Review: Children of the Revolution

by Peter Robinson (Hodder and Stoughton)

Having never read a “DCI Banks” novel, I had no reference to the character and I have to say I found Banks a little smug at times.

Not the least because I felt that, when it comes to women, (most of whom here, somewhat younger than Alan Banks, seem to swoon around him…), Peter Robinson might well be living, vicariously, through his character. At one point two female detectives seem poised for a bout of fisticuffs over Banks. In your dreams, mate… Banks is a well-read, slightly prickly, sixty-ish detective chief inspector, with an eclectic taste in movies and music, (the latter from classical to the Grateful Dead and much in between).

The father of a famous rock musician son, Banks plies his skills in a constabulary in the north of England, where his gritty ex-girlfriend is also on the force. A second string story line dwells on a decision Banks is pondering – promotion or retirement?

This case revolves around a college lecturer, Gavin Miller, whose battered body has been found under a railway track bridge. In Miller’s pocket is £5 000.

Banks discovers that Miller was sacked, a few years back, when two female students accused him of sexual misconduct. Unable to find another job in his field, Miller had been going down the tubes ever since.

Suspects pop up all over the place, including various characters from Miller’s former college. On the plus side for Banks… suspects include – the “remarkably beautiful” Lady Veronica Chalmers, (married to a Andrew Lloyd Webber-type producer) and Lady Veronica’s right-hand woman, Oriana. The latter just happens to be a “flawless olive complexioned, full-lipped” young Italian woman.

In the 60s, Lady V was a lively political activist, attending Essex University and thereby hangs part of the tale. Her nephew, Oliver Litton, is, currently, hotly tipped to become the next Home Secretary, hence Banks has some pussyfooting to do – people in high places, including his superiors in the force, do not want upper crust Lady V and family “upset”… A fairly satisfactory, if slow moving at times detective tale with a climax I could see coming a mile off. Banks fans will, no doubt, enjoy.

Oh, and to those who edited this one, Rodgers and Hammerstein (Page 14) should have a “d” in the Rodgers! Tch, tch… – Sally Scott