In a Dry Season

By: Peter Robinson

Narrated by: Ron Keith

In a Dry Season, winner of the Anthony Award, is an outstanding example of mystery fiction. Peter Robinson's Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks conjures up memories of classic detectives like Philip Marlowe and Sherlock Holmes.

An insufferable drought ravages the Yorkshire countryside, depleting the Thornfield Reservoir, revealing the remnants of the flooded town of Hobb's End and the terrible secrets kept safe within its watery tomb. Amongst the ruins, the remains of a woman's body are discovered. Detective Banks deduces that the woman was strangled and repeatedly stabbed more than 50 years ago. His investigation takes him on a treacherous quest to bring a killer, who has escaped detection for over a half a century, to justice.

Robinson pushes the boundaries of the genre by giving listeners fresh insights into the myriad nuances of crime fiction. Ron Keith immerses himself in his multiple roles and superbly voices the novel's complexities.

©2000 Peter Robinson (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Anyone who loves a good mystery should curl up gratefully with a cuppa to enjoy this rich 10th installment of the acclaimed British police procedural series....Once again, Robinson's work stands out for its psychological and moral complexity, its startling evocation of pastoral England, and its gritty, compassionate portrayal of modern sleuthing." (Publishers Weekly)
"Peter Robinson is an expert plotter with an eye for telling detail...the characters have complexity and the issues range broad and deep." (The New York Times Book Review)

Great storyline!

Characters' tone of voice a little off at times. Not sure why Banks had to sound like the parody of a WWII drill sergeant . Otherwise a really enjoyable "read".

Wonderful mystery

Fascinating plot alternates between the murder 50 years ago to present. Great detective. Reader not bad, although I thought his "voice" for the detective was a bit more bullyish than I found the character. Loved every minute of it. Don't miss it.

Great story

...terrible narrator. He really ruins it for me. Since when has someone from Leeds sounded like a silly cockney?

A great Peter Robinson work!!!!!

I choose my mysteries with care and one of Peter Robinson's is not to be missed. I caught this on a recheck to ensure I had read (listened to) all earlier Bank's books. This is one not to be missed by dedicated Alan Banks fans. In this book he meets Annie Cabot for the first time. Sparks fly!! The way the two tales in this book are interwoven is superb. It's a book you will find hard to stop once you begin it.

Outstanding

An outstanding series of novels. Combines first rate plots with outstanding character development. I’ve enjoyed them all.