Past Reason Hated--A Novel of Suspense

August 2, 1993
The inhabitants of Robinson's Yorkshire are a far cry from James Herriot's sturdy farmers. In this literate mystery, Chief Inspector Alan Banks must deal with the vicious stabbing death of a young lesbian in a room illuminated by the light of a crackling fire and a Christmas tree, the murder by starvation of an incestuous old lecher, the slashing to ribbons of a Twelfth Night cast's costumes and the near-fatal strangulation of his newest detective constable, Susan Gay. Banks, seen last in The Hanging Valley, subjects all potential suspects--including past and present spouses and lovers, a group of amateur thespians and members of the police force--to an extended (perhaps too extended) psychological investigation. The puzzle's grip is weakened by some unconvincing red herrings and the detectives' lengthy musings; nevertheless, Robinson, a Toronto resident and winner of the Crime Writers of Canada Best Novel award, creates an appealing Yorkshire setting with evocative descriptions of the wintry town, dales and seaside.

Though this oddly titled book is some 20 years old, when you give it a chance and listen, it's not dated at all. Yorkshire Chief Inspector Alan Banks solves a murder mystery by sleuthing, interviewing, and using his intuition. The story, which begins with the brutal murder of a lesbian actress, deals with several underlying issues, including sexuality and family violence. James Langton's British accent gives credibility to the principals. Yet when he's called upon to portray a newly promoted female detective (improbably named Susan Gay), you'd swear a woman is narrating. Langton's voice has more surprises as he deviates from the controlled tones of British detectives when the story calls for it. Book and reader are perfectly matched and, together, won't ever grow old. A.L.H. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine