The Cherub Affair

Starred review from August 3, 2009
Bestseller Robinson (All the Colors of Darkness
) proves that Yorkshire coppers aren't his only worthwhile subjects in this outstanding story collection. Crime in its myriad forms runs throughout, from an American GI falsely accused of rape during WWII in “Cornelius Jubb” to a detective remembering his childhood role in bringing down a gang of robbers in “The Price of Love.” The settings range from the familiar Eastvale of the Inspector Banks series to Robinson's current home in Toronto. He even tries his hand at noir in “The Cherub Affair,” complete with a down-on-his-luck PI and a beautiful woman in need of help. Banks fans will be delighted with the inclusion of two short stories and two novellas starring the Yorkshire detective chief inspector, one of which, “Like a Virgin,” is original to this book. For those unfamiliar with Robinson's work, this serves as an excellent introduction to one of the best voices in contemporary crime fiction.

August 15, 2009
Close on the heels of Robinson's latest Inspector Alan Banks mystery ("All the Colors of Darkness") comes this collection, with nine stories (two of them featuring Banks) bracketed by two Banks novellas. With the exception of the final novella, all were written at the request of an editor, usually for a crime anthology published in the last six years, often taking Robinson in new directions as he tackled a literary form that he finds more difficult than a novel. While the emphasis is on police procedurals, at which Robinson excels, there are elements of horror and the supernatural in "The Magic of Your Touch," with its bow to Poe, and explorations of the human condition, as in "Shadows on the Water," a story of honor and courage told by a World War II soldier in a foxhole. In the final novella, "Like a Virgin," which brings Banks up-to-date, the dogged inspector learns that justice delayed need not be justice denied. VERDICT This collection distinguishes itself from recent crime anthologies by emphasizing Inspector Banks; the final novella is a deeply satisfying procedural that hints at the possibility of Banks's renewing an old romantic relationship. Until the next Banks mystery comes along, fans can get their fix here. [See Prepub Mystery, "LJ" 6/1/09.]Michele Leber, Arlington, VA

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2009
This collection is a bit of a poser. Except for one novella written expressly for this edition, the volume consists entirely of previously published material, nine short stories and another novella. Both novellasGoing Back and Like a Virgin (the new contribution)star Robinsons immensely popular series character, Detective Inspector Alan Banks. The novellas, beginning and ending the collection, offer a nice contrast and update on Banks character. The first has him visiting his acerbic parents and dealing with a man who is way too interested in helping his parents out. The second has Banks confronting his own sense of personal and professional failure as he deftly handles yet another case. The other stories have quite a range: a tale centered on a black American GI stationed in Yorkshire during World War II, one on poker, and a completely nonviolent Banks story. Robinsons Afternotes provide some intriguing glimpses into his choices when writing each story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)