2008-10-01 All the Colours of Darkness - Peter Robinson

I thought that the last novel in the Chief Inspector Banks series lacked energy but was hopeful that he would back on form in this. Not so, I honestly believe that Robinson is writing in the wrong genre. This is loosely a crime/police procedural novel. It is more about Banks himself, his ability to balance his personal relationship and job and the changes in him that have taken place over time.
In this novel nothing happens outside of the police characters' lives - no tension built up but a rather incredible story line around the MI6 which sees Banks dealing with unbelievable shadowy forces.
The music references are annoying. A sergeant goes in to interview a person at home and ends up reflecting upon the music he plays and thinks of her own preferences.
The prose and dialgoue are clunky and the end is a disappointment.
I gave this one star and I only gave it that because some of the descriptive scenes are good - ie. the vivid imagery of life in contrast to the ugly death of a hanged man in the opening scene.
It also feels that Robinson is out of touch - a witness has never heard of a "hoody" before, a teacher that covers arithmetic, a detective who says he should "spank" someone who arrives unexpectedly at his home.
I have really enjoyed Banks up until the last couple of novels and I'm not sure that I could be tempted to buy any more when there are writers out there such as Richard Montanari, Craig Russell, Mark Billingham and John Harvey.