ISBN: 0-7887-9498-1 Order from: Recorded Books
A skilled and involving investigation, features a number of interesting and flawed characters, the book is overly verbose and introspective at times, as well as somewhat dark in its resolution.
Reviewed by David on May 22, 2004
Genre: Mystery (Procedural)
Synopsis: Chief Constable Riddle has always been an enemy of Inspector Banks. So Banks is more than a bit reluctant to do a favor for his unlikable boss. The promise of better treatment is hardly enough, but Banks's sympathy gets the better of him. Riddle's teenage daughter has ran away, and the Chief Constable begs Banks to find her and make sure she's all right.
Banks, with his own daughter just out of her teens, goes to London to find Emily. Private investigation is not Banks' forte—he cannot use his official powers or even tell people of his job. Nonetheless, Banks' experience and perseverance pay off—he finds Emily Riddle. The spoiled but charming Emily and Banks form an unlikely friendship. However, soon Banks is forced to act in his official capacity, as crime strikes the Riddle family.
Full Review: The book is excellent in its portrayal of complex, sometimes likable people. The investigations are filled with human interaction as well as minutiae of evidence and observation.
The details sometimes go too long, with some plot lines seeming to meander around just for self-reflection (or angst) or background. Despite these assaults on the reader's patience, the book is satisfying and emotionally intense. The conclusion is rather dark, as perhaps inevitable in a police investigation involving homocide.
Sources: recordedbooks.com|96801, Amazon.com|0380809354, BarnsAndNoble.com|0380809354
Overall: 5.5; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 6; Style: 6; World-building: 6; Originality: 6;
Copyright date 2000, Recorded Books, 2002, Audio Cassette, 12 cassettes
ISBN: 0-7887-9498-1 Order from: Recorded Books