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Inspector Alan Banks has been through a grueling time both personally and professionally and has decided to recuperate by taking his holidays in Greece for a month. He's run away from his messy life and has found paradise of a kind, but not for long. For things are happening back home that demand his attention. During Alan's teenaged years, he had a group of guys that he hung out with, including a boy by the name of Graham Marshall. Graham disappeared and was never heard of again. It's over 30 years later, and his bones are unearthed during a construction excavation. When Banks learns of the discovery, he feels an obligation to be involved in the investigation and returns to the UK. The case is being handled by Detective Inspector Michelle Hart, and Banks offers up his assistance. Alan has been carrying around a load of guilt for years about an incident that happened to him right before Graham disappeared. He feels that if he had reported it, perhaps Graham would not have been killed. At the same time, back in Banks' home precinct, there is an eerily similar case. A teenager by the name of Luke Armitage has gone missing. He has some small bit of fame, as his birth father was a talented rock musician who committed suicide. His mother was a model, and his stepfather is a well-known athlete. The case is assigned to Detective Inspector Annie Cabbot, with whom Banks had been personally involved. Annie makes a somewhat dubious decision while following a possible kidnapping aspect to the case and seeks advice from Alan. Robinson skillfully alternates between the 2 investigations. Interest ingly, Banks is not the lead inspector on either of the cases but is highly involved on both. The reader is treated to two complex plots, two sets of well-developed characters, two settings, as well as much revelatory information about Banks himself and his somewhat strained relationship with his parents. Banks as a man reminiscing about Banks as a boy was certainly an interesting twist. I have a few minor criticisms of the book. The first is that I felt Robinson overindulged in nostalgic references to music and television shows when discussing the 1960s background for the Graham Marshall case. The allusions became excessive. The second is that I wasn't entirely satisfied with the resolution. It was well done but somewhat convenient in some respects. However, I have to admit that I didn't have all the plot threads unraveled until they were explained in the conclusion, and the various explanations were completely plausible. Robinson has a secure place in my top 5 list of favorite authors. You know when you read any of his books that you are placing yourself in the hands of a master. Close to Home is the 13th book in the series and continues a long tradition of excellent writing. The book is very engrossing and has an exceptionally detailed plot featuring superbly well-drawn characters. The Inspector Alan Banks books make up a great series, one which every mystery reader should experience.
Reviewed by Maddy Van Hertbruggen, July 2003
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