Abattoir Blues

Two missing boys.

A stolen bolt gun.

One fatal shot.

Three ingredients for murder.

When DCI Banks and his team are called to investigate the theft of a tractor from a North Yorkshire village, they're far from enthusiastic about what seems to be a simple case of rural crime. Then a blood stain is found in an abandoned hangar, two main suspects vanish without a trace, and events take a darkly sinister turn.

As each lead does little to unravel the mystery, Banks feels like the case is coming to a dead end. Until a road accident reveals some alarming evidence, which throws the investigation to a frightening new level.

Someone is trying to cover their tracks - someone with very deadly intent . . .

“It's neither the setting nor even the characters that makes Robinson's work so satisfying, but the plotting of Swiss-watch precision - IndependentClassic Robinson: labyrinthine plot merged with deft characterisation - ObserverPeter Robinson deserves a place near, perhaps even at the top of, the British crime writers' league - The TimesA real page-turner that confirms Robinson as a master of crime fiction - Bella MagazineAs always with the excellent DCI Alan Banks novels, you can expect the story to grip you from beginning to end - Choice”

It's neither the setting nor even the characters that makes Robinson's work so satisfying, but the plotting of Swiss-watch precision - Independent

Classic Robinson: labyrinthine plot merged with deft characterisation - Observer

Peter Robinson deserves a place near, perhaps even at the top of, the British crime writers' league - The Times

A real page-turner that confirms Robinson as a master of crime fiction - Bella Magazine

As always with the excellent DCI Alan Banks novels, you can expect the story to grip you from beginning to end - Choice

Peter Robinson's DCI Banks became a major ITV1 drama starring Stephen Tompkinson (Wild at Heart, Ballykissangel) as Inspector Banks, and Andrea Lowe (The Bill, Murphy's Law) 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.

Two missing boys. A stolen bolt gun. One fatal shot. Three ingredients for murder. When DCI Banks and his team are called to investigate the theft of a tractor from a North Yorkshire village, they're far from enthusiastic about what seems to be a simple case of rural crime. Then a blood stain is found in an abandoned hangar, two main suspects vanish without a trace, and events take a darkly sinister turn.As each lead does little to unravel the mystery, Banks feels like the case is coming to a dead end. Until a road accident reveals some alarming evidence, which throws the investigation to a frightening new level.Someone is trying to cover their tracks - someone with very deadly intent . . .

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