In 1980, the body of a a young girl is found in a park in Leeds. The Yorkshire Ripper was terrorizing England at the time and, at first, she was thought to be one of hid victims. However, the method of her death doesn’t match his other victims and her case is put on the back burner and is seemingly forgotten at least by everyone except her ex-boyfriend, Nick Hartley.

Flash forward to 2019. During an archeological dig in a field destined to become a shopping mall, the skeleton of a man is uncovered. It is clear, however, that his burial is much more recent than Roman times. It is also clear he was murdered. DCI Banks and his team are called in to investigate.

Standing in the Shadows is the 28th book in the DCI Banks police procedural series by Peter Robinson. It is also, sadly, the last. Like all of the preceding novels, it is well-written, well-plotted and smart, more puzzle than action

This novel opens in 1980 when Nick discovers his ex-girlfriend has been found murdered nearby. While he realizes he is likely a suspect, he also sets out to discover who the murderer is. Meanwhile in 2019, an archeologist finds a skeleton with a damaged temple in an abandoned farmer’s field. Inspector Banks and his team are called in and as the investigation starts it appears the two disparate events are more connected than they first appear.


I really enjoyed this novel as it contained elements I enjoy—an engaging read filled with suspense and an intricate plot. This is was the first Inspector Banks novel I’ve read and I was quite disappointed to discover it is also the last Inspector Banks novel. I will definitely be taking a look at the other novels in this series. I like British police procedurals and am very happy to have found another series to read.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with a copy of this ebook for review.

I have been an Alan Banks mystery fan for so many years.. Standing in the Shadows is the last Alan Banks novel and I'm thankful to #netgalley and McClelland & Stewart for the chance to read it early.

I love a cold case and if the body is found by archeologists - I'm there. Standing in the Shadows opens with the discovery of a skeleton that is decidedly not Roman. This cold case alternates with a storyline set in 1980 in the midst of the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book and the ending was very satisfying. I loved spending time with Alan, Winsome, Annie and Gerry and I will miss all of them.

I was very happy to receive an Advance Review Copy of this, the last of the Inspector Alan Banks series. Sadly Peter Robinson died suddenly in October of 2022. I so loved the chance to read and to review this book as Alan Banks has been a favourite of mine for years, so I'd like to thank the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me this chance to read and review this book. This book is a little different from most Alan Banks books as Peter Robinson created a tinge of the unreliable narrator in this book, which is a plot twist that I usually don't care that much for. But I didn't mind it in this instance, as it was written by a true master of the art of writing. The book is set around two time-frames, 1980 and 2019. When a skeleton is found buried in a proposed construction site, Banks realizes that this older case from 2008 was tied to an earlier crime and to the present. This is a twisty, convoluted case, that keeps giving Banks and his team more surprises until the final whopper of an ending. It leads them on a trail of police corruption, modern gangsters and a bunch of people with a whole lot of secrets. I enjoyed the book, but wasn't that taken with all the political controversy. That is why four stars instead of five. I will miss Alan Banks and feel very sad that we lost this talented author who has left us so suddenly. He has left a wonderful and lasting legacy.

Sorry to see this is the last book in the series. I had missed a few so wasn’t quite sure what was happening with some of the regulars. An archeologist doing some digging before a highway and mall goes in finds a skeleton, but not an ancient Roman one. This skeleton is relatively recent. Good examination of how skeletons can be identified by various items with them. This story bounces back and forth in time but is clearly labeled so the reader knows where they are. I like DI Banks, he is good at delegating and is concerned about his group. The mystery ultimately is logically solved. The UK a recent history included as part of it fits in perfectly and is necessary for the resolution.

An archaeologist on a Roman dig site unearths a modern-day skeleton that will come to expose more than just a simple murder and dump. Detective Superintendent Banks and his team will have their work cut out for them as they determine the motivation for this crime.

Alas, I come to this series late and somewhat backward since this is the last in the Inspector Banks series. Recommended by a Goodreads friend a while ago, I had planned to read these books in order, but then NetGalley offered the chance to assess this story and I could not resist. Jumping in at the very end is bittersweet - I know I'm going to value the cast when I do read the books at the beginning of the series, but I'll also be so very sorrowful in the knowledge that the series came to a somewhat abrupt end.

It almost goes without saying that the characters are well written (after 28 books, how could they be not), but indeed they are memorable individuals with their own quirks and personalities. I felt I got to know the people well - even the minor players were described in such detail that a relationship was built between the reader and the person on the page.

The mystery snaked its way around the story and while the final reveal was not a complete surprise, it was satisfying in its resolution. I liked the approach the author took to tell the tale which built up both suspense and sympathy. The twinned storylines added a wealth of detail and provided needed context.

I recommend this book highly and, by association, the rest of the series.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to review Standing in the Shadows. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.

This was an intriguing police investigation book, as it looks at two cases at once. I found the links between the cases led me to want to know exactly what happened in each and how it all came about. As I got to the last third of the book I could not put it down. I have not read any Inspector Banks books before, but will be reading more now. In fact I bought my next one already,

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "Standing In The Shadows", the 28th and final (as far as we know) book in the DCI (now Detective Superintendent) Alan Banks series.
This series has been a mainstay in my reading history for as many years as the books have been around, and you can always depend on (the late) Peter Robinson to spin a good yarn.
And this time is no different. The story begins in 1980 with the murder of Alice Poole; the story begins in 2019 with the discovery of a skeleton in a farmer's field that is slated for redevelopment - but first it's an anthropological dig, spurred on by a nearby discovery of Romain artifacts. But this is no ancient relic, it's the skeleton of a more recently-deceased person.
Nick Hartley, one of the chief characters of this story, is the ex-boyfriend of Ms. Poole, who finds himself temporarily accused of her murder (she had recently left him for another man) amidst the 1980's furor around the Yorkshire Ripper murders.
DS Banks is short-handed in the aftermath of Ray Cabott's recent passing and Annie taking time off to deal with her grief and his estate, but the 'usual suspects', I mean team, are present and accounted for: Winsome and Gerry are hot on the trail of their mystery decedent, with the help of a new conscript to the team "Wilkie" Collins.
The story yo-yos between the events of the 1980s and 1990s and the investigation into the who, why, what, where and when of the skeleton, and we're treated to quite a bit of British modern criminal history, from Marxist college groups to the IRA to the infamous News Of The World hacking scandal.
Along the way, the two stories begin to merge until Banks and team come to the conclusion of what occurred back in 1980, what happened when their mystery man was killed, and how it all came to a head one fateful night.
If this is indeed the last of the Banks books, Mr. Robinson has left us with a gem of a whodunit. Recommended.

Standing in the Shadows by Peter Robinson

Peter Robinson showed his usual skill in crafting this mystery set both in 1980 and 2019. He deftly transfers the story back and forth between the 2 time periods.

In 2019, an archeologist discovers a skeleton in a shallow grave in a farmer's field in Yorkshire. DCI Alan Banks and his team struggle to identify the body. Banks knows the key to solving this murder may lay in finding out who he was. Entwined in the story is that of another murder committed in 1980 of a young college student, Alice. Nick, her ex-boyfriend, narrates this part of the story. There are plenty of suspects of Alice's murder including Nick himself. The Yorkshire Ripper and her current boyfriend Mark are also under suspicion. The only weakness in the plot comes at the very end of the book when Bank's reason for pursuing the murderer feels flat.

Part of the charm of this series is the warmth of the Inspector's character and his enjoyment of wine and music. I picture myself in his conservatory enjoying both and visiting a pub with his team.

Maybe because I know it is probably the last book in the series due to the author's death, it feels like the story is unfinished. I wanted to know how the main characters continue. I guess the sign of a great series is that it leaves you wanting more. Adieu Inspector Banks, I will miss you, old friend.

Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley.

2.5 Stars. The late Peter Robinson had a brilliant career writing popular, critically acclaimed, prize-winning police procedurals. His body of work is formidable and includes 28 Inspector Banks crime novels, several stand-alones and short stories. I have been aware of how well-loved his books are, but this is the first one I have read. His vast list of books was intimidating, and I had no idea where the best place would be to start. I did find the plot complex but easy to follow, with some fantastic twists.

I made a mistake beginning with Standing in the Shadows. This is my fault, as I was missing any in-depth feelings for the personalities on the police team and how they worked effectively together over the years. I understand that Inspector Banks is a brilliant detective and a sensitive and caring team leader. As a newcomer to the series, this one book didn't inspire me to begin the back library, but fans should immensely enjoy it. I added a streaming TV service with three seasons of the Inspector Banks shows, so maybe after watching a few episodes, I will feel more compelled to pursue the book collection.

The story is an intricate puzzle with two timelines that eventually coincide in a well-plotted resolution. In 1980, a young university student, Neil Hartley, finds his life in disarray and turmoil. His ex-girlfriend, Alice, has been murdered. They broke up because she was a passionate left-wing political demonstrator, and he was ambivalent about her causes. She left him for Marc, who was more suited to her political activism. The night she was murdered, she was seen arguing with Marc, who had vanished. Nick believes that her new boyfriend killed her and then fled. The police not only suspect Neil is the murderer, but he fears they suspect him of being the Yorkshire Ripper, active in the area at the time. Neil has a clue as to where Marc went, but the police abruptly cease looking for Marc, and the case is dropped.


In 2019, a recently skeletonized body was uncovered during an archaeological dig looking for ancient Roman construction and artifacts. After intensive scientific scrutiny at the forensic lab, they determined the male body had been buried about five years earlier. They can state his approximate height and his age to be 60 to 65; He had been murdered by several heavy blows to the head. Fragments of clothing, shoes, and a belt indicate he was a well-dressed man wearing expensive clothing. No one fitting this description had been reported missing.



This is a skillful, well-constructed puzzle, drawing the two timelines together cleverly and surprisingly. I thought the police procedural was slow and tedious, reflecting real-life investigations. The use of music, names of songs, and albums to produce atmosphere, character, and time, I regarded as an overload and a distraction.

The author has been called 'the master of the police procedural,' and my rating in no way reflects the skill and literary value of the book, but only my ignorance of the series. I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy. The publication is due May 16.

This is the last of the Alan Banks books, and I think it's better than the last few. It's told in two ways, by a university student in 1980 describing his life after the murder of his girlfriend, and by Banks and his crew trying to learn the identity of a skeleton dug up from land that will be developed into a shopping centre. While neither of the stories was particularly exciting or unusual, the ending was where all was revealed, and was a nice surprise. I was glad there was less emphasis on music and hardly anything about Zelda. I guess Banks is about ready for retirement, so this was a good finish to his story.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this novel.

Standing in the Shadows is the 28th and last book in the compelling Inspector Banks series by late Peter Robinson. The clever and fast-paced police procedural is told in two timelines, 1980 and 2019. Atmospheric Yorkshire Dales is the setting...and what a setting it is.

During the Yorkshire Ripper scare in 1980, Nick Hartley is horrified to learn that his ex girlfriend Alice has been murdered and her new boyfriend is missing. Nick's grief and love for her are real. He is questioned and DS Alan Banks is anxious to find out what happened and bring the killer to justice.

In 2019, archaeologist Grace is not terribly surprised to unearth a skeleton on a dig. In the course of her job it is not uncommon. However, the depth of the skeleton in the dirt sends off alarm bells...this is no ancient skeleton. All sorts of questions pop up for DS Banks and his team. Where does one begin tackling such a case?

I like how the two mysteries are linked, vivid characterization, meaningful title and that the readers are not spoon fed. Though brilliantly written as always, the more police procedurals I read the more I realize that they simply are not my wheelhouse. This is simply a situation of personal preference. Those who are more passionate about the genre will surely enjoy it thoroughly.

My sincere thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this riveting novel.

Standing in The Shadows had me slowly reading and devouring every word knowing that this was the final book in The Inspector Banks series and I did not want to reach the end.

Inspector Banks and his team are tasked with finding out who the skeleton is that was dug up on a farmers field.

There is another time frame with another murder . They must be connected but how.

There is so many aspects to the book: Banks and his music, Annie recovering from a loss , the time frame of The Yorkshire Ripper .

The ending is one I did not see coming and it made the finale a special one.

Peter Robinson has made Alan Banks a person I feel is like family and would love to have a pint with along with his team.

Peter Robinson you will be sorely missed and your books have been much appreciated over the years.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada, McClelland & Stewart for the privilege of reading and reviewing Standing in the Shadows.

Standing in the Shadows seems aptly named as it seems like a shadow is cast over the book, being published after Peter Robinson's death. Unless there are unfinished manuscripts laying around, this is the last of the Inspector Banks novels. As with the other novels in this series it could be read as a standalone, but there is a continuing story line following the lives of characters in the books.

In this novel, told in two time lines, Banks and his group are trying to solve the mystery of a murder victim found in a shallow grave during an archaeological dig.
Robinson ,manages both time lines to be presented in a easy to follow pace.Hints are scattered throughout but we are led astray a few times.

Peter Robinson's characters have a depth to them that we know each as friends. These are people we have been with for years,through the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful. It's a bittersweet farewell the Inspector Banks, Annie, Winsome and crew. The loss of them will be felt in our reading lives.

It's quite sad to be listening to the last ever Inspector Banks novel. In true Robinson form, it was as compelling as the rest. I will miss the character. I will miss the author.

I am a first-time reader of acclaimed author Peter Robinson’s DCI Alan Banks police procedurals! I know, I know. Imagine coming into the series at #28 … cheeky, right?! No, I haven’t even seen the TV adaptations, either. An honest-to-goodness newbie.

It didn’t take me long to question if there was a link between the 1980 unsolved murder and the discovery of a body in a field, but it took me to the end of the book to discover if I was correct in my assumption. Despite there being a thorough investigation, Detective Banks feels the need to do some final checks because he thinks it all wrapped up too smoothly. I’ve been told each of his previous stories conveys the same message; it’s important to get to the real story behind the story. Distrust the easy answer! This one was no different.

I loved the characterization! I remarked several times on the descriptive, deep characters as well as the vivid, authentic-sounding Eastvale, Yorkshire Dales setting. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the superb plotting, too. If you’ve read this series from the start, I imagine you continue reading for the same reasons I enjoyed this one.

Sadly, this author passed away last year after a brief illness. ‘Standing in the Shadows’ was completed before his death. I will definitely be going back and starting this series from the beginning because I enjoyed looking for clues about motives and loved being kept in suspense. Robinson doesn’t hand it all on a silver platter, he makes readers work for it … and I love that. I’m glad I read one of this established author’s mysteries. I had to find out for myself why he was dubbed “the master of the police procedural.”

If you are like me and wondering if this could be read as a stand-alone - yes! Go for it!

I was gifted this copy by Penguin Random House Canada, McClelland & Stewart and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.