Not Dark Yet Book Review

Title: Not Dark Yet

Author: Peter Robinson

ISBN: 9781529343120

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Pages: 374

Source: Review Copy from Penguin Random House South Africa

The investigation into the gruesome murders of Eastvale property developer Connor Clive Blaydon and his factotum Neville Roberts at Blaydon’s luxury home reveals a cache of hidden SD cards that cast the murders in an entirely different light. Instead of showing Blaydon’s murderer, the grainy and blurred footage reveals a brutal rape. If Annie and Gerry can discover the identity of the rapist and his victim, it could lead them to whoever wanted Blaydon dead.

Meanwhile, Banks’ friend Zelda, increasingly uncertain of her future in Britain’s hostile environment, is in Chișinău looking for answers. Her search takes her back to the orphanage where her nightmare began with her abduction at the age of seventeen. A super recogniser, able to recognise and remember faces significantly better than most people, Zelda is determined to bring the men who abused her to justice. But as she stirs up the past, she and Banks soon find it has ripples that reach into the present, plunging both of them into greater danger than ever before.

Official Summary

How have I never read a Peter Robinson book before? I have no idea how I have managed to miss out on this series. Not Dark Yet is the 27^th Alan Banks book and only the first one I have ever read. Since I loved this character, I have some catching up to do.

Thank you to Penguin Random House South Africa for sending me this review copy. This was a brilliant crime novel filled with twists and turns and a shocking ending…. believe me, every time you think you know where this story is going to go, the next page manages to prove you wrong.

As mentioned, this was my first encounter with Peter Robinson and I have already added the other twenty-six books in the series to my TBR. I enjoyed the writing and loved the characters. The regular reference to music had me reaching for my Spotify account to hear what the fuss was about. I cannot wait to spend more time with Alan Banks.

This crime novel has everything needed to get you hooked and deeply emerged in the story. Putting this book down before you are finished is no easy feat. Starting with a gruesome murder, the investigators soon discover proof of an unreported rape, drugs and gangsters. This story also ties in with Zelda’s past and her search for the people who abducted her at the age of seventeen. Not Dark Yet will keep you glued to the pages as the two stories intertwine.

I cannot believe that I have not come across this author before. I loved his writing and the characters were amazing. It’s not often that one of the main characters is called Zelda – of course, I loved that even if it was a little weird reading about someone with my name. Especially when she is very different to me.

Alan Banks is a brilliantly crafted character and I cannot wait to spend time reading more of the book in the series, so keep an eye out, there is sure to be more of Peter Robinson’s books featured on the blog in the future.

Not Dark Yet is a crime thriller with loads of twists and turns and is guaranteed to keep you entertained as you lose yourself in the story. There are lots of music references and a colourful mix of characters. This book is well worth checking out even if, like me, you are new to the series and to Peter Robinson, you will find it to be a great read. Yes, you guessed, I loved this book.

About the Author

Bio from Author’s Site

Peter Robinson was born in Yorkshire. After getting his BA Honours Degree in English Literature at the University of Leeds, he came to Canada and took his MA in English and Creative Writing at the University of Windsor, with Joyce Carol Oates as his tutor, then a PhD in English at York University. He has taught at a number of Toronto community colleges and universities and served as Writer-in-Residence at the University of Windsor, 1992-93.

His first novel, Gallows View (1987), introduced Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks. It was short-listed for the John Creasey Award in the UK and the Crime Writers of Canada best first novel award. A Dedicated Man followed in 1988 and was short-listed for the CWC’s Arthur Ellis Award. A Necessary End and The Hanging Valley, both Inspector Banks novels, followed in 1989, and the latter was nominated for an Arthur. Both received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly in the US.

Visit his website for more.

Thank you for taking the time to read my review. Are you familiar with this author? Leave a comment below sharing which is your favourite book in the series.

Thank you to Penguin Random House for this review copy, I now have another author to add to my list of favourite authors. I cannot wait to read more from Peter Robinson. Until next time… Happy Reading!