buying to Stephen Booth & Graham Hurley from now on!
