Children of the Revolution by Peter Robinson, a Mysterious Review.

Review: Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks is called to investigate the death of an apparently homeless man at the foot of a bridge spanning an unused railroad track. He had either jumped, or possibly been thrown off. Quite possibly a drug deal gone bad, but why, then, did the man have £5000 in his pocket, in Children of the Revolution, the 21st mystery in this series by Peter Robinson.

The dead man turns out to be Gavin Miller, a former lecturer, who had been fired from Eastvale College four years ago for sexual harassment. Bank's team of three young officers — DI Annie Cobbs, DS Winsome Jackson and new Detective Constable Geraldine Masterson — search deeper into Miller's life, going back forty years ago to his own college days at Essex University. It was the early 70s when students were protesting the politics of the time. Many, in revolting against capitalism, sided with communism and Marxism. They supported miners on strike, giving some homes in their dormitories. Drugs were a big part of their lives. They discover that Gavin was involved with these protests and with drugs as was his college sweetheart, Victoria. The younger members of Bank's team are far too young to relate to the cultural conditions of the time, though Banks himself is about the same age as Miller and he knows of the hatred that existed between the pros and cons of that radical era. But, enough to come back after forty years for revenge?

Banks learns that Miller had spoken to Victoria, now the very wealthy Lady Caldwell, for at least seven minutes on the phone just days before he died. When he interviews her, she declines to answer his questions and soon thereafter Banks is warned by his superiors to back off, suggesting that he might take early retirement instead. Or, if he cooperates, he could be in line for Detective Superintendent of the Homicide and Major Crimes Division. Actually, to Banks, neither is an ideal offer and he decides that he'll continue his investigation his way and let the future bring what it may.

As is typical of the books in this series, all the major players are well-drawn and cast in strong settings. The trip back in time to the 1970s is an interesting one, and probably most especially for those readers who may have lived during that same period. It's always a pleasure to follow along with Inspector Banks as he works the case his way and the solidly plotted and often surprising Children of the Revolution doesn't disappoint.

Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Children of the Revolution.

Acknowledgment: HarperCollins provided a copy of Children of the Revolution for this review.

Friend of the Devil
William Morrow (Hardcover), March 2008
ISBN-13: 9780060544379; ISBN-10: 0060544376

Children of the Revolution

An Alan Banks Mystery by Peter Robinson