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    Sleeping in the Ground: An Inspector Banks Novel
    Sleeping in the Ground: An Inspector Banks Novel
    Sleeping in the Ground: An Inspector Banks Novel
    Audiobook11 hours

    Sleeping in the Ground: An Inspector Banks Novel

    Written by Peter Robinson

    Narrated by James Langton

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    Michael Connelly calls Peter Robinson ""an author with amazing empathy, a snare-trap ear for dialogue, and a clear eye for the telling detail.""

    See why in Sleeping in the Ground, the gripping new novel starring Alan Banks — featuring an opening scene you'll never forget, and a finale you won't see coming.

    At the doors of a charming country church, an unspeakable act destroys a wedding party. A huge manhunt ensues. The culprit is captured. The story is over.

    Except it isn't. For Alan Banks, still struggling with a tragic loss of his own, there's something wrong about this case — something unresolved. Reteaming with profiler Jenny Fuller, the relentless detective deeper into the crime... deep enough to unearth long-buried secrets that reshape everything Banks thought he knew about the events outside that chapel. 

    And when at last the shocking truth becomes clear, it's almost too late.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateAug 15, 2017
    ISBN9780062682192
    Author

    Peter Robinson

    Peter Robinson's DCI Banks became a major ITV1 drama starring Stephen Tompkinson as Inspector Banks and Andrea Lowe as DI Annie Cabbot. Peter's standalone novel Before the Poison won the IMBA's 2013 Dilys Award as well as the 2012 Arthur Ellis Award for Best Novel by the Crime Writers of Canada. This was Peter's sixth Arthur Ellis award. His critically acclaimed DCI Banks novels have won numerous awards in Britain, the United States, Canada and Europe, and are published in translation all over the world. In 2020 Peter was made a Grand Master by the Crime Writers of Canada. Peter grew up in Yorkshire, and divided his time between Richmond, UK, and Canada until his death in 2022.

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    Reviews for Sleeping in the Ground

    4/5

    160 ratings19 reviews

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    • 5/5
      This book had a very powerful start with 5 people shot at a wedding. The killer is announced early in the book but it just doesn't feel right for Banks. After a lot interviews, Banks is now sure that the killer is still on the loose. I found the plot very interesting and the twists kept the pages turning. Robinson is an expert in his characterizations as his characters do feel like real people to me. I love his attention to detail and get a great feeling about the locations of his books. The music references throughout is one of the best features of an Inspector Banks novel. I love that Jenny is back and Annie is having a hard time with this. Can't wait for the next book in order to see how this plays out. I would highly recommend this series to those who love police procedurals. Best to read the books in order as they build one upon the other.
    • 5/5
      One of the best inspector banks books. Great plot twist.
    • 4/5
      One ideally should read Peter Robinson's series of Inspector Banks novels in order from the beginning (“Gallows View,” 1987) because the lives and loves of the continuing characters are as important and as interesting as the mysteries solved. Yet even finding (and affording) all the earlier books can be a challenge, and so we can read “Sleeping in the Ground,” his excellent 2017 entry in the series, and have to play catchup from the last novel you read, in my case “Wednesday's Child” (1992).This time the personal life of Banks seems to distract him from solving a mass murder. A sniper hits nine members of a wedding party, killing most of them, including the bride. Yet Banks is preoccupied by the death of his first love and then by the reentry into his life of Jenny Fuller, a criminal profiler whom he had a crush on years before when he was married. Turns out, she had a crush on him, too, but now that they're both free, she's not so sure.Even with the distractions the case wraps up quickly when the suspect is found dead from suicide in his basement. Readers will be suspicious long before Banks and his crew are because it's not yet page 100 in a 319-page book. Sure enough, there's much more to come, and the conclusion turns out to be even more exciting than usual in this series.The novel's title would seem to refer not so much to the deceased as to the long-buried emotions of both Banks and the killer he pursues. The story is about what happens when those feelings come to the surface.
    • 4/5
      Featuring a ripped from the headlines style mass killing, Sleeping in the Ground is an engrossing police procedural which takes place in the British countryside. This latest release from Peter Robinson stars venerable Detective Superintendent Alan Banks and although it is the 24th installment in the Inspector Banks series, it can easily be read as a standalone.

      The novel opens with a mass shooting by an unknown assailant at a wedding that leaves bride Laura Tindall and two people dead and groom Benjamin Kemp and five others wounded. With little evidence to go on, the investigation does not take long to uncover the probable identity of the shooter. With the murderer dead by his own hand, the case is quickly wrapped up, but a few details bother Detective Superintendent Banks. After pathologist Dr. Glendenning mentions a few anomalies in the killer's post-mortem that don't add up, Banks, DI Annie Cabbot and DC Geraldine "Gerry" Masterson dig deeper into the victims' pasts.

      Banks is rather introspective throughout the investigation as he mourns the recent loss of his first serious girlfriend. Despite his preoccupation with his memories and an unexpected reunion with psychologist Dr. Jenny Fuller, his years of experience and keen instincts are sharper than ever and he quickly zeros in on a possible reason for the shooting spree but the ensuing investigation does not have an overabundance of clues for the investigators to follow. Instead, subtle pieces of information combined with a few facts and logical conclusions prove Banks and his team are on the right track. Gerry is instrumental in finding the evidence that provides them with a viable suspect. Days of torrential rain have resulted in area flooding, but with another person's life hanging in the balance, Gerry disregards her personal safety once she is certain she knows what the killer is planning next.

      Sleeping in the Ground is a fantastic mystery that old and new fans of the Inspector Banks series will enjoy. The characters are brilliantly developed with true to life foibles and frailties that are incredibly relatable. The investigation relies on old fashioned detective work to solve a very modern crime and the storyline unfolds at steady pace. Peter Robinson brings the search for the shooter to an exciting conclusion that completely wraps up the investigation.
    • 5/5
      Banks is like a fine wine: each outing is an improvement!This story grips from page one to the last line. Not only does Mr Robinson set up a crime that seems to breach all sanity, and then resolve it, he also manages to flesh his characters until they become people whilst, always stopping the right side of a soap opera. I do not want long protracted stories of my detective's angst but equally, it helps for them to be human. All the main characters in a Banks tale are guaranteed to have a back story, and each one is different and interesting. I think this is in large part due to the way, rather as one does with real life friends, the history comes out in pieces. So many novelists give a paragraph, or even a chapter, of "interesting" background and then proceed to treat their character as complete. Robinson's characters evolve.I am distraught, I only have one more Banks to read. I hope that you are working on the next instalment Mr. Robinson...
    • 5/5
      I have never read a bad or mediocre book in this series. I like the way Peter Robinson ages his character of Alan Banks and how he gives him a private life that we are privy to outside of his life as a detective. Alan is a very through police officer. He sees things that are often overlooked and helps to solve the crime. Banks family and professional history always adds context to the story. In this one, compassion was also a big factor. The books don't necessarily need to be be read in order but each one just serves to make Alan Banks come alive for the reader.
    • 4/5
      The novel begins with a mass-shooting at a wedding. Banks investigates, listens to music, & remembers a first love, & has the opportunity to rekindle an earlier near-romance. So, no big surprises, but another enjoyable read in this series.
    • 4/5
      I am trying to read through the Alan Banks series, and I find the Peter Robinson’s writing skills have improved. I love the discourse into music and would love a guide to all Alan Banks’ music. I would enjoy listening and seeing if the music moves me as Peter Robinson suggests. Peter Robinson does a wonderful job with characters and setting. I feel the scenery and the emotions of the characters. My biggest criticism is that every woman falls for Alan. In this book, we learn about Alan’s first love and her current death from cancer. Many other women, both young and old, swarm about Alan in hopes of winning his attention. I feel that Peter Robinson misses a little on human nature with all relationships being warm and fuzzy.
    • 4/5
      I like these--the characters seem real, the surprises not too forced (aside from a moment near the end, but I'll forgive it)--and, without being "cosy," they aren't brutal, unpleasant books (I don't get far toward finishing those--tried a James Patterson once--"Woman's Murder Club" sounded enticing--and then he gunned down a baby in the opening chapter, so nope, not going to read that.)

      (Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
    • 5/5
      When the supposed murderer is identified Banks and his team find it hard to reconcile this conclusion with the opinion everyone who knew him has of the murderer. Nor does there seem to be a cogent motive. It is one of those cases where the ends don't tie up.If you are a follower of the Inspector Banks TV series then you will notice there are some serious differences between the direction that series has taken and what happens in the books. For me it provided some confusing moments.Nevertheless this was a "good listen", well narrated (with voice characterisation) by Mark Meadows.
    • 5/5
      Reading a new Banks story is like slipping on an old comfy pair of shoes, you know what to expect and are rarely disappointed. In this one Banks has been promoted to Superintendent and is more than usually reflecting on his life after attending the funeral of his first girlfriend. He returns to discover a mass shooting on his patch at a Dales wedding, with no obvious motive. The apparent shooter is quickly traced, but suspicions remain that all is not what it seems. The eventual story resonates strongly with Banks' reflections of his own life. Excellent characterisation and plot in usual Yorkshire settings with a new strong colleague of Banks emerging, DC Gerry Masterson.
    • 4/5
      Wonderful series, and this installment was one of the best.
    • 5/5
      The story begins with a mass murder at an English country wedding in a churchyard. A gunman sniper shoots several members of the wedding party – killing or injuring several of them. Then he disappears. At the same time, Detective Superintendent Alan Banks is travelling back by train from a funeral for a college sweetheart. He goes immediately to the crime scene to head the investigation. Then, almost too soon, the case is closed when a suspect is found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. But is he the shooter? Doubt arises when the pathologist notes some unusual injuries. The rest of the story is the resulting investigation into whether the suicide was actually a suicide or a murder and who is the shooter?Throughout the story there’s a theme of past relationships and events coming back to affect present day life. This applies to both the police investigation and Banks’ personal life. He gets some shocking news about his recently deceased college sweetheart. Several characters from previous books in the series make a return. At the end the recurring characters stand in place for their roles in the next book in the series.It’s a solid police detective story with an exciting conclusion. One of the finest of the Alan Banks books. Highly recommended reading.
    • 5/5
      There are very few mystery authors who can keep a series going and keep it fresh and interesting. Peter Robinson and the Inspector Banks series is one. When a sniper lets loose on a local, but somewhat high profile wedding, three people are dead, two are critical and more are wounded. Winsome Jackman, part of Banks' team, was in attendance and was grazed with a bullet.Unfortunately, the sniper left no clues. When a local, retired dentist is found dead in his home the result of an apparent suicide, it appears the police have their killer. He was a member of the local gun club and had the arms that tied him to the killings. The major complexity, though, is that there is nothing tying him to anyone in the wedding party. It takes Gerry Masterson to make the connection.I'll admit that readers will know 'who done it' about two thirds of the way in. But that's OK. Sleeping in the Ground is still a great book and a welcome addition to the Inspector Banks series. There is action, romance, police procedural, etc. The team is living up to their usual high standardsAnd, of course, there are cold cases, of sorts. All in all, Sleeping in the Ground is an excellent read.
    • 4/5
      Book # 24 in the Inspector banks series! I love this series so I dropped everything when the book arrived. I will surely abandon a current book for the latest publication by Robinson or Tana French. Absolutely.This one starts with a mass shooting immediately following a wedding. A sniper takes aim at a wedding party, killing the bride instantly and goes on to attack the rest of the wedding party. It was an exciting fast paced start to be sure. Banks is away attending the funeral of a former love and is unaware of the case until DI Annie Cabbot finally gets through on his mobile. The shooter sat on a hill with an excellent view of the church and festivities, getting away quickly before police could be called in.As always the mystery and the ah-ha moment comes together near the very end. Great detective work. If you want a good police procedural type mystery this is the book for you. I have read these books in order but you don't have to do so. Fair warning though - as there are personal and professional developments with Alan Banks and members of Eastvale Police Department in each book, you may discover something about one the regular characters (spoilers) if you read them out of order.Since English painter David Hockney's paintings were mentioned I thought I would include two. I have a few of his paintings saved in my Pinterest account and was pleased by a mention of him in this book by artist Ray Cabbot (Annie's father).(Photo at Novel Meals)Food and Drink mentionedBanks and Ray Cabbot have a conversation about Ray’s moving to Yorkshire: “Banks laughed and drank more Laphroig. He could get used to the peaty taste again very easily. “Any particular reason you want to move to Yorkshire?"Ray shuffled in his seat,” Something about the light up here. Hell, if Hockney could do it, I don’t see why I can’t.”Avocado, quinoa and tomato salad for Annie’s pub lunch.Roast Cod with watercress sauce and roasted cherry tomatoes, buttered new potatoes and haricots verts with white Rioja wine.Ken Blackstone is always a fan of curry and I like when Banks meets up with him to discuss a case. They ordered a couple of pints of lager, samosas to start, then Vindaloo for Blackstone and Lamb Korma for Banks, with Aloo Gobi, rice and plenty of naans.Pat, the Australia barmaid, brought in two large platters of nachos and pints of Black Sheep bitter.As you can see there was plenty of food inspiration for me to choose from. I was tempted by the nachos and Annie's salad but ultimately had the craving for Indian food so......I made a Veggie Tikka Masala . Something Ken Blackstone can get into and vegetarian style for Annie. Recipe may be found at Squirrel Head Manor.
    • 4/5
      Sleeping in the Ground by Peter Robinson is a very difficult book for me to rate. This is book number 24 in the series and it is the first time that I have read any of the author's books. Because I haven't read the previous books, I got a little bit lost with the characters. But I found Inspector Banks very interesting. He had attended a funeral of his first love of many years ago and that jarred him. The relationship had been broken off suddenly but he never knew why. Even though he married later on, this was his one true love. So there is sadness hanging over him. He had a great love of music, and I enjoyed reading about his choices. He recognized music as a great healer and comforter in his life. At the time that Inspector Banks was attending the funeral, a sniper invaded a wedding party and there were vivid scenes of the bride, the groom, bridesmaids being shot plus others at the wedding who were injured. When the clues were put together, the police were very happy because they thought that they had found the sniper. A retired dentist was found with a fatal bullet through his mouth plus clippings with underlined words in red. I did not buy it. Was the dentist the sniper?I really loved rich characterizations of the Inspector and the other main characters in this book. I just wish that I had started with the first installment.I received a finished copy of this book from the publisher as a win from FirstReads but that in no way made a difference in my thoughts or feelings in this review.
    • 4/5
      Twenty fourth in series and still pretty darn fantastic. Impressive, and since I have read this series from the beginning, that means I have been reading this series for almost 2/3rd's of my life. A wedding and a funeral, beginning and endings. Of course the wedding doesn't turn out well, pure understatement there, and the person in the casket had secrets not revealed to Banks until forty years later. Also, some things are never truly over, there is guilt and revenge, and some people just don't care about new beginnings.This series is one of the best police procedurals around, well written, tightly plotted, and some very interesting character that have gone through some harrowing times. Banks himself, is a complicated, multi faceted character. Love music, poetry and this series always contains some of these. Introspective, but beginning to rethink his solitary life as he is getting older. Just a balanced mix of case and personal. A series well worth reading.ARC from edelweiss.
    • 5/5
      Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks series is one of my hands down favourites. Sleeping in the Ground is the 24th entry.I have such a delicious sense of anticipation when I open the cover of the latest Banks. I had no idea what the plot was about, but knew I would be in for another great read. I wanted to catch up with characters I've come to know and appreciate. What has gone on in their lives? Robinson keeps them moving forward in real time with each new entry.Sleeping in the Ground opens with a wedding - and a funeral. A unknown gunman opens fire on a countryside wedding, killing and wounding many. Banks is away attending the memorial service of his first love from forty years ago, when he is called to the scene. He's become quite introspective with her passing, looking at his own life and decisions. But, it seems to be manifesting itself in anger and short tempered outbursts - quite unlike the usually composed Banks.The killer is identified early on in the book and I wondered where the book could go from there, as there were still many pages remaining. Banks has some niggling doubts though and continues to investigate even as the case is declared solved. Robinson's plot was inventive and completely unpredictable. I truly enjoy being surprised by a mystery as I read so many.Robinson excels at both plotting and characterizations. As I mentioned earlier, I read this series as much for the mystery as for those who populate the pages. Familiar supporting players are back, including one from Banks' past. The settings and descriptions have me yearning to sit in a pub with a packet of crisps, catching up on the latest.As always, I enjoy Bank's music selections. I've often put the book down to look up and listen to a song that is playing in the book, curious as to how and why it fits that particular scene or moment. Banks is also into poetry now and those references are also well suited.Robinson's prose are effortless and so very engaging. Sleeping in the Ground is a stellar entry in this series - and I will be eagerly awaiting number twenty five.
    • 5/5
      As a longtime fan of Peter Robinson’s Inspector Bank’s series, I must say that I have been slightly unenthusiastic about the series. There was a certain restlessness about the story line as it progressed through the last few books. It didn’t stop me from enjoying the story or the intricate plotting that Mr. Robinson is so famous for; his delicate and intricate descriptions of the Yorkshire country side are always evocative and imaginative; his choices of music are always educational and have caused me to spend more money than I care to remember on musical CDs inspired by his musical choices. Yet, the stories felt like the characters have stagnated slightly even though both Banks and Annie have not stayed static over the sequence of books, it just seemed like they aren’t going anywhere. The prior installment of the Inspector Banks series, When the Music Is Over, gave us a wee dram of tastiness of what is to come however. Banks had been promoted to Detective Superintendent and he has finally found a boss that he felt comfortable with, and his orneriness and rebelliousness seems to have been tempered by old age. The lone term storyline with the characters was evolving, accounting for both Bank’s and Annie becoming older. The other characters are also beginning to blossom into their own skin; Winsome Jackson’s character was becoming a welcome addition, and Gerry Masterson started to stand out. Indeed the introduction of Linda Palmer the poet introduces the element of poetry to the narrative, a most welcomed respite from the reality that Mr. Robinson is so adept at describing. So I see that installment as the foreshadowing of this installment.This book is a full blown coming out party in many ways. Even though Mr. Robinson kept his dual story plotline, he executed it in a different way, expertly giving us all a nice head fake while doing so. He has reintroduced the character of psychologist Jenny Fuller, teasing us as to her potential to be Bank’s latest love interest. Most importantly, he has also shown Banks growing into his role as the Detective Superintendent, gaining gravitas and acting as the mentor. This is a most welcome development, as we watch Banks mature, much as we watch a good and trusty friend mature along with us. It is a comfortable and emotional evolution for me as I become more identified with Bank’s thoughts and emotions. All the while, in a reversal of roles, it is now Annie who is the rebel of sorts, and the designated ornery character, although Banks has not completely mellowed out by any stretch of the imagination. Gerry Masterson is the ingénue and the story actually moves along in a smooth new way. In yet another new twist, Mr. Robinson has also introduced an element of nostalgia and regret in describing the death of Bank’s first love, his childhood sweetheart Emily. It is a bittersweet interlude which helps us delve further into Bank’s psyche and his most primal feelings. This storyline does not seem intrusive, even though in the wrong hands, it could have. It fits nicely into the narrative naturally. In my personal history with this series, I would put this book up there with In A Dry Season, the first book in the series that I’d read and the one book that exemplifies much of what I love about the series and the reason why I loyally and unquestioningly follow Banks. In some ways this story is better because it is much more emotional and personally meaningful to me.